Six Swedish universities are joining forces to establish the Swedish Center for Quantum Technology, a national hub for research, innovation, education, and capacity building in quantum technology. The initiative will be coordinated at Chalmers University of Technology and aims to strengthen Sweden’s international competitiveness and serve as a driving force for the development and application of quantum technologies.
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, WACQT. 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.
“Sweden needs to act in a coordinated way to maintain and strengthen its international position. This initiative lays the foundation for Sweden to become ‘quantum ready’ – and, in the longer term, one of Europe’s key hubs in quantum technology,” says Martin Nilsson Jacobi, President and CEO at Chalmers, the university that will coordinate the national quantum center.
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.
“To remain competitive in this highly demanding international landscape, we need a shared vision and close collaboration between academia, industry, and government. This initiative brings together expertise and resources in a completely new way, taking important steps toward the goal of making Sweden a European leader in quantum technology by 2035,” says Maria Messing, Head of the Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience at Chalmers.
- Head of Department, Microtechnology and Nanoscience