Excellence continues: MCQST renewed for seven more years
The Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology (MCQST) has been awarded a second funding phase under Germany’s Excellence Strategy.
Excellent science, excellent news! The Cluster of Excellence “Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology”, jointly proposed by LMU and TUM, has successfully passed the review process and will be funded for seven years starting in 2026. The renewal is a major success for Munich’s quantum research ecosystem and a strong vote of confidence in the outstanding quality of research carried out within the MCQST initiative. MPQ is one of MCQST’s partner institutions, alongside LMU, TUM, WMI, and the Deutsches Museum. MPQ Directors Immanuel Bloch and Ignacio Cirac serve as speakers of the Cluster and have played a key role in its inception and development.
The “Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology” (MCQST-2), a joint Cluster of Excellence between LMU Munich and the Technical University of Munich (TUM), has secured funding for a second seven-year phase from the German Research Foundation (DFG). The cluster brings together researchers to explore complex quantum systems, laying the groundwork for next-generation quantum technologies.
In its second funding phase, the cluster will be structured into six research areas, ranging from fundamental research to applications. Here, quantum information theory plays an equally crucial role as quantum cryptography, the quantum simulation of solid-state systems, and the investigation and development of novel quantum materials, quantum sensors, and quantum networks.
The vibrant ecosystem in Munich involves close collaboration between all partners, including the Munich Quantum Valley. As a cooperating institution, it will have a greater focus on the development of quantum computers both on the hardware and software level. In order to well equip the Munich community for the future, MCQST-2 will particularly support early-career researchers in a range of new programs, and a substantial share of the funding will be used to support them in the coming years.
MPQ Directors Immanuel Bloch and Ignacio Cirac serve as speakers of the Cluster and have significantly contributed to its development: “I am thrilled by this outstanding outcome, which enables us to further strengthen and expand the Munich Quantum Ecosystem – with MPQ playing a central and indispensable role at its core,” says Immanuel Bloch. Ignacio Cirac adds: “MCQST will play a key role in establishing Munich as an international center for quantum research worldwide.”
The achievement has also been acknowledged in political circles: Bavarian Minister of Science Markus Blume spoke of a major success for Munich’s universities and emphasised the city’s exceptional standing within Germany’s Excellence Strategy.
