LPS Qubit Collaboratory (LQC)

Special Notice / Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

This Special Notice, issued under DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory (ARL) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF21S0009-2, seeks research and development solutions to advance the fundamental understanding of superconductor qubits and accelerate learning in quantum computing. The U.S. Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground, Research Triangle Park Division, is issuing this notice.

Proposals are sought for three research topics:

• Fundamental Studies of Superconducting Qubits: Focuses on identifying, quantifying, and mitigating noise sources, and improving two-qubit gates for multiqubit systems.

• Next-Generation Josephson Junctions: Aims to demonstrate prototype devices and incorporate innovative Josephson junctions (JJs) into qubits for expanded quantum circuit design.

• Accelerated Learning of Quantum Information Concepts: Seeks innovative approaches for training and retraining technical individuals in qubit technologies through hands-on laboratory experiences.

• White Papers (Required): Due 15 December 2025, submitted via email to usarmy.rtp.devcom-arl.mesg.qcbox@army.mil. Feedback will be provided via email.

• Proposals: Recommended submission by 3 March 2026 for program planning.

• Evaluation will be conducted in accordance with the criteria referenced in BAA W911NF21S0009-2.

Awards may be made as Grants, Cooperative Agreements, or Procurement Contracts. The government reserves the right to select all, some, or none of the proposals. No funding will be provided for proposal development costs. The government also reserves the right to cancel this notice without award.

This BAA is issued under FAR paragraph 6.102(d)(2) and 10 U.S.C. 4001, 4021, and 4022, providing for competitive selection of basic research proposals. All requirements referenced in BAA W911NF21S0009-2 apply.

• Technical Program: Dr. T.R. Govindan (t.r.govindan.civ@army.mil)
• Business Nature: usarmy.rtp.devcom-arl.mesg.qcbox@army.mil

Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the U.S. Army Research Office (ARO) and the National Security Agency (NSA) solicits research proposals for the LPS Qubit Collaboratory (LQC). The LQC aims to advance fundamental research and enabling technologies in quantum information science and technology, foster collaborative partnerships, and build a quantum workforce. Proposals are sought for Incubator, Collaboratory, and Graduate/Postdoctoral Fellowship opportunities.

• Research Thrusts: Focus areas include spin qubits, epitaxial materials for qubits, voltage-controllable superconducting qubits, high-temperature qubits, advanced materials for quantum computing, and accelerated learning of quantum information concepts.

• Proposal Categories:

  • Incubator: For single investigators or small groups to develop early-stage concepts, potentially leading to Collaboratory proposals.
  • Collaboratory: For significant collaborations (academia, industry, FFRDCs, government labs) to pursue long-term, disruptive research.
  • QuaCR Fellowships: For U.S. citizen graduate students and postdocs in quantum information science and technology.

• Awards anticipated as procurement contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements.

• Cooperative agreements are likely due to the collaborative nature.

• Funding for subsequent years is contingent on satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

• White Papers: Required for Incubator and Collaboratory proposals (Stage 1).

• Full Proposals: Submitted after Stage 1 review, via email for contracts or Grants.gov for assistance instruments.

• Evaluation Criteria: Scientific and technical merits, potential contribution to quantum computing, experience and qualifications of personnel, management approach, institution, and realism/reasonableness of cost.

• Submission Dates: White Papers encouraged between Feb 1 - May 30. Proposals encouraged before June 1.

• Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit concerns (large and small businesses).

• Proposals are encouraged from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs), though no funds are specifically allocated.

• FFRDCs are not eligible to receive awards but can participate in teaming arrangements.

• QuaCR Fellowship applicants must be U.S. citizens working with ARO/LPS-funded investigators.

• No funding is provided for proposal development costs.

• Technical and cost proposals will not be returned.

• Proposals will be treated as sensitive, competitive information.

• Cost sharing or matching is not required and not an evaluation factor.

Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the U.S. Army Research Office (ARO) in partnership with the National Security Agency's (NSA) Laboratory for Physical Science (LPS) solicits research proposals for the LPS Qubit Collaboratory (LQC). The LQC aims to advance fundamental research and enabling technologies in quantum information science and technology, foster collaborative partnerships, and build a quantum workforce.

