The U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) has officially launched its Quantum Computing for Computational Chemistry (QC3) program, directing $37 million across ten selected research teams over three years. Directed by Dr. Jyotsna Sharma, the initiative focuses on full-stack co-design across algorithms, error correction, and quantum hardware to achieve a 100-fold speedup over classical computation validated at ~100 logical qubits for high-impact energy applications.
A key gating requirement of the solicitation required applicants to partner directly with quantum hardware providers. Neutral-atom quantum developer QuEra Computing was selected as the exclusive external QPU hardware and algorithm co-design partner for three of the non-hardware prime performers (LBNL, LLNL, and Phasecraft).
| [ ARPA-E QC3 Program: Full 10 Project Performers & Hardware Partners ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Performer | Funding & Hardware Partner | Technical Focus | Target Energy Application |
| • Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL) | • $4,449,973 • Partner: QuEra | • Krylov-inspired algorithms & reconfigurable QEC. | • Discovery of high-temperature superconductors for loss-free power transmission. |
| • Lawrence Livermore National Lab (LLNL) | • $4,107,554 • Partner: QuEra | • Hybrid quantum/machine learning MAGNETIQC software. | • Development of ultra-strong, rare-earth-free permanent magnets for motors and IT. |
| • Phasecraft, Inc. | • $4,519,658 • Partner: QuEra | • Optimized quantum algorithms for electrolysis simulation. | • Reducing reliance on critical iridium catalysts in hydrogen fuel production. |
| • Infleqtion (ColdQuanta) | • $3,949,109 • Internal QPU | • Quantum-classical ab initio co-simulation (QASUS). | • Discovery of unconventional high-temperature superconductors. |
| • Alice & Bob USA | • $3,911,986 • Internal Cat Qubits | • Fault-tolerant cat-qubit algorithms. | • Quantum simulation of magnetic materials for rare-earth-free permanent magnets. |
| • Quantinuum | • $4,097,637 • Internal Trapped-Ion | • Dynamical simulation of nuclear quantum effects. | • Modeling proton exchange membranes (PEM) for fuel cells and electrolyzers. |
| • Caltech | • $3,765,866 • Academic Prime | • Bio-electrocatalytic algorithm workflows. | • Energy-efficient nitrogen fixation for fertilizer and ammonia production. |
| • Xanadu Quantum Tech | • $2,027,507 • Internal Photonic QPU | • Quantum simulation of X-ray absorption spectroscopy. | • Defect analysis inside fully assembled batteries to enhance battery lifespan. |
| • The Boeing Company | • $2,509,300 • Industrial Prime | • QUantum Innovation for Corrosion Kinetics (QUICK). | • Modeling material corrosion rates for aerospace, steel, and battery durability. |
| • PsiQuantum Corp. | • $3,641,923 • Internal Photonic QPU | • Direct Methane-to-Methanol (DMTM) catalyst workflows. | • Converting natural gas/methane into liquid methanol energy feedstocks. |
The program emphasizes full-stack co-design across algorithms, error correction, and reconfigurable hardware architectures, connecting public sector research directly to fault-tolerant quantum roadmaps.
The full rollout builds upon LLNL’s initial $4.1M MAGNETIQC award selection, complements Phasecraft’s ARPA-E hydrogen catalyst selection, and supports QuEra’s fault-tolerant roadmap targeting 1,000 logical qubits by 2029.
Review the full program overview on the ARPA-E QC3 Portal here and inspect press announcement details via the QuEra Pressroom here.
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