July 21, 2020 — The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced the establishment of three new Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes. The institutes will receive a total of $75 million to accelerate quantum information science (QIS) research and development (R&D) and strengthen American leadership in this key industry of the future.
“America’s future depends on our continued leadership in the most cutting-edge industries of tomorrow. With the announcement of three new quantum institutes, the Trump Administration is making a bold statement that the United States will remain the global home for QIS research. Our new Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes will advance America’s long history of breakthrough discoveries and generate critical advancements for years to come,” said Michael Kratsios, U.S. Chief Technology Officer.
“Quantum information science has the potential to change the world. But to realize that potential, we must first answer some fundamental research questions,” said Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, NSF Director. “Through the Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes, NSF is making targeted investments. Within five years, we are confident these institutes can make tangible advances to help carry us into a true quantum revolution.”
The Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes are hosted by universities and will integrate the resources and expertise of the National Laboratories and industry partners. In addition to their research, these centers will also focus on training and educating a diverse, quantum-ready U.S. workforce. They will develop new in-person and online curricula for students and teachers at all educational levels, from primary school to professionals.
Today’s announcement establishes three institutes:
- NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Enhanced Sensing and Distribution Using Correlated Quantum States: Quantum sensors that can measure everything from radiation levels to the effects of gravity will be more sensitive and accurate than classical sensors. This institute, led by the University of Colorado, will design, build, and employ quantum sensing technology for a wide variety of applications in precision measurement.
- NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Hybrid Quantum Architectures and Networks: Developing more robust quantum processors is a significant challenge in QIS and engineering. This institute, led by the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, will build interconnected networks of small-scale quantum processors and test their functionality for practical applications.
- NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Present and Future Quantum Computing: Today’s quantum computing prototypes are rudimentary, error-prone, and small-scale. This institute, led by the University of California, Berkeley, plans to learn from these challenges to design advanced, large-scale quantum computers, develop efficient algorithms for current and future quantum computing platforms, and ultimately demonstrate that quantum computers outperform even the best conceivable classical computers.
The Trump Administration has taken historic action to advance U.S. leadership in QIS, a key area for future economic prosperity and national security.
- In 2018, OSTP released the first ever national strategic plan for QIS providing guidance to government, private sector, and academic communities on priorities for U.S. leadership in QIS.
- In 2018, President Donald J. Trump signed the bipartisan National Quantum Initiative Act into law which bolstered investment in QIS and strengthened Federal coordination efforts.
- In 2019, The White House established the National Quantum Coordination Office to coordinate and strengthen quantum policy and R&D investments across the Federal government.
- Most recently, the President’s Fiscal Year 2021 Budget included a commitment to double investment in quantum R&D by FY2022.
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, UW-Madison, UChicago to Partner in $25M NSF Quantum Information Institute
- UC Berkeley to Lead $25M Quantum Computing Center
- Midwest Collaboration, Led by IQUIST, Awarded $25M Quantum Information Institute
- UW–Madison Named Member of New $25M Midwest Quantum Science Institute
Source: White House Office of Science and Technology Policy