“Nithyasri Srivathsan’s dialogues with the National Research Foundation (NRF) experts on the Singapore’s quantum computing ecosystem”
About National Research Foundation (NRF): The National Research Foundation, Singapore (NRF), set up on 1 January 2006, is a department within the Prime Minister’s Office. The NRF sets the national direction for research and development (R&D) by developing policies, plans and strategies for research, innovation and enterprise. It also funds strategic initiatives and builds up R&D capabilities by nurturing research talent. With its vision of “Singapore as a vibrant science and technology hub, with R&D contributing significantly to a knowledge intensive, innovation and entrepreneurial economy”.
The NRF sets the national direction for R&D by: Developing policies, plans and strategies for research, innovation and enterprise, Funding initiatives that strengthen research and scientific capabilities, and achieve economic and national impact, Building up R&D capabilities and capacities through nurturing our people and attracting foreign researchers and scientists; and Coordinating the research agenda of different agencies to transform Singapore into a knowledge intensive, innovative and entrepreneurial economy.
Objective of this Interview with NRF: To create local and global awareness about Singapore’s revolutionary and strategic efforts in the field of quantum technology through our National Quantum initiatives of Singapore. The interview would be inspiring and educating the global quantum community about how Singapore is becoming a global hub for Quantum Computing, through its National Quantum Efforts. As a single point of source, this interview will provide primary insights on the Singapore’s quantum computing ecosystem and enable the international community to learn about Singapore in our quantum efforts, which attracts global investments and expertise in quantum technologies.
Interview with NRF
Question from Nithyasri Srivathsan, Founder, SheQuantum: What role does the National Research Foundation (NRF) play in Singapore’s quantum initiatives, and how does NRF contribute to shaping the Singaporean quantum ecosystem?
Answer from National Research Foundation (NRF): Singapore’s quantum ecosystem is supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF), which sets the national direction for research, innovation, and enterprise (RIE). Since 2007, the NRF has invested significantly in quantum technologies, such as through the establishment of the Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT) as a Research Centre of Excellence.
Question from Nithyasri Srivathsan, Founder, SheQuantum: What is CQT’s role in Singapore quantum computing ecosystem?
Answer from National Research Foundation (NRF): The sustained funding has fostered a strong research base and a budding quantum industry, with multiple startups emerging from CQT’s alumni and staff.
Question from Nithyasri Srivathsan, Founder, SheQuantum: What strategic investments has the NRF made in quantum technologies, and in which key areas does it primarily focus on?
Answer from National Research Foundation (NRF): For quantum technologies, the NRF has appointed the Agency for Science, Technology and Research’s (A*STAR) National Quantum Office (NQO), guided by the National Quantum Steering Committee, to oversee the development and implementation of the National Quantum Strategy (NQS). The NQS was launched in 2024 with nearly $300 million from the RIE (Research, Innovation and Enterprise) 2025 plan, which aims to position Singapore as a leading hub for quantum technologies.
“The NQS was launched in 2024 with nearly $300 million from the RIE (Research, Innovation and Enterprise) 2025 plan, which aims to position Singapore as a leading hub for quantum technologies.”
Question from Nithyasri Srivathsan, Founder, SheQuantum: What is the key strategic focus of Singapore’s National Quantum efforts?
Answer from National Research Foundation (NRF): The NQS includes elevating CQT to a flagship national research centre, establishing a National Quantum Sensor Programme, and creating the National Quantum Processor Initiative. A National Quantum Scholarships Scheme will also develop a pipeline of quantum research talent.
Question from Nithyasri Srivathsan, Founder, SheQuantum: Can you provide insights into Singapore’s current quantum startup ecosystem, and how NRF supports and fosters upcoming quantum startups in the region?
Answer from National Research Foundation (NRF): Singapore’s quantum startup ecosystem is growing, supported by funding, grants, and collaboration opportunities from NRF, SGInnovate, Enterprise Singapore, and A*STAR. Startups benefit from mentorship, resources, and networking through incubators and accelerators.
“Singapore’s quantum startup ecosystem is growing, supported by funding, grants, and collaboration opportunities…”
Question from Nithyasri Srivathsan, Founder, SheQuantum: Could you elaborate on the current research efforts in quantum technologies being conducted by the three pillars, NQCH, NQFF and NQSN?
Answer from National Research Foundation (NRF): Key quantum programmes like National Quantum Federated Foundry (NQFF) and National Quantum Computing Hub (NQCH), along with collaborations with international companies, provide startups access to cutting-edge research and expertise.
“Key quantum programmes like NQFF and NQCH, along with collaborations with international companies, provide startups access to cutting-edge research and expertise.”
Question from Nithyasri Srivathsan, Founder, SheQuantum: What is NRF’s five-year vision for the quantum computing ecosystem in Singapore?
