SQC: Swiss Quantum Commission
2024 marked the second year of the SQI with a focus on shaping and launching further quantum-specific funding instruments - mainly targeted at applied research and innovation. A new instrument was launched with the introduction of the 2024 Quantum Voucher Model, designed to make broader and more efficient use of existing infrastructures, platforms, and shared services supporting quantum innovation in Switzerland. With more than 120 applications, the model was well received, and 60 vouchers have been awarded, with a total volume of 3 Mio. CHF committed.
In parallel, decisions were taken on the research call “2024 Quantum Call” launched via the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) in 2023. 13 new research projects were selected with a volume of CHF 16 million. Further, with a view on 2025 and beyond, strategic discussions with the SNSF and Innosuisse led to the design of a quantum-specific innovation call, focusing on the earlier stages of innovation in between academic and commercial activities.
Strategic discussions with the quantum research and innovation communities took place at the Swiss Quantum Day 2024 in Villars-sur-Orlon end of January and the Quantum Industry in Switzerland in Arlesheim in September. The SQI maintains an ongoing close working relationship with the Open Quantum Institute (OQI) and joined forces to prepare and promote the UNESECO International Year of Quantum Science 2025.
Overall, in 2024 the SQI was actively involved in more than 40 events and conferences and provided financial support to 11 of them as part of the continuously ongoing SQI call for events and conferences.
The Swiss Quantum Commission (SQC) published the “SQC Recommendation for Public Funding 2025–2028” in November 2023, followed by the “SQI Planning for 2025–2028 – Addendum I and II” in January 2024.
In 2024, the SQI provided financial support to the following events through the call for events and conferences:
– Swiss Quantum Days 2024
– Workshop: Quantum Repeaters and Networks WQRN 2024
– Workshop: Foundations of Quantum Physics beyond Bell_Celebrating 60 years of Bell's theorem
– Global Quantum Symposium 2024
– Summer School on Quantum Key Distribution
– Conference : Quantum Physics with Trapped Particles
– Conference: Resonator-mediated quantum many-body physics
– Silicon Quantum Electronics Workshop 2024 (SiQEW 2024)
– QIDiS, Quantum Industry Day in Switzerland 2024
– Symposium and Compendium: Making Quantum Physics Accessible
– Case Studies: Application of Quantum Technology, QuanTech Symposium
The SQI also hosted two Projektcafés at SCNAT, inviting all employees of a+. The first session introduced key concepts and definitions in quantum science and featured a demonstration of the double-slit experiment. In the second session, Dr. Adrian Wüthrich (TU Berlin) provided insights into the philosophical aspects of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) paradoxon.
The SQI was represented at several international events and formats, including
– World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos
– WEF Quantum Economy Meeting in Geneva
– Global Quantum Symposium in Basel
– Swiss-Japanese Quantum Symposium in Tokyo
– Quantum World Congress and Quantum Week including the Multilateral Dialogue on Quantum (MDQ) in Washington
– Quantum delegation visit of Denmark to Switzerland in Zurich and Basel
– International Exchange on Quantum at the Swiss Embassy in Paris
– Reception of a Korean delegation at the ETH Quantum Center in Zürich
– Meeting of the Transatlantic Quantum Community in Copenhagen
– Canadian – Swiss exchange on quantum in Calgary
– Swiss-US exchange on quantum in Bern
– Swiss – Australian exchange on quantum in Basel
Additionally, SQC President Nicolas Gisin was awarded the Micius Prize in Beijing. On an ongoing basis, the SQI also supports the Multilateral Dialogue on Quantum (MDQ) coordinated by SERI.
The SQI supports numerous initiatives to promote young researchers through its call for events and conferences. Notable examples specifically aimed at young scientists and young adults include:
– Summer School on Quantum Key Distribution
– Symposium and Compendium : Making Quantum Physics Accessible
– Case Studies and QuanTech Symposium : Application of Quantum Technology
In 2024, seven meetings of the Swiss Quantum Commission (SQC) were held with members of the SQC and representatives from SCNAT, SERI, SNSF, and Innosuisse. Additionally, one internal SQC meeting focused on discussions around the ERI Dispatch 2025–2028 took place.
Anna Fontcuberta stepped down from the SQC at the end of 2023 following her appointment as President of EPFL. She was succeeded by Thomas Vidick (EPFL).
A. Masuhr, Head of the SQI, participated in the first 2024 plenum meeting of the Platform Mathematics, Astronomy, and Physics (MAP) to provide updates on SQI activities.
Furthermore, the SQC organized two roundtables: one during the Swiss Quantum Days with representatives from quantum centers and NCCRs, and another during the Quantum Industry Day with representatives from industry, research centers, and the federal administration.
The SQI coordinated strategic discussions with the SNSF and Innosuisse to prepare the design of a quantum-specific innovation call, focusing on the earlier stages of innovation in between academic and commercial activities.
None.
The SQI website and LinkedIn account serve as primary channels for announcing initiatives, funding calls, and events supported by the SQI.