Federal Grant Award Summary

Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech) received a $200,000 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Mathematical Sciences under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences program (CFDA 47.049), with performance running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029. The award funds research on code invariants in classical and quantum error correction, developing a unified mathematical framework to evaluate, compare, and construct error-correcting codes across multiple metric settings including Hamming, rank, tensor, and symplectic domains. The research establishes shared theoretical structures between classical and quantum coding approaches through invariant theory, applying generalized weights, weight distributions, and duality theory to advance understanding of code performance and limitations.

The project delivers research products and educational services with dual impact on scientific advancement and workforce development. Research outputs include theoretical frameworks and computational tools for code analysis and construction that advance quantum error correction—a critical requirement for building reliable large-scale quantum devices. The award also supports undergraduate and graduate student training through active research participation and computational experimentation, contributing to the national talent pipeline in mathematics and quantum information science as recognized under the National Quantum Initiative Act. No sub-awardees are identified in this award structure.