DOE Launches Competition to Accelerate Development of World’s First Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computer

WASHINGTON-The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the Quantum Genesis Q Competition, an initiative with up to $215 million in planned funding to demonstrate the world's first fault-tolerant scientifically relevant quantum computers (SRQCs). Applicants are invited to submit proposals to deploy quantum computers with at least 100 logical qubits that are capable of performing hundreds of millions fault-tolerant operations and scientific demonstration programs through a Request for Applications (RFA).

This first-of-a-kind competition aims to accelerate the development and deployment of quantum computers capable of tackling currently intractable problems in chemistry, materials, physics, and applied mathematics. This effort directly supports the goals outlined in the President's Executive Order on Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation and builds on the recommendations made in the Blueprint for DOE Quantum Supercomputing and today's Office of Science Advisory Committee report on a Path to an Integrated Quantum Future.

"Through the Quantum Genesis Q Competition, we are building a new era of computational power for the nation through innovative public-private partnerships," said Under Secretary for Science Darío Gil. "This competition will enable new quantum computing capabilities and unleash new computational frontiers, driving new scientific and technological discoveries that have previously only been theorized."

The competition is structured in two phases. Phase I will provide fixed awards for early milestones, worth up to $1.5 million per awardee. Phase II will consist of a $100 million general incentive pool to be split amongst awardees that can demonstrate a first-generation SRQC with at least 100 logical qubits, along with two bonus incentive pools, each worth $50 million, for awardees that can demonstrate 150 and 200 logical qubits.

Applications are open to private sector companies. Total planned funding is up to $215 million, with $2.5 million in Fiscal Year 2026 dollars and outyear funding contingent on congressional appropriations.

DOE will hold a virtual informational webinar for potential Quantum Genesis Q Competition applicants on September 25, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Final applications for the competition are due by October 19, 2026.

Supporting Infrastructure: Quantum High-Performance Computing Validation and Verification Testbed Lab Call

Deploying a first-of-a-kind, scientifically relevant quantum computing capability requires rigorous tools to characterize and validate every layer of the computing stack-from physical hardware and quantum gates to logical architectures, quantum algorithms and applications, and classical control systems.

The Quantum High-Performance Computing Validation and Verification Testbed Lab Call will draw on the expertise of DOE's National Laboratories to establish these essential capabilities for the Q Competition and to advance the goals of the Executive Order on Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation.

Applications are open to DOE National Laboratories. Total planned funding is $45 million, with $14 million in Fiscal Year 2026 dollars and outyear funding contingent on congressional appropriations.

The Request for Applications and Lab Call, sponsored by the Office of Advanced Scientific Computing Research within the Department's Office of Science, can be found on the Funding Opportunities webpage.