NSF National Quantum Virtual Laboratory - Quantum Testbeds

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency established in 1950 to promote the progress of science and engineering in the United States. Through competitive funding opportunities, NSF supports research, education, and infrastructure development across a wide range of disciplines. The NSF National Quantum Virtual Laboratory (NQVL) Quantum Science and Technology Demonstrations (QSTD): Design and Implementation program represents a major federal investment in advancing quantum information science and engineering (QISE). This program builds on the National Quantum Initiative Act and aims to accelerate the transition of quantum technologies from foundational research into practical, real-world applications. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support large-scale, multi-phase projects that demonstrate quantum advantage through integrated systems development. The program emphasizes use-inspired research and collaboration between academia, industry, and government partners. Projects are expected to progress through a structured lifecycle including Pilot, Design, and Implementation phases, with this solicitation specifically targeting the Design and Implementation stages. The overarching goal is to develop scalable quantum systems that can address complex scientific and engineering challenges more efficiently than classical approaches. Funding under this program supports activities such as technology development, system integration, prototype design, workforce development, and education initiatives. Design phase awards may provide up to 2,000,000 dollars per year for up to two years, while Implementation phase awards may provide up to 10,000,000 dollars per year for up to six years. Funding is intended to support comprehensive project execution plans, including risk assessment, cost estimation, and system engineering. Cost sharing is explicitly prohibited, and all funding must align with NSF guidelines and federal requirements. Eligibility for this program is contingent upon prior participation in earlier phases. Organizations must have successfully completed a QSTD Pilot project to apply for the Design phase, and a QSTD Design project to apply for the Implementation phase. There are no restrictions on the type of organization that may serve as the lead applicant, but proposals must be submitted by a single lead organization with any collaborators included as subawardees. Each organization and principal investigator is limited to one proposal submission per cycle. Applications must be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov in accordance with NSF’s Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide. Required components include a detailed project description, project execution plan, budget justification, data management plan, and education and workforce development plan. Proposals are evaluated based on intellectual merit and broader impacts, as well as technical feasibility, project management readiness, and alignment with program goals. NSF may conduct site visits and additional technical reviews as part of the evaluation process. The program operates on a recurring annual cycle with multiple target dates for submission. Key deadlines include April 7, 2026, April 6, 2027, and April 4, 2028, depending on the project phase. Prospective applicants are required to contact program officers at least two weeks prior to submission to confirm project readiness and alignment. Award decisions are typically made within approximately six months of submission, and funded projects are subject to ongoing oversight, reporting requirements, and milestone evaluations throughout their duration.

Ensure strong technical readiness and detailed project management planning; demonstrate clear pathway from research to application; engage industry and user community early