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Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) 2026 Announcement

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) seeks innovative approaches to address challenges related to quantum computing.

Notice type	Solicitation: Open for bids now. Download the solicitation documents from the official posting.
Who's buying	Def Advanced Research Projects Agcy, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (darpa)
Where	Work location not listed. The buying office is in Arlington, Virginia.
Deadline	Wed, Dec 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM (local time) (67 days left)
Who can bid	Open to any business (no set-aside listed)
Industry	NAICS 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology))
Solicitation #	DARPA-PA-26-02
Posted	Wed, Jul 29, 2026
Contact	QBI PA Coordinator, [email protected]

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From the notice

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.

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