This page contains the latest Potomac Quantum Innovation Center (PQIC) program updates. Please subscribe through the PQIC landing page to receive periodic updates or to contact us. Last updated May 21, 2021.
Highlights & Milestones
Secured approval from the COVID-19 Strategic Renewal Task Force to establish PQIC as a means to accelerate quantum ecosystem development in the DMV
Established working relationships with regional universities, non-profits and associations, industry, FFRDCs, and international efforts in Canada and The Netherlands
--Executed a collaboration agreement to further align operations, programming, and collective regional efforts between PQIC and the Mid-Atlantic Quantum Alliance (MQA)
--Executed a collaboration agreement with QED-C: joining QED-C working groups; welcomed QED-C to PQIC Steering Committee and Working Groups
Developed PQIC program framework with five functional pillars: Education & Workforce, Research & Development, Market Acceleration, Policy & Standards, Funding & Marketing
Primary development focus on PQIC functional pillars: Education & Workforce, Policy & Standards, and Funding & Marketing
Held first Steering Committee meeting on April 9th (see announcement here including short video explaining the second quantum revolution by Nobel Laureate Dr. William Phillips; see full 12-minute video from Dr. Phillips here)
Held Quantum for Life Sciences (Q4LS) Workshop co-hosted with the Maryland Tech Council on May 13th
Progress Updates
Education & Workforce
Held five Education & Workforce Working Group meetings and a dozen sub-group meetings
Developing a quantum skills directory with inputs from QED-C and other organizations
Designing a regional K12 quantum curriculum and experiential learning program with Fairfax County Public Schools and other regional school districts
Developing a quantum foundational skills and experiential learning credentialing program with Credly
Conducting an inventory of regional and virtual quantum education and training programs and capabilities
Developing primer materials on quantum technology domains, use cases, and engagement opportunities
Research & Development
Developing the PQIC Research & Development framework
Formalizing the operational construct for the DMV Quantum "Blue Moat" Shared Infrastructure with foundational partners including GMU, UMD, Howard University, and The MITRE Corporation
Market Acceleration
PQIC seated as an advisory board member of the newly launched Quantum Startup Foundry (QSF) at UMD
Continuing to increase engagement with quantum startups
Policy & Standards
Forming a Policy Working Group in coordination with the Quantum Industry Coalition
Funding & Marketing
Exploring launch of an annual quantum event series with Destination DC and other regional partners
Developing outreach to regional elected officials and key stakeholders to raise awareness of regional quantum ecosystem development
Executing strategic joint regional funding pursuits with partners
Operations
Developing new PQIC brand, logo, and website
Developing closer coordination with the Mid-Atlantic Quantum Alliance (MQA) on regional operations and programs