Ina Solutions Wins Almost $1 Million U.s. National Science Foundation Award To Enable Experiential Learning In Quantum Technologies

INA Solutions has won nearly $1 million from the NSF to lead a project focused on building a diverse, quantum-literate workforce. This initiative will provide hands-on training in quantum technologies, targeting women and underrepresented groups, with support from HBCUs and industry partners. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) September 27, 2024 - INA Solutions, Inc. has been awarded almost $1 million from the U.S. National Science Foundation to lead a national research effort enabling experiential learning in quantum machine learning (Award #2347101). Our goal is to build a diverse workforce with confidence and literacy in the next wave of technologies.

The cooperative agreement will support a three-year project that will grow in scale as it progresses, says Suresh Nair, President of INA and Principal Investigator for the project. Currently, quantum computation is becoming essential in new and emerging technologies, science, and business. Opportunities for a variety of jobs from technicians and maintenance to analysis and development are growing. Building career paths, enhancing technical skills, and expanding networking opportunities, this project serves to anchor and increase diverse participation in the next generation quantum-literate workforce.

“INA is excited to build cross-sector partnerships with non-profits including the National Quantum Literacy Network, minority business enterprises, and HBCUs including the University of the District of Columbia Community College, Tuskegee University, Alabama A&M University, and AAMU-RISE Foundation—and forge connections into industry, government, and academia,” said Nair.

To build a broad base of quantum literacy, knowledge, and confidence, the project, titled Beginnings: Building
Educational Growth for Industry (BEGIN) Learning—Quantum Literacy, Quantum AI, and Quantum Machine
Learning, will engage women and other historically underrepresented student cohorts from across the country in learning the importance of quantum applications. This accelerated, 6-week experiential learning will increase quantum machine learning, quantum AI, and quantum literacy through hands-on experience. In addition, mentoring and community engagement opportunities build long-term career pathways and networking. Students will also receive benefits such as peer and faculty mentoring, research opportunities, and financial stipends.

This award is part of NSF’s Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) program. ExLENT offers pathways for people with varying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) experience levels. Teams in the Beginnings track have some experience in STEM fields and will receive additional experiential learning opportunities to deepen their knowledge and skills in key technologies. ExLENT teams will build partnerships between organizations in key technologies and those with expertise in workforce development.

INA is an SBA-certified 8(a) Small Minority Owned business with a documented record of accomplishment delivering innovative solutions and emerging technologies to multiple Federal agencies. INA has built its reputation around five principles of success – commitment, capability, consistency, integrity, and quality. These principles reinforce our primary business goal – "to deliver the best value innovative IT solutions to our customers that aligns with their goals and missions." Visit our website at www.ina-solutions.com.

"Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. National Science Foundation."

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