Quantum Computing for Computational Chemistry (QC3)
Funding Agency:
- Department of Energy
The objective of the Quantum Computing for Computational Chemistry program (QC3) is to accelerate development of algorithms for quantum computers to advance energy applications of computational chemistry and materials science. Computer simulations of chemistry and materials have been driving the cutting edge of discovery for decades. Despite massive advancements in both computer hardware and algorithms, important classes of problems remain effectively impossible to solve with conventional (classical) computers. Quantum computers offer a fundamentally new form of computing that leverages the quantum nature of matter to solve certain problems exponentially faster than classical computers. Quantum computing hardware is advancing rapidly but has yet to reach the scale where it can outperform classical computers for problems of practical value. The QC3 program seeks to apply quantum computers to high-impact problems in energy by developing new algorithms and software that achieve a scalable quantum advantage on near-term quantum hardware. Applicants to QC3 will identify a specific energy-relevant problem, develop quantum algorithms, and run them on real quantum hardware, with the goal of improving the speed, accuracy, or some other relevant parameter by 100 times compared with the classical state-of-the-art approach. The problems chosen will have the potential to result in a cumulative energy impact of 1 quadrillion British thermal units, or a reduction of roughly 1 gigaton of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from energy-related activities.
ARPA-E anticipates making approximately 5–10 awards between NOFOs DE-FOA-0003482 and DE-FOA-0003483. ARPA-E may, at its discretion, issue one, multiple, or no awards. The Federal share of awards under this NOFO may vary between $250,000 and $10 million.
Approximately $30 million, subject to the availability of appropriated funds to be shared between NOFOs DE-FOA-0003482 and DE-FOA-0003483.
Submission Deadline for Concept Papers: 9:30 AM ET, November 21, 2024
9:30 AM ET, TBD
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