Answer from National Research Foundation (NRF): Over the next five years, the NQS aims to enhance the capabilities of national-level quantum programmes, develop a national quantum processor, and ensure a steady pipeline of skilled professionals through the National Quantum Scholarships Scheme. These efforts will bolster Singapore’s position at the forefront of quantum technology research and application.
“Over the next five years, the NQS aims to enhance the capabilities of national-level quantum programmes, develop a national quantum processor, and ensure a steady pipeline of skilled professionals through the National Quantum Scholarships Scheme.”
Founder’s Insights
In this section, our Founder, Nithyasri Srivathsan shares her insights on Singapore’s key organizations under the umbrella of NRF contributing to Singapore’s national quantum efforts:
National Quantum Office (NQO): The NQO serves as the control tower to coordinate quantum Research, Innovation, and Enterprise (RIE) activities in Singapore.
Quantum Engineering Programme (QEP) :The Quantum Engineering Programme (QEP) was initiated in 2018 with an initial investment of $25 million to establish a competitive quantum engineering research community in Singapore. Its focus is on translating quantum research in areas such as Quantum Communication and Security, Quantum Computing and Processors, and Quantum Sensors into commercially viable quantum applications and products.
Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT): Established in 2007, the Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT) brings together physicists, computer scientists and engineers to do basic research on quantum physics and to build devices based on quantum phenomena. CQT is hosted by the National University of Singapore and also has researchers at partner institutions: Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Nanyang Technological University and Singapore University of Technology Design.
National Quantum-Safe Network (NQSN): NQSN is an initiative led by the Quantum Engineering Programme and supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) to translate quantum science into solutions for addressing real-world challenges. It aims to establish a nationwide platform and a field-deployed testbed for a systematic construction of quantum-safe communication technologies.
National Quantum Computing Hub (NQCH): NQCH was set up to promote industry collaborations and accelerate advancements in quantum computing technology, research, and applications for Singapore and the world. This platform is a joint initiative led by a team comprising of members from the Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT), A*STAR’s Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), and the National Supercomputing Centre (NSCC).
National Quantum Federated Foundry (NQFF): NQFF was set up to build capabilities in the design, fabrication and testing of micro- and nano- devices that are essential for quantum technologies. This platform is hosted at A*STAR’s Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE) and consolidates access to a network of cleanrooms in Singapore.
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR): The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) drives mission-oriented research that advances scientific discovery and technological innovation. A*STAR plays a key role in nurturing and developing talent and leaders for their Research Institutes, the wider research community, and industry.
The Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE): The Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), is a research institute of the Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). IMRE is an institute of talented researchers equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to conduct world-class materials science research to improve lives and capture economic value for Singapore.
National Supercomputing Centre (NSCC): NSCC Singapore was established in 2015 and manages Singapore’s first national petascale facility with available high performance computing (HPC) resources. As a National Research Infrastructure funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF), NSCC supports the HPC research needs of the public and private sectors, including research institutes, institutes of higher learning (IHLs), government agencies and companies.
Our Honorable Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore Mr Heng Swee Keat announced the National Quantum Strategy at Asia Tech x Summit on 30 May 2024
About the interviewer Nithyasri Srivathsan:
Nithyasri Srivathsan, Founder of SheQuantum, quantum researcher, author, international keynote speaker, guest lecturer, based in Singapore. She has delivered several talks and keynote speeches in France, Spain, Singapore, Netherlands, United States, and India on quantum computing education and diversity & inclusion in quantum computing. She was an invited guest lecturer at University of Massachusetts Boston where she delivered the Women’s Day Guest Lecture titled “Perspectives in Quantum Computing” in the PHYS447 Quantum Information course. Her research work on quantum information was published with the QBism Research Group, UMass Boston on the probability distributions and entanglement properties, with partial grant from NSF. Nithyasri authored the bestseller “Quantum Computing: An [Unconventional Beginners’] Book” in 2020 which was honored by BookAuthority twice as “Best Quantum Computing Books for Beginners” and “All Time Best Quantum Computing Books”, recognized internationally. Nithyasri was invited to contribute to Ernst and Young London’s white paper titled “Ready your Quantum Workforce” where she wrote about the importance of diversity in the field of quantum computing. She was invited to deliver a seminar at BII, A*STAR Singapore on Quantum Computing to their biologists recently and was featured by SCS, IMDA – Gov. of Singapore as “Singapore 100 Women in Tech” (GIT) for the year 2023. She’s involved with the NQCH team at A*STAR which leads the National Quantum Computing efforts. Recently, her proposal titled “Towards an Inclusive and Interdisciplinary Quantum Workforce through Quantum Education” has been selected by IEEE Quantum and she has been invited to present her proposal at IEEE QCE24 Conference, Montreal, Canada.
Join QuantumSG Community Group: An effort since May 2023, in creating a tight-knit quantum technologies community here in the Sunny Island on LinkedIn.
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