Quantum Computing SIG – Student Paper Competition
This award acknowledges scientific contributions to the theory, methodology, and practice of Quantum Computing for Optimization by an undergraduate, graduate student, or postdoctoral fellow.
Entry Requirements
- The competition is for the best student paper submitted, published, or accepted for publication in a conference or peer-reviewed journal on the broad topic of Quantum Computing for Optimization.
If the paper is published, the publication date must be 2025 or later. - Supervisors and industry partners may appear as co-authors, but the applicant must be the main author and must have made substantial contributions to the paper.
- Each applicant may submit one paper only.
- At the time the paper was written, the applicant must have been:
- an undergraduate student,
- a graduate student, or
- a postdoctoral fellow
at a Canadian university, or a Canadian citizen studying at a university outside of Canada.
- Papers selected as finalists must be presented in a special session at the annual CORS conference by the student author.
- A paper may be submitted to multiple CORS paper competitions in the same year. However, it may not remain a finalist in more than one competition in the same academic year.
If selected as a finalist by multiple committees, the student must choose one competition in which the paper will remain a finalist. - A paper that has previously received a Winner or Runner-Up award in any CORS paper competition (SIG, Undergraduate, or Open Category) is not eligible for resubmission.
Submission
To enter the competition, please submit your entry by March 30, 2026 using the “Student Paper Competitions” link on the conference website:
Detailed Instructions for Participants (Same as Open Category): https://site.pheedloop.com/portal/event/EVEORFTRQVVXE/submission/CAL1GKZ0M1XXUA5/application#start
A signed letter from at least one supervisor confirming that the participant is the first author of the submitted paper.
Any questions related to the competition should be sent by email to the committee chair: Mahzabeen Emu (memu@mun.ca)
Selection Criteria
- Contribution of the paper to the field of Quantum Computing for Optimization
- The scale of its impact on the quantum computing operations research community and the public
- Originality of the problem and methods
- Style, clarity, and organization of the paper
Awards
The winners will be announced at the banquet of the Society by one of the jury members.
- First Prize: $200
- Honourable Mention: $50
- All papers selected as finalists will receive a certificate.