Prof. Magdalena Stobińska-Moretto from the University of Warsaw will head a new center of excellence dedicated to the development of quantum technologies. The researcher has received PLN 30 million for its creation, awarded by the Foundation for Polish Science.
The new center will be established thanks to funding from the European Funds for a Modern Economy program. The project proved to be the best in the International Research Agendas competition organized by the FNP. As the Foundation announced on Thursday, seven projects were evaluated in the competition (call 4/2025), of which only one received funding.
The new research unit – the Center for Hybrid Quantum-Classical Information Technologies (QLAB) – will be established at the University of Warsaw. Four research groups led by Prof. Stobińska-Moretto will work on practical solutions for communication, computation, and metrology. “Their goal will be to create secure quantum networks, energy-efficient artificial intelligence algorithms, and ultrasensitive measurement and imaging methods,” the FNP explained in a press release.
The research aims to combine theory with prototypes ready for implementation in industry (telecommunications, the ICT sector, medicine, defense, and space technology). The results of the work are expected to be industrial demonstrators, new technologies, and patents, constituting the basis for technology transfer.
“Our ambition is for the new center to bridge the gap between science and industry and become a platform integrating research and applications, as well as a pillar of the European quantum strategy. We want to contribute to accelerating the development of scalable quantum technologies in Europe,” said Prof. Magdalena Stobińska-Moretto, quoted in the press release.
FNP President Prof. Krzysztof Pyrć pointed out that quantum technologies are one of the most breakthrough and promising fields of modern science, which may change the face of the digital world in the coming years. “We are glad that the Foundation for Polish Science, thanks to funds from the European Funds, can support solutions that drive development and can influence the shape of technological reality,” he added.
The FNP recalled that the International Research Agendas measure it implements allows for the launch or development in Poland of specialized, world-leading research teams and organizations, where achieving scientific excellence and international research competitiveness will be possible. In the calls for proposals in the MAB to date, the FNP has awarded funds to 19 projects (including four that gained support from the Teaming for Excellence competition) for a total amount of over PLN 580 million. (PAP)