Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Lehigh University received a $100,000 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation's Division of Mathematical Sciences under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences program (CFDA 47.049) effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029. This collaborative research initiative develops noise-aware optimization algorithms designed to enhance the reliability and scalability of variational quantum algorithms—a critical near-term approach to quantum computing. The project delivers mathematically rigorous and scalable optimization frameworks capable of performing effectively under severe noise conditions and computational uncertainty, addressing fundamental limitations that currently hinder practical quantum computing applications in areas including artificial intelligence, molecular simulation, biotechnology, and secure information processing.

The award supports the development of advanced derivative-free and noise-aware optimization algorithms for large-scale quantum-specific optimization problems. Deliverables include open-source software, benchmark test problems, and educational materials to be broadly disseminated to the scientific community. The project also contributes to workforce development through interdisciplinary training for undergraduate and graduate students in computational mathematics, optimization, and quantum computing, directly supporting the emerging quantum technology workforce and enabling systematic assessment of when quantum computing can provide advantages over classical computational methods.