Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Information and Intelligent Systems awarded a CAREER grant of $389,100 to the University of Washington, with performance beginning September 15, 2026 and concluding August 31, 2031, under the Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) program (CFDA 47.070). This project supports fundamental research into quantum cryptography, specifically investigating how quantum phenomena such as the no-cloning principle and entanglement interact with computational hardness to enable new cryptographic functionalities unattainable through classical methods alone. The investigator will design novel quantum cryptographic protocols, including copy-protection of software and unclonable cipher systems, while characterizing the computational assumptions necessary and sufficient for quantum cryptography.

In parallel with research activities, the award supports educational and workforce development initiatives, including the development of coursework in quantum computation and cryptography, mentoring of undergraduate and graduate researchers, and outreach activities introducing high school students to quantum computing. The research outcomes are intended to strengthen understanding of quantum information as a computational resource and reveal new connections with complexity theory and algorithms, positioning the field to address security challenges posed by emerging quantum computers while unlocking novel cryptographic capabilities.