NSF Awards $20 Million to 5 Quantum Teams, Expanding Virtual Lab Push to 9 Projects
Updated
Updated · Quantum Zeitgeist · Jun 24
NSF Awards $20 Million to 5 Quantum Teams, Expanding Virtual Lab Push to 9 Projects
3 articles · Updated · Quantum Zeitgeist · Jun 24
Summary
$20 million from the National Science Foundation will fund five new teams with $4 million each over two years to advance designs for a National Quantum Virtual Laboratory toward implementation.
The expanded program now spans nine projects aimed at linking quantum sensors, networks and computers into a nationally accessible system, addressing what NSF says are siloed U.S. research efforts.
Projects include fault-tolerant computing, chip-based field sensors, protein-based quantum sensing in living cells, and a photonic entanglement network designed to run about 100,000 times faster over roughly 60 miles.
NASA, the Air Force Research Laboratory, DOE labs, NIST and more than two dozen companies including Boeing, Honeywell and IonQ are participating, underscoring the push to turn quantum research into practical technology.
With 191,000 quantum jobs projected, how is the U.S. training a workforce for this complex new field?
Can America's unified quantum strategy of government, academic, and industry collaboration secure its technological leadership?
As billions fuel quantum R&D, how soon will its applications transform medicine and weather forecasting?
NSF’s Bold New Quantum Era: X-Labs, NQVL, and the Race for U.S. Leadership
Overview
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is leading a new era in quantum science by shifting towards large-scale collaborative programs and innovative funding models. These changes are designed to accelerate breakthrough research and development, overcome critical technical barriers, and build a strong quantum workforce. By aligning with the 2018 National Quantum Initiative Act, NSF aims to help the U.S. achieve quantum advantage, where quantum technologies can solve complex problems that were previously out of reach. This strategic approach positions the U.S. at the forefront of global quantum innovation and workforce development.