September 25–27, 2026 • Clemson, South Carolina
SC Quantathon v3 2026
A student-led quantum hackathon at Clemson University built around hands-on learning, team problem solving, and industry connections.
About
SC Quantathon v3 carries forward the quantum hackathon that SC Quantum founded and hosted for its first two iterations in the Southeast. For this third edition, the Clemson Quantum Club and Clemson University are now hosting the event, building a weekend that brings students together to learn, build, and collaborate on real quantum computing challenges.
Participants will work in teams, attend technical programming, and receive support from mentors and organizers throughout the event. If you want news before the weekend, you can . The format is intended to be accessible to first-time participants while still giving experienced students room to build ambitious projects.
Students from computing, physics, engineering, mathematics, and related fields are all welcome.
Past editions: SC Quantathon v1 (2024) and SC Quantathon v2 (2025).
Recap from last year’s SC Quantathon v2 in Columbia:
Key Details
Watt Family Innovation Center
405 S Palmetto Blvd, Clemson, SC 29634
Enter at the north door into the atrium for check-in. Hotel shuttles drop off at the traffic circle outside.
Schedule
Day 1 Friday, September 25
Day 2 Saturday, September 26
Day 3 Sunday, September 27
Challenges
SRNL Challenge
Savannah River National Laboratory, the Department of Energy lab in Aiken, South Carolina, sets a challenge drawn from its applied research. The full brief is released at the opening ceremony.
Quantum Rings Challenge
Quantum Rings builds a high-performance quantum circuit simulator and SDK. Its challenge centers on simulating circuits beyond the reach of ordinary statevector methods. The full brief is released at the opening ceremony.
IonQ Challenge
IonQ builds trapped-ion quantum computers. Its challenge involves running on IonQ hardware or its simulators. The full brief is released at the opening ceremony.
Sponsors
Powered by
Hosted by
Partners
Where to Stay
Hotels near Clemson University. The distance is from the Watt Center to the hotel, and dollar signs are estimates for prices. Shuttles run between these hotels and the Watt Center each morning and evening of the event.
-
Group rate Comfort Inn & Suites Clemson 1305 Tiger Blvd, Clemson1.9 mi $
Group rate for SC Quantathon participants with deluxe hot breakfast included:
Standard room: $89/night
Junior king mini suite: $104/night
Book online under the “SC Quantathon V3 Conference Group” block,
or call the hotel at (864) 653-3600. -
Best Western Plus Clemson 1310 Tiger Blvd, Clemson1.9 mi $$
-
Hampton Inn Clemson 851 Tiger Blvd, Clemson2.1 mi $$$
-
Tru by Hilton Seneca Clemson 13050 Clemson Blvd, Seneca2.3 mi $$$
-
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Clemson 1381 Tiger Blvd, Clemson2.5 mi $$$
FAQ
Who can participate?
Undergraduate and graduate students from any major who are 18 or older. Most participants come from computing, physics, engineering, and mathematics, but no particular degree is required.
Do I need quantum computing experience?
No. Mentors and organizers are on hand all weekend, and the challenges are written so first-time participants can get started right away. Experienced students will have room to build bigger projects.
How much does it cost?
Nothing. SC Quantathon v3 is free to attend, and meals and event materials are provided.
Do I need a team before I arrive?
No. Teams are 3 to 5 students. You can register on your own, and if you have not found a team by the event we will place you with teammates.
What should I bring?
A laptop and charger, plus free qBraid and IBM Quantum accounts created before Friday. If your team is assigned the IonQ or Quantum Rings challenge, you will set up that account on Saturday.
Where should I stay?
See the Where to Stay list above for a discounted group rate and other hotels close to the Watt Family Innovation Center.
How do I get to Clemson?
If you are flying, use Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), about 45 minutes from campus by car or rideshare. Shuttles run between the hotels listed above and the Watt Family Innovation Center: Friday they leave the hotels at 4:45 PM and leave Watt at 8:45 PM; Saturday they leave the hotels at 8:15 AM and leave Watt at 11:30 PM; Sunday they leave the hotels at 8:15 AM and leave Watt at 7:45 PM. Do not park on campus without a pass, since Clemson Parking tows. If you are driving, tell us on the lodging and parking form sent to accepted participants and we will arrange a daily pass. Otherwise, visitor passes can be bought online and metered parking is available near Watt.
Where in the building will things happen?
Check in at the north door into the Atrium, which also hosts Friday dinner, Saturday sponsor tabling and firesides, and Sunday meals. The welcome and awards ceremonies are in the Auditorium, and Saturday meals and the opening ceremony are on the Terrace. Team rooms are on the second and third floors and are posted Friday at 10:00 PM. Mentors are in Watt 323, and judging is in Watt 310, 313, and 316. Watt closes Friday at 10:00 PM, so there is no overnight stay that night; it stays open overnight on Saturday for hacking.
How should I prepare?
Work through the self-paced bootcamp, released one day at a time from September 14 to 25. It covers the basics and the tools the challenges use. Brushing up on Python helps too. Project work starts at the opening ceremony, not before.
How and when do we submit?
Through Devpost. Submissions are due Sunday, September 27 at 10:00 AM. Devpost lists exactly what each team needs to include. Judging presentations begin at noon and awards are at 6:00 PM.
How does judging work?
Judging starts Sunday at 12:00 PM. Each team presents for 10 minutes, then takes 5 minutes of questions from the judges, who include the sponsor that wrote the challenge. First place is awarded for each challenge, plus one Grand Prize across all challenges. The rubric is announced at the opening ceremony.
Is travel reimbursed?
No. The event is free and meals are provided, but we cannot reimburse travel or lodging. Shuttles run between the hotels listed above and the Watt Family Innovation Center each morning and evening of the event.
How do I register?
Apply here. Registration stays open until spots fill.
Is there a code of conduct?
Yes. Everyone at the event agrees to the Clemson Quantum Club code of conduct. Organizers are available all weekend if anything needs to be addressed.
Hackathon Committee
