Editor’s note: The following article was originally published by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science. Fermilab played a key leadership role in developing the SCAC Quantum Committee Report. Anna Grassellino, Fermilab chief technology officer and associate laboratory director for the Technology Directorate, chaired the Quantum Subcommittee and Supratik Guha, professor at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, served as vice chair. Together with the subcommittee, they led an extensive stakeholder-engagement process that drew perspectives from national laboratories, academia, industry and federal agencies, informed by input from hundreds of contributors across the U.S. quantum ecosystem.
The report lays out a science-first, milestone-driven roadmap toward demonstrating scientific utility from quantum computing, while building toward the integration of quantum systems with the DOE labs’ research infrastructure, high-performance computing and artificial intelligence.
Fermilab thanks the SCAC Quantum Subcommittee members and the many quantum researchers and stakeholders who contributed their time, ideas and expertise. With this report as a foundation, Fermilab looks forward to working alongside partners across the national quantum ecosystem toward an integrated quantum future and the next era of scientific discovery.
Every major shift in technology promises to redefine the boundaries of discovery. Quantum computing is rapidly transitioning from a phase of fundamental laboratory research into a scientifically revolutionary capability. As this technology races forward, we need a clear, defined path to success. That is why I charged the Office of Science Advisory Committee (SCAC) Quantum Subcommittee with an ambitious task: to chart a milestone-driven roadmap toward demonstrating a scientifically relevant, error-corrected quantum computer by 2028, and to articulate a long-term vision for a dedicated Quantum Computing User Facility.
Today, I am proud to share their newly released report, “SCAC Quantum Committee Report: Path to an Integrated Quantum Future.” It confirms what many of us in the scientific community have felt: we have reached a historic inflection point.
Our mission now is to ensure the United States leads this next era of discovery.
Moving Beyond Hardware Metrics to Scientific Utility
For years, the quantum conversation has been dominated by hardware-centric milestones. While these metrics are vital, the SCAC report proposes a crucial shift in thinking: success must be measured by scientific utility.
Our goal is not simply to build the largest quantum computer; it is to solve problems that are otherwise completely intractable. We are talking about predicting exact molecular properties for drug discovery, designing transformative catalysts for manufacturing, simulating fusion-relevant materials, and modeling the fundamental physics of the early universe.
The report emphasizes that the Department of Energy is uniquely positioned to lead this transition. By leveraging our world-class National Laboratories, high-performance computing (HPC) centers, testbeds, and existing scientific User Facilities, we can integrate quantum processors directly into hybrid, classical-quantum workflows that accelerate real-world discovery.
A Phased Path to 2028 and Beyond
To achieve scientifically useful quantum computers, the SCAC recommends a highly strategic, three-phased framework that aligns with our national Quantum Genesis Initiative:
- Phase I: The Quantum Grand Challenges (2026–2028): We will establish multidisciplinary, competitive challenges pairing National Labs, universities, and industry. These challenges will drive the co-design of hardware, algorithms, and software to meet specific, milestone-driven scientific targets by 2028.
- Phase II: The DOE Quantum Computing User Facility (QCUF): Using lessons from the Grand Challenges, we will plan and establish a world-leading User Facility. This will not be a commercial “black box” cloud service. Rather, it will be an open, collaborative scientific instrument where researchers can co-develop hardware architectures, control systems, and software stacks alongside technology providers.
- Phase III: An Integrated Quantum Future (2030+): Ultimately, quantum computing will not exist in isolation. We envision a future where quantum co-processors, simulators, and sensors are seamlessly woven into the broader DOE scientific enterprise—augmenting our leadership-class AI and HPC networks.
Partnership and Co-Design as Our Competitive Edge
To realize this future, we must break down traditional barriers. The SCAC report highlights that breakthrough science occurs when hardware developers and domain scientists work side-by-side. We are actively exploring novel partnership models, which could include embedded co-design fellowships, joint appointments, and shared technical staff across industry and our National Labs.
Crucially, we must maintain a technology-neutral stance. The field is evolving too quickly to prematurely lock in a single hardware modality. Whether through superconducting circuits, neutral atoms, trapped ions, photonics, or spin qubits, we will let demonstrated scientific utility guide our long-term investments.
The Journey Ahead
I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Subcommittee Chair, Dr. Anna Grassellino, Vice-Chair Dr. Supratik Guha, and the hundreds of stakeholders from industry, academia, and federal agencies who contributed to this report.
We stand at a pivotal moment. The choices and investments we make over the next three years will shape global scientific leadership for decades to come. Together, we are not just building quantum computers; we are establishing a new national capability for scientific discovery.
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory is America’s national laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research. Fermi Forward Discovery Group manages Fermilab for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science. Visit Fermilab’s website at www.fnal.gov and follow us on social media.
DOE’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit science.energy.gov.
Recommended reading
Fermilab and Microsoft partner to provide new quantum tools and expand quantum research
Fermilab is among the initial partners in Microsoft Quantum’s newly established quantum research center. Opening in the Discovery District, Maryland, the center will feature a quantum hardware makerspace, where researchers can develop new approaches to hands-on quantum training. As part of this effort, Fermilab will expand the capabilities of its Quantum Instrumentation Control Kit, or QICK, an open-source quantum control and readout system, providing flexible new tools to the quantum community.
Fermilab and Harmoniqs integrate open-source tools to advance qubit control optimization
Fermilab developed the Quantum Instrumentation Control Kit, or QICK, as a compact, customizable and cost-effective quantum readout and control option for scientists. Harmoniqs, a quantum computing software company, developed Piccolo.jl, a quantum control and calibration software package. Together, their developers are integrating the two to achieve precise, repeatable qubit control, providing better results in less time.
Anna Grassellino appointed to DOE Office of Science Advisory Committee
Anna Grassellino of Fermilab will serve on SCAC and chair the quantum subcommittee, tasked with advancing national quantum goals.