Twelve early-career quantum researchers will receive the 2026 Boeing Quantum Creators Prize, a $3,500 award recognizing contributions to quantum information science and engineering. The program, now in its sixth year, highlights promising researchers like Begüm Kabagöz of the LIGO Laboratory, who is uniquely using the gravitational wave observatory as a platform for quantum science. The 2026 winners will present their work at this year’s Q2B26 x Chicago Quantum Summit, hosted by QC Ware and the, on December 8-10. The prize is designed to recognize promising researchers whose work contributes new ideas to a fast-growing field.
2026 Boeing Quantum Creators Prize: Honoring Early-Career Researchers
Previous recipients of the prize, first awarded in 2021, have secured positions at prominent institutions including the University of California, demonstrating a career trajectory encouraged by the program. Boeing expanded the program in 2023, reflecting a growing commitment to supporting emerging talent in quantum information science and engineering. The program’s impact extends beyond immediate career advancement. Six past winners reported the prize directly aided their research.
Kabagöz, advised by Nergis Mavalvala, is applying the LIGO gravitational wave observatory, traditionally used for astrophysics, to explore applications in quantum science. The prize winners will also receive a physical trophy alongside the monetary award, acknowledging their contributions to the rapidly evolving field of quantum technology.
Prize Recipients’ Research Focuses on Quantum Information Science & Engineering
His work builds systematic understanding of how to realize and manipulate emergent quantum phenomena given experimental resources, aiming to broaden the theoretical foundations of quantum computation and resource management. Vincent Steffan, a senior quantum error correction engineer in Germany, concentrates on hardware-aware quantum low-density parity-check (qLDPC) code constructions, specifically Tile Codes. Her research explores the interaction of quantum states with complex optical systems, investigating quantum measurement engineering, information processing and secure quantum networks.
Kabagöz’s approach demonstrates an unexpected intersection of fields, repurposing technology originally intended for astrophysics to address challenges in quantum information science. Ryan White, a graduate student working with Hannes Bernien, uses arrays of rubidium and cesium atoms to explore mid-circuit measurement and interspecies entangling gates. Jiachen Yu, a PCCM postdoctoral fellow, works under the guidance of Professor Ali Yazdani, further expanding the scope of research within the cohort.
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