NIH Quantum Computing Challenge
The NIH Quantum Computing Challenge funds the development of quantum algorithms to tackle complex biomedical research problems, advancing fields like drug discovery and clinical prediction.
Funder: NIH Challenges
Due Dates: February 21, 2025 (Stage 1 - Planning Proposal) | March 30, 2026 (Stage 2 Milestone 1) | March 29, 2027 (Stage 2 Milestone 2)
Funding Amounts: Up to $1,300,000 total prize purse; Stage 1 awards up to $10,000 (to up to 10 teams), Stage 2 milestone awards up to $150,000 (up to 5 teams), final grand prize $300,000, runner-up $150,000.
Summary: Supports development and deployment of quantum algorithms to solve complex biomedical challenges, advancing drug discovery, clinical prediction, and imaging.
Key Information: Only U.S. citizens/permanent residents or U.S.-incorporated entities can receive cash prizes; non-U.S. participants may join teams but cannot receive prize money.
Description
The NIH Quantum Computing Challenge, administered by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) under the NIH Challenges initiative, aims to accelerate the adoption and development of quantum computing approaches for pressing translational biomedical problems. The challenge focuses on leveraging quantum algorithms to enable transformative advancements in drug discovery, clinical risk prediction, diagnostics, therapeutics, biomedical imaging, and genomic data analysis. The competition is designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration between quantum scientists, engineers, and biomedical researchers, with the goal of integrating quantum and hybrid quantum-classical methods into biomedical research for real-world impact.
