DOE Launches $215 Million Quantum Computer Race
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DOE Launches $215 Million Quantum Computer Race
- The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has initiated a competition with up to $215 million in planned funding to accelerate the development of fault-tolerant quantum computers by 2028.
- This Quantum Genesis Q Competition, announced on September 17, 2026, aims to foster public-private partnerships to achieve scientifically relevant quantum computing capabilities.
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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has launched the Quantum Genesis Q Competition, a significant initiative offering up to $215 million in planned funding to private-sector companies. The goal is to develop and deploy the world’s first fault-tolerant, scientifically relevant quantum computers (SRQCs) by 2028. These advanced machines are expected to tackle complex scientific problems currently beyond the scope of conventional computing.
The competition, announced on September 17, 2026, is part of the broader Quantum Genesis initiative, which was established in June 2026. It seeks proposals for quantum computers equipped with at least 100 logical qubits, capable of performing hundreds of millions of fault-tolerant operations, and demonstrating scientific applications in fields like chemistry, materials science, physics, and applied mathematics.
The competition is structured in two phases. Phase I will provide fixed awards of up to $1.5 million per awardee for meeting early development milestones. Phase II includes a $100 million general incentive pool to be distributed among teams that successfully demonstrate a first-generation SRQC with at least 100 logical qubits. Additionally, two bonus incentive pools, each worth $50 million, are available for teams that achieve systems with 150 and 200 logical qubits, respectively.
The DOE’s Office of Science posted the request for applications for the Quantum Genesis Q Competition on September 17, with applications due by October 19, 2026. An informational webinar for prospective applicants is scheduled for September 25, 2026. Darío Gil, DOE’s Under Secretary for Science, emphasized that the initiative focuses on useful scientific performance rather than solely on hardware scale.
In addition to the competition, the DOE also launched a separate $45 million Quantum High Performance Computing Validation and Verification Testbed Lab Call. This initiative, open to DOE national laboratories, includes $14 million in fiscal year 2026 funding and aims to establish capabilities for independently evaluating quantum systems.