Summary:

Program Description

This call for proposals invites grant applications for the purpose of establishing or providing access to R&D infrastructure in the field of quantum computing. The R&D infrastructure will serve to accelerate research and development processes in Israel in quantum computing across all of its components and layers – hardware and qubits, control and measurement, error correction, software and algorithms, user interface, and quantum-computer-based applications. This infrastructure will provide R&D services, including access to quantum computing hardware for Israeli corporations or Israeli research institutions active in the field, and will serve as a center for the evaluation, integration, and adoption of quantum computing technologies for Israeli industry.

Relevant definition for this call for proposals:

• Quantum computing – a computing technology that uses the principles of quantum physics to perform calculations and process information in ways that are not possible with “classical” computers.
  The use of quantum computing may dramatically accelerate the solution of complex problems in various fields such as cryptography, chemistry, and optimization.
• Purpose of the Call for Proposals – The quantum computing infrastructure established under the first quantum program approximately five years ago, at a time when a quantum industry barely existed in Israel, addressed the needs of researchers and was based on available, relatively limited quantum processors manufactured by foreign companies.
  The purpose of this call for proposals is to establish R&D infrastructure for the evaluation, integration, and adoption of quantum computing technologies for Israeli industry. This infrastructure will include at least three different quantum processing technologies (see the link regarding the definition of different quantum computing technologies) and will serve, among other things, as a knowledge center and provide R&D services for Israeli corporations and Israeli research institutions.
• Quantum processing technologies – including the technologies listed below:
  • Superconducting-based quantum computing;
  • Trapped-ion-based quantum computing;
  • Neutral-atom-based quantum computing;
  • Photonics-based quantum computing;
  • Quantum-dot-based quantum computing.

The infrastructure must provide unique value as an integrative laboratory for multiple quantum computing technologies and include the following R&D services
(it is clarified that this is not a closed list, and additional services may be proposed):

1. Benchmarking and technology comparison
   • Performance measurement (fidelity, coherence time, error rates)
   • Analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of each technology
   • Selection of the optimal platform and joint hardware and software design for a given application (hardware–software co-design)
2. Development and testing of quantum algorithms
   • Design, implementation, and optimization of NISQ algorithms and fault-tolerant algorithms
   • Comparison of algorithm performance across different platforms
   • Adaptation to applied problems (optimization, materials, finance)
3. Development of quantum software and infrastructure
   • Development of tool chains, compilers, and programming interfaces
   • Integration with HPC and classical computing
   • Development of a hybrid simulation environment enabling testing of technologies prior to hardware development
4. Experiments and demonstrations (Proof of Concept)
   • Running experiments on a range of quantum hardware systems
   • End-to-end demonstrations – from algorithm to hardware
   • Validation of applications under real-world conditions
5. Development of error-correction and control methods
   • Research on error mitigation and error correction
   • Development of advanced calibration and control techniques
   • Improvement of system stability
6. System integration
   • Connecting multiple quantum systems (multi-platform)
   • Integration of measurement systems, cryogenics, optics, and electronics
   • Development of hybrid architecture
7. Industry services and knowledge transfer
   • Adaptation of quantum solutions for industrial problems
   • Assessment of use cases for quantum advantage readiness
   • Support for startups and companies in development
   • Use of the computer to run applications and support application development by application companies for end users.
8. Training and workforce development
   • Training for developers and researchers
   • Workshops on different platforms
   • Building multidisciplinary capabilities across different scientific fields and applied sectors

Finance

• The total grant for an approved application will be up to NIS 100 million for the entire approved program period
• The grant rate will be 55% or 66% of the approved budget, as specified in the Program.

