Overview of Quantum Delta Netherlands
Quantum Delta Netherlands (QDNL) is a public-private foundation established in 2020 to execute the Dutch National Agenda for Quantum Technology. QDNL is built around three catalyst programs – quantum computing and simulation, national quantum network, and quantum sensing applications – and tied together with four action lines – research and innovation, quantum ecosystem, human capital, and societal impact. Backed by €615 million in funding from the National Growth Fund, QDNL aims to foster a world‑class quantum ecosystem, and within that build a robust governance framework for quantum innovation and a resilient and equitable quantum future.
Quantum governance efforts within the QDNL ecosystem
Starting with legal, policy and governance issues closest to the on‑the‑ground research, innovation and commercialisation activities, QDNL has collaboratively developed an IP Strategy with research institutions and established an IP Council to guide these efforts. QDNL has facilitated efforts to standardise licening and spin‑out terms, and design research valorisation policies to foster effective technology transfer from academia to industry. Support on IP issues is also provided by QDNL’s “Infinity” program launched to help quantum researchers spin out and raise their first investment.
Conscious of the volatile geoeconomic landscape and the need for the Dutch quantum ecosystem to navigate the political sensitivities therein, QDNL has been proactive in adopting its own Economic Security approach. These efforts include a knowledge security action plan to protect against foregin intereference and white papers mapping out the supply chains of quantum computing, sensing, communication technologies, and critical raw minerals for quantum innovation. QDNL also provides on the ground support for its members in navigating new national security legislation,
e.g. through the Quantum Policy Academy. Futher, QDNL launched the Export‑Control‑as‑a-Service platform, which supports quantum start-ups in integrating a compliance solution into their business operations. Overall, QDNL plays an active role in shaping emerging quantum policy,
e.g. through a joint quantum taskforce to build a quantum‑literate network of policy experts for the European quantum ecosystem, a discussion paper with UNESCO on Quantum technologies and their global impact, and a white paper series drawing lessons on Ethical, Legal, Societal Aspects (ELSA) from AI for quantum innovation.
QDNL’s Societal Impact Action Line and Centre for Quantum and Society
QDNL’s Societal Impact Action Line is dedicated to guiding the development of quantum technologies and their applications to benefit society, boost social readiness levels, and mitigate potential harm. QDNL’s mission to operationalise societal impact of quantum technologies makes this Action Line a unique part of the Dutch as well as global quantum governance efforts. Within this Action Line, the Centre for Quantum and Society (CQS) was launched in 2022 as world's first centre dedicated to societal implications of quantum technologies. Initiatives coming out of CQS include the Exploratory Quantum Technology Assessment tool, funding grants for projects and grassroots initiatives fostering awareness and tangible quantum applications and the “Quantum for Good Challenges” (together with UN agencies and the Open Quantum Insitute).
QDNL’s Societal Impact Action Line also supports academic research, such as Quantum and Society Research Group (Leiden University), the Ethics of Quantum Technology Research Group (Delft University of Technology), and the Law and Governance of Quantum Technologies Research Group (University of Amsterdam). The latter studies the legal implications of quantum technologies through the lens of law and digital infrastructure. Together with QDNL and CQS, the research group organises regular research colloquia and has commissioned reports such as the “Quantum Computing and the G-77” and “Balancing openness, economic security and national security – The future of export controls on quantum technologies.”
The necessary role of governance in quantum innovation
QDNL recognises the significance of law, policy and governance within the journey toward a quantum future, and thus the need to invest in these issues. The industrial and military uptake of quantum technologies will have major implications for states’ national security and the balance of power amongst nation states as well as wide‑reaching reverberations on society at large. Building a governance framework is not only essential for successful ‘lab to fab’ transition of quantum technologies but also critical in ensuring that efforts to catalyse quantum innovation do not come at the cost of entrenching existing concentrations of power and wealth within a handful of states and dominant quantum technology actors.
