Undergraduate School on Experimental Quantum Information Processing

Explore quantum information science hands-on at a world-class institute.

The Undergraduate School on Experimental Quantum Information Processing (USEQIP) is a two-week program on the theoretical and experimental study of quantum information aimed primarily at students one year away from completing their undergraduate studies.

The lectures and experiments are geared toward students in engineering, physics, chemistry, mathematics and computer science, though all interested students are invited to apply. USEQIP is held annually at the University of Waterloo since 2009 with over 400 program alumni to date.

The summer school is staffed by the faculty of the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC), a multi-disciplinary research centre at the University of Waterloo and an internationally recognized leader in the field of quantum information processing.

USEQIP offers:

• Two weeks of in-depth lectures and lab activities at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC)
• Paid summer research opportunities available through Undergraduate Research Awards
• Opportunities spanning theory and experiment
• No cost to students and travel bursaries available
• Space for 30 students

→ Hear USEQIP alumni share their experience

→ Read recap stories from previous years

USEQIP 2026 will be held from May 25 to June 5, 2026. Applications are due Friday, January 2, 2026. Late applications will not be considered. References are due Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

Topics covered

The two-week program consists of lectures introducing quantum information theory and experimental approaches to quantum devices, followed by 30+ hours of hands-on exploration of Quantum Information Processing (QIP) using the experimental facilities at the institute.

During the program you will be exposed to lectures and experiments on the following topics and more.

Quantum information processing

You'll explore the theoretical background of quantum information science with IQC's world-leading experts, including:

• Quantum algorithms and computing
• Quantum error correction
• Quantum cryptography
• Decoherence and open quantum systems
• Foundations of quantum mechanics

Implementations of quantum information processing

You'll learn how we take ideas from theory and translate them to experiment by studying quantum systems such as:

• Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
• Spin control
• Superconducting qubits
• Quantum optics
• Atomic and trapped-ion quantum systems
• Quantum sensors

Experimental exploration

You'll get hands-on experience with real quantum experiments in the Quantum Explorations Space, including:

• Quantum control and decoherence in NMR
• Entangled photon sources and measurement of non-locality
• Superconductivity and quantum devices
• Fabrication of nano-scale devices in IQC's state-of-the-art cleanroom
• Quantum key distribution
• Design, optimize and implementation of a two-qubit quantum algorithm

Please refer to our FAQs page if you have any questions. Email iqc-useqip@uwaterloo.ca if you require additional information.

Research opportunities

We encourage participants to extend their stay and work with IQC researchers for the summer. Students who apply to USEQIP may also apply for an Undergraduate Research Award (URA) on their application to stay at IQC for paid summer research from May to August.

Thank you to our partners

USEQIP is supported by the the MITACS Globalink Internship (GRI) program and the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) as part of the Transformative Quantum Technologies research initiative.

What's USEQIP like? - Hear from alumni

→ Read more about Thomas and Morgan's USEQIP experience

USEQIP recap stories