This week, the United States (U.S.) and the United Kingdom (U.K.) issued a joint statement of intent to enhance cooperation on quantum information science and technology – a move that aims to boost collaboration to help realize the full potential of quantum technologies and deepen ties between the United States and the United Kingdom. Jointly signed by U.S. Presidential Science Advisor and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology, Dr. Eric Lander, and the U.K. Science Minister, George Freeman, the quantum cooperation statement articulates a shared vision to promote collaborative research efforts, enhance training opportunities for scientists and engineers, and grow the market for quantum technologies.

(October 27, 2021) Quantum computing algorithms seek to use quantum phenomena to perform certain types of calculations much more efficiently than today’s classical, binary, transistor-based computers can. If and when a powerful enough quantum computer is built, it could run algorithms that would break many of the encryption codes we use to protect our data. In this interview with Taking Measure, Matt Scholl, chief of the Computer Security Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), discusses how worried we should be about this and what’s being done to mitigate the danger a future quantum computer poses to our data. See the full discussion here.

(October 7, 2021) Earlier this week, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) convened industry stakeholders from across the country to discuss how quantum computers and quantum sensors will benefit American society. Challenges and opportunities for increasing United States competitiveness in this critical industry of the future were also discussed.

(October 5, 2021) Today the Subcommittee on the Economic and Security Implications of Quantum Science released its first report. The report titled “The Role of International Talent in Quantum Information Science,” highlights the critical role that international talent plays in ensuring a vibrant and successful U.S. research enterprise in QIST, including the importance of close collaboration with foreign partners, while also stressing the importance of protecting the technology and expertise of the United States and our international partners. It finds that maintaining a strong flow of international students and researchers is an essential component to developing the expert QIST workforce required to achieve U.S. QIST goals as part of an advancing global research enterprise.

(Sept. 8, 2021) The C²QA Quantum Career Fair aims to bring more awareness to the undergraduate, graduate, and post-doc communities about the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science’s National Quantum Information Science (QIS) Research Centers and the different types of careers in QIS at the Centers, national laboratories, academia, and industry. In addition, the path students and post docs can take to pursue a quantum career.

(Sept. 01. 2021) Expanding upon its 2020 establishment of three Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes, the U.S. National Science Foundation has launched two additional institutes to advance quantum biological sensing and quantum simulation. As with last year’s cohort, NSF expects to support each institute with an investment of $25 million over its multi-year lifecycle.

(August 19, 2021) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $61 million in funding for infrastructure and research projects to advance quantum information science (QIS).  Advances in QIS have the potential to enable new forms of computing, simulation, communication, and sensing that can advance breakthroughs needed to combat the climate crisis and strengthen America’s competitiveness.

(August 17, 2021) The $20M, 6-year project establishes the 2D Quantum Materials and Devices Foundry (MonArk), operated jointly by Montana State University and University of Arkansas, and with help of a network of collaborators located mostly in other EPSCOR states: KS, MO, AL, WY, ID, OK, ND, IA, as well as in CO, TX and CA. The research program focuses on accelerated development of novel quantum materials using high quality single crystals in an automated exfoliation, synthesis, characterization and integration loop.

(August 16. 2021) DOE releases Request For Information (RFI) : Access to Quantum System. In support of a congressional mandate in the Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2021, DOE has released the FRI to help in their effort to  “develop a roadmap to provide researchers access to quantum systems so as to enhance the U.S. quantum research enterprise, stimulate the fledgling U.S. quantum computing industry, educate the future quantum computing workforce, and accelerate advancement of quantum computer capabilities.”