The University of Chicago and its partners have been awarded a $4 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to enter the next phase of the Quantum Advantage-Class Trapped Ion System (QACTI) project. The multi-university partnership, known as the National Quantum Virtual Laboratory (NQVL), aims to design a quantum supercomputer with broad scientific and educational access.
The QACTI project is now entering its second phase with two primary targets: building a 60-qubit “proof of concept” machine by 2029 and a 256-qubit ion trap computer by 2033. Fred Chong, a professor at the University of Chicago and co-principal investigator for the project, noted that the grant provides an opportunity to develop an open quantum platform for science applications. The project’s vision is to democratize access to advanced quantum hardware by making it available locally and via the cloud, to users across the country.
This initiative is a collaboration with researchers at Duke, Tufts, North Carolina State, and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. The project also emphasizes training the next generation of quantum scientists, engaging students, postdoctoral researchers, and professionals from diverse backgrounds. The NSF’s phased investment in QACTI is positioned as a national commitment to building quantum infrastructure. The project’s goal is to tackle scientific problems, such as in climate modeling and drug discovery, that are challenging for conventional computers.
Read the full announcement here.
September 5, 2025
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