D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS) announced it has been selected to receive a $1,566,250 grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) through the National Quantum Virtual Laboratory (NQVL) program. The funding will support D-Wave's role as a key industry partner in the ERASE (Erasure Qubits and Dynamic Circuits for Quantum Advantage) project, which focuses 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.”
D-Wave is the only dual-platform quantum computing company providing both annealing and gate-model systems, software, and services. This grant positions D-Wave as a central player in the push toward fault-tolerant quantum computers, which are expected to solve problems beyond the reach of classical computers. The ERASE project specifically targets the development of erasure qubits and dynamic circuits, two promising approaches to error correction that are critical for building reliable quantum systems.
The NSF's NQVL program aims to create a national quantum computing ecosystem by funding collaborative projects that bridge academia, industry, and government. By supporting ERASE, the NSF invests in technologies that could accelerate the timeline for practical quantum advantage. For D-Wave, this grant not only provides funding but also validates its dual-rail technology as a viable path to fault tolerance.
The implications of this announcement extend beyond D-Wave. The ERASE project's success could lead to breakthroughs in quantum error correction, a major hurdle for quantum computing. If successful, it would enable the development of larger, more stable quantum processors, opening new possibilities in materials science, cryptography, and optimization. The grant also signals continued U.S. government commitment to quantum research, ensuring that American companies remain competitive in the global quantum race.
For more information, the full press release is available at https://ibn.fm/5um9O. D-Wave's latest news and updates can be found at https://ibn.fm/QBTS.
