ICTP and IBM Announce Plans for New Prize for Quantum Computing 

In the spirit of the UN's 2025 International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ), ICTP and IBM have announced the intention of establishing a new prize to recognize excellence in quantum computing. 
 
The intended prize, the ICTP-IBM Richard Feynman Prize in Quantum Computing, named in honor of quantum mechanics pioneer Richard Feynman, will be open to anyone who has made significant contributions to the field of quantum computing. It is intended to be awarded annually at a yearly conference co-sponsored by ICTP and IBM. 
 
The prize, which will include a monetary award, is anticipated to be first awarded in 2026. The intent is that awardees will be chosen by a prize committee chaired by Professor Peter Zoller, an internationally recognized pioneer in quantum science.
 
“We are pleased to partner with IBM on this new prize, which will recognize talent in a fascinating and dynamic field. There has been exciting progress in our understanding of quantum science, leading to rapid developments in quantum technology and information. Quantum computing in particular holds the potential to change both the way we do science and our daily lives. Through this prize, not only does ICTP want to recognise talented researchers, but also underscore its willingness to contribute to advancements at the forefront of these domains,” said ICTP Director Atish Dabholkar. 
 
“Quantum computing is at a pivotal moment in history. It is advancing from a tool for fundamental research to a practical technology poised to unlock new frontiers across industries,” said Jay Gambetta, VP, IBM Quantum. “With recent advances in quantum hardware and software algorithms, driven by momentum across industries, we’re steadily moving towards the point at which quantum computers can solve certain problems better than any classical computing method. We are excited to work with ICTP to spur innovations that will further unlock what’s possible today with quantum computing.”
 
The announcement was made during ICTP's high-level conference on “Quantum Physics: from Foundations to Emerging Technologies” which took place from 28 to 30 May in Trieste, Italy that featured talks by quantum experts, including 10 Nobel laureates who have received the prestigious award for theoretical and experimental contributions related to quantum science and technology. The conference was a key event in the UN's International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, which is co-chaired by ICTP scientist Rosario Fazio.
 
Quantum computing uses principles of quantum mechanics to perform computations that could one day reach beyond the current capabilities of classical computers, paving the way for innovative discoveries in fields such as drug discovery, climate modeling, and sustainability. As the industry works to build large-scale and practical quantum computers able to solve a wide range of complex problems, the research community is already actively experimenting with real quantum devices. These pioneering systems are already being used to explore novel algorithms, test foundational concepts, and uncover new approaches to solving complex problems with quantum computing. This hands-on experimentation is playing a crucial role in shaping the future of the field and is opening promising pathways across both scientific research and industrial applications. 
 
The new quantum prize marks the second time that ICTP has teamed up with IBM to recognize innovation in cutting-edge research areas. In May 2024 the two organizations announced the establishment of a new, annual prize for researchers in AI – the ‘AI for Science’ Prize, aimed at acknowledging major contributions in this field. The first recipient of that prize will be announced in July 2025 during the joint ICTP-IBM Advanced School on Foundation Models for Scientific Discovery. ICTP is also a member of the AI Alliance, launched by IBM and Meta at the end of 2023 to accelerate responsible innovation in AI.