Mitsubishi Chemical & The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)
Advanced Materials
Advanced materials design drives innovation across the chemical and semiconductor industries, yet conventional computational approaches face limitations in accuracy and scalability when exploring complex molecular and material systems. This challenge centers on the Generative Quantum Eigensolver (GQE), an AI-driven quantum application that combines generative machine learning models with quantum eigensolvers to enable more accurate quantum simulations and efficient exploration of vast materials design spaces. Participants will investigate approaches for applying GQE within a Quantum Materials Informatics platform to improve quantum simulation accuracy for material properties, efficiently generate molecular and structural candidates, and accelerate materials discovery beyond the capabilities of classical simulation methods, including the simulation of extreme ultraviolet semiconductor materials.
Phases 2 and 3 of the Global Industry Challenge focus on developing a conceptual design (in Phase 2) to applied execution (in Phase 3), demonstrating technical sophistication and real-world relevance.
Phase 2 focuses on designing and justifying early-stage quantum solutions tailored to each challenge domain. Winning teams are expected to deliver, where possible, functional prototypes or circuit designs, define data preprocessing or encoding workflows, and justify their choice of algorithms and execution platforms, whether simulators or NISQ hardware. Equally important is demonstrating the value of the quantum approach compared to classical alternatives. In addition, teams should provide their estimates of the technical requirements needed to scale their solutions in Phase 3, including the type and extent of quantum hardware and simulator usage required via qBraid’s platform, IBM, D-Wave, or QCi. The selection of that device must be made on the Cover Page, or usage will not be granted.
Submission Requirements
Maximum 3 pages PDF (not including references or Cover Page Template), using 11-point Times New Roman font and single spacing, and submit it through the Aqora platform. Only submit one document per team.
Submission must follow GIC requirements: Maximum 3 pages (excluding this cover page and references), 11-point Times New Roman, single spacing, and submitted via Aqora. File Name Requirement: TeamName__Phase2_VersionX.pdf. This official cover page template is required and may not be modified or recreated.
Phase 2 Cover Page Template: GIC_2026 Cover Page.docx
Specific requirements are outlined in the Challenge Documents on the Challenge pages.
Generally, your submission should try to address:
· Focus area and rationale
· Technical approach to quantum integration
· Stakeholder relevance
· Data modelling strategy
· Quantum platform justification and resource needs – details for accessing can be found below – selection details coming soon.
Important: Non-compliant submissions due to non-compliant page limit, use of the Cover Page template, or use of AI may be disqualified and voided.
Submission Deadline: Sunday, May 31, 2026, 11:59 PM (EST).
Advanced materials design is a critical driver of innovation across the chemical and semiconductor industries, yet conventional computational approaches face fundamental limitations in accuracy and scalability when exploring complex molecular and material systems. Under Japan’s Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP), Mitsubishi Chemical is leading an industry-driven effort to integrate artificial intelligence with quantum computing to overcome these barriers.
This challenge centers on the Generative Quantum Eigensolver (GQE)—an AI-driven quantum application jointly developed with AIST/G-QuAT, the University of Toronto, and NVIDIA. GQE combines generative machine learning models with quantum eigensolvers to enable more accurate quantum simulations and efficient exploration of vast materials design spaces. Participants will explore how GQE can be leveraged within a Quantum Materials Informatics (MI) Platform to accelerate materials discovery beyond the capabilities of classical simulation methods.
Your challenge is to investigate and propose approaches for applying GQE to materials informatics workflows, focusing on areas such as improving quantum simulation accuracy for material properties, efficiently generating molecular and structural candidates, and scaling exploration across complex chemical design spaces. As a concrete industrial use case, the challenge highlights the simulation of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) semiconductor materials, where high precision at the quantum level is essential.
Through this challenge, participants will gain hands-on exposure to cutting-edge quantum–AI integration and contribute ideas toward next-generation materials development with real-world industrial impact.
Quantum Computer and Simulator Access
To access the qBriad, D-Wave, or QCi platforms in Phase 3, you must fill out the following request form - https://qbraid.typeform.com/to/vTxsKddw
Important Instructions:
- You must still include your choice and justification in your Phase 2 write-up
- One Submission Required Per Team for Each Challenge
- If downselected as a finalist, you will receive access and credits based on the Judging Committee's recommendations.
