DOE Quantum Genesis Q Competition

Overview

The DOE Quantum Genesis Q Competition (DE-FOA-0003657) is a $215 million milestone-based program from the Department of Energy Office of Science, Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR). Its goal is to develop and deploy the world's first fault-tolerant, scientifically relevant quantum computing (SRQC) capability for research and development.

DOE defines a first-generation SRQC as a system with at least a hundred logical qubits that can perform thousands of hard fault-tolerant operations in service of a scientific workflow. DOE describes these metrics as illustrative and recognizes that milestones may vary by technology.

Awards are made as Other Transaction Agreements. Payments are tied to verified milestones, with DOE National Laboratory staff given physical and virtual access to each performer's quantum computer to validate performance.

Key dates and funding

• Application deadline: October 19, 2026
• Questions deadline: October 6, 2026, 5:00 PM ET (qcompetition@doe.gov)
• Initial selections: no earlier than November 13, 2026
• Total funding: $215 million over the first 30 months
• Expected selections: at least three and up to ten
• Phase I: $250,000 upon DOE approval of the technical plan, plus $1,250,000 for a validated prototype milestone about one year after project start
• Phase II: a $100 million general incentive pool split evenly among performers who achieve a first-generation SRQC
• Bonus pools: $50 million split among awardees reaching 150 or more logical qubits, and another $50 million split among awardees reaching 200 or more logical qubits
• Final evaluation: September 2028
• Cost share: waived

Who is eligible

Only for-profit domestic entities may apply. The applicant must be legally formed in the United States and have a physical business location in the United States.

• Applicants must show a history of successfully creating and demonstrating multi-qubit quantum computers.
• All work must be performed in the United States, though partial waivers may be requested.
• Foreign entities may participate only with an explicit written waiver.
• Malign foreign talent recruitment program prohibitions and foreign connection disclosures apply.
• An organization may participate in multiple proposals, but DOE does not intend to fund multiple applicants relying on substantively similar qubit technologies from a single provider.

Focus areas

The competition is open to any qubit modality. DOE is looking for a full-stack, fault-tolerant quantum computing solution that scales through three illustrative stages.

Prototype

Roughly 10 logical qubits and about 1,000 hard operations, demonstrating a scientific subroutine with basic hardware and software modules within about one year.

First-generation SRQC

At least a hundred logical qubits and thousands of hard fault-tolerant operations running a scientific workflow, evaluated in September 2028.

Scientific relevance

Applicants must identify a demonstrator problem and key subroutines, explain why the problem matters to the DOE mission, and estimate the quantum operations and wall-clock time required.

How to apply

Applications are submitted through Grants.gov and then processed in DOE's Portfolio Analysis and Management System (PAMS). Pre-applications are not accepted.

• Register in SAM.gov and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier. DOE notes SAM registration can take several weeks.
• Register in FedConnect, which can take 48 to 72 hours.
• Create a Grants.gov account and submit the application.
• Register in PAMS to track the application after submission.
• Prepare a Project Narrative of no more than 50 pages covering current quantum capabilities, a phased scaling plan, a scientific relevance plan, team structure and partnerships, and quantum ecosystem impacts.

Is this a fit for your company?

Genesis Q suits U.S. quantum hardware companies that already have working multi-qubit systems and a credible roadmap to fault tolerance. If your team is weighing whether to compete, or needs help shaping a scaling plan and scientific relevance story before October 19, book a call with BW&CO.

Frequently asked questions

What is the DOE Quantum Genesis Q Competition?

It is a $215 million DOE Office of Science program (DE-FOA-0003657) to develop the world's first fault-tolerant, scientifically relevant quantum computing capability, funded through milestone-based Other Transaction Agreements.

When is the Genesis Q application deadline?

Applications are due October 19, 2026. Questions must be sent to qcompetition@doe.gov by October 6, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET.

How much funding can a Genesis Q performer receive?

Phase I pays up to $1.5 million per performer. Performers that achieve a first-generation SRQC share a $100 million incentive pool, plus two $50 million bonus pools for reaching 150 and 200 logical qubits.

Who is eligible to apply for Genesis Q?

Only U.S. for-profit companies with a physical U.S. business location may apply, and they must have a history of creating and demonstrating multi-qubit quantum computers.

Is Genesis Q limited to one qubit technology?

No. The solicitation does not restrict qubit modality, but DOE does not intend to fund multiple applicants that rely on substantively similar qubit technologies from a single provider.