Program Description
The 2025 US Quantum Information Science Summer School (USQIS) is the third joint summer school facilitated by the five US Department of Energy National Quantum Information Science Research Centers (NQISRCs): the Quantum Science Center (QSC), the Quantum Systems Accelerator (QSA), Q-NEXT, the Co-design Center for Quantum Advantage, and the Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center.
Organized by the QSA headquartered at DOE’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and QSA’s co-lead Sandia National Laboratories, this year’s school will be an immersive two week learning experience with a first week remote and second week in-person. In the second week, attendees will participate in hands-on quantum science and technology activities at either Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, or Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, California, home to multiple world-leading research facilities. The curriculum will be taught at an undergraduate level, and first and second year undergraduate students pursuing a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in STEM fields who wish to understand the basics of quantum science are invited to apply.
Curriculum topics will include:
- Introduction to fundamental quantum concepts and basics of Python
- Hands-on quantum experiments to explore quantum concepts
- Practical view of quantum computers, quantum networks and quantum sensors
- Quantum algorithms, software and programming
- Exploring control electronics
- Lasers, vacuum, and their role in quantum information sciences
Deadlines
- Application deadline: February 28, 2025
- Acceptance date: March 28, 2025
- Program dates: July 28 – August 8, 2025
- Check-in for week 2: August 3, 2025
Eligibility
- Must be currently enrolled at a 2 or 4 year degree-granting US institution at the time of application
- US Citizenship
- Pursuing a degree in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics)
- Complete availability from July 28, 2025 through August 8, 2025
- Ability to attend in-person in either Albuquerque, New Mexico or Berkley, California during the second week of the program (week of August 4, 2025)
- Students must have access to a working computer and internet connection
- Minimum 18 years of age
Required Application Materials
- Name
- Expected academic level or professional appointment in July 2025
- Organizational affiliation
- Technical area of interest
- Personal statement of interest
- Updated resume
- Unofficial transcripts
- Emergency contact
- Two reference letters
Logistics
- Selected students will be notified by April 14, 2025.
- Attendance is contingent on Department of Energy visitor approval to LBNL or SNL.
Q: Will students be paid a stipend during the summer school program?
A: No.
Q: Will the program pay for airfare for students?
A: Yes. A select number of travel stipends are available which will provide airfare.
Q: Where will students stay during the in-person week of the program?
A: Students that need housing will be provided housing for the in-person week.
Q: Is prior knowledge of quantum science required for eligibility?
A: No prior knowledge is required to be eligible for the program. We expect most students will have little to no exposure to quantum science.
Q: I am not pursuing a STEM degree! Can I still apply?
A: Active interest or current enrollment in a STEM program is required for eligibility.
Q: Is in-person attendance during the second week mandatory?
A: Yes.
