NQCP celebrates major grant wins driving quantum innovation
We are excited to share that several researchers at NQCP have recently secured prestigious grants, propelling quantum technology research across multiple cutting-edge areas.
- ERC Starting Grant Fuels Quantum Photonics Breakthroughs
Stefano Paesani has received the highly competitive 2025 ERC Starting Grant, providing up to €2.1 million over five years for the ASPEQT project. His research focuses on developing scalable silicon photonic devices that integrate color centers to generate strong spin-photon entanglement—key for quantum error correction. Stefano’s innovation in embedding and controlling color centers in silicon nanostructures promises to unlock new horizons in quantum computing and secure communication.
- Pioneering Self-Correcting Qubits with NERD Funding
Frederik Nathan, from our Algorithms & Applications team, has been awarded a 10 million DKK grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s NERD call (2025) to advance self-correcting GKP qubits. Building on his theoretical breakthroughs, this project will expand into experimental work in collaboration with NQCP’s SQUID lab, perfectly blending theory and hands-on engineering.
- Harnessing AI Power with the Gefion Grant and DCAI Supercomputer
Mark Kamper Svendsen, Frederik Nathan and Nina Glaser all secured the Gefion grant, which grants access to the state-of-the-art DCAI supercomputer.
- Mark’s collaborative project between NQCP’s Theory & Simulation team and Nordita targets atomic-scale defects limiting superconducting qubit performance. By combining quantum chemistry simulations and machine learning, Mark aims to identify and mitigate critical defects, accelerating next-generation quantum device development.
- The other project is an A&A project where Frederik and Nina will be exploring how neural network quantum states enhanced with self-attention can simulate complex molecules — such as transition-metal catalysts — that are notoriously difficult to study with traditional methods
Together, these grants highlight the vibrant and dynamic research environment at NQCP, where interdisciplinary collaboration between theory, simulation, and experiment is driving quantum technology to new heights. Each project reflects a commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in quantum computing, photonics, and materials science, addressing some of the field’s most critical challenges. These achievements not only recognize the exceptional talent within NQCP but also reinforce its position as a leading hub for groundbreaking quantum research in Denmark and beyond.