diff --git a/content/_publications/2026-01-30-Q50-Call-current.md b/content/_publications/2026-01-30-Q50-Call-current.md new file mode 100644 index 000000000000..5383732e260e --- /dev/null +++ b/content/_publications/2026-01-30-Q50-Call-current.md @@ -0,0 +1,110 @@ +--- +title: 'Open Call 1/2026 for Academic Projects for the VTT Q50 Quantum Computer' +date: 2026-01-30 +collection: publications +header: + teaser: /assets/images/about-icon.jpg +published: true +author: FiQCI +layout: post +tags: + - Q50 +filters: + Skill level: Beginner # Beginner, Advanced + Type: News # Blog, Instructions, News + Theme: Technical # Technical, Algorithm, Programming, HPC+QC+AI +--- + +*The fourth Call for access to the VTT Q50 quantum computer is now open for users from Finnish higher-education institutions and research institutes. +The Call is launched by the Finnish Quantum-Computing Infrastructure FiQCI, maintained and developed by VTT, CSC, and Aalto University. +VTT Q50, the Finnish quantum computer operated by VTT is accessible through the LUMI supercomputer environment, provided by CSC.* + +Through this Call, accepted projects will get access to a true hybrid high-performance computing / quantum computing (HPC+QC) environment, +with a quantum computing resource that exceeds the capacity of full emulation on supercomputers. + +This opens exciting avenues in both software development and end-user applications. +For a software development perspective, this setup enables the development of, for example, quantum-classical hybrid algorithms, +error mitigation techniques, and quantum compilers that optimise circuit execution based on real hardware features. + +For end-users, applications such as quantum-enhanced optimisation, simulation of molecular systems and materials science, +and machine learning acceleration through hybrid quantum-classical AI models becomes possible. + +The LUMI HPC backbone ensures that computationally demanding pre- and post-processing tasks can be seamlessly incorporated. +Thus, quantum computing becomes a practical enhancement to supercomputing, and vice versa. +The update to the FiQCI infrastructure creates a unique environment across classical, quantum, and hybrid HPC+QC software solutions. + +With the addition of the VTT Q50 quantum computer to FiQCI, also parallel quantum computing directly within a supercomputer +environment can be explored. + +## Timeline of Call + + - **30 January 2026** Call opens + - **28 February 2026** Call closes + - **14 March 2026** (tentative) Outcome communicated + +## How to apply + +Access to the VTT Q50 machine is organised through regular Calls, of which this is the fourth one. Calls are planned at least four times per year. + +**The deadline for Call 1/2026 is 28 February 2026**. Proposals will be evaluated within FiQCI as soon as possible after the deadline. +The results will be communicated to all applicants after decision. The expected duration of the projects is one year. + +Proposal will be evaluated based on scientific merit, feasibility, and computational resource justification. + +The application form is available here: [Application form for FiQCI / VTT Q50 Academic Project 1/2026](https://link.webropolsurveys.com/S/DF536009FCF9FC55) + +**Please fill in all the applicable fields** in the application form, including abstract, key scientific/societal/technological contribution, +justification for the importance, and references. + +### Requested computing time + +**Carefully estimate the total need of computational resources required for your project!** + +As a guideline, execution of a single circuit, using 10.000 shots consumes roughly 10 QPU-seconds. +Initialisation time for each circuit, included in this estimate, is roughly 4 seconds. +The execution time will naturally depend on the exact circuit being executed. + +We have set up a **resource estimator** to aid in estimating the QPU resources required: +[FiQCI QPU resource estimator](https://fiqci.fi/resource-estimator/) + +The amount of resources applied for should be justified in the application. +We acknowledge that this will be a rather approximate exercise, when practical experience on using the system is still scarce. +The total available QPU time available per Call is 20-60 QPU-hours, and we expect to grant resources to several projects. + +The following example resource application serves as a guideline; +both smaller and larger resources can be granted based on the application. +In addition to QPU resources, it is mandatory to apply also for classical resources in at least one category (CPU or GPU). +**Please keep the classical resources limited to what is actually needed for keeping the quantum computing part going!* +If you need additional supporting classical resources _related_ to the project, you should apply for a separate LUMI project for these. +Also storage resources are required. For example, 10.000 TiBh corresponds to storing on average roughly 1 Terabyte of data for a year. + +**Resource allocation example:** + - VTT Q50 QPU hours: 4 + - LUMI CPU-core hours (in thousands of CPUh): 4 + - LUMI GPU-core hours (in thousands of GPUh): 0 + - LUMI Storage TiB hours (in thousands of TiBh): 10 + +## Terms of Use + +Accepted Projects must accept the Terms of Use for both the LUMI supercomputing environment and the VTT Q50 system. +Full Terms of Use will be communicated to the Principal Investigators before start of the projects. + +The main restrictions are: + - Only academic research purposes are eligible + - Use is restricted to users affiliated with a Finnish University, University of Applied Sciences, a state-owned research institute, or the National Archives of Finland + - No commercial purposes are allowed + - No sensitive or specific category data can be handled + - Access is allowed only from within Finland + +## Acknowledgement + +When publishing the results that utilise VTT Q50, users have to acknowledge the use of VTT Quantum and FiQCI, preferably in the format: + - "These [results] have been acquired by VTT's quantum computer VTT Quantum.". Users should use "VTT Q50" when referring to the quantum computer. + - "The authors acknowledge the use of the Finnish Quantum-Computing Infrastructure FiQCI." + +## Questions and clarifications. + +Please direct any and all questions regarding the Call to fiqci-feedback@postit.csc.fi. We are happy to help! + + +