DARPA Multi X Office (MXO)

DARPA Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI)

Funds United States quantum technology research aiming for scalable, error-corrected computing breakthroughs.

The DARPA Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) is a multi-phase program administered by the Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) with the goal of determining whether utility-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers can be built by 2033. QBI is structured as a competitive technical evaluation rather than a conventional research grant: selected performers move through staged technical reviews with quantitative benchmark milestones, and continued participation depends on demonstrated progress against those milestones. The main 2026 solicitation is DARPA-PA-26-02, which closes November 14, 2026; a parallel Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) track under DARPA-PA-26-02-01 closes October 15, 2026.

Award sizes range from $2 million to $50 million depending on program phase and track, with a median near $10 million and a total program pool estimated at $100 million. Eligible performers are US-registered for-profit companies, nonprofits, universities, and research organisations operating at TRL 3–6. Individual applicants are not eligible. Cooperative agreements and Other Transactions are the primary instruments, with periods of performance spanning 24 to 60 months across phases.

QBI targets organisations with credible, near-term roadmaps toward fault-tolerant quantum computation — not basic quantum science research. The IV&V track is specifically designed for independent technical teams capable of rigorous assessment of other performers' quantum hardware and software claims, making it accessible to academic and national-laboratory performers with deep quantum characterisation expertise. Both tracks require SAM.gov registration. Applicants should read the full Program Announcement carefully for the quantitative performance thresholds required at each evaluation gate.