Quantum Benchmarking Initiative Topic (QBIT) Stage A
DARPA will fund innovative, non-evolutionary research on quantum-computing approaches for utility-scale fault-tolerant quantum computers and related computational workflows.
⚑ Federal contract solicitation under DARPA PA-26-02/QBI 2026. · Specifically excludes proposals that primarily offer evolutionary improvements to existing state of practice. · Intended to encourage new entrants to QBI; prior QBI/US2QC performers may apply only if proposing new or distinct contributions.
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 90 strong | technical depth: central; funds applied research |
| IPPRA | 45 partial | peripheral portfolio topic: national_security_defense; social/behavioral work is none; funds applied research; capped at 45 (limited social-science role) |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 45 partial | funds applied research; prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
Description
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is issuing a Quantum Benchmarking Initiative topic (QBIT) to solicit innovative approaches addressing challenges related to quantum computing. The QBIT will examine approaches to constructing a utility-scale fault-tolerant quantum computer and computational workflows that include quantum compute steps. Proposed research should investigate approaches that enable revolutionary advances in design, engineering, testing, and evaluation of such systems. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice. The purpose of this QBIT is to encourage new entrants to QBI, ensuring DARPA has visibility into all approaches and potential solutions. While this QBIT is not intended to solicit proposals from performers selected under prior QBI or US2QC solicitations, those performers are not precluded from submitting new proposals under this PA if they believe their approach offers new or distinct contributions to the QBI initiative. This QBIT is issued under DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI), described in the QBI 2026 Program Announcement (PA), DARPA-PA-26-02. To view the original DARPA PA for QBI 2026, visit SAM.gov under solicitation number DARPA-PA-26-02: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/c26b38bf041a4d70b00ed619bebb4773/view
Eligibility
Applicant restrictions (federal contract). Set-aside: . Notice type: Solicitation. Organization: DEPT OF DEFENSE / DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY (DARPA) / DEF ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGCY.
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