Criteria

Threshold Criteria:

The threshold conditions listed below are cumulative. The threshold conditions must be met at the time of application submission and throughout the entire period of program implementation. Failure to meet any one of the following threshold conditions is sufficient grounds for disqualifying the entire application or canceling an approved program:

• The program, in all its components, will be carried out in Israel by residents of Israel, unless the Research Committee is convinced, for reasons to be recorded, that it is essential for part of the program to be carried out outside Israel or not by residents of Israel.
• Implementation of the approved program will be carried out by the applicant, or by a party designated by the applicant in the program as responsible for implementing the program or part thereof, or by an implementer approved pursuant to the provisions of the Incentive Track.
• The program that is the subject of the application will not be carried out at the request of another party that is not the applicant, in return for full or partial payment granted against the provision of partial or full ownership rights in the know-how or product.
• The applicant has no application for financing an identical program, in whole or in part, that is being reviewed under any of the Innovation Authority’s incentive tracks, including sub-tracks, and/or has no such financing application that was rejected under the Program during the six months preceding submission of the application.
• No financial assistance has been received for carrying out the file that is the subject of the application, from a governmental entity or from the Innovation Authority, directly or indirectly, other than pursuant to the provisions of this Program. No additional benefit will be granted for an approved file for which a benefit has previously been granted under this Program.
• The applicant does not have restricted bank accounts and is not subject to receivership, stay of proceedings, liquidation, or similar proceedings.
• The applicant and its controlling shareholders comply with the requirements of the Regulations for the Encouragement of Industrial Research and Development (Conditioning of Approvals – Minimum Wage), 5771-2011.
• The applicant has undertaken that it will own the know-how arising from research and development under the approved program and any right deriving therefrom, including intellectual property rights, from the moment of their creation.
• The applicant or the application should meet the requirement established by the Program.

Evaluation Criteria:

The criteria for evaluating applications that meet the threshold conditions are:

• The extent to which there is a technological need for infrastructure equipment required by industrial corporations for research and development purposes.
• The existence of a market failure, technological gap, or access limitation in performing technology demonstrations at advanced development stages using the infrastructure equipment described in the program, which will be resolved through implementation of the program that is the subject of the application.
• The applicant’s capabilities, including management capability and the ability to complete the program and achieve its business implementation.
• The technological and employment contribution of the program to the Israeli economy.
• The technological and business-economic growth potential of the applicant or the members of the user group, as applicable, as a result of the program’s success.
• The terms of use of the infrastructure equipment for industrial corporations, including service availability and price.
• The technological innovation level of the program that is the subject of the application.

Grant Recepient Obligations:

In addition to the criteria above, the following requirements should also be met:

