---
title: Path to advantage challenge
description: PINQ² and IBM will provide select Canadian research teams complimentary access to IBM Quantum System One to advance publishable, advantage-relevant quantum research.
---

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### Path to Advantage Challenge

**Promising quantum research shouldn't stall for lack of access to hardware. The Path to Advantage Challenge gives a small number of Canadian research teams complimentary, competitively-awarded access to IBM Quantum System One at PINQ² — with expert support from PINQ² and IBM — to accelerate advantage-relevant, publishable results and build the case for sustained access.**

##### Eligibility

Researchers from an accredited Canadian university, college, or research institution.  

 

##### Selected projects will receive

- 400 minutes of access to IBM Quantum System One (QS1) per 28-day window, for up to 10 months
- Access to the PINQ² platform, including selected Qiskit Functions
- Algorithm and function support from PINQ² and IBM experts

##### What we are looking for

Projects are selected competitively against three criteria: 

 

### A credible path to advantage

Work targeting problems that are hard to solve classically, with a clear line-of-sight to high-value scientific, economic, or societal impact for Canada. 

### Timely publication

Results submission-ready for a peer-reviewed venue by June 2027. 

### Team readiness

A team with the skills to run on hardware today. This program does not provide training. 

#### Open Source

Selected projects agree to open-source their project code (made available through the PINQ² collaboration platform). Sharing code is a condition of participation and reflects the collaborative spirit of the PINQ² ecosystem. 

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## How to apply

 Download the application form below, complete it and upload it by **August 24th at noon**. Selected projects will be notified by **August 31st, 2026**.

Questions? Reach out to [challenge@pinq2.com](mailto:challenge@pinq2.com)

[Download the Application Form](https://swfzv.share.hsforms.com/2Hl85U5IATzGT3MAb6WqMKw)[Upload your Completed Application Form](https://blog.pinq2.com/path-to-advantage-submission?hsLang=fr-ca)

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 The Path to Advantage Challenge is a PINQ² initiative, delivered with the support of IBM Quantum.

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