Building a National Quantum Strategy
Andrea Damascelli has always been fascinated by light. He uses it to probe materials on an atomic level, and his observations have contributed to the condensed-matter community’s understanding of high-temperature superconductors and quantum materials. His research group at the University of British Columbia (UBC) uses time-, spin-, and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, an intricate technique that maps the energy and velocity of electrons as they propagate through materials.
In 2015, Damascelli spearheaded efforts that brought one of the first Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) grants to UBC’s Quantum Matter Institute. As the institute’s scientific director, he found himself at the helm of a full-blown research center—hiring faculty, expanding staff, and upgrading facilities. A few months later, he received a special request from Canada’s National Research Council: join leaders from across Canada’s quantum ecosystem to advise on a strategy for growing the country’s quantum community as a whole.
Physics Magazine chatted with Damascelli as he looked back on the beginning of Canada’s first National Quantum Strategy (NQS) and looked forward to developing a self-sustaining quantum research and training powerhouse.
All interviews are edited for brevity and clarity.
What was the role of universities in shaping Canada’s NQS?
By the end of 2016, three universities—UBC, Sherbrooke University, and University of Waterloo—had been singled out to receive major seven-year investments in quantum science research. In retrospect, this was essential in positioning Canada as a leader in the field. The NQS was truly an effort that convened the entire quantum ecosystem in the country. My counterparts at the other two universities and I were invited together with a large group of scientists across Canada to talk strategy and lead a major community effort.
How was the strategy developed?
The government had recognized the potential for quantum science and technology and was willing to invest in Canada’s leadership in the field even more. The convened advisers had to plan how best to allocate the funds to benefit Canada as a whole.
The strategy resulted in a mission-based plan aiming to advance many aspects of the quantum field, from computing to sensing and beyond, while also focusing on training, research, and translation from fundamental research to commercialization. The big question was, What role could enabling technologies such as quantum materials play in driving these missions?
And what was the answer?
By identifying specific mission areas such as quantum sensing, quantum computing, and so on, the NQS created a framework for focused collaborative projects. Quantum materials, of course, have applications for all these focus areas. Thanks to early investment in quantum science, the facilities and expertise developed in our three CFREF-funded institutions could support and link the quantum ecosystem across Canada from coast to coast.
Has it been successful?
The NQS was announced in January 2023. It raised attention and excitement and encouraged people to collaborate much more than ever before—especially the private and academic sectors. That was the biggest value by far. But everything was defined in terms of short-term outcomes.
Is that a shortcoming?
If you look at groundbreaking research, especially in the quantum sector, it is also important to invest with an eye to longer-term objectives. Start-ups always say you need to allocate funds assuming that projects will take twice as long as you expect. But I think, back then, it would have been difficult to come up with a longer-term funding strategy.
In hindsight, what else might have been done differently?
The CFREF funding enabled the three research institutes to implement an ambitious research strategy early and to emerge among the world’s leading quantum science centers. The same could be done within the NQS to foster those curiosity-driven projects that hold the promise of paradigm-shifting technologies in the long term. The goal is to ensure that Canada is driving—not just adopting—future quantum breakthroughs.
Do you see changes in your own lab as the result of the NQS?
Yes. We have a lot of companies coming in to work with us—sometimes using our facilities, sometimes collaborating with us—and developing solutions for challenges faced by the industry. This work is leading to new concepts with commercialization potential.
And the country’s system as a whole?
We now have strong quantum hubs in four provinces. These are combinations of universities, research centers, companies, and beyond. They’re much bigger than just a single entity. But we’re always considering how to enhance the long-term sustainability of our operations even more. A critical factor to our success is the scientific and professional staff who facilitate research translation, talent development, and partnerships with industry and government. Retaining this highly skilled staff is essential for the ecosystem to thrive.
What’s your vision for the future?
My dream is to expand the country’s quantum hubs using a very diversified long-term funding model—some from government and some from industry. To me, what would be a game changer is providing long-term support to keep the stability and momentum going.
Canada’s February defense budget announcement referenced “quantum” 12 times. What impact has that apparent prioritization had so far?
Quantum technologies have applications across the board, including defense. Research plays a big role in pushing the boundaries of what’s truly possible. We’ve already started to see the community coming together to form collaborative projects that contribute to Canada’s leadership in the defense sector. I see these collaborations becoming stronger and stronger as new funding opportunities roll out.
You’ve mentioned research and commercialization, but what about training a workforce?
We’re not just talking about training students for industry. We also provide training for industry staff who need to further develop their devices and concepts in our labs. We have dedicated engineers and research scientists, like the US has in its national labs. This group is crucial to our success. The challenge we faced was retaining them without an ongoing budget. There was a cliff at the end.
How do you get past that cliff?
We had to diversify from solely public funding to generating revenue from industry partnerships. The senior staff keep the infrastructure up and running, so industry started to come in, and our client base grew as a result of exceptional work delivered by our scientific and technical teams. This model is unique, and that’s what we need more of here.
Any lessons for other countries, regions, or institutions?
There’s a general sense that you need to be selective in your investments. In a small country like Canada, you can’t excel in everything. That’s typical for an institute or even a university. But it’s also true on a larger scale. You have to choose where to be a leader and act accordingly. I think Canada has really excelled in quantum science: from our government’s early visionary investments, all the way to our world-leading research and companies that have followed.
–Rachel Berkowitz
Rachel Berkowitz is a Corresponding Editor for Physics Magazine based in Vancouver, Canada.