Qubit Collaboratory (LQC)
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers pursuing quantum information science and technology (QIST) research at universities, industry, FFRDCs, and government labs. US citizens and permanent residents at eligible institutions may apply. Proposals must address research thrusts focused on qubit development, quantum computing, sensing, or related quantum technologies.
Three proposal tracks are available: Incubator (single investigators and small groups), Collaboration (larger multi-institutional teams), and Fellowships (graduate and postdoctoral training for US citizens). All types must involve partnership with NSA's Laboratory for Physical Sciences (LPS).
Eligible applicants include academic institutions, private industry, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), and Government Laboratories. Teaching colleges are explicitly welcome to submit Incubator proposals.
This grant is for researchers pursuing quantum information science and technology (QIST) research at universities, industry, FFRDCs, and government labs. US citizens and permanent residents at eligible institutions may apply. Proposals must address research thrusts focused on qubit development, quantum computing, sensing, or related quantum technologies.
Three proposal tracks are available: Incubator (single investigators and small groups), Collaboration (larger multi-institutional teams), and Fellowships (graduate and postdoctoral training for US citizens). All types must involve partnership with NSA's Laboratory for Physical Sciences (LPS).
Eligible applicants include academic institutions, private industry, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), and Government Laboratories. Teaching colleges are explicitly welcome to submit Incubator proposals.
Program description
The U.S. Army Research Office (ARO) in partnership with NSA’s Laboratory for Physical Science (LPS) is soliciting Incubator, Collaboration, and Fellowship research proposals for participation in the LPS Qubit Collaboratory (LQC). The mission of the LQC can be captured in three broad goals: 1) pursue disruptive fundamental research and enabling technologies with a focus on qubit development for quantum computing and other applications (such as sensing); 2) grow deep, collaborative partnerships to tackle the most difficult and relevant long-term problems in quantum information science and technology; and 3) build a quantum workforce of tomorrow through research experiences in government at LPS and at LQC partners. The LQC will offer a mechanism for collaborative research between LPS and academia, industry, FFRDCs, and Government Laboratories to advance foundational and transformative research on challenging problems that have hindered progress in quantum information processing and associated technologies.
The goal of this BAA is to seek proposals that bring together expertise from the public and private sectors and their respective research infrastructures to advance solutions that may be best approached as a collaborative team. A Collaboratory is “a center without walls, in which the nation’s researchers can perform their research without regard to physical location, interacting with colleagues, accessing instrumentation, sharing data and computational resources, [and] accessing information in digital libraries. This BAA introduces LQC Research Thrusts (A.1.1) which are the technical areas of interest—which will be updated periodically—where partners of the LQC will pursue joint research with LPS through Incubator (A.1.2) and Collaboration (A.1.3) collaborative agreements. The LQC BAA also fulfills the Government’s overarching interest–through the proposed research and on-site research experiences–in creating and training a workforce in quantum science and technology, generating pathways of solutions that feed technology development, establishing partnerships, and creating transition opportunities. In further support of training through research, Section A.1.4 calls for Quantum Computing Research (QuaCR) Graduate and Postdoctoral Fellowships for US citizens working in areas of interest.
Substantial progress on solving the most difficult and long-term Quantum Information Science & Technology (QIST) research problems that unleash further rapid progress in the field will constitute LQC success. Examples of such research problems include (but are not limited to): limits of performance due to device design, material selection, and/or control, the exploration of alternative qubit physics (e.g., different approaches to qubit encoding or types of gates) and lowering of barriers to such approaches, advances in materials that improve qubit gate fidelity, reducing the overhead of classical components in quantum information technology and optimizing classical performance, and the exploration of applications of quantum technologies to new domains.
Three categories of proposals are sought for this BAA:
1.Incubator opportunities seek partnership proposals from single investigators and small research groups, including teaching colleges, who may have unique skillsets to contribute toward the pursuit of the research thrusts presented in A.1.1. Incubator proposals may also be the development of concepts into a detailed technical research approach to advance solution of problems of high interest to quantum information science research. Incubator proposals would avail themselves of the collaboration opportunities with LPS research staff and infrastructure made available at the Laboratory for Physical Sciences (LPS) to lay the groundwork for concepts that may be suitable for a Collaboratory proposal or responses to other DoD quantum information science research opportunities.
2.Collaboratory proposals seek research proposals that bring together a strong significant collaboration–researchers from academia, industry, FFRDCs, and/or Government Laboratories–to pursue long-term projects focused on fundamental problems of interest to qubit development and/or associated science and technology. These collaborative groups will propose to work together in a focused manner for a period of time expected to be one to three years in order to demonstrate a proof-of-concept experiment and/or theory exploration to determine the feasibility of their creative idea.
