Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Cornell University received a $450,000 project grant from the National Science Foundation's Division of Chemistry under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences program (CFDA 47.049), effective April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2029. This collaborative research award supports the development of hardware-specific quantum algorithms for path integral-based quantum molecular simulation, led by investigators Mark Tuckerman and Norah Hoffmann of New York University and Nandini Ananth of Cornell University. The research delivers new quantum computing algorithms capable of predicting exact quantum properties of molecules under thermal conditions representative of typical laboratory settings—calculations that cannot be performed on classical computers. The team's deliverables include quantum computing strategies tailored to emerging quantum computing architectures, including spin-based, bosonic quantum resonator-based, and topological constructions, with applications to molecular systems in isolated states and under structured light influence.

Beyond core research products, the award supports significant educational and workforce development components aligned with the National Science Foundation's emphasis on broader impacts. The collaborative team will develop comprehensive educational opportunities, including internship programs, course materials, and summer programs designed to train next-generation scientists at the interface of physics, chemistry, mathematics, and computer science. These educational deliverables support the national priority to develop expertise in quantum information science and quantum computing, positioning the funded work to advance both scientific knowledge and workforce capacity in this critical emerging field.