UCLA Secures $75 Million in NSF Grants for Quantum Technology Advancements
On August 25, two institutes at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) focusing on quantum computing were awarded a total of $75 million in grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Each grant, amounting to $37.5 million, will be distributed over a five-year period.
Advancing Quantum Research at UCLA
The institutes, known as the Fault-Tolerant Quantum Systems, Architectures and Applications (FTQSAA) and the Challenge Institute for Quantum Computation (CIQC), are dedicated to enhancing quantum technology, which operates more efficiently than traditional computing systems. Researchers indicate that these grants will bolster UCLA’s standing in national quantum computing research.
Jens Palsberg, a computer science professor and co-principal investigator at CIQC, stated that the funding represents a significant opportunity for the university’s community to engage in quantum research. This funding is aimed at improving research capabilities related to qubits, the fundamental units of quantum information that replace classical bits.
The CIQC was established in 2020 with a mission to create more efficient quantum computing systems and explore natural phenomena through the lens of quantum information science. The FTQSAA, co-led by UCLA’s Henry Samueli School of Engineering in collaboration with Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, focuses on developing reliable quantum systems that are accessible to a broader range of users, according to Jason Cong, a distinguished professor at UCLA.
Both institutes draw on interdisciplinary expertise across fields such as physics, computer science, chemistry, and engineering. Palsberg noted that the NSF funding will facilitate the hiring of additional postdoctoral researchers and graduate students with a focus on quantum applications, alleviating pressures experienced by students who have previously needed to take on extra tutoring roles to support their education.
Leo Zhou, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, emphasized the importance of this funding in a climate where federal support for many research fields has diminished. Zhou remarked that quantum computing remains a priority for federal funding, distinguishing it from other domains that have struggled more recently.
Despite a tumultuous funding landscape, including a pause on $584 million in federal research grants at UCLA in July 2025 over disputes regarding university policies, much of that funding was later restored by a federal judge in late 2025, aiding the university’s recovery in research opportunities.
John Ye, a doctoral student, remarked on the competitive nature of securing NSF grants and indicated that their availability strengthens UCLA’s position in the quantum computing sector. Palsberg concluded by highlighting that UCLA’s involvement in multiple institutes in the Quantum Leap Challenge Institute positions the university as a prominent player in the advancement of quantum technology.
Why It Matters
The substantial NSF grants not only solidify UCLA’s role in advancing quantum computing but also enhance research opportunities for students and faculty at the institution. These developments are essential in a rapidly evolving technological landscape where quantum computing is expected to play a pivotal role in future innovations.
