About the event

Qiskit Fall Fest is the world's largest series of student-led quantum computing events, bringing together quantum enthusiasts from around the globe. As one of 150 international universities, the University of Stuttgart is proud to host Qiskit Fall Fest 2026, supported by IBM Quantum.

Join us for guest talks, hands-on workshops, and hackathon challenges, where students and experienced quantum enthusiasts from academia and industry collaborate to explore the latest advances in quantum computing. Using Qiskit, the world's leading quantum software development kit, participants will run circuits on real quantum hardware and gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge quantum computing.

Be part of the quantum movement at Qiskit Fall Fest 2026 at the University of Stuttgart!

What? Talks, a panel discussion, workshops, hackathon & networking
When? 9–11 November 2026
Where? Days 1 and 2: Campus.Guest, University of Stuttgart, Campus Vaihingen. Day 3: IBM Innovation Studio, Ehningen. How to get there

10 years on the cloud

In 2016, IBM put a real quantum computer on the cloud, free for anyone to program. Ten years later, Qiskit Fall Fest 2026 celebrates that anniversary – and the flock of IBM Quantum processors, which have always been named after birds, from Falcon and Hummingbird to Eagle, Heron and Nighthawk.

Illustration of birds among clouds, after the IBM Quantum processor families

Schedule

We offer a variety of talks, workshops, and hackathon challenges for students of all levels — from curious minds eager to explore quantum concepts, to beginners and those with intermediate experience. Check out the schedule below – small changes may still happen. Registration opens in early October 2026. We can't wait to see you there!

Participants in the Qiskit Fall Fest will receive an IBM Quantum certificate.

Day 1 – Talks & Workshops Monday, 9 November

University of Stuttgart, Vaihingen

  • 09:00
    Registration & Welcome
    Room 101, Campus.Guest · how to get there
  • 09:30 Opening & Information
  • 10:00
    IQST: Research Areas, Funding & Opportunities
    Dr. Cristiano Guttà — General Manager & Graduate School Manager, IQST
  • 10:15
    Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
    Rodrigo Pereira — PhD Student, ITI-HOCOS, University of Stuttgart
  • 11:00 Coffee break
  • 11:15
    Introduction to Qiskit
    Afonso Azenha — PhD Student, ITI-HOCOS, University of Stuttgart
    Software requirements
  • 11:45
    From Qiskit to Career: Building a Path in Quantum Computing
    Dr. Sebastian Brandhofer — Research Scientist, IBM Quantum
  • 12:30 Lunch break
  • 13:30
    An Introduction to Quantum Topological Analysis and Future Research Directions
    Lavinia Stiliadou — Research Associate, IAAS, University of Stuttgart
  • 14:15
    Quantum Advantage in Sight: Quantum Algorithms for Applications in Industry
    Dr. Andreas Sturm — Senior Scientist Quantum Computing, Fraunhofer IAO
  • 15:00 Coffee break
  • 15:30
    Lab visits – Round 1
    Labs of the 5th Institute of Physics
    Meeting point: blue elevator, 3rd floor, Pfaffenwaldring 57
    The Quantum Länd (Rydberg quantum computing)
    Quantum Network Nodes
    Ion Microscope
    Hot Vapor Cells
    Labs of the 3rd Institute of Physics
    Meeting point: outside the building, Allmandring 13
    ZAQuant Cleanroom
    NV-Diamond-Based Scanning Probe
    Tin-Vacancy (SnV−) Centers in Diamond for Quantum Networks
    NV-Diamond-Based Magnetocardiography
  • 17:00
    Lab visits – Round 2
    Same labs, second group
Location for this day

Day 2 – Panel & Hackathon Tuesday, 10 November

University of Stuttgart, Vaihingen

  • 09:00
    Registration & Welcome
    Room 101, Campus.Guest · how to get there
  • 09:30
    Keynote talk
    David Faller — Managing Director, IBM Germany Research & Development
  • 10:00 Coffee break
  • 10:15
    Panel discussion: the current and future state of quantum computing
    1 h discussion + 30 min Q&A with the audience
    Moderated by Doris Lindner — Outreach Manager, QuantumBW
    David Faller — IBM
    Dr. Alexander Heinrich — Head of the QuantumBW Office
    Prof. Dr. Ilia Polian — Director of ITI, University of Stuttgart & IQST
    Kirsten Bark — Stack Leader Quantum Computing, HQS Quantum Simulations
    Prof. Dr. Tilman Pfau — Head of the 5th Institute of Physics, University of Stuttgart
    Lavinia Stiliadou — Research Associate, IAAS, University of Stuttgart
  • 11:45 Lunch break
  • 13:00
    Hackathon prompt: Quantum Simulation of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
    Intermediate/advanced level
    Dr. Andisheh Khedri — Technical Business Development, HQS Quantum Simulations
  • 13:30
    Beginner hackathon prompt
    Title to be announced – organizing team
  • 13:45
    Hackathon
    Runs until 20:00 – prompts in the Hackathon section
  • 20:00 Submission deadline
Location for this day

Day 3 – Day at IBM Quantum Wednesday, 11 November

IBM Innovation Studio, Ehningen

  • 09:00 Registration & Welcome
  • 09:15
    Session by IBM
    Dr. Jan-Rainer Lahmann — IBM Distinguished Engineer and Worldwide IBM Quantum Ambassador Lead
  • 09:45
    Hackathon award ceremony
    Presented by David Faller and Dr. Jan-Rainer Lahmann
  • 10:15 Official closing
  • 10:30
    Tours & mini hackathon at IBM
    Three groups rotate through all three stations, 50 minutes each (10:30, 11:20, 12:10)
    IBM Innovation Studio tour
    IBM Quantum Showroom tour – see a real IBM quantum computer – behind glass, but the real thing!
    IBM Bob mini hackathon
  • 13:00 End
  • Provisional: this day's schedule may still change
Location for this day

Location

Where to be, and when.

