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National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences

NIH Quantum Sensing Technology Challenge

Awards up to $1.6 million across stages for quantum-enabled biomedical sensing devices.

This is a two-stage federal prize challenge that NCATS runs on behalf of NIH's Qu-BIT program. In Stage 1, competing teams submit a written proposal for adapting an existing quantum-enabled sensing technology to a biomedical or clinical use case, and a panel of subject-matter reviewers scores each submission against published criteria before federal employees make the final selection, subject to s

The challenge is for multi-disciplinary teams adapting existing quantum-enabled sensing technologies for biomedical research and clinical use, across three areas: general biomedical applications, early detection and diagnostics, and sensing/imaging devices for diagnostics and monitoring. It's one of two parallel prize challenges under NIH's Quantum Biomedical Innovations and Technologies (Qu-BIT) Program.

CycleiHow often this grant runs - e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.No fixed schedule
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.-
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.18 weeks
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.-
Award typeiThe form of funding - grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Prize
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.-
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.$1.6M

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