Building on the strong alignment between stakeholder insights and regional policy frameworks, this chapter outlines key recommendations to guide the Nordic-Baltic quantum agenda. These recommendations build on existing regional efforts such as those described in Joint Nordic Initiatives, aiming to scale and structure collaboration across the Nordic quantum ecosystem. The priorities reflect both strategic consensus and practical needs, offering a roadmap for coordinated action that bridges vision and implementation. The recommendations are grounded in insights from stakeholder interviews, the Nordic-Baltic Quantum Ecosystem Report (3), and the Nordic Quantum White Paper (1), and are further reinforced by the high-level political commitment expressed in the Joint Statement by the Nordic Prime Ministers and Heads of Government on Quantum Technologies (21).
This chapter reaffirms the value of aligning bottom-up insights from practitioners and innovators with top-down strategies and policy frameworks. Such alignment ensures that the Nordic quantum agenda remains both visionary and grounded, enabling policies that are not only ambitious but also responsive to the operational realities of the ecosystem. Together, these sources highlight a shared ambition to position the Nordic region as a prominent global contributor in quantum innovation through cross-border collaboration, ethical governance, and strategic investment.
- Establish Sustainable, Region-Wide Funding Mechanisms
To ensure long-term impact, the Nordic-Baltic region must move beyond fragmented national funding and commit to:
- Multi-year, cross-border funding programs that support research, infrastructure, and commercialization.
- Joint investment platforms coordinated by institutions like NordForsk to pool national resources.
- Equitable access to funding across all countries to foster inclusive growth and avoid regional disparities.
- Build a Nordic Framework for Cross-Border Collaboration
Effective collaboration requires more than goodwill—it needs structure. The region should:
- Create a Nordic Quantum Coordination Forum to align national strategies and streamline governance.
- Support multi-country research consortia and joint pilot projects that span institutions and borders.
- Harmonize legal, administrative, and IP frameworks to reduce friction in cross-border cooperation.
- Leverage and strengthen existing networks, such as Nordic Quantum network, NordIQuest, and Nordic Quantum Life Science Roundtable, to facilitate collaboration, knowledge exchange, and community-building across the region.
(This recommendation reflects feedback from both researchers and infrastructure providers, who emphasized the importance of inclusive governance and practical mechanisms for collaboration.)
- Create a Federated Nordic Infrastructure Network
Quantum research depends on access to specialized facilities. Aligning with stakeholder calls for improved access and coordination of infrastructure (see Infrastructure Sharing in Stakeholder Insights), a federated approach would:
- Develop a Nordic infrastructure access portal to coordinate use of cleanrooms, testbeds, and labs.
- Implement standardized access protocols and reduce bureaucratic barriers for cross-border users.
- Encourage co-investment in shared infrastructure to maximize efficiency and regional value.
- Strengthen Nordic Industry-Academia Partnerships
To accelerate innovation and commercialization, the region should:
- Launch Nordic innovation clusters that connect universities, startups, and industry across borders.
- Co-fund cross-border PhD and postdoc placements embedded in companies.
- Support joint public-private R&D projects that address shared regional challenges and market opportunities.
- Support a Nordic Quantum Startup Ecosystem
Entrepreneurship must be nurtured at the regional level. Key actions include:
- Establish Nordic-wide incubators and accelerators with access to shared infrastructure and mentorship.
- Harmonize IP and licensing policies to enable easier cross-border spin-off creation.
- Provide early-stage funding pools accessible to startups from all Nordic-Baltic countries.
- Launch a Nordic Talent and Mobility Strategy
A mobile, skilled workforce is essential for regional competitiveness. This responds directly to the needs identified in Education and Training by stakeholders across the region. It involves:
- Creating joint Nordic PhD programs with co-supervision and mobility components.
- Offering Nordic mobility fellowships for researchers, educators, and professionals.
- Coordinating quantum literacy and upskilling programs across sectors and borders.
- Focus on Joint Use-Case Development
To demonstrate real-world value, the region should:
- Identify shared Nordic priorities (e.g., climate technology, secure communication) for quantum applications.
- Launch cross-border pilot projects involving end-users from multiple countries and sectors.
- Promote interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure solutions are both technically robust and societally relevant.