Year: 2026

Regional quantum hub NSF HQAN is renewed to pursue industry-ready computing and workforce development

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Logo of HQAN and NSF

WQI researchers are proud to be part of the groundbreaking research that will come with the next chapter of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Hybrid Quantum Architectures and Networks.

NSF announced today that it has renewed the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign-led NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Hybrid Quantum Architectures and Networks (NSF HQAN) for a second phase with $37.5 million in funding over five years.

The center brings together 45 senior researchers from six institutions to develop modular quantum computing architectures. Its participants are also working to build a quantum workforce through educational programs that have brought quantum science to over 12,000 participants.

The regional cohort is formed by Illinois, The University of Chicago, the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Northwestern University with Stanford University and the MIT Lincoln Laboratory providing critical capabilities. The second phase center will have 16 industry partners that include Google, IBM, IonQ and Quantinuum.

Read the Illinois announcement here.

 

Congratulations to Yuan Ping for receiving an H.I. Romnes faculty fellowship!

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Eighteen faculty have been honored with the H.I. Romnes Fellowships to recognize faculty with exceptional research contributions within their first six years from promotion to a tenured position. The award is named in recognition of the late WARF trustees president H.I. Romnes and comes with $60,000 that may be spent over five years.

WARF Named Professorships, Kellett Fellowships, and Romnes awards represent some of the most meaningful investments in the people who drive discovery at UW–Madison, according to Dorota Brzezinska, vice chancellor for research.

Congratulations Yuan!

Additional details can be found here.

Congratulations to Ben Woods for receiving a YIP young investigator award!

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Headshot of Ben Woods

The Air Force Young Investigator Research Program (YIP) supports individual early-in-career scientists and engineers showing exceptional ability and promise for conducting basic research. The program’s objective is to foster creative basic research in science and engineering; enhance early career development of outstanding young investigators; and increase opportunities for the young investigator to recognize the Air Force and Space Force mission and related challenges in science and engineering.

YIP awards are funded up to $150,000 per year for three years, for a total of $450,000.

Congratulations Ben!

Additional award details can be found here.

Entrepreneurship Hub announces SEED grant recipients

Photo of Choy and Kats

Six projects across four University of Wisconsin–Madison schools and colleges have received annual State Economic Engagement & Development (SEED) funding, totaling $550,000.  The SEED Research Program funds are designated by the state legislature and administered by the Wisconsin Entrepreneurship Hub. SEED grants allow UW–Madison faculty and academic staff who are co-founders in a Wisconsin company to engage in innovative research, generate additional private and public sector support for their research …

Read the full article at: https://entrepreneurship.wisc.edu/2026/07/01/entrepreneurship-hub-announces-seed-grant-recipients/

WQI faculty highlight the benefits of quantum technologies during the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce’s American Economic Interest Summit

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WQI faculty highlight the benefits of quantum technologies during the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce’s American Economic Interest Summit

Professors Jennifer Choy and Matthew Otten spoke at the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce’s American Economic Interest Summit which took place in Brookfield, WI on May 13. The applications of quantum computing and quantum sensing were presented to business leaders from across Wisconsin that gathered to explore key national priorities, including national security, energy, and emerging technologies. “We are making breakthroughs in these technologies in Wisconsin … many of those have led to commercialization,” Wisconsin Technology Council President Maggie Brickerman said yesterday. “So the goal of this, of course, is to impact the world, and one way to do that is getting technologies out of the labs and into companies.” 

WQI is represented at the annual UW-Madison Day at the Capitol!

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WQI is represented at the annual UW-Madison Day at the Capitol!

A successful day for WQI at the WI Capitol!
The annual UW–Madison Day at the Capitol event took place on April 29 and representatives from the Wisconsin Quantum Institute participated and had some fun as well!
Postdoctoral Researcher Katerina Gratsea presented research on Achieving Utility-Scale Applications on Quantum Computers.
Mark Eriksson, Jennifer Choy, Kyle Joseph and Ona Ambrozaite highlighted the importance of Quantum Technologies for Wisconsin.
Researchers at UW-Madison are driving transformative advances in quantum science and technology that have the potential to strengthen innovation, economic growth, and competitiveness across multiple sectors throughout Wisconsin.
Photograph of Kyle Joseph, Ona Ambrozaite, Jen Choy and Mark Eriksson Photograph of Katerina GratseaPhotograph of Kyle Joseph speakingPhotograph of Mark Eriksson speakingPhotograph of Jen Choy speaking