Energy Department launches $215 million push for quantum computers by 2028

The US Department of Energy announced the Quantum Genesis Q competition with a $215 million prize pool to create fault-tolerant quantum computers for scientific calculations. The goal is machines with at least 100 logical qubits capable of hundreds of millions of fault-tolerant operations; first awards are expected in November–December.

• Prize fund is $215 million, including a $100 million pool for winners
• Requirement: at least 100 logical qubits and hundreds of millions of operations
• Additional $50 million pools for 150 and 200 logical qubits
• First awards may be announced in November or December 2026