Quantum computing project secures nearly 800,000 euros in funding to Jyväskylä – goal is to reduce disturbances in quantum computers

The joint UnloQ project of the University of Jyväskylä, the University of Helsinki and VTT has received 4 million euros in funding from Business Finland.

The University of Jyväskylä’s share of the funding is 784,000 euros. The project lasts a total of five years, and the funding granted now is intended to cover the first 2.5 years. The University of Jyväskylä’s own contribution to the project is 196,000 euros.

The project focuses on how disturbances coming from the surrounding environment affect the operation of quantum computers and other quantum technologies, and how these disturbances can be reduced.

“Quantum computers are highly sensitive to different forms of environmental disturbances referred to as noise. The initiative aims to reduce the effects of noise so that quantum computers can in the future be reliable and useful in practice”, says Teiko Heinosaari, Professor of Quantum Computing coordinating the University of Jyväskylä’s activities within the project.

Quantum computing is estimated to be capable of solving some of society’s most challenging problems. However, companies remain waiting as a clear path to practical benefits has yet not been built.

One of the initiative’s goals is to build practical pathways for businesses to adopt quantum computing, developing noise-tolerant software and industrial pilots.

The project’s steering group includes companies and public actors from key sectors of quantum computing, including industry, energy, logistics, and finance. Connections to the business community ensure that the development work meets the genuine future needs of Finnish society.

The University of Helsinki is responsible for the consortium’s algorithm expertise and software engineering, while the University of Jyväskylä provides theoretical depth and quantum information theory.