Muri discrete and continuous-variable distributed entangled quantum sensing: foundation, building blocks, and testbeds (disco-deqs)

The Office of Naval Research awarded the Regents of the University of Michigan $1 million on December 1, 2025, under the Basic and Applied Scientific Research program (CFDA 12.300) for the project grant titled "MURI Discrete and Continuous-Variable Distributed Entangled Quantum Sensing: Foundation, Building Blocks, and Testbeds (DISCO-DEQS)."

The award funds development of foundational theory, protocols, and testbeds for distributed entangled quantum sensing (DEQS) that leverages both discrete and continuous quantum variable systems to advance quantum sensing capabilities for naval applications. Work is performed in Michigan.

The period of performance runs from December 1, 2025, through November 30, 2028. Five sub-recipients share pass-through funding and deliver specialized components. The University of Maryland, College Park develops discrete-variable and continuous-variable theoretical framework for the fundamental limits and protocols for DEQS (sub-award dated April 2, 2026). Princeton University develops the discrete-variable DEQS testbed, verifies the theory, and demonstrates discrete-variable DEQS capabilities (sub-award dated February 16, 2026). The University of Arizona co-develops the continuous-variable distributed entangled quantum sensing testbed, verifies the theory, and demonstrates continuous-variable DEQS capabilities (sub-award dated February 11, 2026). The University of Southern California develops continuous-variable fundamental limits and protocols for DEQS (sub-award dated February 25, 2026). The University of Chicago develops error-correction and mitigation techniques for DEQS (sub-award dated June 2, 2026).