Cavendish Lab and FormationQ Launch Applied Quantum Program with IonQ
Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge and quantum software company FormationQ have launched the Applied Quantum Program, a new initiative that provides hands-on training, collaborative research opportunities, and pathways to commercial projects using IonQ’s trapped-ion quantum computing platforms. The program targets researchers, engineers, and industry partners focused on translating quantum research into applied solutions.
Bridging the Quantum Skills Gap with Practical Experience
Program Aims and Industry Impact
The Applied Quantum Program aims to train the next generation of quantum scientists and engineers through project-based coursework, joint research projects, and industry placements. Objectives include building practical skillsets in algorithm development, error mitigation strategies, and systems integration. By aligning academic research with industry needs, the program seeks to shorten the path from prototype to product and expand the talent pool available to startups and established firms.
IonQ’s Trapped-Ion Technology in Action
Participants will use IonQ’s trapped-ion hardware, which offers all-to-all qubit connectivity and high-fidelity operations suited to algorithm development and benchmarking. Access will include cloud-connected runs and tooling for experiment design, allowing learners to test algorithms on live quantum processors and evaluate performance against classical baselines. This hands-on access is central to the program’s applied focus.
Fostering Future Quantum Innovation
By pairing Cavendish Laboratory’s research strengths with FormationQ’s software expertise and IonQ’s hardware, the Applied Quantum Program creates an industry-academia pipeline for skills, research, and commercialization. For researchers and investors tracking the sector, the initiative signals a pragmatic shift toward workforce development and deployable quantum experiments. The program is a strategic step in building a robust ecosystem that moves quantum computing from theory to real-world applications.
Primary organizations involved: Cavendish Laboratory (University of Cambridge), FormationQ, and IonQ.
