About the Midwest Quantum Hackathon
MidQWest is organized in collaboration with university hosts, academic partners, and student organizations across the Midwest. With student organizers coordinating event logistics and collaborating closely with sponsors on hackathon challenge tracks, our mission is to empower undergraduates and build a lasting Midwest quantum community.
What to expect
A weekend-long hackathon bringing together student builders from across the Midwest.
01
Challenge 'Quests'
Multiple tracks designed by student organizations and sponsors, covering quantum algorithms, error correction, quantum machine learning, and pulse programming.
02
Workshops & Crash Courses
Hands-on sessions for all experience levels. Write your first quantum circuit or dive into variational algorithms and noise mitigation.
03
Mentorship
Guidance from experienced students, researchers, and industry mentors throughout the weekend to help every team build and present something real.
04
Demos & Judging
Present to judges from academia and industry. Prizes awarded for technical depth, creativity, and real-world applicability.
Weekend schedule (Tentative)
November 21–22, 2026 · University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Campus
Tentative working schedule: All session timings, room assignments, and workshop slots are preliminary and subject to refinement as sponsor challenges and logistical details are finalized closer to the event.
Saturday
- 8:00 AM – 9:30 AMFort Dearborn A & IL C
Registration & Sponsor Tabling
Participant check-in, nametags, and initial networking with sponsors.
- 9:00 AM – 9:30 AMIL AB
Opening Remarks
Official welcome address from the MidQWest student organizers.
- 9:30 AM – 12:00 PMIL AB
Sponsor Talks & Tech Workshops
Technical deep-dives, challenge prep, and Q&A sessions.
- 12:00 PM – 1:15 PMFort Dearborn A
Catered Lunch
Lunch provided for all participating students and mentors.
- 1:15 PM – 2:00 PMIL AB
Hackathon Challenges & 'Quests' Released
Official challenge tracks and problem statements presented by sponsors and organizers.
- 2:00 PMIL AB & Breakout Spaces
Hackathon Work Time Starts!
24-hour hack sprint officially begins — teams start hacking!
- 5:00 PM – 6:00 PMVenue Space
Social Break & Mentor Networking
Mid-day break to connect with company reps and mentors.
Sunday
- Morning (Pre-2:00 PM)Outside / Patio
Food Trucks (Brunch / Lunch)
On-site food trucks to keep builders fueled through the final stretch.
- 2:00 PMIL AB
Hackathon Work Time Ends!
24 hours end — all project submissions and presentations due.
- 2:00 PM – 4:00 PMDearborn B
Project Demos & Judging
Teams present their work to academic and industry judges evaluated against rubrics.
- 2:00 PM – 4:00 PMExhibition Areas
Professional Networking
Students talk with sponsors, share resumes, and showcase hackathon work.
- 5:00 PMIL AB
Awards Ceremony & Winners Announced
Recognition, prizes, and grants announced for winning teams.
- 6:00 PMVenue Space
Event Conclusion
Closing remarks, final photos, and farewells.
* All times are in Central Time (CT). This schedule is strictly tentative and subject to change prior to event kickoff.
Organized in collaboration across universities & organizations
Quantum groups, university hosts, and regional organizations co-organizing MidQWest.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
SIGQuantum @ UIUC
Purdue University
Quantum Student Organization (QSO) of Purdue
University of Chicago
UChicago Quantum Society
UIC Quantum
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Wisconsin Quantum Computing Club
Purdue University Northwest
QuantumLeap Club
Chicago Women in High Performance Computing
Chicago WHPC Chapter
Chicago Quantum Exchange
Regional Quantum Hub (CQE)
FAQs
When is MidQWest?
November 21–22, 2026 in Chicago. Register to receive venue details, schedule information, and logistics updates.
Where will it be held?
University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) campus on Chicago's Near West Side — centrally located and easily accessible for universities across the Midwest.
Who can participate?
Any undergraduate or graduate student at a Midwest university. No prior quantum experience required; dedicated workshops cover key fundamentals.
Is there a cost?
No. MidQWest is 100% free for all participating students. Sponsorship funding covers meals, venue operations, and prize pools.
How are teams formed?
Register with a team or join our team-matching sessions at the event. Solo hackers are welcome.
Want your university involved?
If your school has a quantum computing student organization and you want to co-organize or bring a delegation, reach out. We are actively expanding.