SparQ Access programme

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The SparQ Access programme

The NQCC SparQ Access programme provides access to assured quantum compute services to grow the UK’s quantum computing user community.

The programme is part of the NQCC’s ‘SparQ’ initiative to support quantum readiness for the UK. It aims to accelerate scientific research, innovation, skills development and application discovery.

Users may request access to a range of state-of-the-art quantum computing platforms from leading technology providers. The programme seeks to remove access barriers and support multi-platform exploration and development.

Quantum computing platforms

The following quantum computing platforms are currently available through the SparQ Access Programme:

Azure Quantum

Pasqal

  • Simulators: EMU-TN, EMU-SV, EMU-FREE
  • Fresnel
  • Fresnel-CAN1

Rigetti

  • Rigetti Quantum Virtual Machine
  • Cepheus-108Q

IonQ

  • IonQ Quantum simulator
  • Aria 1
  • Forte 1
  • Forte Enterprise 1

Quantinuum

  • H2-1
  • H2-2
  • Syntax checkers: H2-1 and H2-2
  • Emulators: H2-1 and H2-2

IBM Quantum

US East Region:

  • Boston – Heron R3
  • Kingston – Heron R2
  • Pittsburgh – Heron R3
  • Fez – Heron R2
  • Marrakesh – Heron R2
  • Miami – Nighthawk R1

EU (Frankfurt) Region:

  • Aachen – Heron R3
  • Brussels – Eagle R3
  • Strasbourg – Eagle R3

Amazon BRAKET

IonQ

  • Forte 1
  • Forte Enterprise 1

Rigetti

  • Ankaa-3
  • Cepheus-1 108Q

IQM

  • Garnet
  • Emerald

QuEra

  • Aquila

AQT

  • IBEX Q1

AWS On-demand Simulators

  • SV1
  • TN1
  • DM1

D-WAVE

Hybrid Solvers
  • Hybrid Binary Quadratic Model (version 2p)
  • Hybrid Constrained Quadratic Model (version 1p)
  • Hybrid Discrete Quadratic Model (version 1p)
  • Hybrid Nonlinear Program (version 1p)
QPUs
  • Advantage Systems (various)
  • Advantage2 Systems (various)

Access for academic users

Users from the UK academic community may apply for access to commercial cloud-hosted quantum computing resources in support of research activities at UK universities and institutions. The current list of available resources is visible above on this webpage.
Access to well-governed and pre-provisioned cloud environments with set allocations of compute time and/or resource are provided initially for three month periods, subject to an application and review process. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis with quarterly review points approximately one month before the start date of the above quarters.
The SparQ Access Programme allocates resources on a quarterly basis, with dates of access listed below:
Q3 2026: 3rd August 2026 – 30th October 2026
  • All submissions received on or before June 30th 2026 will be considered for this period.
  • Notification of award: mid July 2026
Q4 2026-7: 30th October 2026 – 1st February 2027
  • All submissions received on or before August 31st 2026 will be considered for this period.
  • Notification of award: mid September 2026
Q1 2027: 1st February 2027 – 30th April 2027
  • All submissions received on or before December 31st 2026 will be considered for this period.
  • Notification of award: mid January 2027
Q2 2027: 30th April 2027 – 30th July 2027
  • All submissions received on or before February 28th 2027 will be considered for this period.
  • Notification of award: mid March 2027
To apply for the SparQ Academic Access programme, click here
Please direct any application queries you may have to sparqaccess@stfc.ac.uk and any technical or cloud platform related queries to nqcc-qcaas@stfc.ac.uk.