BMFTR – Quantum Error Correction (Quantum Computing Competition)

Funding for joint projects that develop error-corrected quantum chips in Germany.

Within the Hightech Agenda Germany and Quantum Systems Research Programme (Forschungsprogramms Quantensysteme. Spitzentechnologie entwickeln. Zukunft gestalten), the funding initiative Mission-Driven Hardware Competition: Error-Corrected Quantum Computing with the Establishment of Pilot Line (Förderung von Projekten zum Thema Missionsgetriebener Hardware-Wettbewerb: Fehlerkorrigiertes Quantencomputing mit Aufbau von Pilotlinien) of Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt (BMFTR – Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space) supports the development of scientific foundations for quantum error correction at universities and research institutions, with subsequent system-level demonstration by companies in Germany, particularly start-ups.

Funding is provided for pre-competitive collaborative projects involving partners from industry and academia that develop error-corrected quantum chips at the forefront of European research. The programme runs the following two modules:

Module A: Research and Development

Funding is available for research and development work on quantum computing hardware. This includes the quantum processor, its control system, and the error-correction layer. Higher hardware and software layers of the system under investigation may be used for benchmarking purposes. Each consortium must consist of a manageable number of partners (approximately five) to ensure agility, operational capacity, and lean governance. At least one partner in each consortium must have demonstrated, prior to the start of the project, a system with 24 controllable qubits and a continuous two-qubit gate fidelity of 99.5%.

Module B: Research and Pilot Production Infrastructure

Each consortium project under Module A may also apply for Module B, provided that the establishment of research and pilot production infrastructure is necessary to achieve the project objectives. In this context, either the entire consortium or selected partners from Module A may form the consortium under Module B. Additional partners may only be included in justified exceptional cases. Each consortium must consist of approximately five partners. The commercial enterprise acting as system integrator in Module A must be mandatorily involved in the conceptualisation of projects under Module B.

BMFTR has appointed the project management agency VDI Technologiezentrum GmbH to coordinate the scheme on its behalf.