MEMORANDUM

TO: English Class 2116 Section 10

FROM: Austin Wagoner
SUBJECT: Request for Proposal on Quantum Computing
DATE: September 30th, 2017

This memo will cover the basic requirements of www.grant,govs grant proposal on Quantum
Computing. For those who do not know, Quantum Computing is an up and coming method of
computation utilizing quantum mechanics and quantum entanglement, which will create a computer that
absolutely makes standard computers obsolete. The art of Quantum Computing, and Quantum Mechanics
in general, is still very in its baby stages and requires immense dedication, time, and effort. To be
approved for this request, one would be awarded $15 million USD.

What is being requested?

The National Science Foundation is requesting that applicants, that are approved, design, program, and
manufacture a Quantum Computer. Since this is still a Grand Challenge, as the Foundation puts it,
small term goals are important for reaching this ultimate goal, such as device fabrication, quantum
control, new physical-level architectures, compilation of quantum programs, software to operate quantum
computers, and quantum algorithm design.

What information must the proposal include?

Multiple people are required for the Grant, this is not a simple task that one person could complete.
Because of this, Ideas Labs, are extremely recommended. An Ideas Lab, are intensive meetings of
scientists of different backgrounds that bring together different perspectives in order to find innovations
and cross-disciplinary solutions.

Is there a minimum or maximum?

The Foundation does not specify a specific time that this task needs to be accomplished. However, seeing
as Quantum Mechanics, specifically Quantum Computing, is still very much a new science, this task
could take several years, possibly even decades. The budget for this task is $15 million USD, so the
Foundation is likely aware this is a long term goal. Thankfully, technology is an exponential thing, so one
simple discovery could fast-forward the process by years.

What is the organization?

The organization that is requesting this task to be completed is the National Science Foundation.

What is the format for the proposal?

Since this is still experimental, there is no set format for this task to be completed in. However, since this
scientific, journals and experiments with notes would likely be required. After inventing a piece of
technology, it would need to be patented immediately in order to keep the interests of the Foundation
private and within the confines of the proposal.
What criteria will the proposal be evaluated on?
The request does not directly specify the criteria the proposal will be evaluated on. It will likely be
evaluated on if the technology works and if it is practical. Overall, the goal is to form teams of scientists
and engineers that will develop multidisciplinary practices to bring Quantum Computing to a reality. The
goal is to create technology that will completely surpass current technology. So, the Quantum Computer
would need to not only be thousands of times faster than normal computers, but would also need to be
designed and created in a way that is cost effective as well. Since this task requires multiple fields of
science, each field would likely have its own separate criteria that would need to be met in order to make
sure the proposal is a success.

If you have any questions on this, please contact me at 704-222-5555.