Excellence in research: the second quantum revolution

The National Science Foundation Office of Integrative Activities awarded Texas Southern University $396,807 on September 1, 2026, under the Integrative Activities program (CFDA 47.083) to conduct an in-depth, interdisciplinary investigation of quantum information science and its impact on the Second Quantum Revolution.

The research integrates data analytics, policy-focused interviews, and comparative analysis to examine QIS's implications for national science strategies, science funding, science policy, security, governance, and ethical concerns. The project will produce a public, open-source quantum information science analytics platform and an open-access archive of research-grade interviews with leading scientists, alongside publications addressing policy, ethical, legal, and international challenges posed by QIS. Work will contribute to developing digital scholarship research capacity at Texas Southern University.

The project employs a core methodological approach combining quantitative data analytics, oral histories of leading scientists, and comparative analysis, with quantitative findings informing interview design and oral histories guiding data interpretation. Performance takes place in Houston, Texas, with a period of performance from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2029. Sub-awards are planned for this award.

Abstract

This hbcu EIR project is an in-depth and interdisciplinary investigation on the emerging field of quantum information science (QIS). The research integrates data analytics, policy-focused interviews, and comparative analysis to examine the impact of QIS on the second quantum revolution. The project will deliver evidence-based, policy-focused analyses of the challenges posed by the second quantum revolution to national science strategies, science funding, science policy, security concerns, governance challenges, and ethical concerns. The research project will contribute to the development of digital scholarship research capacity at the home university. The core methodological principle of this project is an interdisciplinary integration of advanced data analytics, research-grade interviews of leading scientists, and comparative analysis of findings. By using quantitative analyses to inform the design and refinement of interviews, and oral histories to guide the interpretation and focus of data analytics, the project will test, validate, and refine insights across all components of the project. The project will produce a QIS analytics platform that is public and open-source, as well as an open-access archive of the interviews and publications that will address policy, ethical, legal, and international challenges posed by QIS. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are planned for this award.