Prize Challenge

Quantum
Sensing and Communications Challenge

The next quantum breakthrough needs the components, systems, and connections that make practical applications possible. ATI Horizons seeks innovators advancing quantum sensing, communications, and the enabling technologies that can strengthen national security, economic competitiveness, and U.S. technological leadership.

Advancing Quantum Innovation from Possibility to Capability

Quantum technologies offer new ways to sense, measure, navigate, and connect. Realizing that potential requires advances across the technology ecosystem.

National critical and emerging technology priorities recognize quantum sensing, quantum communications and networking, and their enabling components, materials, and fabrication techniques. Related priorities in positioning, navigation, and timing; semiconductors and microelectronics; and advanced sensing reinforce the importance of building capabilities that can support practical, mission-relevant applications.

The Quantum Sensing and Communications Innovation Challenge seeks technologies that address barriers to performance, integration, scalability, and deployment. We invite innovators developing complete systems, specialized components, and enabling technologies to show how their solutions could advance the next generation of quantum capabilities.

Through this challenge, ATI Horizons will connect promising ideas and the people behind them with a broader innovation ecosystem. The effort reflects ATI’s nonprofit mission and ATI Horizons’ commitment to preparing for emerging national needs by building relationships, exploring technologies, and creating pathways for collaboration before those needs become urgent requirements.

AREAS OF INTEREST

  • Quantum light sources

  • Single photon detectors

  • Photonic integrated circuits (PIC)

  • Advanced materials

  • Light-matter interfaces

  • Wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM)

  • Optical atomic clocks

  • Quantum inertial sensors

  • Solid-state defect magnetometers

  • Atom interferometer-based inertial measurement units (IMUs)

  • Quantum repeaters

  • Other

Timeline

  • Application Opens: November 10, 2026

  • Informational Webinar:
    Tue, Jan 5, 2027
    3:00 PM – 3:45 PM EST | Register Here

  • Application Closes: January 15

  • Semifinalist Notification: Early February

  • Semifinalist Virtual Pitch: February 18

  • Finalist Notification: Late February

  • Live Finalist Pitch: March 23-25 TBD at TechConnect World Innovation Conference

  • Winner Announcement and Reception: March 23-25 TBD at TechConnect World Innovation Conference

AWARD STRUCTURE

First Place: $25,000
Second Place:   $15,000
Third Place: $10,000

PITCH TO WIN

Up to ten (10) finalists will present their solutions at TechConnect World Innovation Conference in March in Boston to industry, funding, government, and technical ecosystem leaders. Pitches should make the connection between technical innovation and practical impact: the gap your technology addresses, the capability it enables, and the next steps toward real-world use.

QUESTIONS: Contact Katie O’Connor, katie.oconnor@techconnect.org

FINALIST BENEFITS

  • Full conference pass to attend TechConnect World Innovation Conference

  • Gain visibility within an ecosystem focused on quantum sensing, communications, and enabling technologies

  • Eligibility for a $50,000 total prize pool

  • Receive one free year of engineering software from MathWorks