Closes in 2 daysState of CaliforniaAgency ID 0509

Quantum FAST Challenge

Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development · State of California

At a glance

Quantum FAST Challenge is an open California state grant opportunity from the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (State of California). Applications are due October 20, 2026. Individual awards are listed as $50K – $500K, with $2.7M in total estimated funding. Applicant types listed as eligible include other legal entity and public agency. It is listed on the California Grants Portal. Cost sharing is not required.

Summary assembled from the official notice's fields. The official notice governs.

Key facts

Jul 30, 2026Posted
Oct 20, 2026Application deadlinenext date

Opened: Jul 30, 2026
Close date: Oct 20, 2026
Award floor: $50,000
Award ceiling: $500,000
Est. total funding: $2,700,000
Expected awards: Not specified
Matching funds: Not required
Funding instrument: Grant

Program details (as published on the California Grants Portal)

Type: Grant
Funding source: State
Matching funds: Not Required
Funding method: Reimbursement(s)
Estimated number of awards: Dependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
Award period: 2/1/27 - 2/1/29
Expected award announcement: 11/30/26
Letter of intent: Required
Geography: Must be legally authorized to conduct business in California. Must be in good standing and have active status with the California Secretary of State.
How to submit: Online: https://calearninglab.org/grant/quantum-fast/

Who can apply

Applicant categories as listed on the California Grants Portal. GrantsJunction maps them to detailed applicant types for search and matching.

Other Legal Entity
Public Agency

Additional information on eligibility (from the listing)

California public higher education institution. Projects must be led by a faculty member or administrator from a University of California, California State University, or California Community College. Note: Private industry stakeholders, relevant nonprofits, and workforce organizations may serve as partners on a project proposal, but the lead applicant must be affiliated with one of the California's public higher education systems listed above

Also named in the notice's eligibility text

Private colleges & universities

Matched from the wording above by GrantsJunction — confirm in the full announcement.

Can your organization apply?

A quick check against the listed applicant types — other requirements in the notice still apply.

Based on the published notice. Review the official notice for complete eligibility requirements.

What it funds

Purpose and description as published on the California Grants Portal.

Purpose

The Quantum FAST Challenge is a competitive grant program that seeks to strengthen California's quantum ecosystem by funding projects in two priority areas: (1) Education and workforce development projects that build the talent pipeline that quantum technologies require; and (2) Applied use case demonstrations that pair researchers and students with industry partners to demonstrate applications in quantum-adjacent disciplines.

Description

Program page on the agency site ↗

Workshops and events ↗

Your application plan

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Read the program guidelinesThe agency's solicitation or guidelines set eligibility details, scoring criteria and required documents. Open ↗
Confirm eligibility and fitCheck your organization type and location (see Geography above).
Submit the letter of intentThis program asks for a letter of intent before the full application; check the guidelines for its due date.
Find out how to submitOnline: https://calearninglab.org/grant/quantum-fast/ Open ↗
Request letters of support and partner commitmentsPartners need time to write and sign letters; ask early.
Finish a full draft of the application and budgetFollow the guidelines' format exactly; state programs often require specific forms and attachments.
Ask the program contact any questions earlyJayden Saldana · quantumca@calearninglab.org Open ↗
Internal review and sign-offLeave time for leadership or board approval and a final proofread.
Submit before October 20, 2026Due by 5:00 p.m. Pacific time. Submit a few days early and keep your submission confirmation.

Program contact (as published)

Jayden Saldana
quantumca@calearninglab.org
1-916-529-2631

Quick answers

When is the deadline for “Quantum FAST Challenge”?

According to the official notice, applications are due October 20, 2026. The notice adds: “Due by 5:00 p.m. Pacific time.” Confirm the deadline and submission time with the agency before applying.

Who is eligible to apply for “Quantum FAST Challenge”?

The official listing names these applicant types as eligible: Other Legal Entity and Public Agency. It adds: “California public higher education institution. Projects must be led by a faculty member or administrator from a University of California, California State University, or California Community College. Note: Private industry stakeholders, relevant nonprofits, and workforce organ…” Additional restrictions may apply; review the full guidelines.

How much funding is available through “Quantum FAST Challenge”?

Per the notice, individual awards are listed as $50k – $500k and total estimated program funding is $2,700,000.

How do I apply for “Quantum FAST Challenge”?

Applications go directly to Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development, not through GrantsJunction. Submission: online at https://calearninglab.org/grant/quantum-fast/. Read the program guidelines on the agency's site first; state programs set their own forms and registration requirements.

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Source: California Grants PortalVerified today