Key Elements of a National Quantum Strategy

National Quantum Strategy Briefing Report Quantum computing has increasingly been recognized by governments as a strategic national capability with far-reaching implications for economic competitiveness, national security, scientific #leadership, and technological #sovereignty. As a result, a growing number of countries have adopted formal national #quantum strategies that converge around five pillars: sustained public investment in quantum #research, pathways for commercialization and scale-up, development of a highly skilled quantum #workforce, protection of critical infrastructure, and alignment with #standards, #cybersecurity, and #governance frameworks. Several advanced economies have already published comprehensive national quantum strategies. #Germany introduced one of the earliest coordinated national approaches and has continued to refine it through updated federal programs. #France launched its national quantum plan in 2021, emphasizing sovereignty, industrial competitiveness, and dual-use applications. The #UnitedKingdom published a 10-year National Quantum Strategy in 2023, integrating research excellence with commercialization and defense priorities. #Canada released its National Quantum Strategy the same year, positioning quantum as a cornerstone of long-term economic growth and innovation. At the supranational level, the European Union adopted the Quantum Europe Strategy, framing quantum technologies as essential to strategic autonomy and future competitiveness. #SouthKorea has similarly advanced a national strategy focused on industrial leadership and global supply-chain positioning. #China, #India, and #Australia have each adopted distinct national approaches to quantum technologies reflecting their economic models and strategic priorities. China embeds quantum development within long-term state planning, emphasizing large-scale public investment, infrastructure build-out, and technological self-reliance across communications, computing, and sensing. India advances quantum computing through its mission-driven National Quantum Mission, which focuses on capacity building, indigenous innovation, workforce development, and strategic applications aligned with national digital initiatives. Australia’s National Quantum Strategy is industry-centric, prioritizing commercialization, talent attraction, research translation, and international collaboration to position the country as a competitive global quantum #innovation hub. The United States recently took a step with a newly issued executive order on quantum technologies, mandating a whole-of-government approach and directing federal agencies to update and operationalize a comprehensive National Quantum Strategy. It emphasizes accelerated deployment of quantum computing, sensing, and networking capabilities; strengthened public–private and allied partnerships; and enhanced coordination across research, #defense, and #energy agencies.

#Quantum is now a strategic policy priority and countries are moving from vision to execution. Key takeaways from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Digital Economy Papers No. 379 (2025) on national quantum #strategies & #policy #instruments: ▪︎ Scale is significant: governments worldwide have committed an estimated USD 55.7B to quantum S&T since 2013; by Nov 2025, 18 OECD Members + the EU have formal strategies. ▪︎ Why governments invest: anticipated productivity and sector breakthroughs (sensing, computing, communications) + strategic #autonomy / #national #security, including digital security & dual-use concerns. ▪︎ Strategies help coordinate fragmented funding and increasingly use mission-oriented approaches to align programmes, end-users and deployment pathways. ▪︎ #Governance models vary widely: some strategies sit inside broader S&T agendas; others are stand-alone with dedicated bodies. In several cases, governance is placed at the **highest executive level. ▪︎ #KPIs are a differentiator: from hard tech metrics (e.g., qubit/performance targets) to ecosystem outcomes (workforce, start-ups, IP, market share, supply chain autonomy, international collaboration), with an emerging push to standardise KPIs. ▪︎ Five policy instruments underpin most “quantum policy mixes”: 1. Institutional funding for public research + infrastructures (labs, testbeds, quantum clouds) and skills 2. Project grants for public research and cross-disciplinary collaboration 3. Business R&D grants to de-risk commercialisation 4. Public #procurement to stimulate early demand and raise TRLs 5. #Equity financing to crowd-in capital for start-ups ▪︎ Policy landscape is broadening: the #OECD policy database tracks ~250 quantum policies across 40 countries + the EU. ▪︎ International dimension is changing: collaboration remains important, but cross-country co-authorship fell from ~33% to <30% (2019–2022); US–EU collaboration intensity declined ~15% (2018–2022) amid rising strategic/security constraints. ▪︎ Protection & #standards are rising together: more countries are introducing export controls on quantum-related tech/materials, while strategies emphasise participation in global standardisation (incl. post-quantum cryptography), with an open debate on how early to standardise. OECD (2025), “An overview of national strategies and policies for quantum technologies”, OECD Digital Economy Papers, No. 379, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://lnkd.in/dbQC-xPS

