SCIENCE EVENTS
White House Academic Roundtable on Quantum Information Science
On May 31, 2019, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy National Quantum Coordination Office convened a wide-ranging group of more than 25 key academic leaders and educators who prioritize QIS R&D for The White House Academic Roundtable on Quantum Information Science.
Summit attendees participated in a set of dialogues focused on QIS academic programs currently offered around the country, best practices to establish Institutes and Centers to advance QIS, and identification of challenges and opportunities that experts foresee in connecting basic research to innovators and entrepreneurs. A panel of innovation experts worked with the group to examine parallels between their experiences creating, funding, and supporting innovation in emerging technologies, and the activities and approaches that are being developed now to foster innovation in QIS.
More information about the roundtable can be found in an event summary.
National Quantum Initiative Centers Summit
On December 2, 2022, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy hosted thirteen National Quantum Initiative (NQI) and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) research centers to discuss the most pressing scientific and workforce challenges affecting quantum information science, as well as the impacts and benefits of the field for all of society.
The summit convened three roundtables. During the first, each center described their mission, major scientific impacts, as well their approaches to building multi-disciplinary research teams, engagement with industry, and education and outreach. Two themes emerged from this roundtable: (1) a science-first approach to quantum information science is still paramount, and (2) the importance of growing the quantum workforce.
A press release is available at this link.
Quantum Networking Interagency Working Group Workshop
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s National Quantum Coordination Office convened a workshop in June 2023, bringing together experts in quantum networking and communication for discussions on research goals, gaps, challenges, and opportunities for interagency coordination. In addition, the workshop provided an opportunity to discuss the implementation of the national strategy for A Coordinated Approach to Quantum Networking Research, and to look toward the future as the Subcommittee on QIS and the Quantum Networking Interagency Working Group considers updating the strategy, as called for in the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. Attendees included representatives from fifteen Federal departments and agencies and select Department of Energy National Laboratories and National Science Foundation Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes.
The workshop had two panels focused on topics such as priorities for quantum networking, the quantum networking workforce, near- and long-term opportunities for collaboration and coordination, use-case development, and next steps for addressing gaps in quantum networking at the national level. The panels were followed by five breakout sessions on Domestic Cooperation and Coordination, Critical Components and Supply Chains, Near-Term Applications, International Activities and Considerations, and Interoperability and Standards.
The event summary provides a representative, high-level snapshot of the themes discussed and major takeaways.