3.QuaCR Research Fellowship proposals seek to support talented U.S. citizen graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in the field of quantum information processing (primary interest) and quantum sensing (secondary interest). Applicants with a background from either within or outside QIS are encouraged. The proposed research areas are described in this BAA and must enhance active Quantum Information Science research efforts being supported by the Army Research Office and/or LPS. Research fellows are encouraged to complete an LPS Internship during their graduate career or visit during their postdoctoral fellowship.
Funding Opportunity Title: LPS Qubit Collaboratory Special Research Topics Announcement: W911NF21S0009-SPECIALNOTICE-1
The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM), Army Research Laboratory (ARL)-Army Research Office (ARO) is looking for proposed research and development solutions under the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF21S0009-2 for Basic and Applied Scientific Research in Quantum Computing. The title for this Special Notice is “LPS Qubit Collaboratory Special Topics.” Upon receipt, compliant proposals will be reviewed through a technical and programmatic process in accordance with the evaluation criteria referenced in the W911NF21S0009-2 LQC BAA to determine which proposal may be awarded Grant, Cooperative Agreement, or Procurement Contract under this topic.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- Individuals
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Researcher (independent)
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
Details
This grant is for researchers pursuing quantum information science and technology (QIST) research at universities, industry, FFRDCs, and government labs. US citizens and permanent residents at eligible institutions may apply. Proposals must address research thrusts focused on qubit development, quantum computing, sensing, or related quantum technologies.
Three proposal tracks are available: Incubator (single investigators and small groups), Collaboration (larger multi-institutional teams), and Fellowships (graduate and postdoctoral training for US citizens). All types must involve partnership with NSA's Laboratory for Physical Sciences (LPS).
Eligible applicants include academic institutions, private industry, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), and Government Laboratories. Teaching colleges are explicitly welcome to submit Incubator proposals.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Proposal narrative or project description (check BAA for page limits)
- Budget and budget justification
- Organizational capability statements
- Letters of commitment from LPS and partner institutions
- CV or biographical sketches for key personnel
- Conflict of interest disclosures
- Indirect cost rate agreement (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Andrew Day Grants/Agreements Officer
- 📧 usarmy.rtp.devcom-arl.mesg.qcbox@army.mil
- 📞 919-549-4267
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 12.431 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$213,594,079
-
$88,655,689
-
$54,356,555
-
$49,736,421
-
$48,908,501
-
$42,638,567
-
$38,292,265
-
$34,850,000
-
$31,526,562
-
$27,457,336
Top States by Funding
- MD 10 awards $367.6M
- MA 13 awards $197.8M
- CA 10 awards $180.7M
- PA 9 awards $126.4M
- TX 5 awards $114.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 12.431). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $764,057,529 | |
| 2025 | $750,782,726 | |
| 2026 est. | $800,000,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Universities, industry, FFRDCs, government labs, and teaching colleges may apply. Proposals must involve collaboration with LPS. Graduate and postdoctoral fellows must be US citizens.
What types of proposals does this grant support?
Three tracks: Incubator (single investigators, small groups), Collaboration (larger multi-institutional teams), and QuaCR Fellowships (graduate/postdoctoral training). All require LPS partnership.
What research areas are eligible?
Qubit development, quantum computing, quantum sensing, and related quantum information science technologies. See Section A.1.1 for specific research thrusts.
What is the typical project duration?
The BAA does not specify project duration. Contact program officers for typical funding periods.
Is cost-sharing required?
No cost-sharing is required for this grant. However, leveraging partner resources strengthens proposals.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize collaboration with LPS and integration with their research infrastructure. Proposals must explain how partners bring complementary expertise.
- Clearly map your research to one or more of the research thrusts in Section A.1.1. Vague connections to quantum science will weaken competitiveness.
- Include letters of commitment from LPS collaborators early in the writing process. These demonstrate genuine partnership, not just cooperation.
- For Incubator proposals, explain how LPS access and collaboration will transform a concept into actionable research. Emphasize unique capabilities your team brings.
- Address workforce development explicitly. Explain how your project creates training opportunities for the next generation of quantum researchers.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals fail to establish genuine collaboration with LPS or treat it as an afterthought. Applicants must embed LPS involvement from the start.
Proposals miss the research thrusts (Section A.1.1) or make only tangential connections to them. Alignment with specified thrusts is critical for scoring.
Applicants underestimate proposal complexity and page requirements for cooperative agreements. Budget sufficient time for coordination with multiple institutional partners and LPS negotiations.
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