On April 29, 2025, Colombia’s Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MinCiencias) officially launched ColombIA Inteligente 2025 (Convocatoria 966), the country’s first national funding call dedicated to artificial intelligence and quantum science and technologies. According to the Colombian Presidency’s press release, the program has a total budget of COP 20,000 million (approximately US$5.2 million), with individual projects eligible for up to COP 1,500 million (approximately US$395,000) over 18 months.
President Gustavo Petro and Minister Yesenia Olaya presented the initiative in Bogota before more than 400 attendees. The quantum axis of the call covers three thematic lines: quantum information processing and secure communications, quantum sensing and metrology, and sustainable energy and strategic minerals. Applicants must form alliances comprising at least one higher education institution, one national company, and three local organizations. Proposals can be submitted through the MinCiencias portal until May 26, 2026.
Minister Olaya announced that MinCiencias and the Universidad del Valle are developing a project to produce Colombia’s first domestically built quantum computer, intended as a shared laboratory for universities and research centers across the country. She also noted that alliances on quantum technology transfer had been established with partners in Latin America, Canada, the United States, and China. President Petro, speaking in his capacity as pro tempore president of CELAC, proposed the creation of a Latin American university network focused on AI and quantum research.