The Office of Foundations Relations is pleased to share this open call for funding from the Wellcome Leap Program.
UCSC Contact: Samantha Forde | forde@ucsc.edu
Funder: Wellcome Leap
Opportunity: Quantum for Bio
Abstract Deadline: April 27, 2023
Overview
The Wellcome Leap Quantum for Bio program aims to accelerate applications of quantum computing in health and demonstrate quantum-enabled solutions to address pressing human health challenges.
Two parameters define the capacity for problem-solving of quantum devices, jointly referred to as quantum computing resources: first, the number of qubits, which determine the size of the computational space; and second, computational runtime, otherwise known as program depth. There is a gap between quantum hardware, and algorithmic resources that need to be closed – doing so will illustrate the beginning of useful quantum computing, and there is now a race toward demonstrations of practical quantum advantage for near-term quantum devices.
Wellcome Leap’s Supported Challenge Program in Quantum for Bio is focused on identifying, developing, and demonstrating biology and healthcare applications that will benefit from the quantum computers expected to emerge in the next 3-5 years. Research funding will be awarded to multidisciplinary, multiorganizational teams, and challenge prizes will be available at the end of the program for successful proof-of-concept demonstrations on quantum devices with a clear path to scaling to large quantum computers.
Please read the program announcement to better understand the program goals and description of thrust areas.
Funding Levels
Wellcome Leap’s Quantum for Bio Supported Challenge Program will take place over three phases:
Phase 1 – Algorithm Development: $1.5M over 12 months
A maximum of 12 cross-disciplinary proposals will be selected for funding and will participate in Phase 1. Each team should include expertise in human health and quantum algorithm development – quantum hardware expertise is encouraged but not required for this phase of the program.
Phase 2 – HPC Simulation: $250,000-$500,000 over 6 months
The focus of Phase 2 is large-scale simulations of the developed algorithms in Phase 1 using classical high-performance computing (HPC). Teams will be awarded a maximum of $500K in funding for HPC expenses and up to $250K for other related technical and programmatic execution expenses. At the end of Phase 2, all teams will be required to have identified and secured quantum hardware expertise participation on their team in order to be considered for progression to Phase 3
Phase 3 – Implementation: $2M over 12 months
The focus of this phase is implementing the developed algorithmic solutions on quantum computing devices. Phase 3 technical deliverables will be evaluated and tracked by the Wellcome Leap Quantum for Bio internal team as a condition for entry to judging for prize awards. The final evaluation of the Wellcome Leap’s Supported Challenge Program results will be conducted by an integrated team that consists of the internal technical team and 4 or more external subject matter experts in healthcare and quantum
computing.
Prizes
A $2M prize will be awarded to each team that successfully demonstrates an experimental realization of their application on a quantum computer with more than 50 qubits and a program depth of O(103 -104 ), and a clear path to scaling to larger quantum computers.
A $5M grand prize will be awarded to one team that successfully executes their algorithm on a quantum computer using quantum resources that fit into the target resources box in Fig. 1. In case there is more than one team that achieves this goal, the team of experts that perform the final evaluation will award the grand prize to the team whose application is deemed to be most significant for advancing human health.
If you have questions, please review the FAQ section.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants are from universities and research institutions: small, medium and large companies (including venture-backed); as well as government or non-profit research organizations. Individuals, research labs, companies, or small teams are encouraged to apply in program areas best aligned with their expertise and capabilities.
Timeline
- April 27, 2023: Submission deadline, 7 page abstract
- May 12, 2023: Abstract feedback
- June 12, 2023: If invited, full proposal due
- July 12, 2023: Proposal decision due
Special Instructions
For support developing your abstract, please contact the Research Development Specialist (RDS) assigned to your unit or send a request to resdev@ucsc.edu. If invited to submit a full proposal, please submit a proposal intake form prior to UCSC’s internal Institutional Deadlines. Your RDS can also help you develop your proposal.
Call sent: March 29, 2023
The Office of Foundation Relations is a unit of University Relations. The FR team creates and maintains mutually beneficial, long-term relationships with private organizations, matching grant initiatives with educational and research programs and centers. FR supports faculty and staff to identify and approach these and other private foundations and corporations for funding, to assist in strategic positioning of the grant application, and to facilitate funder campus visits.
For a list of recent funding opportunities, please visit the FR website. FR Calls for Funding