Europe’s Quantum Flagship initiative

TLDR

The quantum technology field is rapidly commercializing, intensifying global competition. Europe launched a €1 billion, 10‑year Quantum Flagship to maintain its lead and spur a continent‑wide quantum industry. The initiative centers on 20 projects targeting key quantum applications—communications, computing, simulation, sensing, and metrology—supported by basic science and a network of European funding bodies.

Abstract

As the first applications leap out of research laboratories toward commercialization, the global race for dominance in the maturing field of quantum technologies is becoming ever fiercer. To retain its historical lead and kick-start a continent-wide quantum-driven industry and accelerate market take-up, Europe has launched the Quantum Flagship, an ambitious €1 billion, 10 year endeavor. This article provides an overview of the underlying considerations and the current state of the initiative. Furthermore, it briefly presents the 20 projects selected to be at the core of the ramp-up phase of the initiative, which will address core applications of quantum technologies such as communications, computing, simulation, as well as sensing and metrology, all of which are supported by basic science. Finally, we present the broader ecosystem of European funding instruments and institutions which aim to create the next generation of disruptive technologies within quantum sciences, placing Europe as a worldwide knowledge-based industrial and technological leader in this innovative field.