Finland’s quantum technology efforts just got a significant boost with a €13 million injection from the Research Council of Finland. This funding supports the Finnish Quantum Flagship (FQF), a project involving several key organizations set to kick off in March 2024. The FQF aims to enhance quantum expertise, foster collaboration, attract global talent, initiate new research, and promote awareness of quantum tech in Finland. The project spans eight years, with the initial funding covering the first five. FQF, hosted by InstituteQ, will play a crucial role in advancing Finland’s quantum ecosystem, fostering Nordic collaboration, and engaging in broader European and international partnerships.
The Finnish Quantum Flagship (FQF) was established with the primary goal of advancing quantum research, education, and technology development in Finland. This initiative involves collaboration among key organizations, including Aalto University, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, University of Helsinki, University of Jyväskylä, Tampere University, University of Oulu, and CSC-IT Centre for Science.
The FQF, hosted within InstituteQ, a Finnish quantum institute founded in 2021, operates as a collaborative organization for quantum science and technology. The institute was established through collaboration between Aalto University, VTT, and the University of Helsinki.
“With funding in hand, FQF is now armed with the necessary resources to broaden interdisciplinary quantum expertise and translate it beyond the scientific community. This is important. Finland is one of the known forerunners in quantum technologies, and our national collaboration is flexible. Although global competition is getting fierce, the spirit of collaboration among Finnish universities, research institutions, government agencies, and industrial partners is what sets us apart from other countries. The launching of this flagship will serve as a catalyst in bolstering Finland’s excellency in education, research, and industrial development in quantum technologies,” says FQF Director Peter Liljeroth, a professor of physics at Aalto University.
The core objectives of the FQF encompass broadening interdisciplinary quantum expertise, extending the impact of quantum advancements beyond the scientific community, and addressing challenges related to attracting, training, and retaining international talent in the quantum field. The funding allocated to FQF will be utilized to initiate new research activities, support industrial endeavors, and promote awareness of quantum technology within Finnish society through accessible educational programs and training.
In addition to strengthening Finland’s position as a leader in quantum technologies, the FQF emphasizes collaboration not only within the country but also with other Nordic states through the Nordic Quantum international collaborative. Furthermore, the initiative actively engages in broader European collaboration and maintains bilateral relations with countries such as the United States, as part of its strategic agenda.