Energy Department Awards 85 Contracts Worth $218M for Quantum Computing Research

The Department of Energy has awarded 85 research contracts worth a total of $218M to academic institutions and the department’s national laboratories to conduct studies in quantum information science.

The department said Monday the contract awards align with the Trump administration’s plan to advance research in quantum computing, which could lead to innovations in computer and information processing and other technologies.

The awards cover various assignments such as developing systems for modern quantum computers, identifying new materials that possess special quantum elements and determining the purpose of QIS in understanding cosmic phenomena. 

Energy Secretary Rick Perry said investing in quantum computing research will allow the U.S. to become leaders in the field.

The Advanced Scientific Computing Research, Basic Energy Sciences and High Energy Physics programs of the DOE’s Office of Science are managing the contract awards.