DARPA’s Microsystems Technology Office is issuing this 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 (USQC) 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.
QBI will use a multi-stage approach to determine viable paths to building a USQC. This process will be divided into Stage A, Stage B, and Stage C, where each new stage represents an increased level of scrutiny into performer-proposed system designs.
This call is seeking abstracts for Stage A efforts only.
Stage A – Plausibility
The six-month term for Stage A will focus on the performer’s concept for a USQC.
It is anticipated that in the first three months, performers will develop a system concept report which will be delivered to the government test and evaluation (T&E) team and reviewed at a concept design review at month four. This report will detail the performer’s approach to building a USQC.
In the final three months of Stage A, the T&E team will evaluate and provide feedback on the draft concept report culminating in a presentation of the Government Team’s understanding of the performer’s baseline system architecture, and the performer’s delivery of a final concept report.
While six months is the expected Stage A term, milestones may be completed early, allowing DARPA the opportunity to evaluate performers’ concepts ahead of the six-month timeline.
Stage B (R&D Plan) is expected to take 12 months and will focus on examining the proposed R&D plan for building the USQC.
Stage C (Validation and Co-Design) will involve a variable term, nominally estimated at 36-months, tailored to the specific performer’s R&D plan. Stage C is critical for determining whether a USQC can be constructed as designed and operated as intended.
Abstracts are due 31 July 2026.
This call is issued under the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative Announcement DARPA-PA-26-02.
Documents
QBIT – QBI Stage A – DARPA-PA-26-02-02
Program Announcement – QBI – DARPA-PA-26-02
