NASA and the National Institutes of Health announced the Quantum-Enabled Predictive Preclinical NAMs for Toxicity and Safety (QuSAFE) Challenge to accelerate quantum-enabled sensing for in vitro testing. The effort offers up to $7.1 million in prizes and seeks advances that could improve drug safety while reducing animal use, according to NASA.
The challenge focuses on in vitro new approach methodologies, or NAMs, such as organoids and microphysiological systems. NASA said conventional assays and imaging used with these models are often noisy, invasive, and not sensitive enough. As a result, early, weak, and low-abundance biological signals can go undetected, and destructive measurements make it hard to track dynamic processes over time.
NASA said quantum-enabled sensing can provide ultra-high sensitivity, better signal-to-noise performance, and nanoscale resolution. The agency said these capabilities can overcome detection and measurement limits that current approaches cannot reach.
According to NASA, the QuSAFE Challenge directly supports the agency’s Biological and Physical Sciences Division by addressing the need for advanced detection methods that work beyond traditional labs. By drawing on recent advances in sensor development, the program aims to enhance NASA’s space exploration capabilities and benefit science both in space and on Earth.
NASA said submissions open Dec. 15, 2026, and close July 27, 2027. The agency directed prospective participants to www.qusafechallenge.com for registration, rules, and eligibility details.