On November 25, 2020, Rosatom announced the launch of the National Quantum Laboratory (NQL), a federal consortium created to unite leading scientific centers, technology companies, universities, and startups working on quantum computing. Seven organizations initially joined the laboratory: JV Kvant (a Rosatom company), NRU HSE, MISIS, MIPT, the P.N. Lebedev Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Russian Quantum Center, and the Skolkovo Foundation.
According to a Xinhua report, the NQL was established as a federal project with the goal of developing a quantum computer by the end of 2024. Rosatom General Director Alexei Likhachev called quantum technologies “one of the main breakthroughs” for the future of scientific and technical progress. Ruslan Yunusov, head of Rosatom’s quantum project office, was appointed to lead the NQL.
Infrastructure plans called for a 2,000-square-meter nanofabrication center and a 3,500-square-meter advanced laboratory complex to be built at the Skolkovo Innovation Center. The consortium’s mandate included developing quantum processors across four platforms: superconducting circuits, trapped ions, neutral atoms, and photonics. Quantum education programs starting from the school level were also included in the consortium’s scope.