NASA and NIH announce the QuSAFE Challenge

NASA announced the NIH-NASA QuSAFE Challenge on Thursday 29 October 2026. The collaboration advances quantum-enabled sensing for in vitro NAMs, including organoids and microphysiological systems, to improve drug safety and reduce animal use.

The challenge is a collaboration between the National Institutes of Health and NASA. Its full name is the Quantum-Enabled Predictive Preclinical NAMs for Toxicity and Safety Challenge. NASA said the work supports advanced sensing approaches for toxicity and safety testing.

In vitro NAMs, such as organoids and microphysiological systems, can generate human-relevant data for drug development and safety evaluation. NASA said conventional assays and imaging are often noisy, invasive and not sensitive enough. As a result, weak, early and low-abundance biological signals can go undetected.

NASA said destructive measurements make it difficult to monitor dynamic processes over time. Quantum-enabled sensing approaches can offer ultra-high sensitivity, improved signal-to-noise performance and nanoscale resolution. The agency said these methods can overcome detection and measurement limitations that current approaches cannot reach.

The challenge directly supports NASA's Biological and Physical Sciences Division. NASA said it addresses the need for advanced detection methods that work beyond traditional labs. The agency said the challenge draws on recent advances in sensor-development research communities and enhances NASA's space exploration capabilities. It also benefits science both in space and on Earth.

According to the announcement, the challenge is intended to improve drug safety while reducing animal use. Its work centers on quantum-enabled sensing for in vitro NAMs, including organoids and microphysiological systems. The announcement said the approach can improve signal detection and measurement while supporting drug development and safety evaluation. NASA said these methods can help detect weak, early and low-abundance biological signals during safety studies. The agency said advanced detection methods are needed for work beyond traditional labs.