Quantum Forward Challenge in Life Sciences & Health
Quantum Delta NL is preparing to launch a new funding call: the Quantum Forward Challenge - with a first focus on Life Sciences & Health.
The Quantum Forward Challenges is built around innovation with a strong focus on mission-driven and tight collaboration between researchers, industry and end-users. By adopting elements of the ARPA model, Quantum Delta NL aims to accelerate the translation of quantum technologies into real-world impact.
This first challenge in Life Sciences & Health marks the beginning of a broader ambition to apply this challenge-based model across multiple sectors and to build a national platform for quantum innovation, where public and private actors co-develop solutions that are both scientifically ambitious and societally relevant.
The Quantum Forward Challenge in Life Sciences & Health is designed to bring together quantum researchers, clinicians, technologists, and industry partners to co-create and work together on real challenges. Whether it’s quantum computing for drug discovery, quantum sensing for diagnostics, or secure quantum communication for medical data — the goal is to move beyond theory and into application.
The call is expected to officially launch in summer 2025.
Quantum companies, research institutes, and Life Sciences & Health organizations are invited to engage early and begin preparing proposals to fully benefit from this opportunity.
This first challenge will support disruptive, use-case-driven projects that target real-world conditions in Life Sciences & Health. Proposals should clearly articulate a potential quantum advantage and outline a path with concrete milestones toward practical validation.
Focus areas may include (but are not limited to):
Quantum Computing for Pharma (e.g., drug simulations, quantum machine learning)
Quantum Sensing for Healthcare (e.g., ultra-sensitive biomarkers, neural diagnostics)
Quantum Optimization & Digital Therapeutics (e.g., clinical workflow optimization, personalized therapies)
Secure Quantum Communication (e.g., secure medical data transmission and storage, compliant data exchange across health systems)
Cross-cutting or adjacent proposals are also welcome — especially those involving systems-level integration or long-term data trust. Proposals must demonstrate strong potential for validation within a Life Sciences & Health ecosystem and show engagement with end-users in the field.
An information session is being planned to support interested teams on 8 July 2025. More details will be shared soon, so keep an eye on the Quantum Delta NL website and LinkedIn page.
In the meantime, questions, expressions of interest, and pre-registration for the workshop can be directed to funding@quantumdelta.nl.
