Winston-Salem State University awarded $5M grant for quantum information science program

Funds will be used to create research center

Winston-Salem State University is making a quantum leap into the future with a $5 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant award to establish and develop its Quantum Information Science and Engineering (QISE) program.

“Through this grant, our goal is to push the boundaries of technology and innovation in quantum research, positioning Winston-Salem State University as the leader in the QISE field among HBCU institutions,” said Dr. John Yi, a WSSU chemistry professor and author of the grant.

QISE is an emerging field that combines physical science, math, computer science and engineering that could lead to the performance of information-processing tasks that are impossible today, according to the NSF.

For this purpose, NSF has committed to ensuring the United States continues as a global leader, which is why it developed the ExpandQISE program. ExpandQISE aims to increase diversity among participating institutions and support their research capacity.

The grant will be used to establish WSSU’s QISE program and build dedicated lab spaces with state-of-the-art instruments for research activities. The goal is to establish the WSSU Hybrid Quantum Laboratory Center, fostering collaborations with other institutions in the Carolinas.

“Our program aims to attract a diverse range of students, with an anticipated involvement of 25 to 40 students in this academic year,” Yi said.

WSSU will launch a minor program in QISE in spring 2024. Graduates with QISE training can pursue careers in quantum computing, secure communication, and advanced cryptography among others.

“The procurement of this significant grant award elevates the intellectual climate of Winston-Salem State University by advancing STEM education,” said WSSU Interim Chancellor Dr. Anthony Graham. “This grant positions our university to foster student success and diversify the developing frontier of quantum information science with resource sustainability.”

In February 2023, WSSU was awarded $2.26 million from the Department of Energy to develop and nurture the next generation of the QISE workforce including curriculum enhancement, faculty development and student research opportunities. This new grant focuses more on the actual research center on campus.

Other contributors recognized on the grant are Xiuping Tao, Jinsuk Baek and John Merle of WSSU; Kasra Sardashti and Lin Zhu of Clemson University; and Oiang Lin of the University of Rochester. Clemson and UR are partnering institutions with WSSU on QISE.

WSSU’s $5M grant is part of NSF’s $38M investment to 22 QISE projects over the next five years.