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The United Kingdom and the United States published a joint statement detailing the countries’ shared commitment to advancing quantum information science and building a global market for quantum technologies, through collaborative research efforts and training opportunities for scientists and engineers.
“Science transcends borders, and cooperation with partners accelerates the way we bring technologies to market,” said Eric Lander, U.S presidential science advisor and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology. Lander and UK Science Minister George Freemen signed the joint statement on 4 November 2021.
Enhanced quantum partnership
The 2021 joint statement expands on the 2017 U.K.-U.S. Agreement on Scientific Technological Cooperation that tasked both nations to advance their shared vision of an advanced, interconnected, vibrant and secure quantum information science and technology enterprise.
“Quantum technologies have enormous potential to revolutionize everything from helping to protect the environment to changing how we send and receive information, and the UK and US have been at the forefront of advancing this unique area of science,” said Freeman. “[The 2021 agreement] is the latest chapter in the close partnership between our two countries in science and innovation, and I look forward to seeing the result for both nations in the years ahead.”
Collaborations in the works
The new joint statement details support for ongoing collaborations to develop quantum technology standards and metrology research—including next-generation atomic clocks and quantum sensors—through the UK National Physical Laboratory and the US National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Both countries also intend to enhance the partnership between two agencies—the US National Science Foundation and UK Research & Innovation, sponsored by the UK Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy—that fosters collaborative quantum information science research and development.
In the next few months, industry representatives from the UK and US will meet to discuss how they can broaden and deepen their collaborations in order to build a robust and reliable supply chain for developing a global market for quantum technologies.
Both countries have individually demonstrated their commitment to quantum with industry and government investment initiatives through the U.K. National Quantum Technologies Program and the U.S. National Quantum Initiative.