• The need, uniqueness of the infrastructure, and scientific-technological aspects of establishing the infrastructure.
  • Existing & Potential Need: The existing and potential need should be detailed with respect to the services to be provided and the target audience of potential users, in light of the applicant’s analysis regarding proof of need and contribution to Israeli industry. Reference should also be made, among other things, to existing alternatives in Israel and worldwide and to Israel’s relative advantage in the various quantum computing technologies.
  • The R&D infrastructure, uniqueness and innovation, entry barriers and market failures, standardization: Details of the purpose of the R&D infrastructure, the uniqueness and innovation of the R&D infrastructure or of the R&D services to be provided by it, and a comparison with existing alternatives in Israel and worldwide.
  • Compliance with standards: Management of the R&D infrastructure according to accepted standards in the field worldwide, including preventive maintenance, process control, redundancy, etc.
  • Infrastructure equipment: Details of the relevant infrastructure equipment, the identity of the developer/manufacturer, and its suitability for the services to be provided by the R&D infrastructure.
  • Availability plan for the full computing platforms, including controllers, error correction, and operating software up to an online or physical interface for each platform.
  • Details of the infrastructure envelope required for establishment and ongoing operation (services, physical infrastructure, and equipment), in light of the applicant’s analysis.
  • Services:
    • The applicant should detail the research and development services it will make available to users (types of services and service areas), with particular emphasis on services that cannot currently be obtained effectively, financially and operationally, from other existing infrastructures in Israel or worldwide, in academia or industry.
    • The service description will include information regarding the service commencement date and expected usage costs.
    • A comprehensive response to the various R&D components and stages in quantum computing – details should be provided as to whether and how an advanced and stable response will be provided for each of the R&D services specified in the infrastructure objectives above.
• Managerial-operational aspects:
  • Personnel: Details should be provided regarding the personnel to be employed in the R&D infrastructure and their experience in planning and establishing quantum computing, developing and controlling processes, operating and maintaining equipment, hardware integration, and providing access to platforms for testing applications on a quantum computer.
  • Collaborations:
    • Details of the applicant’s strategic partners and subcontractors, and their contribution to establishing the infrastructure and developing the R&D services. This includes detailing all quantum computing technologies to be installed in the infrastructure and used for integrative R&D in the infrastructure, as well as suppliers of envelope components.
    • Details of experience, familiarity, and ability to advance strategic collaborations in industry and academia in Israel and abroad in relation to equipment and knowledge.
  • Details of additional connections and partnerships with high-tech industry and academia in Israel and worldwide.
  • Details of the process and manner of training personnel for research, development, support, operation, and similar activities in quantum computing.
  • Details of the manner in which services will be provided to industrial corporations and research institutions, including aspects of intellectual property ownership.
  • Infrastructure location: Reference should be made to the expected location of the R&D infrastructure and the reasons for establishing it in the specified area.
  • Timelines: A detailed work plan should be presented addressing the stages of planning, procurement, equipping, equipment installation, operation and qualification of the equipment, process development for each item of equipment, and testing, characterization, and qualification capability for a complete process.
    • Budgetary/economic aspects – response to this section will be provided in Sections 10 and 11 of the application form and in the Excel file constituting its appendix.
  • Business plan: Details of the operating concept for the near term, including the Innovation Authority grant, and for the continuing period of independent sustainability of the infrastructure—sales, revenues, and profitability—according to the various customer types: Israeli industry, foreign industry, academia, local government entities, and foreign government entities.
  • Business development: Presentation of capabilities and a business and marketing plan based on a clear and feasible value proposition for local market needs, alongside differentiation and specialization that will enable realization of current and future potential among customers in Israel and worldwide after reputation is built in Israel. In addition, actions to make the infrastructure accessible to different users should be presented.
  • Business model: The applicant must present a sustainable economic model for the near term of three years, during the approved program period, and for the continuing period of independent operation.
    • The model must present profitability and return indicators such as net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), cash flow (CF), and the number of years to return on investment.
    • The model must address complementary financing in the current and future situation, to the extent required.
    • The model must present sources of income from services to be provided by the infrastructure starting from the first year.
    • Competitive advantage: Presentation of the R&D infrastructure’s competitive advantage compared with what currently exists in the field in Israel and worldwide.
    • Pricing of service provision (expected price for sample services) – details of the expected process for determining the consideration to be paid by potential users, taking into account existing worldwide competition in providing services of this type and the requirements for establishing and operating the infrastructure as set out above.
    • Details of managerial and technological personnel costs, generally with respect to the need to train them before the R&D infrastructure begins providing services.

Application Process

1. The application submission deadline is October 8, 2026, at 12:00 noon. It is clarified that applications submitted after this deadline will not be accepted.
2. The application must be submitted in the personal area on the Hebrew website of the Authority.
3. This call-for-proposals page should be monitored, as updates regarding the procedure, if any, will be published there.
4. Nothing in this notice constitutes a commitment to approve any application submitted under the procedure.
5. Join our webinar for more information and Q&A, which will take place on August 9, 2026, at 11:00
6. Questions to be answered during the webinar should be sent by email to [email protected] prior to the date of the webinar.
7. For general questions and questions regarding how to submit the application in the personal area, please contact the Innovation Authority customer service team by email at [email protected], by phone at *8041, or by WhatsApp/SMS at 052-4189734, Sunday through Thursday, 8:30–16:30.