Race for Supercomputers: Germany Launches Quantum Computing Competition With a multi-million euro funding program, the Research Ministry aims to realize two error-corrected quantum computers at European top level by 2030. Germany's technological sovereignty is to be secured at the atomic level in the future. The Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) has officially published the funding guidelines for the “Quantum Computing Competition” (QCC). The competition is part of the Federal Government's High-Tech Agenda. Its goal: By 2030, at least two new quantum computers should be available that are at the European top level. The focus is on industry-led, cutting-edge research. It primarily addresses start-ups and established companies to close the gap between theoretical excellence and practical application. Key Technology Quantum Computer Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär (CSU) justifies the announcement of the QCC with the significance of the technology, which goes far beyond pure computing power. Quantum computers are considered a key technology and promise breakthroughs in fields that are currently hardly accessible to conventional supercomputers. According to Bär, such systems could accelerate the development of drugs or control complex traffic flows in real-time. The expected synergy effect with artificial intelligence is promising for the tech industry: New approaches in machine learning could experience a significant performance boost for AI models through quantum technology. “For our competitiveness and sovereignty, we must be at the forefront internationally,” explains Bär. She is convinced: With the QCC, “we are on the way to becoming a top quantum technology country.” Together with German quantum companies, the federal government will take the decisive step. The focus is no longer solely on basic research, but on establishing measurable success parameters for technologically excellent hardware made in Germany. Videos by heise Technology-Open Competition The competition is designed to be technology-open, relying on diversity rather than