Quantum Europe Strategy
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Summary
Skills. The Strategy will launch a European Quantum Skills Academy - initially virtual, then networked - linked to Quantum Competence Clusters and Semiconductors Competence Centres. It will host a Quantum Talent Portal, fellowship schemes and “teach-the-teacher” modules to broaden participation and close the gender gap. Complementary actions include a Digital Europe–funded Quantum Apprenticeship pilot and returnships; Advanced Digital Skills Competitions from 2026; an EIC Researchers-in-Residence scheme placing scientists in quantum startups; and a European Quantum Talent Mobility Programme with fellowships for non-EU PhDs and professionals. Skills intelligence will track needs via the European Skills Intelligence Observatory, ensuring training aligns with fast-evolving industrial demand.
Research. It contains coordinated roadmaps to speed research-to-industry. The Commission will publish an EU Quantum Computing and Simulation Roadmap, a Quantum Chips Industrialisation Roadmap, and a European Quantum Standards Roadmap, while expanding Quantum Competence Clusters to link labs, pilot lines and design facilities. It adds a coordinated European Quantum Sensing, Measurement and Testing Roadmap. To catalyse uptake, the EU will pilot two Grand Challenges (fault-tolerant computing; quantum PNT) and launch a Pilot Programme for Researchers-in-Residence in quantum startups. For dual-use and space, it will deliver a Quantum Technology Roadmap in space with ESA and a Quantum Sensing Space & Defence Technology Roadmap aligning civil-security priorities.
Infrastructure. The strategy’s infrastructure track will strengthen secure networks, prove platforms, and link civil–defence use. EuroQCI expands 2025–2035 with cross-border terrestrial links, satellite ground stations and EU certification, converging with IRIS² for end-to-end QKD services. In 2026, a pilot European Quantum Internet will test quantum-safe components and early use cases alongside the EU’s post-quantum cryptography roadmap. Europe will deploy ground/airborne gravimeters and prepare a space-gravimetry pathfinder after 2030. A centralised network of open-access quantum testbeds will serve developers, startups and SMEs. An EU-wide Quantum Technology Risk Assessment concludes in 2026. Spin-in initiatives from 2026 accelerate defence uptake.
Action items
Amend the EuroHPC JU Regulation to extend its remit to all quantum technologies and,as a first step, transfer present Horizon Europe Pillar 2 R&I quantum activities into the JU [Q3 2025]
Present the Quantum Act proposal [2026]
Publish the EU Quantum Computing and Simulation Roadmap [2026]
Expand the number and capacity of EuroHPC-based quantum computing systems [2026 onwards] and set up a monitoring framework for quantum computing [2026]
Deploy the first EU-interconnected experimental quantum terrestrial and space secure communication network [by 2030]
Publish a Quantum Communication Roadmap [2026]
Launch a pilot facility for the European Quantum Internet [2026]
Deploy a distributed system of gravimeters across Europe [2026 onwards]
Publish a Quantum Sensing Roadmap [2026]
Establish a European Q-MRI Pilot Infrastructure and scale it up across Europe [2025 onwards]
Establish six new quantum pilot production lines under the Chips Joint Undertaking to scale technologies from lab to the market [2025]
Release a Quantum Chips Industrialisation Roadmap [2026]
Launch a quantum design facility [2026]
Publish a European Quantum Standards Roadmap [2026]
Expand the network of quantum competence clusters [2026]
Carry out and finalise EU-wide assessments of supply chain vulnerabilities[2025-2026]
Sign a cooperation agreement with ESA for the development of a Quantum Technology Roadmap in space [Q2 2025]
Develop a quantum sensing space & defence technology roadmap [2026]
Contribute to the European Armament Technological Roadmap [Q4 2025]
Launch spin-in initiatives to bring-in civil companies and academia for defence applications [as of 2026, onwards]
Establish the European Quantum Skills Academy [2026]
Launch European Advanced Digital Skills Competitions in quantum [as of 2026, onwards]
Launch a Pilot Programme for Researchers-in-Residence in Quantum Technology Startups [2025]
Launch the European Quantum Talent Mobility Programme [2026, onwards]
Extend and launch new bilateral and multilateral cooperation initiatives with like-minded countries [2025 onwards]
Work with the Member States on a European Quantum International Cooperation Framework [2025 onwards]