Submission Deadline: Sunday, May 31, 2026, 11:59 PM (EST).
Questions? Please email
quantum@connecteddmv.orgqBraid [Available for All Challenges]
Congrats, challengers, on your journey so far! Now comes the fun part -- running your solutions on real quantum devices.
Challenge finalists (Phase 3) receive access to the following platforms and systems: IonQ AQT, Cepheus-1-108Q, IQM Emerald, IBEX Q, and more. Full list available here once registered:
https://account.qbraid.com/devicesIf you're using qBraid, all you need to do is click the ‘Launch on qBraid’ button found on Aqora to link your Aqora account with your qBraid account.
Then you should be taken to the challenge page on qBraid (see image). Click Launch on qBraid, and you will have the challenge info cloned into your qBraid account.
As we process device usage requests in the Phase 2 downselect and finalist team selection, we will load your account with credits!
Quantum Computing Inc (QCi) [Available for QCi Challenge Only]
This challenge requires optimization tools which can handle highly nonlinear models. Quantum Computing Inc (QCi) created an analog computing paradigm known as Entropy Quantum Computing (EQC). This paradigm is currently implemented in an electro-optical hybrid system known as Dirac-3. Differentiating it from other analog computing platforms, Dirac-3 offers full connectivity among problem variables with up to fifth degree polynomials. The device also allows the use of two machine-level encodings. One is a discrete encoding- integer valued variables. The other is a quasi-continuous encoding. This flexibility gives the user the ability to solve a wider variety of problems with tighter approximation. While other platforms could be useful for certain aspects of this challenge, Dirac-3 covers the optimization gamut.
Learn about Dirac-3, complete the quick start, then get started with eqc-models to leverage the power of Dirac-3.
D-Wave [Available for All Challenges]
Learning about our platform:
D-Wave offers a variety of free and paid trainings, e-books, and webinars. A few of the most relevant ones are listed below:
• Quantum Fit webinar:
https://youtu.be/8ewcmvYDRV8?si=mQGiBpK8jjY7Vd6S
• Quantum Fit panel from Qubits 2026:
https://youtu.be/E4aJGmsNvog?si=k9MNIH13RpM5YtRL
• Quantum Fit eBook - this is an asset that we offer for Commercial organizations, but could be used by your applicants too, to assess if their project would benefit from using our platform: Is Quantum Optimization a Fit for Your Business?
• Free Introduction to Quantum Computing course (if any participants need to understand annealing vs gate and use cases for each):
https://training.dwavequantum.com/product?catalog=IntroductionQuantumComputing
• Getting Started with Applied Quantum Optimization course covers problem discovery and problem formulation, this is a paid training, the price is $50.
https://training.dwavequantum.com/product?catalog=GettingStartedAppliedQuantumOptimization
• Additional, more advanced trainings can be found here: D-Wave | Courses
Accessing the platform:
• GIC organizers will provide D-Wave access and provide the users of the finalist teams access to the platform.
• Users will be able to access either QPU or D-Wave’s Hybrid Solvers
• There will be a set time limit and credits determined by the organizing and judging committee.
• There is an important limitation on access; the users need to be in a so-called "Leap Approved" country. Please find the list of these countries here: From What Countries Can I Access D-Wave's Leap Quantum Cloud Service? – D-Wave Quantum Inc
• Please indicate you meet these needs in the Typeform.
IBM Quantum Open Plan [Available for All Challenges]
As highlighted in IBM’s recent updates, the Open Plan has been significantly expanded and is intentionally designed to support early stage exploration, prototyping, and algorithm work.
In particular:
• The Open Plan is free and publicly available.
• Eligible users can unlock expanded runtime (up to 180 minutes over 12 months) once a modest usage threshold is reached, allowing teams to scale experimentation as their work matures.
• This expansion is structured so that additional access becomes available at an appropriate usage trigger point, without special forms, approvals, or event specific onboarding.
IBM believes this model better aligns with the likely needs and maturity of participating teams.
For participants seeking details on platform capabilities and access, these should be the primary references:
Any questions about accessing or using IBM Quantum Open Plan should be directed to IBM.
