The Foundational Questions Institute, FQxI: 2025 Essay Competition – How Quantum is Life?

FQxI is an independent grant-making agency and think-tank which provides support for blue skies research in the physical sciences.

To celebrate “the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology” proclaimed by the UN, this year’s FQxI essay competition asks: “How quantum is life?”

Focus on Quantum Biology – suggested questions:

Does quantum physics extend its role beyond this realm to imbue characteristic features observed in living matter?

If quantum physics plays a role in biology, in which systems does this happen, and at what level? How can we experimentally investigate these effects? For example, do light-activated biochemical processes make use of long-lived quantum coherence? If so, how is the process of decoherence delayed in the cellular environment? Can advances in the new field of quantum thermodynamics help explain this?

How can we better define the complexity of biological systems? How can we quantify and measure correlations between quantum features, complexity, and entropy within living systems? Can novel tools and methodologies be proposed to explore these correlations effectively?

Do biological systems employ quantum advantages?

Does a complete description of biological systems require quantum mechanics?

All entries that meet the eligibility criteria will be posted to FQxI’s site and can be read and voted for by the public. The prize pot is $53K, with first prizes worth $10K. The winning entries will be chosen by a panel of expert judges

https://qspace.fqxi.org/competitions/introduction