QUantum computing for Excellence in Science and Technology

Projektinformationen

QUEST

ID Finanzhilfevereinbarung: 101087126

DOI

10.3030/101087126

EK-Unterschriftsdatum 26 Oktober 2022

Startdatum 1 Januar 2023

Enddatum 31 Dezember 2027

Finanziert unter

• Widening participation and spreading excellence

Gesamtkosten

€ 2 499 341,25

EU-Beitrag

€ 2 499 341,00

Koordiniert durch

THE CYPRUS INSTITUTE
Cyprus

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - QUEST (QUantum computing for Excellence in Science and Technology)

Berichtszeitraum: 2024-04-01 bis 2025-12-31

Zusammenfassung vom Kontext und den Gesamtzielen des Projekts

The QUEST project, led by ERA Chair Prof. Karl Jansen, aims to establish a Quantum Computing (QC) research group at Cyprus Institute's Computation-based Science and Technology Research Center (CaSToRC). Dr. Jansen, also leading the Center for Quantum Technology Applications (CQTA) at DESY, will spearhead the creation of a Quantum Computing Hub, fostering collaboration between CaSToRC and CQTA for scientific, industrial and governmental applications. Under Prof. Jansen's leadership, the project will recruit and mentor a senior researcher to sustain efforts beyond its duration, build up the group of post-docs and PhD students, provide training, and foster collaborations with local and international teams for ongoing funding. Addressing Cyprus's shortage of QC expertise and infrastructure compared to other EU nations, QUEST aims to make Cyprus "quantum ready," aligning with wider EU objectives. Leveraging CaSToRC's role as Cyprus's national high-performance centre, QUEST seeks to maximize participation in European Quantum Computing (QC) initiatives like EuroHPC Joint Undertaking and the quantum technologies flagship program.


Main objectives:
Objective 1: Establish a vibrant research group in Cyprus that excels in the spearheading of research in QC, led by ERA Chair Dr. Karl Jansen of DESY Zeuthen
Objective 2: Recruit a senior researcher in physics, mathematics, quantum information science or related areas with a focus on QC algorithms at a tenure track assistant professorship position to become team leader ensuring the sustainability of the QUEST activities
Objective 3: Establish a QHub at CaSToRC in close partnership with CQTA of DESY to serve as a collaborative platform for joint projects and innovative ideas, interconnecting researchers from research institutions in Cyprus, forging collaborations, pursuing applications in industry, and targeting new funding revenues
Objective 4: Promote technology applications of QC through the partnership with CQTA of DESY, developing common demonstrators for industry and benchmarking of QC applications, and bridging to the high-tech industry
Objective 5: Enrich the curriculum of the PhD and MSc programs by adding new modules on QC and hands-on training to address the skills deficit in QC
Objective 6: Pursue outreach activities to raise awareness on the importance of quantum technologies in academia, industry and society

Arbeit, die ab Beginn des Projekts bis zum Ende des durch den Bericht erfassten Berichtszeitraums geleistet wurde, und die wichtigsten bis dahin erzielten Ergebnisse

QUEST progressed from an initial capacity-building phase into a consolidation and delivery phase, achieving significant technical and scientific results fully aligned with the Grant Agreement. A critical mass of researchers in quantum computing was established at CaSToRC, resulting in the first stable and visible quantum computing research group in Cyprus.

Core research activities were successfully launched in quantum algorithms, error mitigation, and hybrid quantum–classical methods, with concrete applications in physics, cryptography, and engineering, leading to peer-reviewed publications, preprints, and international conference contributions.

The Quantum Hub (QHub) became operational as a hardware-agnostic coordination platform, enabling benchmarking methodologies, simulator-based workflows, and access to alternative quantum hardware through structured collaboration with DESY/CQTA and other European partners. Scientific collaboration mechanisms were formalised through personnel exchanges, co-supervision of PhD students, joint training events, and shared research planning, embedding CyI research within leading European quantum networks.

In parallel, QUEST delivered tangible educational and capacity-building outcomes through new quantum computing modules at MSc and PhD level, hands-on training workshops, and the preparation of a future MSc programme in Quantum Computing. Initial technology-oriented and industrial engagement activities were also established, laying the groundwork for application-driven demonstrators, benchmarking use cases, and future innovation projects.

Collectively, these achievements confirm that QUEST has met its technical and scientific objectives for the period and is on a solid trajectory toward delivering its long-term scientific, technological, and institutional impact.

Fortschritte, die über den aktuellen Stand der Technik hinausgehen und voraussichtliche potenzielle Auswirkungen (einschließlich der bis dato erzielten sozioökonomischen Auswirkungen und weiter gefassten gesellschaftlichen Auswirkungen des Projekts)

The results achieved by QUEST establish a strong foundation for long-term scientific, technological, and institutional impact in quantum computing in Cyprus and beyond.

Scientifically, the project has created sustainable research capacity, produced internationally visible outputs, and embedded CyI within European quantum research networks through QHub and strategic collaboration with DESY/CQTA.

Technologically, QUEST has developed reproducible algorithmic frameworks, benchmarking methodologies, and hardware-agnostic workflows that can be extended toward application-driven demonstrators and proof-of-concept implementations.

Societally and economically, the project has strengthened national skills in quantum technologies, increased awareness among industry and policymakers, and positioned Cyprus to participate more actively in European quantum initiatives.

To ensure further uptake and long-term success, continued investment in research and demonstration activities is required, alongside stable access to diverse quantum hardware platforms, sustained funding for doctoral and postdoctoral positions, and support for technology transfer mechanisms through QHub and institutional innovation offices. Additional needs include structured engagement with industry for pilot projects, support for IPR management and exploitation pathways, participation in international consortia, and alignment with evolving European regulatory, standardisation, and quantum infrastructure frameworks.

By the end of the project, QUEST is expected to deliver a fully operational and sustainable Quantum Hub, a mature research and training ecosystem, and a portfolio of research results and collaborations that can be scaled through follow-up funding, industrial partnerships, and European-level initiatives.