Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) 2026 Announcement
Open Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- DARPA-PA-26-02
- Agency
-
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Department of Defense
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Points of contact
-
- QBI PA Coordinator qbi@darpa.mil
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency seeks innovative approaches to develop utility-scale fault-tolerant quantum computers and computational workflows incorporating quantum compute steps, with proposals due December 30, 2026. This is an open solicitation with no set-aside; however, proposals must be submitted only in response to specific Quantum Benchmarking Initiative Topic (QBIT) calls—direct submissions to this Program Announcement will not be considered.
DARPA will issue multiple QBIT calls, each defining targeted research challenges, proposal submission instructions, and topic-specific due dates. Research must investigate revolutionary advances in design, engineering, test, and evaluation of utility-scale quantum systems; evolutionary improvements to existing practice are explicitly excluded. The program targets utility-scale quantum computer operation by 2033 and consists of three stages: describing a quantum computer concept with near-term realization potential, outlining research and development plans with risk mitigation strategies, and verification and validation that the concept can be constructed and operated as intended.
Award instruments are Other Transaction (OT) agreements for either Prototype or Research efforts, anticipated under funding type 6.2, with multiple awards expected. NAICS code 541715 applies (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, excluding Nanotechnology and Biotechnology); PSC is AC12 (National Defense R&D Services—DoD Military, Applied Research). Proposers must register in the System for Award Management (SAM) and Wide Area Work Flow (WAWF) prior to submission and comply with the QBI Controlled Unclassified Information Guide (signed June 11, 2025). Technical inquiries should be directed to QBI@darpa.mil. Amendment 01, posted July 29, 2026, reflects a change in DARPA office designation from Microsystems Technology Office to Multi X Office and identifies Dr. Micah Stoutimore as the Program Manager.
Notice text
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) seeks innovative approaches to address challenges related to quantum computing. The Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) aims to examine approaches for 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, test, and evaluation of such systems. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice. To rapidly capitalize on new opportunities, DARPA announces the QBI 2026 opportunity, which seeks specific solutions to targeted challenges related to developing utility-scale quantum computers, as defined in specific QBI topic (QBIT) calls. Each QBIT will (1) outline specific details regarding the research topic of interest and (2) provide proposal and submission instructions, including the due date for proposal submission, in addition to those outlined in this PA. Proposals must only be submitted in response to a QBIT. Proposals submitted directly to this PA will not be considered.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| DARPA-PA-26-02-Amendment-01.pdf | ||
| DARPA-PA-26-02.pdf | ||
| QBI_CUI_Guide.pdf |
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