The Tennessee Quantum Utilization Buildout Infrastructure and Technology (QUBIT) Grant Program
The Tennessee Quantum Utilization, Buildout, Infrastructure and Technology (QUBIT) Grant Program allocates $43 million in support of the Tennessee Quantum Initiative Strategy to fund infrastructure to connect Tennessee’s quantum technologies across the state. The program is administered by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD). Funding is intended to build and strengthen regional quantum hubs; support a coordinated statewide architecture; expand quantum cloud and network access; enable open-access testbeds; and support research, education, commercialization, industry deployment, workforce development and federal partnerships.
*Note: A webinar for interested applicants will take place on Tuesday, September 29th, at 10:00 a.m. To sign up, click here.
Program Eligibility
Eligible applicants must be one of the following Tennessee entities: public or private nonprofit higher education institutions, development districts, Oak Ridge National Laboratory or public utilities.
An eligible applicant may apply as the lead for a Consortium. The applicant must execute the Grant Contract; serve as fiscal agent; receive and account for grant funds; and remain responsible to TNECD for all project activities, partners, subrecipients, expenditures, assets, deliverables and contractual obligations.
Consortia and Project Partners
Consortia may include Project Partners such as for-profit companies, national or regional laboratories, nonprofit organizations, utilities, educational institutions, economic development organizations and other public or private entities.
Geographic Requirement
Funded infrastructure and the project’s primary public benefit must be located in Tennessee. Remote access may extend beyond the host site when it supports statewide participation and remains consistent with the approved project purpose.
Eligible Project Categories
Regional quantum network expansion: fiber, optical equipment, quantum networking equipment, trusted nodes, control systems, repeaters and connections among research, education, utility and commercial nodes.
Open-access quantum networking testbeds: shared environments supporting research, workforce development, technology validation, commercial pilots and federally sponsored demonstrations.
Statewide quantum cloud access: multi-user access to commercial quantum computing platforms, hybrid computing tools, simulators, software environments, user support and related curricula that expand access regardless of geography.
Institutional and regional access nodes: secure endpoints, laboratories, user facilities, off-campus research nodes and related connections that broaden participation in the statewide ecosystem.
Quantum sensing and secure communications infrastructure: shared equipment and deployment environments supporting energy, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, transportation, financial services, nuclear, cybersecurity, national security and other priority applications.
Cybersecurity and interoperability infrastructure: identity and access management, monitoring, standards testing, orchestration, network management and integration required for secure shared operation.
Supporting infrastructure: site preparation, power, cooling, secure space, limited renovation and other enabling costs directly necessary to install and operate eligible quantum infrastructure.
Eligible Costs
- Equipment, hardware, software, licenses, cloud access, installation, integration and commissioning, subject to the sustainability requirements
- Fiber, conduit, electronics, secure connectivity and network management directly attributable to the project;
- Architectural, engineering, technical, cybersecurity and interoperability services, including compatibility and modularity features supporting multiple vendors, emerging technologies and future network expansion;
- Limited project management, user onboarding, documentation and training necessary to place infrastructure into service;
- Minor renovation, site preparation, power, cooling and security improvements necessary for installation; and
- Independent testing, validation, audit and performance measurement.
Applicant Match
A twenty percent (20%) Cash Match for total eligible project costs is required. Before contract execution, the selected applicant must provide evidence satisfactory to TNECD that the required match has been committed and will be available when needed under the approved project schedule.
Cash-match sources may include applicant funds, local funds, private investment, philanthropic funds and federal funds when authorized by the applicable federal award and law. The following funding sources may not be used as a Cash Match: other TNECD funds and QUBIT funds.
In-kind contributions may be reported as additional leverage but do not satisfy the required match.
Match example: For a project with $1,000,000 in total eligible costs, the minimum Cash Match $200,000 and the maximum QUBIT grant request is $800,000. The calculation is $1,000,000 × 20% = $200,000.
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Project Period and Reimbursement
The project period is for up to 36 months. Awards are reimbursement-based.
Application Review and Selection
Applications will be considered by a team of reviewers. TNECD will review applications for completeness and eligibility using the criteria below. Reviewers will consist of qualified TNECD staff and/or external subject-matter experts who have completed conflict of interest disclosure requirements.
Evaluation Criteria
- Strategic alignment and statewide benefit;
- Technical merit, interoperability and vendor neutrality;
- Readiness and implementation feasibility;
- Access, utilization, partnerships and geographic inclusion;
- Economic, workforce, federal and commercialization impact;
- Cybersecurity, resilience and supply-chain risk management; and
- Budget, leverage, cost effectiveness and sustainability.
When determining awards, TNECD may consider geographic distribution, connections among regional hubs, alignment with the statewide quantum architecture, technology diversity, avoidance of duplicative investments, available funding, project sequencing, leverage and risk.
How:
Apply using the link below. The deadline for application submissions is 5pm CT on October 23, 2026. To access the application and read more about program guidelines and submission instructions, click here.
Applicants are required to fill out this disclosure form as part of the QUBIT application. Alternatively, you can download, sign and upload the PDF version.