Quantum Computing Scholarships for 2026: Verified Scholarships, Fellowships, and STEM Funding

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Top Verified Quantum Computing Scholarships and Fellowships

January

1) Barry Goldwater Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is one of the best awards in America for undergraduates who want a serious research career in science, math, or engineering. If your long-term path is quantum computing, quantum information science, quantum hardware, or theoretical physics, this scholarship fits the kind of student profile that labs and graduate programs already respect. It is especially strong for students who already have research experience, strong faculty support, and a plan to stay in technical research.

Amount: Up to $7,500 per academic year
Deadline: January 30, 2026
Apply/Info: Official page

2) DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (CSGF)

Why It Slaps: Quantum computing students who lean into algorithms, simulation, numerical methods, scientific computing, or advanced computational physics should take this one very seriously. It is a graduate fellowship, not a casual scholarship, and it is built for students doing high-level technical work. If your version of quantum computing involves computation-heavy research, national-lab pathways, or doctoral study, this is one of the strongest funding options on the board.

Amount: $45,000 yearly stipend, full tuition and required fees, plus a $1,000 annual professional development allowance
Deadline: January 15, 2026
Apply/Info: Official page

February

3) MathQuantum High School Fellowship

Why It Slaps: This is one of the rare verified programs that gives high school students direct access to quantum-related study before college. Even though it is not a big cash scholarship, it can be a huge positioning advantage because early exposure to quantum information science is still uncommon. If you are a high school student who wants to stand out for future quantum computing scholarships, research opportunities, and college applications, this kind of fellowship can give you a real edge.

Amount: No stipend listed; the program is a free summer fellowship and, when offered, includes paid attendance to the Qubit by Qubit High School Summer Camp
Deadline: February 13, 2026
Apply/Info: Official page

4) MathQuantum Undergraduate Fellowship

Why It Slaps: This is one of the most on-target opportunities in the whole guide for students who are clearly moving toward quantum computing. It is designed for students interested in quantum information science from fields like math, computer science, and physics, so you do not need a major literally called “quantum computing” to fit. It is especially attractive because it combines funding with real academic immersion, which matters a lot more in this field than a generic scholarship line on a résumé.

Amount: Fall or spring fellows receive a $2,500 stipend plus $1,000 for conference or workshop travel; summer fellows receive a $5,200 stipend for 8 weeks, housing, $1,000 for conferences or workshops, and $500 travel support for students from outside the DC area
Deadline: February 13, 2026 for the Summer 2026 cycle
Apply/Info: Official page

5) SPIE Optics and Photonics Education Scholarships

Why It Slaps: Quantum computing is not only about code and theory. It also lives in hardware, photonics, sensing, imaging, and advanced instrumentation. That is why this scholarship matters. If your path into quantum computing runs through optics, photonics, quantum devices, or lab-based engineering, this is a smart fit that many students overlook because they search only for the exact word “quantum.”

Amount: Awards range from $3,000 to $11,000
Deadline: February 15, 2026
Apply/Info: Official page

6) Colorado School of Mines Quantum Engineering Fellowship

Why It Slaps: This is one of the clearest direct-fit programs for students pursuing advanced quantum work. It is built around quantum engineering, which makes it especially attractive for students interested in quantum hardware, devices, control systems, materials, and applied research. It is not a small side award either. The funding package is serious enough that students aiming for graduate-level quantum research should put this near the top of their shortlist.

Amount: Tuition, fees, health insurance, and a minimum $34,000 stipend for a 12-month appointment
Deadline: February 15 for fall admission
Apply/Info: Official page

7) Michael Kidger Memorial Scholarship in Optical Design

Why It Slaps: Optical design may sound narrower than quantum computing, but it connects directly to the hardware side of emerging quantum technology. Students working in optical systems, photonics, lasers, precision instrumentation, and related design work can make a legitimate case that this scholarship supports a quantum-adjacent pathway. It is especially useful for students who want to avoid the crowded generic STEM scholarship pool and target more specialized technical funding instead.

Amount: $7,500
Deadline: February 28, 2026
Apply/Info: Official page

March

8) Astronaut Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is a prestige-heavy undergraduate STEM award that can help quantum-focused students who are already showing strong academic and research momentum. It is not quantum-specific, but it is the kind of scholarship that can strengthen your profile for research labs, graduate school, and future technical fellowships. If you are a high-performing STEM student with serious research goals, this is worth chasing even if your exact specialty is still forming.

Amount: Up to $15,000
Deadline: March 30, 2026
Apply/Info: Official page

April

9) CU Boulder Quantum Scholars

Why It Slaps: This is one of the most direct undergraduate quantum opportunities on the list. It is built for students at the University of Colorado who want to explore quantum through coursework, industry connections, internships, and community. If you want a scholarship that actually lives inside a real quantum ecosystem instead of just vaguely supporting STEM, this is exactly the kind of program you want to see more of.

Amount: Up to $2,500 over the academic year
Deadline: April 15, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. MT
Apply/Info: Official page

May

10) AFCEA STEM Major Scholarships

Why It Slaps: This is a broader STEM option, but it still makes sense for many future quantum computing students, especially those in computer science, electrical engineering, and related technical majors. It is a practical scholarship to keep on your list because many niche quantum students need a mix of direct-fit and broad-fit funding. This one can help cover costs while you build the coursework, projects, and research profile needed for more specialized quantum opportunities later.

