Two Research Lines Funded in NWO’s Quantum Technology Call

The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) will launch a funding call in July focused on securing future quantum technologies through two distinct research lines: one aiming for entanglement for portable quantum networks and the other dedicated to post-quantum cryptography operating on existing ICT systems. This program seeks to bolster a sustainable knowledge base in quantum technology, with applications envisioned for defense and infrastructure-poor environments. Researchers pursuing portable entanglement, generating and storing it for mobile use, will be permitted to submit proposals as consortia, fostering collaboration across disciplines and with companies. Researchers focused on post-quantum cryptography will submit individual proposals, reflecting a structural difference in how these critical areas are encouraged to develop; NWO aims to fund multiple projects within each line to promote new scientific insights.

Entanglement for Portable Quantum Networks

This represents a significant departure from current quantum network demonstrations, which typically rely on extensive and stable infrastructure to maintain delicate quantum states. The goal is to create deployable applications suited for mobile use, a feat requiring innovations in both entanglement generation and memory technologies. NWO is structuring the funding opportunities differently for this research line versus post-quantum cryptography; consortia submissions are only permitted for Research Line 1. This deliberate design encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, allowing researchers to partner with experts from diverse fields and, crucially, with societal organizations including companies. “Consortia may consist of researchers from various relevant disciplines as well as relevant societal organisations, including companies,” according to the NWO pre-announcement. The program’s emphasis on storing entanglement long-term is particularly ambitious, as maintaining quantum coherence, the preservation of quantum properties, over extended periods remains a major hurdle. The Ministry of Defence is financially supporting the NWO initiative, underscoring the strategic importance of securing quantum capabilities for the Netherlands.

Post-Quantum Cryptography for Existing Systems

The immediate threat to current digital security isn’t necessarily the widespread availability of quantum computers capable of breaking encryption, but the vulnerability of systems already in place. This approach acknowledges that transitioning to entirely new quantum systems is a long-term undertaking, and immediate action is needed to safeguard data against potential future decryption. NWO’s forthcoming ‘Security and Resilience in a Quantum Era’ call for proposals distinguishes between two research lines: one dedicated to portable entanglement for quantum networks, and another focused entirely on post-quantum cryptography operating on conventional systems. This dual strategy reflects an understanding that security requires both long-term innovation and near-term mitigation. Researchers pursuing the latter will submit individual proposals, a structural difference from the entanglement research line which encourages collaborative consortia. The emphasis on post-quantum cryptography aims to increase knowledge and confidence in algorithms designed to resist attacks from both classical and quantum computers.

Unlike quantum key distribution, which requires specialized hardware, these cryptographic methods are intended to function within the existing digital landscape, offering a potentially faster and more cost-effective path to enhanced security. NWO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, anticipates funding multiple projects within each research line, with proposals accepted until November following the call’s publication in July. The Ministry of Defence has committed financial resources to NWO, supporting research programs centered on themes relevant to national security and innovative capacity.