Fujitsu Launches $100,000 Quantum Simulator Challenge for 2025-26

Fujitsu Limited has announced the Fujitsu $100,000 Quantum Simulator Challenge for 2025-26, inviting industry and academic participants to evaluate its proprietary quantum simulation technology on complex, real-world applications.

The challenge aims to bridge the gap between quantum research and industrial pain points by providing participants with access to Fujitsu's most advanced simulation platforms and its new Quantum Application Research Package.

Building on its existing 40-qubit CPU-based state vector quantum simulator powered by 1,024 FX700 nodes using A64FX processors, Fujitsu is introducing several new features for this year's competition, including a Tensor Network-based Simulator capable of handling circuits with 40 or more qubits in low-depth circuit settings, and the Fujitsu QARP, a proprietary quantum algorithm library designed to streamline application development.

Additionally, the simulator leverages Qulacs software and provides a Qiskit-compatible SDK, allowing developers to transition seamlessly between Fujitsu's noise-free simulators and real noisy hardware.

The total prize pool of $100,000 will be distributed as $50,000 for first prize, $30,000 for second, and $20,000 for third. Participants will receive free access to Fujitsu's quantum technologies, training from internal experts, and potential long-term partnerships and investment.

The competition targets legal entities that can demonstrate project uniqueness, business applicability, and high algorithm quality, prioritizing solutions that utilize higher qubit counts to solve intractable business problems in fields such as materials science, drug discovery, and logistics optimization.

Applications are open until January 30, 2026, with the official challenge period running from January through March 2026. This initiative aligns with Fujitsu's broader roadmap, which includes the operation of a 256-qubit superconducting quantum computer and plans for a 10,000-qubit system by 2030.