Quantum Effects in Biological Environments (QuBE) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the QuBE opportunity?

Quantum Effects in Biological Environments (QuBE) is a DARPA Defense Sciences Office research opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DARPA BAA 10 40) focused on determining whether clearly quantum-mechanical phenomena play a real, measurable, and indispensable role in living systems and, if so, whether those effects can be translated into engineered devices.

What is the core question DARPA wants answered through QuBE?

The program is centered on a specific question: do manifestly quantum phenomena (for example, coherence, tunneling, entanglement, or other unambiguous quantum signatures) occur in biological environments in a way that is essential to biological function, and can those phenomena be leveraged for engineered device concepts.

What kinds of research does QuBE emphasize?

QuBE emphasizes research that can convincingly demonstrate "manifestly quantum" behavior in biological environments. The expectation is that proposals move beyond suggestive correlations and produce evidence strong enough to stand up to skepticism, including rigorous experimental and analytical approaches designed to rule out classical alternatives.

What types of quantum phenomena are explicitly relevant to this program?

The opportunity highlights quantum coherence, tunneling, entanglement, and other clearly quantum-mechanical signatures, with the key requirement being that the proposed effect is unmistakably quantum rather than merely consistent with a quantum interpretation.

What does DARPA mean by "manifestly quantum" behavior in biology?

Based on the opportunity description, "manifestly quantum" means evidence that is unambiguously quantum in nature and not simply compatible with quantum explanations. This implies discriminating tests, controls, and measurements that can exclude classical mechanisms as the primary explanation.

Is this program intended for incremental biology studies or generic quantum theory work?

No. The stated focus is not incremental biology or broad, generic quantum theory. The emphasis is on research designed to decisively demonstrate genuine quantum effects in biological environments and to connect those effects to credible engineering relevance.

What are the two main outcomes DARPA is pushing teams toward?

The opportunity is structured around two connected outcomes: (1) identifying and validating specific biological mechanisms where quantum effects are essential to the observed biological function, and (2) connecting those validated effects to engineering relevance through simulation and proof-of-concept experiments that support the feasibility of biomimetic sensor devices.

What kinds of biological mechanisms are performers expected to identify and validate?

Performers are expected to pinpoint specific biological mechanisms in which quantum effects are indispensable to function, supported by experiments and analyses that establish the quantum nature of the mechanism beyond reasonable doubt and distinguish it from classical alternatives.

Does QuBE require an engineering or device component, or is it purely basic science?

It is not limited to basic discovery. In addition to validating quantum effects in biology, the opportunity calls for simulation and proof-of-concept experiments that show how engineered devices could exploit those effects, specifically framing them as biomimetic sensor concepts.

What kinds of devices does DARPA mention as a potential translation path?

The opportunity explicitly points toward devices that could be built to exploit validated biological quantum effects as biomimetic sensors, supported by modeling and early experimental demonstrations indicating a credible pathway to practical technology.

How many awards did DARPA anticipate making under this opportunity?

DARPA anticipated making about 25 awards, indicating an intent to fund multiple parallel approaches and potentially competing hypotheses within the QuBE theme.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The announcement indicates there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

What award instruments are available under DARPA BAA 10 40?

The opportunity allows multiple instrument types, including cooperative agreements, grants, "other," and procurement contracts, providing flexibility in how DARPA structures performer relationships and deliverables.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to different organization types (such as universities, nonprofits, companies, federally funded research and development centers, and others), subject to any specific clarifications in the full BAA text.

What is the activity category and CFDA number associated with QuBE?

The activity category is listed as Science and Technology and other Research and Development. The CFDA number associated with the announcement is 12.910 (Research and Technology Development).

When was QuBE posted, and what were the closing dates?

The opportunity was posted on March 9, 2010. The original and final closing date was May 3, 2010. The archive date was August 3, 2010.

Where are the definitive submission requirements and evaluation criteria described?

The definitive requirements were provided in the attached Broad Agency Announcement (DARPA BAA 10 40). That document would contain the authoritative details on proposal structure, evaluation criteria, submission instructions, and any program-specific constraints (including items such as security or export considerations, if applicable).

What should applicants do if they cannot access the announcement electronically?

DARPA provided a BAA coordinator contact tied to the DARPA BAA 10 40 email address for applicants who had trouble accessing the announcement electronically.

How should proposals demonstrate rigor according to the opportunity description?

The description indicates proposals should go beyond correlations and provide experimental and analytical rigor strong enough to establish "beyond any doubt" that quantum effects are genuinely occurring in biology, implying careful controls and discriminating measurements that address skepticism and rule out classical explanations.