Enabling Quantum Leap: Quantum Interconnect Challenges for Transformational Advances in Quantum Systems | 21 553

Opportunity Information: Apply for 21 553

The National Science Foundation (NSF) grant opportunity "Enabling Quantum Leap: Quantum Interconnect Challenges for Transformational Advances in Quantum Systems" (QuIC-TAQS, Funding Opportunity Number 21-553) was created to push forward a key bottleneck in quantum information science: how to reliably move quantum states between different devices, materials, and physical platforms, and how to do so over meaningful distances. It sits within NSF's broader "Big Ideas" framework launched in 2016, specifically the "Quantum Leap" Big Idea, which aims to accelerate next-generation quantum-enabled capabilities in sensing, communications, simulation, and computing. The solicitation also aligns with the national direction set by the National Quantum Initiative Act signed in 2018, which called for coordinated federal action to maintain and expand US leadership in quantum information science and its technology applications.

At the center of the program is the concept of a quantum interconnect. In practical terms, quantum systems often excel in different areas depending on their underlying physics: one platform may store quantum information well, another may process it efficiently, and another may transmit it over distance. Quantum interconnects are the mechanisms that would let these different parts talk to each other without destroying the fragile quantum states involved. The solicitation emphasizes transferring quantum states "across platforms and over large length scales," meaning it is not only about improving a single device, but about enabling coherent links between different physical systems (for example, connecting disparate qubit types, converting quantum information between frequencies, or building interfaces between matter-based qubits and photonic channels). NSF frames progress on these interconnects as a foundation for bigger breakthroughs across the quantum landscape, because scalable quantum networks, modular quantum computers, distributed sensing, and hybrid quantum architectures all depend on being able to interconnect quantum resources with high fidelity and low loss.

QuIC-TAQS is designed to fund highly innovative, potentially transformative research that develops new concepts, platforms, or approaches for quantum interconnection. Proposals are expected to go beyond theory alone: they must focus on quantum functionality and should culminate in experimental demonstrations, proof-of-concept validations, or other concrete advances that clearly move the field toward working quantum systems. The solicitation is explicitly interdisciplinary and convergence-oriented. Although proposals are submitted through the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Office of Multidisciplinary Activities (MPS/OMA), NSF notes that projects will be managed by a cross-disciplinary team of program directors, reflecting the expectation that the most competitive efforts will integrate expertise spanning multiple fields rather than remaining within a single traditional discipline.

Team composition is a major feature of the opportunity. Competitive proposals are expected to be led by an interdisciplinary research team with at least three investigators, bringing complementary and synergistic expertise drawn from areas such as engineering, mathematics, computational science, computer and information science, and the physical, chemical, biological, and materials sciences. The goal is not just parallel contributions from different fields, but an integrated effort where the mix of skills materially improves the chances of achieving a transformational result in quantum interconnects. In review, proposals are judged heavily on how convincingly they leverage and advance quantum interconnect capabilities, and on how likely the integrated team approach is to produce a genuinely transformative leap in quantum interconnection.

Administratively, this was a discretionary NSF grant opportunity (CFDA listings include multiple NSF research programs: 47.041, 47.049, 47.050, 47.070, 47.074, 47.075, 47.076, 47.079, 47.083). The posting date was January 14, 2021, with an original closing date of June 14, 2021. NSF anticipated making around 12 awards. The public listing shows an award ceiling of 0, which typically signals that the ceiling is not specified in the summary field and applicants must consult the full solicitation or program guidance for budget expectations and limits. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with details provided in the full eligibility text, indicating that prospective applicants would need to confirm their organizational fit against NSF's detailed requirements.

Overall, the opportunity is best understood as NSF carving out a targeted push within the national quantum strategy: funding multi-investigator teams to solve the hard, enabling problem of quantum interconnects so that quantum computers, sensors, and communication systems can move from isolated demonstrations to more scalable, networked, and hybrid architectures. The solicitation is structured to reward bold ideas that are still grounded in deliverable quantum functionality, with clear pathways to experimental validation and system-level relevance.

• The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Enabling Quantum Leap: Quantum Interconnect Challenges for Transformational Advances in Quantum Systems" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.041, 47.049, 47.050, 47.070, 47.074, 47.075, 47.076, 47.079, 47.083.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jan 14, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 14, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 12 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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