Quantum Information Technologies (QT)

Quantum Information Technologies (QT) is sponsored by NSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR). This NSF SBIR/STTR topic focuses on innovations in information and communications technologies that fundamentally rely on quantum mechanical properties and interactions.

This includes developing faster, more efficient, or more secure information processing and communications, with an emphasis on robustness, reliability, scalability, and practical operation. Examples include qubit generation and detection, error correction, and quantum cryptography.

Quantum Information Technologies Grant – Apply Today | NSF SBIR For proposal preparation and submission instructions, click here . The SBIR/STTR program looks forward to receiving the submission of new Project Pitches in response to the new solicitations beginning on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. Please direct any questions to sbir@nsf.

gov . Quantum Information Technologies (QT) Jane’s Carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park (artists: Sydney Shea & Carol Hsiung for drawing, and Joel Artista for mural) made possible by Mental Canvas LLC, the first to translate hand illustrations into 3D.

Quantum Information Technologies (QT) This topic focuses on innovations in information and communications technologies that rely fundamentally on quantum mechanical properties and interactions. Typically, such innovations will involve the generation, detection, or manipulation of quantum states to provide faster, more efficient or more secure information processing and communications.

Proposals may include innovations at the component, sub-system or system level that result in substantial and usable improvements in the generation, transmission, detection, storage or processing of information, or the security and privacy of information.

Proposed innovations must offer the potential for robustness, reliability, scalability and operation at temperatures that are practical within the constraints of the intended application. Innovations at the component and sub-system level should aim for compactness and energy efficiency, consistent with the requirements of the application.

Examples of technology innovations in the quantum computing subtopic could include qubit generation and detection, development of computational models (quantum circuits, etc.), error correction, software, hardware sub-systems and systems and Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) computers.

Examples of technology innovations in the quantum communications subtopic could include components such as sources, memories, repeaters, detectors, hardware sub-systems and systems, networks, cryptography and key distribution. QT2. Quantum Communications QT4.

Quantum Sensing and Metrology QT6. Other Quantum Information Technologies Application process for Quantum Information Technologies (QT) funding Eligibility for Quantum Information Technologies (QT) funding + Your company must be a small business (fewer than 500 employees) located in the United States. At least 50% of your company’s equity must be owned by U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

NSF does not fund companies that are majority-owned by multiple venture capital firms, private equity firms, or hedge funds, to participate in SBIR and STTR. All funded work, including work done by consultants and contractors, needs to take place in the United States. The project’s principal investigator (tech lead) must be legally employed at least 20 hours a week by the company seeking funding.

The principal investigator doesn’t need any advanced degrees. The principal investigator needs to commit to at least one month (173 hours) of work on a funded project per six months of project duration. Evaluation Criteria: What We Look for When Evaluating Quantum Information Technologies (QT) proposals + Take our project assessment to see if your work might be a good fit for NSF funding.

We invest up to $2 million in seed funding and take zero equity. We’re looking for companies that are transformative, high-risk, have a market pull, and are scaleable.