In April 2024, the United Kingdom and Denmark signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on co-operation within the area of quantum science and technology.
Summary
Both Denmark and the United Kingdom are home to thriving quantum ecosystems with significant funding and political backing as set out in our respective National Strategies for quantum technologies and International Technology Strategies. Formalising the relationship through an MoU in line with our 2023 DK-UK Joint Statement supports DK-UK bilateral and multilateral quantum objectives through academic collaboration, talent development, commercial opportunities, and shared leadership on responsible quantum technology governance.
Likeminded partners with strong quantum ecosystems and shared voices in multilateral settings
Denmark is among the most innovative countries in the world and a close partner on science, innovation, and technology. Like the UK, they have a proud tradition for quantum research, are leaders in nurturing academic and entrepreneurial talent, and actively invest in the commercial potential of quantum technologies. Denmark was among the first countries to formally recognise technology diplomacy as a foreign and security policy objective in its own right [Tech Ambassador and Techplomacy Strategy, 2017]. In addition to bilateral collaboration opportunities, the UK and Denmark work closely to set direction for multilateral quantum work, including through coordinated chairing roles of the new NATO Transatlantic Quantum Community. Denmark also hosts the first NATO DIANA Quantum Centre; with the DIANA European HQ jointly hosted in London and Estonia, this adds another layer of engagement with Denmark on the dual use potential of quantum.
Delivery: Spotting synergies and making connections
The UK and Denmark have strong collaborative ties and synergies between our academic and commercial actors with the formalisation of the relationship through an MoU emerging organically over a couple of years.
The Science and Innovation Network (SIN) has supported this development through a range of engagements, including:
- building ties with the broader Danish quantum ecosystem
- exploring UK priorities and discussing relevant Danish opportunities with UK policy leads
- facilitating dialogue between UK and DK government, academic and sector experts
- supporting Danish delegations to key conferences, including National Quantum Technologies Showcase and Economist Commercialising Quantum
- co-ordinating UK delegation and ministerial attendance to the DK-NATO co-hosted Copenhagen Quantum 2023
- supporting broader tech policy and diplomacy dialogue, with quantum as a clear priority technology
Impact: DK-UK quantum delivering across sectors
The ambition of the MoU is to support stronger collaborative ties, deliver on emerging commercial opportunities, and complement our joint work with the Danes on secure and responsible quantum governance in multilateral settings.
SIN will continue to support its implementation - ongoing work and next steps include:
- in the immediate-to-short term, we are supporting bilateral connections, frameworks and thematic leads around the work strands set out in the MoU
- identifying and supporting key academic opportunities, including through exploration of governmental and philanthropic funding opportunities and joint focus on fostering talent
- following synergistic commercial opportunities, including expanding venture capital on both sides being dedicated to quantum; Danish companies scaling up in the UK and UK companies increasingly establishing European headquarters in Copenhagen; several UK companies are among the inaugural 2024 cohort enrolled in the NATO DIANA Quantum accelerator in the Copenhagen-based DeepTech Lab Quantum
- support to coordinated DK-UK efforts to sequentially chair and set direction for the first two years of the new NATO Transatlantic Quantum Community
