MIT and University of Copenhagen Forge Quantum Computing Partnership
Researchers at MIT have entered into a four-year collaborative agreement with the Novo Nordisk Foundation Quantum Computing Program (NQCP) at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen (UCPH). This partnership aims to accelerate research in quantum computing hardware.
As part of the agreement, both universities will establish identical quantum laboratories on their respective campuses in Copenhagen and Cambridge, Massachusetts. This setup is designed to facilitate seamless cooperation, knowledge sharing, and student exchange.
“To fulfill the promises of quantum computing, we need to learn how to build robust, reproducible, and scalable systems. This unique program allows us to innovate faster by exchanging personnel and ideas, conducting parallel experiments, and comparing results. Best of all, we can continue working with Professor Morten Kjaergaard, a rising star in the field, and his team in Copenhagen,” said William Oliver, Henry Ellis Warren (1894) Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT, Professor of Physics, Associate Director of the Research Laboratory of Electronics, and Director of the MIT Center for Quantum Engineering.
Oliver’s team will oversee the funded research, which will focus on developing fault-tolerant quantum computing hardware and quantum algorithms to solve chemical and biological problems relevant to life sciences. The agreement includes 18 million Danish kroner (approximately $2.55 million) from the Novo Nordisk Foundation Quantum Computing Program to support MIT’s share of the research.
“One of the main goals of quantum computing is the development of cutting-edge hardware with coherent operation,” said Maria Zuber, MIT’s Vice President for Research, who helped facilitate the relationship between MIT and the Danish university. “The aim of this collaboration is to demonstrate the behavior of this system, which will be a significant step towards practical application.”
“Fostering collaborations between MIT and other universities is truly essential as we seek to accelerate the pace of discovery and research in rapidly growing fields like quantum computing,” added Anantha Chandrakasan, Dean of the School of Engineering and Vannevar Bush Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. “The support from the Novo Nordisk Foundation Quantum Computing Program will enable the world’s leading experts to focus on advancing research and developing impactful solutions.”
“This is an important recognition of our work at UCPH and NQCP. Professor Oliver’s team at MIT is among the highest international echelon of quantum computing research,” said Morten Kjaergaard, Associate Professor of Quantum Information Physics and Research Group Leader at the Niels Bohr Institute, UCPH. “This project allows Danish quantum computing hardware research to learn from the best as we collaborate on developing next-generation fault-tolerant quantum computing hardware. I have already had the pleasure of working closely with Professor Oliver, and through this ambitious collaboration under our Novo Nordisk Foundation Quantum Computing Program, we can push our joint research to a new level.”
Peter Krogstrup, CEO of NQCP and Professor at the Niels Bohr Institute, added, “We are thrilled to work with Will Oliver and his innovative team at MIT. This aligns perfectly with our strategic direction to identify a path that could enable quantum computing for life sciences. This support aims to strengthen the already strong collaboration between Will’s and Morten’s teams, a collaboration we hope will be a significant part of NQCP’s exploratory phase in the coming years.”
