Participants during the Quantum Ideas Factory 2025.

Quantum Ideas Factory 2026

The Quantum Ideas Factory 2026 – a scientific hackathon in Jena, Germany, where bright minds turn bold ideas into breakthroughs in quantum science and technology.
Participants during the Quantum Ideas Factory 2025.
Image: rb

February 27th to March 2nd, 2026

The Quantum Ideas Factory will provide a transformational learning experience at the interface between rigorous academic research and free interdisciplinary exploration. 40 participants will take part in a scientific hackathon, which will help them to develop practical skills and visionary mindset in key areas of quantum science and technologies. 

During your stay in Jena, you will work in a small group to transform raw research ideas into well-rounded concepts for research projects or innovative solutions to key challenges in quantum science and technology. Each challenge is proposed by an expert "mentor" from academia or the quantum industry but will be shaped by the team members themselves.

This event is organized within the EFEQTExternal link student network, which is part of the DigiQExternal link initiative, but also open to external participants. 

Application deadline: 14 December 2025

  • Impression QIF2025
    Image: rb
    What it is about Inspiring young scientists and students to think beyond borders and innovate to address globally relevant challenges in quantum science and technology.
  • Impression QIF2025
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    Action learning You will be a part of a team mentored by an experienced scientist to develop innovative solutions to outstanding problems.
  • Group 2025
    Image: rb
    Why you should attend Spend four amazing days with like-minded and highly-motivated individuals from all over the world and develop your own problem solving skills.

Preliminary Program

Friday, February 27

Saturday, February 28

Sunday, March 01

Monday, March 02

Arrival

Opening and challenge introductions

Team innovation

Prepare presentations

City tour

Team innovation

Talk

Presentations  and closing

Pub night

Evening event

Evening event

Lab tours

 

  • Challenge Topics

    Challenge topics will be defined soon. Alternatively, if you have your own ideas, we encourage you to briefly describe it, and submit with your application. The description should outline your idea, its potential future impact, and possible implementation. Previous topics included themes from quantum computing, quantum simulation, quantum machine learning, quantum materials, quantum control, quantum software, quantum metrology, and more.

    Topics 2025

    • How to transform microwave qubits to telecom-compatible qubits
    • Reinforcement learning to initialize qubit states
    • Training a physical system as a neural network 
    • Image an object with photons that never interacted with that object 
    • Pulse shaping and optimal control for quantum sensors based on atom interferometry
    • Hamiltonian learning using programmable quantum walks in a bosonic Hubbard model
    • Quantum Simulation of a Scientifically Relevant Problem
  • Costs and Funding

    Lodging and participation costs are covered. For DigiQ students, travel costs can be covered by the home institution.

  • Application

    Master students, doctoral candidates, young researchers and postdocs with solid science background and an innovation mindset are welcome to apply! Although the focus of the boot camp is designed for quantum science and technology, we encourage interested applicants with any natural sciences background to apply. You should especially apply if you are considering future research topics for your Master or PhD in the field.

    Successful participants will be selected based upon their CV and a short description of their motivation presenting their reason for applying, and notified briefly after the application deadline by email.

    To apply fill out the registration formExternal link and send your CV and academic transcript to ramona.balmelli@uni-jena.de

    Application deadline: 14 December 2025

  • Jena - The City of Light

    Find out more about Jena.External link

  • Contact

    For further questions please contact:

    Organiser: Prof. Dr. Martin Gärttner - martin.gaerttner@uni-jena.de

    Local coordinator: Ramona Balmelli - ramona.balmelli@uni-jena.de

  • DigiQ
  • EFEQT
  • EU