Correction, 8 November 2026: An earlier version of this article said the CHF 80 million covered 2023–2028. The Swiss Quantum Initiative received CHF 10 million a year for 2023 and 2024, and up to CHF 82.1 million for 2025–2028. I have corrected the text below.
May 2022 – The Swiss Federal Council approved a National Quantum Initiative in 2022, committing CHF 10 million a year to quantum science and technology for 2023 and 2024, followed by up to CHF 82.1 million for 2025–2028. This marked Switzerland’s first centralized quantum tech program, aiming to unify and amplify efforts across research institutions and industry. The funds will support new R&D projects, professorships, and infrastructure in areas like quantum computing, communications (quantum cryptography), and sensing. It also established a coordination office and expert commission to steer the nationwide effort. The move came as Switzerland found itself excluded from some EU science programs (like Horizon Europe), prompting it to double down on home-grown research support.
Why it’s important: With this initiative, Switzerland signaled that it will not fall behind in the global quantum race. The investment gives Swiss researchers resources to remain competitive despite geopolitical hurdles. It also provides certainty to companies and universities that Switzerland is serious about translating quantum breakthroughs into innovation and economic value. Analysts note that CHF 80 million is a significant sum relative to Switzerland’s size, reflecting quantum tech’s strategic importance. The coordinated national program is expected to foster more public-private partnerships and keep talented scientists in Switzerland, strengthening its position as a European quantum hub.
