The US Department of Energy (DOE) has introduced the Quantum Genesis Priority Applications (QGPA) list, featuring eight scientific tasks to evaluate the utility of future fault-tolerant quantum computers. These tasks span chemistry, materials science, subatomic physics, and applied mathematics, serving as a benchmark to compare quantum performance against modern supercomputers.
This initiative is part of the broader Quantum Genesis program, which aims to develop scientifically significant quantum systems. The DOE intends to move beyond isolated demonstrations of processor capabilities by focusing on practical research problems where classical supercomputing methods currently face limitations.
On September 17, the DOE launched the Q Competition with total funding of up to $215 million. Participants are tasked with developing systems featuring at least 100 logical qubits capable of performing hundreds of millions of fault-tolerant operations.
The competition is structured in two stages. The first stage offers up to $1.5 million for achieving interim milestones, while the second stage provides a prize pool of $100 million for systems with 100 logical qubits. Additional funds of $50 million each are allocated for systems with 150 and 200 logical qubits, subject to Congressional approval.
The new scientific tasks will also support the National Quantum Supercomputing User Facility, which integrates quantum and classical computing resources. The DOE previously announced plans to deliver the first generation of fault-tolerant quantum computers for scientific research by 2028.
