STAznanost

IJS wins EU funds to develop Slovenian quantum science hub

Brussels, 25 July - The Jožef Stefan Institute (IJS), one of the leading Slovenian research institutions, will be developing a Slovenian Quantum Science Hub (SQUASH), a EUR 12 million project, for which it has won EUR 5.7 million in EU funds. The aim of the project is to attract top quantum technology experts.

The remaining EUR 5.3 million will be contributed by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation.

SQUASH will bring together 40 post-doctoral researchers from abroad who will receive grants to perfect research skills in four key multidisciplinary areas - quantum theory, quantum materials, quantum technology and quantum computing and information.

The project aims to develop highly skilled and innovative experts in quantum research and technologies, ready to meet the challenges of the second quantum revolution.

The SQUASH consortium will feature 43 partners, among them five companies from Slovenia, the ministry said on Thursday.

SQUASH has receive the EUR 5.7 million from the MSCA co-funding regional, national and international programmes (COFUND), which are part of the Horizon Europe programme, and whose results have now been published.

A total of EUR 96.2 million will be distributed among 27 COFUND projects: 12 PhD training programmes and 15 postdoctoral fellowship programmes of outstanding quality. The ministry said that SQUASH was rated very well, placing third among the 15 selected post-doctoral projects.