Singapore’s Quantum Engineering Programme (QEP) aims to realise the benefits of quantum technologies for society. Launched in 2018, it supports translational research focused on industry challenges and initiatives to nurture a quantum ecosystem. Coordinated nationally across various research organisations, it is supported by the National Research Foundation, Singapore and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore and hosted by the National University of Singapore.
In this film, meet six people helping to build a quantum future for Singapore. QEP has commissioned this short video to show the breadth and depth of R&D in quantum technologies in Singapore.
Our quantum engineering projects are spread across three pillars of research and development.
Developing routable optically transparent networks, interfaces between photonic and stationary qubits, devices and protocols for the quantum internet, and a national quantum-safe network.
Building quantum processors, devices and hardware that streamline quantum processing platforms, development and application of quantum algorithms for chemistry, materials, supply chain management, finance, and trading,
Detecting and measuring radiofrequency fields, magnetic fields, and gravity in the environment. Also includes development of quantum sensors for satellite-free inertial navigation and for health and life sciences.
Keysight Technologies is a supplier of modular and scalable quantum control systems. The Quantum Joint Innovation Accelerator, established under an MOU signed between QEP and Keysight in April 2022, makes it easy for researchers participating in QEP to access several of Keysight’s software design tools and advanced test and measurement equipment. Researchers can apply to evaluate Keysight measurement tools in their laboratories and access equipment hosted at Keysight’s premises in Singapore. Training is also available. Please write to Keysight directly with details of your request.
The Quantum Young Researchers Association (QYRA) aims to bring together the local community of young researchers working in quantum science, with the goal of working towards a vivid quantum ecosystem. The association welcomes all young researchers, including PhD, masters, and final-year-project undergraduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research assistants.
The Quantum Engineering Programme (QEP) will apply quantum technologies for solving user-defined problems. It will provide research grants and do ecosystem-building towards this goal. QEP has been supported since 2018 by the National Research Foundation (NRF), Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore. It is a national programme hosted at the National University of Singapore (NUS) that will support projects led from any of Singapore’s institutes of higher learning and research institutions.
The National Research Foundation is investing a total of $121.6 million in the Quantum Engineering Programme. This supports two phases: $25 million for QEP1.0 (2018-2023) and $96.6 million for QEP2.0 (2020-2025).
QEP has deliverables in the following three areas, to which funded projects are expected to contribute:
– Engagement of industry and user-agencies, with cash and in-kind contributions to projects
– Talent development through training of research scientists and engineers, some of whom will be deployed in industry and user-agencies, and of PhD students co-funded with industry
– Evidence of intellectual property and industrial outcomes, measured in spin-offs, prototypes, collaborations and membership of a quantum technology consortium
In QEP’s second phase, most grants will be for 2 to 3 year-long projects, although teams may provide 5-10 year roadmaps if they have them. QEP held a series of calls for proposals from October 2020.
PIs and Co-PIs are required to fulfil the following criteria at the point of application:
– Hold a full-time appointment (i.e. minimum 9 months of service a year or 75% appointment) in a Singapore-based Institute of Higher Learning and/or Research Institution
– Have a research programme that carries out research in Singapore
– Be an independent researcher or Senior Research Fellow
– No outstanding report(s) from other national grants
QEP will support the development of systems that demonstrate quantum advantage. This covers both the quantum instrument package, as well as the enabling technologies that allow the quantum systems to be scalable and deployable.
Companies are not eligible to bid for funding, but private sector entities can participate as collaborators. We encourage industry engagement and company participation in proposals. Please contact us if you think quantum technology may help to address challenges in your business.
Seven research and development projects have started under QEP’s Phase 1:
– Superconducting nanowire single photon detectors – to improve technology for single-photon detection. Lead PI: Cesare Soci, School of Physical & Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University
– Cost-effective and fast multi-user quantum key distribution (QKD) network with an untrusted centralized quantum server – to implement a measurement-device independent protocol with chip-based components. Lead PI: Charles Lim, Centre for Quantum Technologies and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore
– Integrated quantum receiver for single photon detection – to improve technology for single-photon detection. Lead PI: Gong Xiao, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore
– A fibre-based quantum device – to develop a long-lived quantum memory based on cold atoms inside hollow-core fibres. Lead PI: Lan Shau-Yu, School of Physical & Mathematical Sciences Nanyang Technological University
– A CMOS ion trap for integrated clocks – to pursue miniaturisation of components for atomic clocks. Lead PI: Murray Barrett, Centre for Quantum Technologies and Department of Physics, National University of Singapore
– Quantum foundry – to build capability to design, fabricate and characterise chips related to quantum technology, including for qubits. Lead PI: Manas Mukherjee, Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore
– Quantum photonics for superresolution confocal fluorescence microscopy – to increase the resolution of fluorescence imaging techniques beyond presumed limits. Lead PI: Mankei Tsang, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore
QEP is also supporting an agreement between NUS and IBM, through which researchers in Singapore can apply for access to the IBM Q System for projects. This is managed by our Cloud Quantum Computing Coordinator (see People).
View the list of projects funded under QEP2.0 here.
