LONDON, Sept. 16, 2020 – Atos, a global leader in digital transformation, together with the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Hartree Centre this week launch a new UK and Ireland competition aimed at supporting innovative work in the field of quantum computing.

In encouraging researchers, academics and industrial scientists to submit their own research project it is hoped the cash prize will help sustain and generate momentum in this area of significant potential.

The competition is open for three months with a submission deadline of 7 December 2020. The winning applicant will be announced on 21 February 2021 and will receive €10,000, while second and third prize will receive 3 days access to the Atos Quantum Learning Machine at the STFC Hartree Centre, which can be used for developing quantum algorithms.

Clay Van Doren, CEO, Atos UK and Ireland, said: “We believe this to be the first such competition in the UK which supports and celebrates researchers’ own work rather than answering a set challenge thereby fostering live research. In order to stay at the forefront of quantum innovation and competiveness, UK public organisations and enterprises need to understand how to harness this emerging technology effectively. We hope this prize can be a springboard for quantum research and ultimately, collective competitiveness.”

Michael Gleaves, deputy director, STFC Hartree Centre, said: “We are on the cusp of a quantum revolution and at this crucial stage it is vitally important we encourage and promote the excellent work in helping apply theory to practical quantum computing use. We are pleased to partner with Atos and play a central role in the judging for prospective winners of this prize.”

The Atos Digital Society programme explores the real-world impacts of technology across themes including innovation, the ethics of AI and the future of skills.

Entries submitted at: https://atos.net/en-gb/united-kingdom/atos-stfc-hartree-centre-joseph-fourier-prize

The Atos – Joseph Fourier Prize is a global annual competition with this being the UK edition. The Atos – Joseph Fourier Prize was first launched in France and pays tribute to mathematician Joseph Fourier whose work in the 18th century largely contributed to the mathematical modelling of physical phenomena.

About Atos

Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with 110,000 employees in 73 countries and annual revenue of € 12 billion. European number one in Cloud, Cybersecurity and High-Performance Computing, the Group provides end-to-end Orchestrated Hybrid Cloud, Big Data, Business Applications and Digital Workplace solutions. The Group is the Worldwide Information Technology Partner for the Olympic & Paralympic Games and operates under the brands Atos, Atos|Syntel, and Unify. Atos is a SE (Societas Europaea), listed on the CAC40 Paris stock index.

The purpose of Atos is to help design the future of the information space. Its expertise and services support the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contribute to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Across the world, the Group enables its customers and employees, and members of societies at large to live, work and develop sustainably, in a safe and secure information space.

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Source: Atos