Qolab Launches John Martinis Prize for Superconducting Qubit Research
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Qolab has launched the John Martinis Prize for Experimental Superconducting Qubit Physics, recognizing the 2025 Nobel Prize awarded to Qolab co-founder and CTO John M. Martinis for his work on macroscopic quantum mechanical tunneling. The new initiative will provide research and education grants to scientists and educators focused on advancing superconducting quantum hardware, combining financial support with access to Qolab quantum processors hosted at the Israeli Quantum Computing Center (IQCC). The IQCC is the only cloud access center offering full pulse-level control of superconducting qubits via Quantum Machines’ OPX+. “Scaling quantum computers from research prototypes to useful systems requires a new generation of experimentalists who understand both the physics and the engineering of superconducting devices,” said John M. Martinis. Through this prize, Qolab hopes to foster that generation.
John Martinis Prize Supports Superconducting Qubit Research The timing of the prize underscores its intent to build upon recent advancements and accelerate progress in the field; the award is designed to support both researchers and educators dedicated to improving superconducting quantum systems. Awardees will gain access to Qolab’s latest superconducting processors hosted at the IQCC, enabling advanced experimentation and device characterization, alongside a research stipend and attendance at the Adaptive Quantum Circuits conference. This combined funding and hardware access distinguishes the prize from more traditional awards, emphasizing a hands-on approach to fostering innovation. The program extends beyond academic research with a dedicated focus on educational initiatives; Qolab’s Quantum Educational Fabrication Program (Qolab Fab) aims to integrate practical quantum hardware engineering into university curricula, emphasizing the need for a skilled workforce capable of translating scientific breakthroughs into scalable technologies. IQCC & Qolab Advance Pulse-Level Qubit Control The pursuit of scalable quantum computing increasingly focuses on refining control at the qubit level, and a new partnership between Qolab and the Israeli Quantum Computing Center (IQCC) is raising the bar for experimental access. This capability allows researchers to directly manipulate the signals driving qubits, enabling more precise experiments and potentially unlocking higher fidelity operations. The prize, named for Qolab co-founder and 2025 Nobel laureate John M. Martinis, aims to cultivate the next generation of quantum hardware researchers and educators. Awardees will receive financial support and crucial access to Qolab’s quantum processors hosted at the IQCC, facilitating advanced experimentation. The program’s structure provides grant recipients with time on these processors, enabling advanced device characterization and pulse-level control experiments, alongside a stipend and conference access. This combined funding and hardware access is intended to accelerate progress in superconducting qubit control and device engineering, addressing a critical bottleneck in the development of larger, more reliable quantum systems. The IQCC is the only cloud access center providing experimentalists with full pulse-level control of superconducting qubits via Quantum Machines’ OPX+. Nir Alfasi, General Manager, IQCC Qolab Fab Program Expands Quantum Hardware Education Qolab is extending its reach into university curricula with the Quantum Educational Fabrication Program, known as Qolab Fab, aiming to address a critical gap in quantum workforce development. The initiative, highlighted at the American Physics Society Global Physics Summit, provides students with practical experience in superconducting circuit engineering, moving beyond theoretical study to hands-on design and analysis. Participants utilize professional electronic design tools to create superconducting microwave resonators, which Qolab then fabricates and tests at extremely low temperatures using its established infrastructure. This program distinguishes itself by offering students access to real-world measurement data from their own designs, allowing them to confront the material limitations impacting qubit performance. The program will launch pilot deployments in summer, specifically targeting undergraduate institutions and master’s programs lacking the resources for specialized fabrication and cryogenic equipment. The expansion of educational programs coincides with Qolab’s broader efforts to build a skilled workforce, including participation in the APS Career Fair and a collaboration with Singapore’s National Quantum Federated Foundry to develop cryogenic low-pass filters. These filters are essential for suppressing noise in quantum processors, representing a key challenge in scaling quantum systems. Alan Ho, CEO of Qolab, emphasized the growing demand for engineers capable of bridging quantum science and semiconductor manufacturing, stating, “We’re building a team focused on solving the hard engineering problems that determine whether quantum computing can scale.” Scaling quantum computers from research prototypes to useful systems requires a new generation of experimentalists who understand both the physics and the engineering of superconducting devices. John M. Martinis, CTO and co-founder, Qolab Source: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/03/16/3256415/0/en/Qolab-Announces-John-Martinis-Prize-as-Momentum-Builds-for-Scalable-Quantum-Hardware.html Tags: