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

Posted on August 25, 2026

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.

$27M WARF investment fuels UW–Madison’s next frontiers in research

Read the full article at: https://news.wisc.edu/27m-warf-investment-fuels-uw-madisons-next-frontiers-in-research/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=wordpress_insideuw&utm_campaign=facstaff_comms&utm_content=2026_08_25

UW research and startups propel quantum innovation

New innovations touted to be "as big, if not bigger than, AI"

Read the full article at: https://ibmadison.com/quantum-leap/

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

Posted on August 10, 2026

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!

Posted on August 10, 2026

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.