Days 1 and 2

Campus.Guest, University of Stuttgart

Mon 9 and Tue 10 November · Registration opens at 09:00 in Room 101

Universitätsstraße 28-34, 70569 Stuttgart (Campus Vaihingen)
Google Maps Apple Maps

Take the S-Bahn to Universität and walk to the iron sculpture at the end of the small loop road. From there, Qiskit Fall Fest signs lead you to the venue.

Day 1 lab visits (15:30 and 17:00) start at different spots: the blue elevator, 3rd floor, Pfaffenwaldring 57 for the 5th Institute of Physics, and outside the building at Allmandring 13 for the 3rd Institute of Physics.

Illustrated map of Campus Vaihingen. Walking routes lead from both exits of the S-Bahn station Universität to an iron sculpture at the end of a small loop road off Universitätsstraße. The venue Campus.Guest, highlighted in pink, is right next to it.
  1. Take the S-Bahn to Universität.
  2. Main exit (glass rotunda): walk east across the square, past the Audimax and the Computer Science building, to the end of the small loop road.
  3. Exit Universitätsstraße: walk along Universitätsstraße and turn left into the loop road.
  4. At the iron sculpture, follow the Qiskit Fall Fest signs to Campus.Guest, or use the detailed route to Room 101 below.

The last 314 metres

From the sculpture to Room 101

The whole way is signposted: from the iron sculpture, just follow the Qiskit Fall Fest signs.

Illustrated close-up of the buildings around Campus.Guest. The route starts at the iron sculpture, goes through the glass entrance and the building behind it, back outside past a glass pavilion, and along a covered glass walkway to Room 101, highlighted in pink.

Day 3

IBM Innovation Studio, Ehningen

Wed 11 November · Registration opens at 09:00 (provisional)

IBM Campus 1, 71139 Ehningen
Google Maps Apple Maps

Please travel to Ehningen on your own by public transport. Take the S1 towards Herrenberg to Ehningen (about 30 minutes from Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof). From Ehningen station, take bus 752 towards Mauren to the stop "IBM Campus Ehningen" (about 10 minutes), or walk about 1.2 km (around 15 minutes). The schedule for this day is provisional and may still change.

Software Requirements


For the Introduction to Qiskit session on Day 1, please bring a laptop with Qiskit already installed. IBM Quantum's Install Qiskit guide walks you through the setup.

Any requirements for other sessions will be added here closer to the event.

Hackathon

There will be two hackathon prompts, one for each experience level. More details will be announced closer to the event.

Beginner prompt: to be announced, presented by the Qiskit Fall Fest organizing team.

Intermediate/advanced prompt: Quantum Simulation of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, provided by HQS Quantum Simulations and presented by Dr. Andisheh Khedri.

Partners

IBM Quantum offers access to the world's largest quantum computer fleet and powerful Qiskit software to explore and scale quantum advantage.
IQST unites science and engineering to advance quantum research and develop innovative technologies at multiple institutions around Baden-Württemberg.
HQS Quantum Simulations bridges the gap between theoretical research and practical applications, providing real-world quantum applications for industrial use cases, particularly in life sciences, chemistry, and pharmaceuticals.
Fraunhofer IAO researches how people, organisations and technology work together, and its quantum computing team develops algorithms, software and tools that help companies put quantum computers to use.
The School for Talents empowers outstanding students at the University of Stuttgart to deepen expertise, connect across disciplines, and tackle societal challenges.
The QuantumBW initiative brings together research institutions, industry and startups in Baden-Württemberg to accelerate the application of quantum technologies in the areas of sensing, computing and networking.
The University of Stuttgart pioneers quantum technologies, collaborating worldwide within Baden-Württemberg's strong quantum ecosystem.
Stuttgart Media University (HdM) combines media, technology and design, and brings expertise in quantum education and science communication to the Fall Fest team.

About us

We are an interdisciplinary and international team of six from the University of Stuttgart and Stuttgart Media University (HdM), curious about quantum computing and dedicated to connecting students, industry, and scientists. Our event is proudly supported by the School for Talents and IBM Quantum. We look forward to welcoming you — and if you have any questions or collaboration ideas, don't hesitate to reach out!

Afonso Azenha

PhD student, working with IBM on transpilation for multi-chip superconducting quantum computers

LinkedIn

Leon Layer

Lead organizer and Software Engineering master's student, research assistant developing control software for a neutral-atom quantum network node

LinkedIn

Sebastián Alejandro Morales Ramírez

PhD student in physics, building an experimental quantum network node based on neutral atoms

LinkedIn

Rodrigo Pereira

PhD student, working on transpilation algorithms for neutral-atom quantum computers

LinkedIn

Sara Karouaz

PhD student, developing quantum sensors such as atomic magnetometers and gyroscopes

LinkedIn

Nadine Weber

Research assistant in quantum education at HdM Stuttgart, with an M.Sc. in Computer Science and Media

LinkedIn

Contact

If you're a student with questions about the event, feel free to get in touch! Companies, start-ups, and research institutions interested in collaboration are warmly invited to contact us as well.