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
For more information, please contact Anne Laugesen, SIN Denmark: anne.laugesen@fcdo.gov.uk