Turning Europe into a quantum industrial powerhouse Europe has been the cradle of quantum mechanics, the revolutionary science born from the genius of Max Planck, Albert Einstein, Niels Bohr, Erwin Schrödinger, and other visionaries who rewrote the rules of physical reality. On 2 July 2025, in the year marking a centenary since the initial development of quantum mechanics, the Commission has adopted an ambitious European Quantum Strategy, integrating Europe's unique scientific heritage with its vibrant quantum ecosystem of startups, SMEs, large industries, research and technology organisations, academia and research institutes. The mission is clear: turn Europe into a quantum industrial powerhouse that transforms breakthrough science into market-ready applications, while maintaining its scientific leadership. We are imagining a Union where medical scans can detect illnesses at the earliest stages, accelerating from weeks of uncertainty to mere seconds of precise diagnosis; where sensors are able to warn about volcanic activity or water shortages before they happen; and where unprecedented computational power will be available to solve complex problems in logistics, finance and climate modelling. A safer Europe, where our personal data, critical infrastructure, and businesses will always remain private and well-protected; where transport systems are optimised to reduce congestion and prevent accidents; and air travel is guided by quantum-enhanced precision navigation, pinpointing objects' locations down to the centimetre. A greener Europe, where sustainable energy grids can flawlessly manage millions of electric vehicles charging simultaneously overnight. These tangible, transformative technologies are within reach through support from the EU Quantum Strategy. The quantum community has clearly outlined what's needed to achieve this future: · Combine Europe's scientific excellence to bring quantum breakthroughs rapidly to market · Develop advanced quantum supercomputers like the ones we are supporting under the Quantum Flagship and are acquiring under the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking to operate as accelerators next to our leading network of supercomputers · Deploy secure communication networks such as those under EuroQCI, our secure quantum communication infrastructure that will be spanning the whole EU, composed of a terrestrial segment relying on fibre communications networks linking strategic sites at national and cross-border level, and a space segment based on satellites · Support quantum startups and SMEs, enhancing supply chain resilience, and foster supranational innovation clusters · Integrate quantum advancements into strategic capabilities for security and defence, protecting citizens and infrastructure · Educate Europe's workforce through specialised initiatives like the European Quantum Skills Academy Quantum is not one more technology to add to the list; is a high tide that will deeply transform our society and economy.

Europe has spent decades building world-class quantum research. The question now is how to translate that into real capability and societal benefit.   Over the past years, I’ve been a part of building a strong Danish quantum ecosystem – with a strategic focus on quantum computing, materials, sensing, and early industrialisation, with the Novo Nordisk Foundation playing a central role.   In practice, this means focusing on: – building globally competitive infrastructure that can be used across research and industry – aligning funding with long-term, mission-driven goals – bringing together physicists, engineers, clinicians, and companies in the same environments – creating clearer pathways from research to application and scale-up   One thing we try to do differently is to connect the elements early – not treating research, translation, and scale-up as separate phases, but as parts of the same mission. We are already seeing new companies emerge directly from this environment, growing alongside science rather than years after it.   Globally, quantum is now moving from research into commercialisation. This shift is happening fast with merging and fortifying of strongholds alongside significant investments.   Europe is in a strong position scientifically. But if we want to stay competitive, we need to move more deliberately from excellent research environments to integrated, industrial capabilities, creating global champions.   I look forward to the discussion on how we get there, including in the context of the upcoming Quantum Act in the EU.   #quantum #innovation #EuropeanCommission #QuantumAct

China’s latest quantum policy signals make one thing clear: quantum technology continues moving from the laboratory to the core of national strategy. Over the past weeks, Beijing approved the framework for its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), where quantum technologies are positioned among the most critical “future industries” shaping the next phase of economic and technological development. The plan calls for accelerated investment in quantum computing, quantum communications, and related frontier technologies as part of a broader push toward technological self-reliance and advanced industrial capability. (Reuters) This policy direction comes on top of a rapidly expanding ecosystem. China’s quantum sector has been growing at more than 30 percent annually, with the number of companies in the field increasing significantly in recent years as commercialization begins to take shape. (China Briefing) At the same time, research groups continue to report scientific milestones. Chinese teams have recently demonstrated advances in scalable quantum networks and in quantum teleportation experiments, illustrating progress across both communication and information processing capabilities. (Chinese Academy of Sciences) The broader strategic objective is clear: to build an integrated ecosystem that spans quantum computing, quantum communications, and next-generation network infrastructure. Long-distance quantum communication experiments, including intercontinental satellite links, are already pointing toward the future architecture of secure global networks. (NetMission.Asia) For policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers worldwide, these developments underline a deeper transformation underway. Quantum technologies are no longer viewed solely as a scientific frontier. They are increasingly embedded in industrial strategy, national security planning, and global technological competition. The next decade will likely determine which countries succeed in translating quantum science into scalable infrastructure, secure communications, and practical computational advantage. Resources in the comment section! #QuantumTechnology #QuantumComputing #QuantumSecurity #DeepTech #TechnologyPolicy #Innovation

