D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS), the only dual-platform quantum computing company providing both annealing and gate-model systems, announced it has been selected to receive a $1,566,250 grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) through the agency’s National Quantum Virtual Laboratory (NQVL) program. The funding will support D-Wave’s role as a key industry partner in ERASE (Erasure Qubits and Dynamic Circuits for Quantum Advantage) – a project focused on developing foundational technologies for fault-tolerant quantum computing and strengthening U.S. leadership in quantum innovation.
Led by Yale University, the ERASE project brings together researchers from leading academic institutions and industry organizations to advance dual-rail gate-model quantum computing hardware, software, error correction, and applications. D-Wave, through its New-Haven, Connecticut-based subsidiary Quantum Circuits, LLC, will give ERASE researchers access to its superconducting dual-rail gate-model quantum computing resources. The award moves ERASE into the second phase of the NQVL program and underscores the NSF’s continued support for the project’s approach to scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computing.
“NSF’s continued support for the ERASE project highlights the national importance of accelerating progress toward scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computing,” said Dr. Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave. “We believe that D-Wave’s dual-rail technology can play a meaningful role in that effort, while building the technical foundation and skilled workforce needed to sustain U.S. leadership in quantum computing.” For more details, the full press release is available at https://ibn.fm/5um9O.
The ERASE project aims to address the challenge of building fault-tolerant quantum computers that can outperform classical systems for practical applications. By providing access to its dual-rail gate-model quantum computing resources, D-Wave enables researchers to explore new error correction techniques and dynamic circuits that are essential for achieving quantum advantage. This collaboration highlights the importance of public-private partnerships in advancing quantum technologies.
D-Wave’s involvement in the NSF NQVL program marks a significant step toward commercializing fault-tolerant quantum computing. The company’s dual-platform approach, offering both annealing and gate-model systems, positions it as a key player in the quantum computing landscape. The grant not only provides financial support but also validates D-Wave’s technology and its potential to contribute to national quantum computing goals.
The implications of this announcement extend beyond D-Wave. The NSF’s investment signals a continued commitment to maintaining U.S. leadership in quantum computing, a field with profound implications for national security, scientific discovery, and economic competitiveness. As quantum computing moves from theory to practice, collaborations like ERASE are critical for developing the workforce and infrastructure needed to realize its full potential.
