Quantum Computing Funding for ICICS Members

The Government of Canada is making significant investments in quantum computing, due to its potential to solve complex problems that are beyond the reach of conventional computing. “Imagine if we could model molecules to help us discover new drugs, or simulate how to capture and transform greenhouse gases into something useful,” says ICICS member and quantum computing expert Dr. Joe Salfi. “Classical computing can’t make those types of complex calculations – but quantum computing holds the potential to do this.”

Salfi has recently been awarded an NSERC Alliance Consortia Quantum grant in the amount of $4,925,000 over 5 years to lead coordinated quantum research and innovation across Canada with partner organizations ranging from private, public or not-for-profit. The project is entitled “Consortium on Quantum Simulation with Spin Qubits (CQS2Q),” and aims at co-designing a novel quantum machine and related algorithms. ICICS is proud to house a portion of the infrastructure that will be used to pursue this goal, acquired through a Canadian Foundation for Innovation John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) grant also awarded to Salfi.

Finally, Salfi received a one-year $25,000 Alliance International Quantum Grant entitled “International Catalyst on Hole Spin Qubits” to help establish and grow international research collaborations and projects in his area.

ICICS member and Electrical & Computer Engineering department head Professor Steve Wilton also received funding from the Alliance International Quantum program, for “International Catalyst on Computer-Aided Design Algorithms for Quantum Annealing.”