The document, however, does not mention two other major Brazilian initiatives. In June 2023, the Quantum Technologies Laboratory of the Brazilian Center for Physics Research (CBPF) began installation in Rio de Janeiro, with operations expected to start in 2025. The project received R$ 30 million in funding from the Financier of Studies and Projects (Finep), the Carlos Chagas Filho Foundation for Research Support of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Faperj), the São Paulo Research Foundation (Fapesp), the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), and Petrobras.
In April 2024, the Foundation launched the Fapesp Program in Quantum Technologies (QuTIa), which plans to invest R$ 150 million over five years in research aimed at developing quantum technologies.
Will these investments be enough to elevate Brazil to a global leadership position in the race for quantum technologies? And at what stage are Brazilian scientific efforts that could influence this sector?
To answer these questions, the science communication team at ICTP-SAIFR spoke with 25 Brazilian researchers from various states across the country. Internationally recognized as leaders in the field, these scientists are directly or indirectly involved in the development of quantum technologies.
From all the interviews, one conclusion stood out: Brazil has a highly qualified community of researchers producing science at an international level. At the same time, second-generation quantum technologies are still in their early stages of development. With increased investment in infrastructure for both basic and applied research — including support for the creation of startups and the training of engineers — the country has the potential to develop cutting-edge quantum technologies and become a global reference.
*From ICTP-SAIFR, adapted for Jornal da USP
**Intern supervised by Moisés Dorado
English version: Nexus Traduções, edited by Denis Pacheco
