January 23, 2026 -- Microsoft is inviting leading academic researchers to explore the next generation of measurement-based techniques for topological quantum computing through its 2026 Quantum Pioneers Program (QuPP).

Microsoft’s quantum mission is clear: to build a scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computer capable of solving problems that are intractable for classical systems. Achieving this requires more than incremental progress—it demands breakthroughs in physics, engineering, and computer science. Microsoft’s approach is rooted in topological quantum computing, a paradigm that promises inherent error resilience by encoding information in global properties of matter rather than local states.

Topological quantum computing offers a fundamentally different path to scalability, but realizing its full potential requires innovation across every layer of the stack. One promising direction is measurement-based quantum computing, which leverages adaptive measurements on entangled resource states to implement quantum logic. This approach could simplify control, enhance robustness, and accelerate the path to fault tolerance.

QuPP Research Focus Areas

Microsoft seeks proposals that address key challenges in this space, including:

• Novel simulation approaches for topological qubit dynamics
• Innovative readout and control techniques for measurement-based systems
• Quantum error correction and circuit compilation tailored to measurement-based paradigms
• Early fault-tolerant and NISQ experiments demonstrating practical feasibility
• Measurement-based methods for quantum characterization, verification, and validation (MB-QCVV)

These areas represent critical steps toward building a quantum computer that can transform science and industry. Microsoft welcomes proposals that envision collaboration with the Microsoft Quantum team where appropriate.

Program Details

• Awards: Up to $200,000 USD per selected proposal
• Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
• Decisions Announced: March 15, 2026
• Program Start: August 1, 2026 (12-month duration)

Proposals should include an executive summary, a five-page project description, and a short CV for each PI. For full submission guidelines, email clarebozzo@microsoft.com with the subject line: “2026 Quantum Pioneers Program.”

Eligibility

Open to professors at global universities or degree-granting research institutions. Each applicant may serve as PI or co-PI on one proposal per year (maximum two PIs per proposal). Proposals must be directly related to measurement-based quantum computing.

The future of quantum computing will not be built by any one organization alone—it will be a collective achievement. Microsoft invites eligible researchers to join this endeavor in pioneering the next era of quantum technology.