Free access to quantum computing through DeiC – Q-Access Roadshow
DeiC’s quantum crew visited local quantum hubs at five Danish universities to inform, connect and engage with researchers and students interested in exploring the capacitates of quantum computing.
DeiC provides free access to quantum computing facilities for both researchers and students at Danish universities. This is a brand-new initiative, and we were eager to visit university quantum hubs to show our offerings, to inspire, and to help first-movers get started. Also, it was important for us at DeiC to get a deeper understanding of local research needs and wishes through feedback and dialogue at each local quantum hub.
“Collaboration is key here. No doubt we need to work closely together to ensure that what is offered matches the needs of both researchers and students across a variety of research fields. And, we need to ensure that there is a pipeline of people with the right competencies to fully leverage quantum computing resources. We can only succeed with this if they can get access to relevant systems and platforms”
ProfessorDepartment of Computer Science, AAU Quantum Hub, Aalborg University
Surely, this will not be the last time we visit. We got valuable feedback on the needs and challenges from each local quantum hub at SDU, AAU, AU, DTU, and KU, and now local researchers and student from different departments know how to get stated and can spread the word in and across their local environments.
A special thank you to local Front Office-participants for valuable feedback and good ideas on how to develop the Q-Access programme, user support/service, and communications. Indeed, DeiCs quantum team got valuable experience in conveying quantum information and knowledge.
In the making
Already, we are planning an online follow up session for those who could not attend the roadshow, and the session will be recorded and made available on our DeiCs website. A new roadshow is also in the making, and will be scheduled some time in the fall of this year. This roadshow will feature an extended quantum computing resource offer and representatives from quantum computing providers like IBM, Microsoft and Quantinuum.
Access to quantum computing
All researchers and students at Danish universities can apply for access to quantum computing resources through DeiC. We provide a so-called 2-tier access program. If you want easy, quick access you can apply for access to Microsoft’s Azure Quantum platform worth up to DKK 25.000 through DeiC’s webpage and submit an online request form. You can even request this multiple times. If you, on the other hand, require some kind of specialized access to quantum computers from market-available providers you can apply through 2 open calls every year with detailed description of your research project.
To help you apply and to get started with quantum computing DeiC offers consulting by experts in quantum computing. Our experts understand your computational needs and can provide support for leveraging quantum computing systems relevant to reaching your research goals. I.e., provide advice, share technical expertise on porting and optimizing applications for quantum computing environments, and offer guidance on software development as needed.
Access to quantum computing resources is of great importance as Denmark aims to have one of the world’s leading quantum research environments and to have the ability to effectively translate research into new, usable technology (from the Strategy for Quantum Technology – Part 1). As part of the implementation of the Government’s national quantum strategi, DeiC has launched the Q-Access initiative.
If you want to know more about DeiCs quantum initiatives you are welcome to contact us in the quantum department.