February 2026
IN THIS EDITION...
The nation’s first QSE bachelor’s degree
Infleqtion going public!
APS Global Physics Summit in Denver this March
Los Alamos’ quantum computing-focused research center
Jobs, events, and more!
The Quantum Lead
Colorado School of Mines Establishes Nation’s First Quantum Systems Engineering Bachelor’s Degree
Colorado School of Mines launched a new bachelor’s degree in quantum systems engineering, creating the first baccalaureate degree of its kind in the U.S and a critical bridge for building the workforce needed to transform quantum breakthroughs into real-world technologies.
More than half of today’s quantum jobs require a bachelor’s degree or less, but almost all quantum education and training programs in the U.S. are at the master’s and PhD level. The Bachelor of Science in Quantum Systems Engineering at Mines fills an important gap in the educational pathway from K-12 through graduate study, at a time when quantum technologies are rapidly moving from research labs into practical applications in sensing, computing, communications, national security and advanced manufacturing.
Quantum Investment
Elevate Quantum Member Infleqtion to go Public
Elevate Quantum consortium member Infleqtion announced it has entered into a definitive business combination agreement with Churchill Capital Corp X to accelerate Infleqtion’s mission to commercialize quantum products that provide orders of magnitude improvement in computing and precision sensing applications.
Infleqtion translates quantum technology into solutions that expand human potential. Infleqtion designs, builds, and sells quantum computers, precision sensors, and software to governments, enterprises, and research institutions. As a first mover in neutral atom technology – a leading quantum modality recognized for scalability, flexibility, and cost efficiency – Infleqtion has built a commercial platform that is practical, differentiated, and ready to scale. This approach uniquely enables Infleqtion to power both quantum computing and precision sensing from a single product architecture.
Quantum Events
APS Global Physics Summit Comes to Denver This March
Join some of the world’s leading quantum minds at the APS Global Physics Summit from March 15-20 in Denver.
The largest physics research conference in the world, APS Global Physics Summit unites 14,000 scientific community members across all disciplines of physics. This meeting reflects the inclusivity and synergy of many physics disciplines and emerging cross-disciplinary areas of science, which perfectly reflects this year's theme of Science for a Shared Future.
Connect with others in your research areas of interest.
Explore cross-disciplinary sessions and collaborative events.
Unite to advance physics and create a bright future.
View the full schedule here, and register at the link below.
Quantum Future
OEDIT Transitional Quantum Research Seed Grants
In partnership with the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), the University of Colorado welcomes proposals for translational quantum research seed grants. Seed grants are open to any Colorado research institution and industry partners. The goals of the programs are to incentivize innovations launched out of the lab and help them along the development path to new programs and businesses.
Summary Information
Award Amount: $50,000
Award Duration: 12 months
Total funded awards: Up to 12 awards anticipated in 2026
Proposal Deadline: February 22, 2026
Total Program Funding: $1.2 over 3 years
Funding Offices: CU Boulder Research & Innovation Office (RIO)
Quantum Research
Los Alamos Forms Quantum Computing-Focused Research Center
Los Alamos National Laboratory has formed the Center for Quantum Computing, which will bring together the Lab’s diverse quantum computing research capabilities. Headquartered in downtown Los Alamos, the Center for Quantum Computing will consolidate the Laboratory’s expertise in national security applications, quantum algorithms, quantum computer science and workforce development in a shared research space.
The center will bring together as many as three dozen quantum researchers from across the Lab. The center’s formation occurs at a pivotal time for the development of quantum computing, as Lab researchers partner with private industry and on a number of state and federal quantum computing initiatives to bring this high-priority technology closer to fruition. Laboratory researchers may include those working with the DARPA Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, the DOE’s Quantum Science Center, the National Nuclear Security Administration Advanced Simulation and Computing program’s Beyond Moore’s Law project, and multiple Laboratory Directed Research and Development projects.
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