Department of Energy Awards $65M for Quantum Computing Projects

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $65 million in funding for 38 separate awards spanning 10 quantum computing projects.

The DOE aims to support research to tap quantum computing’s ability to quickly solve large complex science problems that classical computers cannot. 

The list of awards to U.S. universities, research institutions, quantum companies and NASA includes research into algorithms to achieve quantum utility, reconfigurable quantum stacks and overcoming quantum errors. 

“With these awards, we are equipping scientists with computational tools that will open new frontiers of scientific discovery,” said DOE associate director of science for advanced scientific computing research Ceren Susut.

“Quantum computers may ultimately revolutionize many fields by solving problems that are currently out of reach.”

This funding round targets end-to-end software tools to program and control quantum systems at scale, quantum algorithms delivering quantum advantage and resilience through error detection, prevention, protection, mitigation and correction.

These are considered essential to achieve quantum utility – practical advantages and applications of quantum technologies to solve real-world problems more efficiently than classical systems – and the ecosystem to support them.

Related:Partnership Aims to Advance Quantum Innovation for Industry, Research

The DOE’s ongoing quantum research program supports the National Quantum Initiative Act, which passed into law in 2018. It recognizes the opportunities presented by quantum information science (QIS) and helps support U.S. endeavors in the face of growing international competition.

The DOE Office of Science is a partner in the National Quantum Initiative and has launched QIS research projects that span those carried out by single investigators within specific disciplines to large integrated quantum research centers.