1st “Quafu Cup” Hardware-Based Quantum Computing Challenge Participation Notice

Organizing Unit:

Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences

Co-organizing Units:

Xoherence Co., Ltd., Beijing FieldQuantum Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing Sandpiper Technology Co., Ltd.

Sponsoring Units:

Moore Threads Technology Co., Ltd., Hefei Hanhai Quantum Technology Co., Ltd.

Purpose of the Competition

Quantum computing is accelerating its transition from the laboratory to engineering and industrialization. In this process, we require not only an industrial revolution in hardware but also a revolution in algorithms and applications. More than forty years have passed since Feynman proposed the concept of quantum computing. During this period, hardware technology has advanced rapidly, whereas progress in algorithms and applications has been relatively slow. Resolving this contradiction and achieving coordinated development among hardware, software, and algorithms is the key to accelerating the practical utilization of quantum computing and genuinely addressing industry challenges. To this end, we must establish two critical elements: first, enabling access to high-quality quantum computing hardware resources at lower costs and with greater convenience; second, continuously expanding the community of quantum algorithm and application developers while building a robust software and application ecosystem.

The quantum cloud platform serves as the bridge connecting real quantum hardware with developers. The Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences has identified the construction of a high-level quantum cloud platform and the cultivation of an application ecosystem based on the cloud platform as a strategic priority. It is fully committed to advancing quantum computing applications and integrating them into the quantum–HPC–AI integrated computing ecosystem. We will continue to introduce high-level quantum hardware resources while maintaining comprehensive openness, and we will collaborate with global developers and enthusiasts to jointly build the quantum application ecosystem.

To this end, we have partnered with multiple teams to plan and launch the 1st “Quafu Cup” Hardware-Based Quantum Computing Challenge at this major event. The competition is fully open and cordially invites quantum computing researchers, engineers, university faculty and students, and innovative enthusiasts worldwide to participate. At the same time, we will promote integration between the hardware-based quantum computing challenge and the cloud platform’s campus outreach activities. We hope that, through this exchange of ideas and exploration of the future, we can uncover outstanding concepts, broaden application scenarios, cultivate a cohort of exceptional quantum developers, and gather valuable feedback from participants to jointly optimize the Quafu quantum cloud platform.

Track Settings

To better inspire the exploratory spirit of participating teams, the “Quafu Cup” Hardware-Based Quantum Computing Challenge employs an open topic system, allowing teams to formulate their participation plans based on their own ideas. The competition features five tracks, and teams should categorize their proposals accordingly:

Competition Schedule

Registration Phase (April 18 – May 18, 2026)

Participating teams refine their ideas and formulate detailed participation plans.

Submit registration materials via the registration portal: https://quafu-sqc.baqis.ac.cn/challenges/register

Preliminary Review (May 19 – May 31, 2026)

The Organizing Committee of the Challenge will arrange reviews by domain experts.

Advancement Mechanism: According to the comprehensive scoring and ranking by experts, 3–5 teams from each track will advance to the semi-finals.

Training Workshop (June 2026)

The Organizing Committee will organize a mentor panel to provide instruction on cloud platform access methods through a combination of online and offline formats.

Instruction will cover the use of development tools, key considerations, and other relevant matters.

A centralized Q&A session will be organized.

Semi-finals (August 3, 2026 · CQCC2026 Satellite, Shenzhen)

Each advancing team will present its selected topic, Quafu quantum cloud real-device execution results, analysis of the results, and preliminary conclusions (10 minutes).

Experts will conduct a Q&A session (5 minutes) and assign scores.

Scoring Method: Expert evaluation (80%) combined with on-site audience voting (20%).

Advancement Mechanism: Based on the final weighted scores, two winning teams will be selected from each track to advance to the finals.

Award Presentation: Certificates and gifts will be presented to advancing teams and winning teams.

Finals (October 2026, Beijing)

The winning teams will further optimize their algorithms, methods, and data analysis on the Quafu quantum cloud.

Winning teams will present their achieved results at the Quafu Quantum Cloud Conference (10 minutes).

Experts will conduct a Q&A session (5 minutes) and assign scores.

Scoring Method: Expert evaluation (80%) combined with on-site audience voting (20%).

Awards will be determined based on the final weighted scores: one first-prize team, two second-prize teams, and five third-prize teams.

Award Presentation: Certificates and gifts will be awarded to the winning teams.

Prizes and Rewards

Honors and Certificates

Advancement Award: All advancing teams will receive the "Quafu Quantum Developer" certificate.

Winning Award: All winning teams will receive the "Quafu Future Star" certificate plus a cash prize (in addition to the advancement award).

Special Honor: The first-prize team will receive an invitation to deliver a report at the Quafu Cloud Quantum Computing Conference.

Prize Details

Note: Cash prizes and certificates are awarded cumulatively. In addition, the first-prize team will receive the opportunity to present a report at the conference.
The Organizing Committee of the First "Quafu Cup" Hardware-Based Quantum Computing Challenge is responsible for the arrangement of the competition schedule and rules and reserves the final right of interpretation regarding the competition results.
For more technical support, please contact: quafu_challenge@baqis.ac.cn

Registration Portal

Registration URL: https://quafu-sqc.baqis.ac.cn/login

Contact Email: quafu_challenge@baqis.ac.cn

Contact Phone: +8618592052605 (Mr. Zhang)