PEPR Quantum
The Quantum National Research Programm (PEPR Quantum) aims to support academic research in quantum technologies, from fundamental research to proof-of-concept demonstrations. Co-led by CEA, CNRS, and Inria, the programm is part of the France 2030 investment plan, with a dedicated budget of €150 million over 6 years.
Subject to significant economic and geostrategic stakes, quantum technologies are expected to bring about major scientific and technological breakthroughs. These advances will impact society as a whole, with consequences in both civilian and military domains. Their development is the focus of global competition involving nation-states and digital giants, and is progressing in an unusual way due to an unprecedented interaction between fundamental and technological research, as well as entrepreneurial and industrial dynamics.
The challenge is to reach the highest level of international scientific and industrial competition. Above all, it is essential for France and Europe to develop their own solutions to ensure their independence in this key field.
Missions
- Serve as the cornerstone of the National Quantum Strategy by supporting the programs that compose it
- Structure and lead communities through research themes and projects, in coordination with the other programs of the National Quantum Strategy
- De-risk industrial research by fostering increasingly close involvement of private-sector partners in PEPR projects (startups and large corporations)
- Broaden the quantum community by including teams whose core expertise brings novelty and complementarity
- Establish synergies with other acceleration or exploratory PEPRs (Electronics, Cybersecurity, Spin, Future Networks, and AI)
- Structure and lead communities within the European ecosystem, thematic networks (TeQ, MecaQ, Quantum Gases, etc.), and the domain-specific research federations located on university campuses
Axes
The scientific and technological organisation of the program is divided into 4 main areas:
- Area 1: robust solid-state qubits for quantum computing
- Area 2: cold atom qubits for quantum simulation, extended to quantum sensors
- Area 3: quantum algorithms extended to post-quantum algorithms
- Area 4: Quantum communication and beyond
Structuration
To date, the PEPR Quantum has implemented and coordinated the following scientific and technological projects and actions:
- 10 targeted projects whose themes and consortia have been identified to provide an effective response to major scientific and technological challenges, with a view to the rapid deployment of the corresponding sectors in each of the 4 areas.
- 2 additional targeted projects in photonics and electronics, selected as part of the “Calcul Quantique au vol” call for projects.
- 8 winning projects from the call for projects, open to all 4 axes and aimed at addressing themes and groups complementary to those covered by projects already funded, particularly emerging projects.
- EquipEx+ aQCess and eDiamant, which respectively aim to provide academic research laboratories with new resources for cold atom quantum computing and for the synthesis of diamond crystals for quantum sensors.
- Enhancing France’s attractiveness to “rising talents” in the fields covered by the Program’s 4 axes, using a “run-of-the-mill” methodology in line with the opportunities that arise