By 2029, the encryption protecting India's banks, hospitals, power grid, and defence networks may no longer work. We have 36 months. And we are still debating algorithms when we should be writing policy. India has a Quantum Mission. India does not yet have a Quantum Policy. Here is what that policy must contain — in six moves, not sixty: → A National Quantum Security Directive under Section 70B of the IT Act — giving CERT-In and NCIIPC statutory teeth. → Sectoral PQC mandates from RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, TRAI, CEA, and NHA. One directive each. This fiscal year. → "No New Classical-Only" procurement, codified in the General Financial Rules and flagged on GeM. Every rupee earns a Cryptographic Bill of Materials. → DPDP rules protecting long-life data — Aadhaar, UPI, ABDM — with hard re-encryption timelines by 2028. → A National QKD Backbone anchored by C-DoT fiber and ISRO satellites. The 1,000 km milestone is the floor, not the ceiling. → A Quantum Security Coordinator in the PMO — because ownership is the single biggest gap today. A roadmap is not a regulation. A laboratory is not a standard. A mission is not a market. Adversaries are already running Harvest-Now-Decrypt-Later against critical infrastructure in India. Every day without a statutory quantum-safe policy is another day of encrypted Indian data being archived for the year the quantum era arrives. Ministries. Regulators. CISOs. Where does your cryptographic inventory stand? #QuantumPolicy #QDay2029 #PostQuantum #CyberSecurity #DigitalIndia #WDC

⚛️ #𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮’𝘀 #𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗺 𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗛𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: 𝟮𝟬𝟯𝟱 By 2035, quantum technologies are expected to influence $1–2 trillion of global economic value. Over 20 countries already have national quantum missions. More than $40+ billion in public funding has been committed worldwide. Quantum is no longer experimental. It is becoming economic, strategic and geopolitical. This roadmap by NITI Aayog lays out what it will take for India to move from quantum ambition to quantum advantage. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗺 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟯𝟱 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗘𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 • Computing, communication, sensing, materials • Moving from labs to early adoption • Hybrid classical-quantum systems emerging 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗺 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸 • Chips → systems → software → applications • Value created only when the full chain connects 𝗘𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 • Security, export controls, and trust are central • Governance must evolve with capability • Delay creates strategic exposure 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟯𝟱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱: 𝗔 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗺-𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 #𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 • Talent pipelines at national scale • Indigenous quantum infrastructure • Commercial use cases, not just research wins 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 • Compete with, not depend on, global players • Shape standards, IP, and supply chains • Export capability, not vulnerability 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗿𝘂𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘀 • Compute limits • Encryption and cybersecurity • Materials discovery and optimisation • Security asymmetry • Talent concentration • Global dependency chains 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 • Finance: risk modelling and optimisation • Healthcare: drug discovery and genomics • Energy & climate: simulation and materials • Defence & space: sensing and secure comms 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 ✅ Prioritise 3–5 high-impact quantum domains ✅ Align research with national needs ✅ Scale talent fast ✅ Build shared infrastructure ✅ Patient capital for deep tech ✅ Procurement as a catalyst ✅Global collaboration with sovereignty 𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲  Quantum has crossed the line from research to national consequence. By 2035, strategic strength will be measured not by experiments run, but by sovereignty secured, ecosystems built, and long-term advantage sustained. 📌 When quantum breaks today’s encryption, will we be ready or reactive? #Quantim #QuantumEconomy #DeepTechIndia #QuantumComputing #FutureOfIndia #TechStrategy #InnovationPolicy #DigitalSovereignty Follow Shalini Rao for more.

An Overview of National Strategies and Policies for Quantum Technologies! I. Quantum Governments worldwide are investing in quantum technologies to pursue economic benefits, technological leadership and national security. Quantum is increasingly recognised as a strategic, system-shaping technology II. Opportunity Quantum sensing, computing and communication promise capabilities beyond classical digital technologies. Potential impacts include healthcare, drug discovery, materials, energy systems, logistics and environmental sustainability, with longer-term contributions to societal challenges such as food and water security III. Challenges Most quantum technologies remain immature and are not yet widely commercialised. Long development timelines, high uncertainty and significant digital security and dual-use risks limit private investment IV. National Strategies and Policies Governments are adopting national quantum strategies to coordinate funding, manage risks and shape domestic ecosystems. By late 2025, USD 55.7 billion had been committed globally, and 18 OECD countries plus the EU had formal strategies V. Key instruments Five instruments underpin national strategies: 1. Institutional funding for public research to sustain core capabilities, infrastructure and skills 2. Project grants for public research to drive targeted and collaborative research 3. Business R&D grants to de-risk industrial innovation and early commercialisation 4. Public procurement to stimulate demand for pre-commercial applications 5. Equity financing to support start-ups and crowd-in private capital VI. Cross-disciplinary collaboration Policies commonly promote collaboration across scientific disciplines, industry sectors and borders to leverage complementary expertise and accelerate innovation VII. Slowing collaboration International collaboration in quantum research appears to be weakening, with cross-country co-authorship declining from about 33% to below 30% between 2019 and 2022 VIII. Outlook Overall, quantum policies aim to strengthen national research and industrial capacity by sustaining basic science while improving pathways from research to commercial application Make sure to check out the insightful report by OECD - OCDE here: https://lnkd.in/eQz8e2gF ______ Stay Ahead of Transformative Innovation Follow The Futuring Alliance for regular insights, foresight, and practical tools to help your organization thrive in times of change. We support leaders across industries in turning future-focused ideas into real-world impact—through collaboration, innovation, and bold action. Let’s shape what’s next—together. #innovation #policy #tech #quantum #foresight #system #systemschange #strategy