On May 4, 2022, the Swiss Federal Council adopted two complementary measures to strengthen the country’s research competitiveness, including the launch of the Swiss Quantum Initiative (SQI). According to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), a budget of approximately CHF 80 million (~USD 83 million) was allocated for the initiative over the 2023–2028 period.
The Federal Council described the initiative as a response to Switzerland’s loss of full access to the EU’s Horizon Europe framework program, which had excluded Swiss researchers from direct participation in the Quantum Flagship’s second phase. SQI’s stated objectives include launching competitive calls for quantum research proposals, establishing and expanding infrastructure and technology platforms for knowledge transfer, developing curricula for quantum specialists, and encouraging international cooperation.
Implementation was assigned to three partners: the Swiss Academy of Natural Sciences (SCNAT), the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), and Innosuisse, the Swiss Innovation Agency. A Swiss Quantum Commission, composed of leading experts from ETH Zurich, EPFL, cantonal universities, the private sector, and government agencies, began its work in early 2023 to set the strategic direction of the SQI.