The U.S. National Science Foundation is distributing 20 million collectively to five new teams, expanding a multi-year effort that now includes nine projects dedicated to designing a unified national resource for quantum science and technology development. These teams will refine plans over the next two years to integrate quantum sensors, networks, and computers, giving researchers across the country access to specialized resources for real-world applications. NSF’s National Quantum Virtual Laboratory program seeks to break down barriers between institutions and accelerate innovation in a rapidly evolving field. “Across academia, government and industry, America has an unmatched array of brilliant people working on quantum science and tech with incredible potential to improve our quality of life,” says Brian Stone, performing the duties of the NSF director. “But too often they are working independently in silos. We need to bring their talent and ideas together, and NSF is uniquely positioned to make that happen.”
National Quantum Virtual Laboratory Design Competition Awards
A collective 20 million investment will propel five new teams forward in the National Quantum Virtual Laboratory design competition, significantly expanding a multi-year effort already underway with four previously funded groups. This financial commitment from the National Science Foundation underscores a focused strategy to unify disparate quantum research efforts across the United States, aiming to deliver functional quantum technologies for practical applications. Each of the five selected teams will receive 4 million over the next two years to refine development plans and prepare for implementation, indicating a clear expectation for tangible progress beyond theoretical design. The initiative seeks to democratize access to specialized quantum resources for researchers nationwide, integrating sensors, networks, and computers into a cohesive system. Projects range from building fault-tolerant quantum computing logic to designing high-fidelity quantum networks capable of transmitting information over approximately 60 miles, a speed roughly 100,000 times faster than existing quantum networks.
Researchers are also exploring innovative sensor technologies, including protein-based qubits for use within complex biological environments. Companies, including Boeing, Honeywell, and IonQ, are partnering on these projects, alongside federal agencies like NASA and the Department of Energy, signaling a broad coalition committed to scaling up emerging quantum technologies and fostering a skilled STEM workforce.
The team will design chip-based quantum sensor technology that is portable and robust enough to be used in the field, outside the highly controlled laser laboratory environments typically required for such sensors.
NSF
Five Teams Advance Quantum Sensors, Networks, and Computing
These teams are tasked with designing experimental quantum technologies, ranging from long-distance quantum networks to highly sensitive sensors capable of probing single cells, all with the aim of creating a unified national resource accessible to researchers across the United States. A key focus is integrating quantum sensors, networks, and computers, with one team aiming to build fault-tolerant quantum computing logic by unifying error-correction, hardware, and algorithms. Researchers are also designing novel sensors, including those utilizing protein-based qubits, for applications within solid materials and cells. Beyond the core research, these teams will collaborate with over two dozen U.S. NSF expects to select the first teams to transition from the design to the implementation phase later in the year, subject to appropriations from Congress, marking a significant step toward realizing the potential of quantum technology.
But too often they are working independently in silos. We need to bring their talent and ideas together, and NSF is uniquely positioned to make that happen.
Brian Stone, performing the duties of the NSF director
Fault-Tolerant Logic & Photonic Entanglement Project Details
The team received 4 million from the National Science Foundation to unify error-correcting code design, hardware development, and algorithm creation into a single, cohesive process. This approach aims to overcome the inherent instability of qubits, the fundamental building blocks of quantum computers, which are prone to errors that can corrupt calculations. The project’s success hinges on creating a system where errors are not simply detected, but actively corrected during computation, allowing for reliable and scalable quantum processing. Simultaneously, a team is designing a high-fidelity quantum networking system capable of transmitting information at speeds approximately 100,000 times faster than current quantum networks. This “Attosecond Synchronized Photonic Entanglement Network” project aims to achieve secure communication over distances of around 60 miles, leveraging the principles of quantum entanglement to establish instantaneous connections between distant quantum processors.
These five newly selected teams, along with four previously funded groups, will collectively refine their plans over the next two years, preparing for a potential implementation phase later in the year, subject to appropriations from Congress. The NSF’s investment of $20 million underscores a focused, time-bound approach to building a nationwide quantum ecosystem, integrating sensors, networks, and computers for real-world applications.
The team will design a high-fidelity quantum networking system approximately 100,000 times faster than current quantum networks and able to carry information over distances of about 60 miles.
NSF
