Europe is Scientifically Ready, but Strategically Incomplete: New Quantum Policy Lab Report

Madrid, December 18, 2025 —  The Center for the Governance of Change (CGC) at IE University is pleased to announce the publication of the results of the first phase of its Quantum Policy Lab project — the report “Is Europe Ready for the Quantum Age?”, authored by IE University Professor Elena Yndurain.

Developed under the Quantum Policy Lab, a joint initiative with the Centre for Future Generations, the report explores how Europe can harness the opportunities of quantum technologies while navigating the strategic, security, and governance challenges of the quantum era.

This first phase draws on extensive research, including 15 expert interviews with policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers from key EU countries — Spain, France, Germany, and Denmark — as well as a foresight workshop, “Sovereign Quantum Europe by 2040.” The workshop brought together 12 subject-matter experts in July 2025 at IE Tower in Madrid.

The analysis focuses on four core quantum technology areas — quantum communications, sensing, computing, and post-quantum cryptography — with particular attention to defense and cybersecurity as strategic use cases.

The report reaches a clear conclusion: Europe is scientifically ready, but strategically incomplete. The central challenge lies in translating world-class research excellence into sovereign quantum capability.

To address this gap, the report identifies three fundamental tensions that will shape Europe’s quantum trajectory:

• First, the balance between sovereignty and cooperation: full self-sufficiency is neither realistic nor desirable, and strategic autonomy must coexist with trusted international partnerships.
• Second, the tension between innovation and protectionism: efforts to safeguard critical assets should not undermine the openness and collaboration that drive discovery and market growth.
• Third, the challenge of integration versus fragmentation: without coherent governance, the EU risks widening internal divides, enabling some member states to advance while others fall behind.

The report also highlights the need for Europe’s defense posture to evolve. A more agile, mission-oriented framework — similar to the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) — could accelerate dual-use innovation and help ensure that frontier scientific advances translate into strategic advantage. In parallel, sustained talent mobility, open research networks, and proactive techno-diplomacy can further position Europe as a trusted and values-driven quantum power.

The CGC is already advancing work on the second phase of the Quantum Policy Lab, which will build on these findings and further examine Europe’s path toward quantum sovereignty.

 Click here to read the full report.