Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) invested an additional S$96.6 million (USD 71 million) in the Quantum Engineering Programme (QEP) for a second phase running from 2020 to 2025, bringing total programme investment to S$121.6 million. The expanded funding was announced with the appointment of CQT Principal Investigator Alexander Ling as the programme’s new Director, according to the Centre for Quantum Technologies.
QEP 2.0 supports projects across four pillars: communication and security, computing, sensors, and foundry. An initial grant call published in October 2020 targeted quantum sensors. In addition to research grants, the second phase expanded ecosystem-building activities, including establishing a consortium for industry and building a quantum-safe network testbed in Singapore.
A steering committee led by NRF’s Chief Executive Officer and Singapore’s Chief Defence Scientist continued to oversee the programme. QEP 2.0 funded projects led from institutes of higher learning and research institutions across the country.