The BAA seeks proposals in three categories:

• Incubator: For single investigators and small groups to develop technical concepts or lay groundwork for high-risk, high-impact research. These proposals may leverage LPS infrastructure and expertise.
• Collaboratory: For significant collaborations between academia, industry, FFRDCs, and Government Laboratories to pursue long-term projects on fundamental problems in qubit development and related science and technology.
• QuaCR Research Fellowship: To support talented U.S. citizen graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in quantum information processing and sensing.

Priority research thrusts for FY 2021 include:

• Spin qubits, fast.
• Epitaxy for better qubits.
• Voltage controllable superconducting qubits.
• Qubits operating at higher temperatures.
• Beyond Moore, Before Shor (advanced materials and fabrication).
• Accelerated learning of Quantum Information Concepts.

Awards will be made in the form of procurement contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements. Funding for subsequent years is contingent upon satisfactory performance and availability of funds. Incubator proposals are expected to be 1-3 years and not exceed $500K/year. Collaboratory proposals are expected to be 2-3 years and request less than $800K/year. QuaCR Fellowships are typically three years for graduate students and two years for postdoctoral candidates.

• White Papers: Required for Incubator and Collaboratory proposals, submitted electronically. Feedback will be provided.
• Full Proposals: Submitted via Grants.gov or email (for contracts).
• Evaluation Criteria: Scientific and technical merits, potential contribution to quantum computing, experience and qualifications of personnel and institution, and realism/reasonableness of cost.

Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit concerns. Federally Funded Research & Development Centers (FFRDCs) are not eligible to receive awards but can team with eligible offerors.

• The BAA is continuously open, valid through April 30, 2026, unless otherwise announced.
• No funding is provided for proposal development costs.
• Specific submission deadlines for White Papers are encouraged between February 1 and May 30.

Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the U.S. Army Research Office (ARO) in partnership with the National Security Agency's (NSA) Laboratory for Physical Science (LPS) solicits research proposals for the LPS Qubit Collaboratory (LQC). The LQC aims to advance fundamental research and enabling technologies in quantum information science and technology, focusing on qubit development for quantum computing and sensing. It also seeks to foster deep, collaborative partnerships and build a quantum workforce.

The BAA seeks proposals in three categories:

• Incubator: For single investigators or small groups with unique skillsets to develop technical concepts that may require LPS infrastructure and collaboration.
• Collaboratory: For significant collaborations between academia, industry, FFRDCs, and Government Laboratories to pursue long-term projects on fundamental problems in qubit development.
• QuaCR Fellowships: For U.S. citizen graduate students and postdoctoral candidates to conduct research in quantum computing and sensing, including a required internship at LPS.

Priority research thrusts for FY 2021 include:

• Spin qubits, fast.
• Epitaxy for better qubits.
• Voltage controllable superconducting qubits.
• High-temperature qubit operation.
• Beyond Moore, Before Shor (advanced quantum devices and systems).
• Accelerated Learning of Quantum Information Concepts (pedagogy and training).

Awards will be made as procurement contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements. Cooperative agreements are likely due to the collaborative nature. Funding for subsequent years is contingent on satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

• White Papers: Required for Incubator and Collaboratory proposals (Stage 1). Submission is encouraged between February 1 and May 30.
• Full Proposals: Submitted after Stage 1 review, following specific formats for email or Grants.gov submission.
• Evaluation Criteria: Scientific and technical merits, potential contribution to quantum computing feasibility, and experience/qualifications of personnel and institution.
• Cost Sharing: Not required and not an evaluation factor.
• Submission Dates: BAA is continuously open, valid through April 30, 2026, unless otherwise announced. Proposals for award consideration are encouraged by June 1.

Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education (foreign and domestic), nonprofit organizations, and for-profit concerns (large and small businesses). Proposals are encouraged from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Minority Institutions (MI), though no funds are specifically allocated. FFRDCs are not eligible to receive awards but can team with eligible offerors.

• No funding is provided for proposal development costs.
• Technical and cost proposals will not be returned.
• All proposals will be treated as sensitive, competitive information.
• Applicants must register with SAM and Grants.gov for electronic submissions.