A quantum leap into the future: Germany promotes cutting-edge technology
The German Ministry of Research supports talented researchers in the area of quantum technology – for example through the Quantum Future Award.
Wolf Zinn ,
23.12.2024 
Germany is seeking to be at the forefront of a promising field of innovation: through its programme Quantum systems – Developing cutting-edge technologies. Shaping the future, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is funding photonics and quantum technologies. The aim is to provide strategic and long-term support for technology transfer and the expansion of ecosystems in this area, thereby strengthening Germany’s competitiveness.
Promoting young talent: a diverse range of initiatives
Complex quantum technology requires well-trained personnel in both science and industry, so it is vital to ensure that students of relevant subjects such as physics, mathematics, computer science and engineering are introduced to quantum systems. To this end, the BMBF has launched the initiative Quantum Future. Comprising a comprehensive package of measures, it addresses various different target groups – from school pupils to junior research group leaders. The measures range from funding initiatives with changing focus areas to the annual Quantum Future Academy and presentation of the Quantum Future Award.
A physics student at the Free University of Berlin, Maximilian Kramer, received the first prize of 6,000 euros in this competition for his master’s thesis in 2024, in which he proposes a self-correcting and hardware-friendly algorithm that can be used by the next generation of quantum computers.
Tapping into fresh potential
By funding the research-intensive field of quantum technologies, the BMBF hopes to tap into fresh application potential in areas such as high-precision measurement and imaging processes, information transmission and processing, and the simulation of complex systems.
The findings of basic research are to be transferred to new technological and commercial applications wherever possible. For this reason, the funding programme aims to offer early-career investigators an excellent basis in terms of both initial support and general conditions in order to ensure successful research . This also includes being able to undertake a lengthier period of study or research in another country.
