About the Pathways to Quantum Challenge
Explore the future of quantum. Start your journey here.
The Pathways to Quantum: Global Industry Challenge is a global competition for students ages 13–18 that explores how emerging quantum technologies could help address one of humanity’s greatest challenges: improving weather forecasting and climate resilience.
Inspired by the World Bank Group’s 2025 Global Industry Challenge, students are invited to investigate how quantum technologies could transform weather forecasting, risk modeling, and disaster prediction — and what those advancements could mean for vulnerable communities around the world. As quantum technology continues to advance, it holds the potential to revolutionize society’s ability to solve complex problems, many of which remain undiscovered.
Participants will research both quantum technology and climate science before submitting a 2–3 page paper exploring how quantum-enabled approaches could improve forecasting accuracy, model rare and extreme weather events, enhance sensing capabilities, and support better decision-making before disasters occur. No prior quantum expertise is required.
Students are not expected to build a technical solution. Instead, they are challenged to think like innovators at the intersection of quantum technology, climate science, and global resilience, demonstrating how emerging technologies could create a safer and more resilient future.
To learn more about quantum technologies, visit www.pqic.org.
Submission Expectations & Criteria
Participants are not expected to be quantum computing experts. Strong submissions will demonstrate:
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Clear thinking and creative problem-solving
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A solid understanding of quantum’s current and future impact on weather forecasting
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Foundational awareness of quantum computing concepts
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The ability to connect technology to real-world human impact
A 2 to 3-page paper (not including sources), Times New Roman 11-Font, addressing the following:
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The Problem: In your own words, explain why climate catastrophe risk is so difficult to model accurately, and what the consequences are when models fail, particularly for vulnerable communities? We recommend focusing on a specific climate disaster such as floods, hurricanes, droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires.
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The Quantum Argument: Explain, at whatever level of technical depth you can, why quantum could outperform classical computing or traditional solutions for this type of problem. You do not need a working solution. You need a reasoned, well-supported theoretical argument.
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Your Approach: If you were designing a quantum-assisted weather forecasting tool, what would it do? What problems could it solve better than traditional technologies? There is no single right answer, be creative, but ground your work on quantum and climate research to provide justified solutions.
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The Impact: If your approach worked, who would benefit and how? Be specific about the connection between better risk models and real outcomes for vulnerable communities.
About the Pathways to Quantum: GIC Cohort
Connected DMV will convene the judging committee, and submissions will be reviewed and downselected. The 50 down-selected winners, known as the ‘Pathways to Quantum: Global Industry Challenge Cohort’, will have the opportunity see how solutions like these can be solved or tested on real quantum hardware and simulators through machines like IBM, D-Wave, QCi, and IonQ.
2026 Program Timeline:
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July 19, 2026: Submissions Close
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July 29, 2026: Judging Committee Selects 50 Students, with the winning solutions becoming part of the 2026 Pathways to Quantum: Global Industry Challenge Cohort
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August 2026: Virtual Cohort Prize: Lifecycle of a Quantum Solution
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How to work a problem through on Quantum Machine
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How is this was practically done in 2025 by GIC Winner
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Use Case Provider Expert Perspective
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September 23-25, 2026: Challenge Organizers Present & Showcase Pathways GIC at Quantum World Congress 2026 in College Park, MD.
Participant Eligiblity
The Pathways to Quantum: Global Industry Challenge is intended for the following participants:
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Age: High school students ages 13 to 18 years old
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Location: Open globally — students from all countries are welcome to apply
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Background: No prior quantum knowledge, coding experience, or advanced science background required
THIS CHALLENGE IS IDEAL FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE...
Curious about how the world works
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You don't need to know the answers. You need to want to find them.
Interested in climate and the environment
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Whether you've been following climate science for years or you're just starting to understand what's at stake, this challenge gives you a place to apply that interest.
Drawn to technology and its implications
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Do you find yourself thinking about how AI, computers, or emerging technologies could be used differently? This is that kind of challenge.