Amount: $2,500 to $5,000 depending on the specific AFCEA scholarship program
Deadline: May 1, 2026
Apply/Info: Official page

November

11) Optica Women Scholars

Why It Slaps: This is one of the best verified opportunities for women coming into optics, photonics, engineering, and related technical fields that overlap with quantum technology. The scholarship is substantial, and the mentorship angle matters because quantum-adjacent fields often reward networking, lab access, and technical community as much as raw classroom performance. If your interests touch quantum theory, photonics, optical systems, or advanced engineering, this is a very smart target.

Amount: $10,000
Deadline: Most recent posted deadline was November 30, 2025
Apply/Info: Official page

12) Optica Amplify Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is a strong option for Black students in optics, photonics, and related technical fields, which can connect closely to quantum hardware and quantum-enabled technologies. It is valuable not just because of the dollar amount, but because it targets an underrepresented group in a highly technical space. For a student building toward quantum devices, optical systems, or photonics-heavy research, this is one of the more strategic scholarships to track.

Amount: $10,000
Deadline: Most recent posted deadline was November 30, 2025
Apply/Info: Official page

13) NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)

Why It Slaps: For graduate-bound students, this is one of the biggest names in U.S. research funding. Quantum computing students in computer science, engineering, physics, and related areas should absolutely watch this one. It is flexible, respected, and powerful for students who want to build a PhD path in quantum algorithms, quantum systems, quantum hardware, or computational physics. If you are aiming high academically, this belongs on your radar early.

Amount: $37,000 annual stipend plus a $16,000 cost-of-education allowance to the institution
Deadline: Most recent posted deadlines were November 12, 13, and 14, 2025 depending on field
Apply/Info: Official page

December

14) SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program

Why It Slaps: This is one of the most financially powerful programs on this list for U.S. students in technical fields. For quantum computing students, it is especially attractive if your interests connect to national security, advanced computing, hardware, defense technology, or applied research. The service commitment is real, so it is not for everyone, but students who are open to that path can get a funding package that is much stronger than most standard scholarships.

Amount: Full tuition, annual stipend, book allowance, health insurance allowance, and paid summer internships; the annual stipend is typically about $30,000 to $46,000 depending on degree level
Deadline: Application opens August 1 and closes on the first Friday in December each year
Apply/Info: Official page

15) MathQuantum Graduate Fellowship

Why It Slaps: This is one of the most directly relevant graduate options in the country for students serious about quantum information science. It is not just funding. It is a program built around the exact kind of technical development that future quantum researchers need. If you are planning graduate work that touches mathematics, computer science, or physics in a quantum context, this should be one of the first pages you bookmark.

Amount: $37,000 stipend, tuition and fees for the academic year, plus $1,000 for conference or workshop travel
Deadline: Most recent posted deadline was December 5, 2025
Apply/Info: Official page

Best Picks by Student Type

Best for high school students

MathQuantum High School Fellowship
Future planning target: Barry Goldwater Scholarship once you are in college and building research experience

Best for undergraduate students

CU Boulder Quantum Scholars
MathQuantum Undergraduate Fellowship
Barry Goldwater Scholarship
Astronaut Scholarship

Best for graduate students

DOE CSGF
NSF GRFP
Colorado School of Mines Quantum Engineering Fellowship
MathQuantum Graduate Fellowship
SMART Scholarship

Best for hardware, optics, and photonics paths

SPIE Optics and Photonics Education Scholarships
Michael Kidger Memorial Scholarship
Optica Women Scholars
Optica Amplify Scholarship

FAQ

Are there really scholarships specifically for quantum computing?

Yes, but there are not many fully stand-alone “quantum computing scholarships” yet. The strongest direct-fit options are usually quantum-focused fellowships or university-based programs such as CU Boulder Quantum Scholars, the MathQuantum fellowships, and the Colorado School of Mines Quantum Engineering Fellowship.

Should I apply if my major is physics, computer science, electrical engineering, math, optics, or photonics instead of “quantum computing”?

Yes. In fact, that is the normal path. Many of the best opportunities for quantum-bound students are built around those broader majors rather than a degree literally named quantum computing.

Why are so many of these called fellowships instead of scholarships?

Because quantum computing is still a research-heavy field. A lot of the best funding sits inside research fellowships, graduate fellowships, or program-based awards that include stipends, tuition coverage, travel support, or lab-style training.

Which scholarships are best for graduate students in quantum computing?

The strongest graduate-focused options in this guide are DOE CSGF, NSF GRFP, the Colorado School of Mines Quantum Engineering Fellowship, MathQuantum Graduate Fellowship, and SMART. They are especially strong if you are targeting research, advanced technical development, or doctoral study.

Are school-based quantum programs worth applying for even if the dollar amount looks smaller?

Yes. In quantum fields, access matters. A smaller award that puts you inside a true quantum community, research pipeline, or mentorship network can be more valuable long term than a generic scholarship with no technical ecosystem attached. Programs like CU Boulder Quantum Scholars and MathQuantum are good examples.

What is the smartest application strategy for this niche?

Apply in layers. Go after direct quantum programs first, then quantum-adjacent hardware and photonics awards, then broad elite STEM scholarships and fellowships. That mix gives you the best odds because the field is still niche and the funding pool is spread across several related disciplines.