New centre to strengthen Sweden in the quantum race

Quantum technology is currently at a critical global turning point, with major investments being made in both research and infrastructure.

“We are in the middle of a rapid transition – quantum technology is advancing quickly, with strong environments emerging in countries such as the United States, China, the United Kingdom, and Germany. We expect it to break through on a broad scale within 10–15 years, and the decisions we take today will have a major impact on the future,” says Göran Johansson, Professor of Applied Quantum Physics at Chalmers University of Technology.

Sweden already hosts strong fundamental research and internationally leading environments in quantum technology, including the country’s most extensive quantum research programme, the Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology. Through collaborations, partnerships, and testbeds, industry is actively engaged, with key support from funding bodies such as the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.

However, national coordination is currently lacking, and new government initiatives risk creating fragmentation if they are not properly aligned. In response, Chalmers University of Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Lund University, Stockholm University, Linköping University, and Uppsala University have signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding to establish the Swedish Center for Quantum Technology. Through coordination and long-term capacity building, the center will help position Sweden for the rapid developments expected in the coming decades.

”The formation of a national quantum centre allows us to take advantage of the breadth and expertise that exists in the area at our universities. We are gathering breadth and developing cutting-edge in quantum technology,” says Stockholm University President Hans Adolfsson.

Together, the six universities will contribute across the full value chain – from fundamental research to early-stage industrial and societal applications – covering research, education, infrastructure, and innovation. By improving coordination of expertise, infrastructure, and funding, the initiative aims to strengthen Sweden’s role as an attractive partner in both the Nordic region and Europe.

Strategic research area at Stockholm University

During the spring, the Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet) announced which research environments at Swedish universities they recommend the government provide funding to in the call for strategic research areas. In the area of quantum technologies, the Swedish Research Council proposes that an application in which Stockholm University is the main applicant – together with Linköping University and Uppsala University – should be awarded SEK 40 million per year in research funding. Emil Bergholtz, Professor of Physics at Stockholm University, is responsible for this research environment. He will also represent Stockholm University in the new national quantum center.

“The new centre can provide an important platform for collaborations and national pooling of power within a research field with great future potential,” says Emil Bergholtz.

He believes the new centre can provide relevant basic research of international top class.

“Quantum technology is a very special subject. While the potential is almost limitless, no one really knows for sure which aspects, applications and platforms will prove most useful. Universities, and not least Stockholm University, play a central role in this with forward-looking and curiosity-driven research in areas where applications of quantum physics are particularly likely, such as in photonics, cold atoms/ions and new materials.

Read about research in quantum physics at Stockholm University