Strong communicators and researchers
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Can you read a few papers, synthesize what you've learned, and explain it clearly? That's the core skill this challenge develops.
Interested in policy, economics, or social impact
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Quantum technology's impact on climate forecasting isn't just a science story — it's a story about resources, inequality, governance, and human resilience. Students who think about those dimensions will produce some of the most compelling work.
Future STEM students and career explorers
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If you're considering a career in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or any adjacent field, this challenge gives you a genuine credential and real exposure to one of the most exciting fields in tech.
You don't have to know what a qubit is to apply. You just have to be willing to find out.
Ready to participate?
Join a global community of students exploring how quantum technologies could help create a safer and more resilient future. No prior quantum experience is required—just curiosity and a passion for solving real-world challenges.
Submissions are now open and close on July 19, 2026. Start your journey today.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Do I need to know how to code?
No. This is not a coding competition. There is no programming involved at any stage. The challenge is entirely paper-based. You are asked to research, think, and write, not to build or code anything.
❓ What is quantum computing, exactly?
Quantum computing is a new kind of computing that uses the principles of quantum physics, specifically phenomena like superposition and entanglement, to process information in fundamentally different ways than classical computers. Instead of working through problems step by step, quantum computers can explore many possibilities simultaneously. For a deeper introduction, visit https://www.pqic.org/quantum-basics where we've compiled beginner-friendly resources.
❓ Do I need to understand quantum physics to participate?
No prior quantum knowledge is required. You are expected to research the topic as part of your submission, but you are starting from wherever you are.
❓ Can I participate alone, or do I need a team?
For this challenge, submissions must be from a single participant. Research can be done collectively, but papers cannot match other submissions or risk disqualification.
❓ Who can enter? What are the age requirements?
The competition is open to high school students ages 13 to 18 years old. Students from all countries are welcome to apply.
❓ Is there a registration fee?
No. Participation is free.
❓ How technical does my paper need to be?
It should be as technical as your research genuinely supports and no more. Judges are not looking for PhD-level physics. They're looking for clear, reasoned thinking that demonstrates you've engaged seriously with the topic. Write in your own voice, at your actual level of understanding. Honesty and clarity matter far more than technical jargon.
❓ How long should my submission be?
2 to 3 pages, not including your sources or bibliography. Papers that are significantly shorter may not fully address all four required areas. Papers that are longer will be disqualified due to not meeting the submission criteria.
❓ What format should my paper be in?
Times New Roman font, 11pt, standard margins. Submit as a PDF through the submission form here. Full formatting details are available on the submission page.
❓ Can beginners really compete?
Yes! The competition was specifically designed to be accessible to students with no prior experience. A student who spends two or three weeks genuinely researching the topic and writing thoughtfully can produce a submission that competes with students from any background. Effort and curiosity are the most important factors.
❓ What are the judges looking for?
Judges are evaluating: clarity of thinking, quality of research, originality, logical reasoning, and the ability to connect technology to real human impact. They are not evaluating technical accuracy at an expert level. See above for a full breakdown of the judging criteria.
❓ What happens if I'm selected for the Cohort?
You'll be notified by July 29, 2026 and invited to join the virtual Pathways to Quantum Cohort program in August. This includes workshops, exposure to real quantum hardware through qBraid, guest speaker sessions, and the opportunity to have your work showcased at the Quantum World Congress 2026 in September.
❓ Will I need to attend anything in person?
The cohort program is virtual; you can participate from anywhere in the world.
❓ I'm a teacher. Can I have my class participate?
Yes, and we encourage it. This challenge works well as a class project, independent study assignment, or extracurricular research experience. Multiple students from the same school or class may submit independently. If you'd like resources or guidance on integrating this challenge into your curriculum, reach out to quantum@connecteddmv.org
❓ What if I have more questions?
Visit www.pqic.org for additional resources, or contact quantum@connecteddmv.org
