QLCI: Institute for Robust Quantum Simulation (RQS)

Quantum computers hold the promise of solving problems in chemistry, materials science, and physics that are fundamentally beyond the reach of even the most powerful classical computers. Realizing this promise requires overcoming significant scientific and engineering challenges before quantum simulation can deliver results that matter to industry, medicine, or national security. Our NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Robust Quantum Simulation (RQS), Phase II, brings together a multi-institutional team of physicists, computer scientists, chemists, and engineers to push quantum simulation from proof-of-concept demonstrations toward genuinely useful, large-scale applications. In addition to advancing the progress of science, the Institute will train the next generation of quantum scientists and engineers through innovative educational programs coordinated across partner universities, and will engage the broader public in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions via outreach initiatives that communicate the real-world importance of quantum technology. These efforts directly advance US economic competitiveness and national security in an area of strategic global importance. Building on Phase I foundations in verification, error correction, and scalability, RQS Phase II pursues three coordinated research thrusts: (1) interacting fermion systems relevant to quantum chemistry, nuclear physics, and materials science; (2) fermion-boson systems pertinent to lattice gauge theory and related domains; and (3) dissipative algorithms for preparing thermal and ground states, with applications to simulation and optimization. The Institute will co-design algorithmic advances — spanning analog, digital, and hybrid approaches — with hardware development on ion trap, neutral atom, and superconducting qubit platforms, with an emphasis on scalable, noise-robust methods. Cross-cutting advances in error mitigation, compilation, and hardware control will be pursued in close collaboration with industry partners including Google, IBM, IonQ, Quantinuum, and QuEra, accelerating the translation of fundamental results into practically relevant quantum computing capabilities. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.