DOE opens a milestone-based competition for fault-tolerant quantum computing
DOE’s Quantum Genesis Q competition accepts applications from eligible companies until October 19, with early milestone awards up to $1.5 million and larger future funding dependent on appropriations.
Quantum Genesis Q asks companies to propose a machine capable of sustained, fault-tolerant scientific computation.
DOE’s September 17 announcement specifies a first target of at least 100 logical qubits and hundreds of millions of fault-tolerant operations. The application deadline is October 19, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern, as confirmed in the funding listing rechecked on September 28. [1] [2]
The competition separates early progress from a completed demonstration. Phase I offers fixed milestone awards of up to $1.5 million per participant. Later incentive pools depend on larger demonstrations. DOE describes up to $215 million in planned funding overall, but only $2.5 million in fiscal 2026 funds; subsequent money depends on congressional appropriations. A company should therefore read the advertised total as a conditional program envelope, not committed revenue. [1]
The request for applications is also narrower than an invitation to every research organization. Ordinary eligibility is for domestic for-profit entities. Foreign participation requires an explicit waiver, and work is generally to be performed in the United States. Questions are due October 6 at 5 p.m. Eastern. The September 25 webinar belongs to the historical launch schedule; it is not an upcoming event in this revised archive. [3]
Prospective applicants should specify what each milestone demonstrates, how it will be checked and the resources it requires. A physical-qubit count cannot substitute for the logical capability and scientific workload DOE specifies.
Take it further
Review and apply to Quantum Genesis Q · Deadline: 19 October 2026Applications due 11:59 p.m. Eastern on October 19. Eligibility is domestic for-profit entities; foreign participation requires a DOE waiver. Rechecked September 28, 2026.
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Paste the brief into your voice app to discuss this reporting.Revised 9 October 2026. Copy edited 9 October to remove commentary about graphic design; reported claims, qualifications and source dates preserved.
Reporting sources
- Competition and application details
Application deadline and staged funding terms.
- DOE · current funding listing
Rechecked September 28: DE-FOA-0003657 closes October 19, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.
- DOE · full request for applications
Eligibility and waiver conditions, page 4; domestic for-profit entities. Questions due October 6 at 5 p.m. Eastern; funding remains conditional.