OpenLobby.EU
Explore

Universidade de Coimbra

UC

UC’s mission is comprised of three main axes: education, research and knowledge transfer.

Lobbying Activity

Response to EU quantum Act

13 Dec 2025

Feedback on the EU Quantum Act Call for Evidence Submitted by: Jorge Lobo on behalf of University of Coimbra (Quantum@UC Research Group), Portugal The University of Coimbra, through its Quantum@UC initiative, welcomes the EU Quantum Act initiative as a vital legislative step to operationalise the Quantum Europe Strategy and position Europe as a global quantum leader by 2030. As an active stakeholder leading multidisciplinary quantum research and education since 2021, Quantum@UC aligns closely with the Act's three pillarsresearch innovation, industrial capacity, and supply-chain resilienceand offers constructive contributions to enhance its impact Pillar 1: Research and Innovation Framework Quantum@UC endorses Option 2 for integrating quantum efforts into the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, including strategic projects eligible for combined EU-national funding via Horizon Seal of Excellence, to address fragmentation and boost synergies. We are addressing hybrid quantum-classical methods, quantum error correction, sensing, and AI-quantum applications, hosting annual workshops (e.g., Quantum Computing 2023-2025) and launching specialized training courses in 2024/25, which could feed into EU-wide roadmaps and test beds. To strengthen technology transfer, we propose dedicated funding streams for SMEs and regional hubs like ours to access shared infrastructures, reducing duplication across Member States. Pillar 2: Industrial Capacity and Investment We support Option 3 with dedicated EU tools for pilot lines, design platforms, and enabling technologies, alongside coordinated procurement for dual-use/space applications and permitting acceleration. Quantum@UC's partnershipse.g., with IBM Portugal, Coimbra City Council, and Softinsa towards a quantum innovation centredemonstrate readiness for scale-up; we recommend "Seal of Excellence" extensions to production facilities and public-private de-risking for high-cost quantum hardware. This would counter investment gaps, leveraging our QuantumLab now mainly for teaching (2-3 qubit systems, NV diamond setups) to be extended for industrial prototyping, namely in quantum sensors. Pillar 3: Supply-Chain Resilience and Governance We favour Option 2 for EU-level monitoring of dependencies, choke points, and IP risks via structured Member State cooperation, integrated with FDI/export controls. Quantum@UC highlights vulnerabilities in non-EU cryogenics and optics; propose quantum-specific standards bodies involving academia-industry consortia to diversify supplies and protect talent. Cross-cutting, we endorse a European Quantum Degree with mutual diploma recognition, following on our HPC-Quantum Master's being setup linked to EU Master4HPC. Quantum@UC commits to ongoing collaboration, including pursuing European projects and technology transfer, to deliver on the Act's economic, social, and environmental impacts, and continuing to address training skills in quantum. The Quantum act could perhaps be more assertive in education and training. The EU Quantum Act cloud elevate skills and talent development as a core pillar, expanding beyond the proposed non-legislative European Degree in Quantum Technologies and diploma recognition to include binding funding mechanisms for university-led initiatives that address regional skill gaps. Quantum@UC has implemented educational programs, including quantum computing course units in master's programs, a specialised Training Course in Quantum Computing and Technologies, and a forthcoming HPC-Quantum Master's linked to the EU Master4HPC project, training the next generation. The Act should prioritise EU grants for such scalable academic efforts, fostering SME-accessible test beds and workshops to build a resilient quantum workforce across Member States and counter global talent competition. Jorge Lobo, December 2025. jlobo@isr.uc.pt https://www.uc.pt/en/quantum/
Read full response

Meeting with Lauro Panella (Cabinet of Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque)

25 Sept 2025 · Blue Economy

Meeting with Ana Vasconcelos (Member of the European Parliament)

21 Nov 2024 · Soil Monitoring Law

Meeting with Martin Hojsík (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

30 Oct 2024 · Soil Monitoring Law

Meeting with Martin Hojsík (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

15 Mar 2024 · Soil Law

Meeting with Carlos Moedas (Commissioner) and

8 Jan 2019 · Strategic research plan

Meeting with Carlos Moedas (Commissioner) and

20 Feb 2018 · "Transfer of knowledge"