Generation Quantum: 12 Million Euros for Training in Quantum Sciences
The European Commission has approved the application by Eucor – The European Campus for a new international doctoral training program in quantum sciences and technologies: “Gen-Q” will enable 51 young scientists to pursue a PhD with an international, interdisciplinary, and intersectoral focus. Eleven of them will conduct research at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). The project has a duration of five years and a total budget of over 12 million euros. (Source: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology – Press Releases)
In addition to the five Eucor universities in Germany, France, and Switzerland—namely, the universities of Basel, Freiburg, Haute-Alsace, and Strasbourg, as well as KIT—the universities of Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Poznań, Poland, are also involved.
“Quantum sciences are at the forefront when it comes to developing future-proof solutions, especially in information and communication technologies. We can only advance quickly through cross-border collaboration—and with creative minds,” says Professor Thomas Hirth, Vice President for International Affairs and Innovation at KIT and Vice President of Eucor. “With Gen-Q, we are deliberately focusing on young scientists: This program allows us to identify and support talents at an early stage.”
“Quantum science and technology is an interdisciplinary field that explores and harnesses the principles of physics, chemistry, materials science, and computer science,” says Professor Guido Pupillo from the University of Strasbourg, scientific director of the program. “At Gen-Q, we leverage this broad range of perspectives to work on cutting-edge future technologies such as quantum computing and quantum sensing. To achieve this, we will attract a large cohort of young, talented researchers from around the world to the Upper Rhine region and to all European Gen-Q partner institutions. This program is therefore of great importance to our institutions, regions, countries, and to Europe.”
Professor Mario Ruben will lead Gen-Q at KIT, where eleven PhD students will conduct their research within the program.
Interdisciplinary, intersectoral, international
The program focuses on four key research areas: overcoming noise in quantum devices; increasing the complexity of qubits and sensors; developing quantum hardware; and advancing quantum software and hybrid computing. The young researchers will choose their PhD locations among the participating institutions and will also collaborate with various industry partners in the region.
“The goal of Gen-Q is to contribute to addressing future challenges in European quantum science and technology while simultaneously training the next generation of researchers required for this field,” says Professor Andrea Schenker-Wicki, Rector of the University of Basel and President of Eucor. The joint program builds on years of collaboration among scientists in the Upper Rhine region, particularly through the recently completed QUSTEC program (Quantum Science and Technologies at the European Campus). This project further strengthens the network’s strategic focus on Quantum Science and Technologies. The Eucor universities are already working with their partner institutions in the Netherlands and Poland within the European university alliance EPICUR. Gen-Q has a total budget of more than 12 million euros, of which the European Union is providing six million euros. Additional funding comes from Swiss contributions and co-financing by the participating partner universities.
For Gen-Q, the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) Eucor – The European Campus has received funding through the EU research framework program Horizon Europe under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie “COFUND” scheme to support the mobility of scientists. The five universities in the Upper Rhine region established the first EGTC exclusively run by universities in 2015.
KIT/S. Fodi, 26.02.2025
Note: The article has been translated from German to English. It is based on a press release from KIT.
The original press release can be found at:
Generation Quantum: 12 Millionen Euro für die Ausbildung in den Quantenwissenschaften (only in german)
Localization in Helmholtz Information:
Helmholtz Information, Program 2: Natural, Artificial and Cognitive Information Processing, Topic 2: Quantum Computing
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Mario Ruben
Institute of Nanotechnology
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie
Phone: +49 721 608-26781
E-Mail: mario.ruben@kit.edu
Contact for this press release:
Dr. Sabine Fodi
Press Officer
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
Phone: +49 721 608-41154
E-Mail: sabine.fodi@kit.edu
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