Two new EU strategies: Europe Invests in Quantum Research and Life Sciences of the Future

These strategies will lay the foundations for Europe to become a global leader in innovation in two key areas by 2030: quantum technologies and life sciences. The aim is to translate research breakthroughs into marketable solutions more quickly, strengthen Europe's technological sovereignty, and ensure that European innovations are globally competitive.

Quantum strategy: Europe's leap into the next technological dimension

The ‘Quantum Europe’ to establish a robust European quantum ecosystem, focusing on research, infrastructure, industrial applications, and training. Measures include:

• Establishment of a European quantum internet
• Setup of chip pilot lines for industrial manufacturing
• Launch of the European Academy for Quantum Competences in 2026
• Development of a quantum roadmap for space in cooperation with the ESA.
• Promotion of start-ups and scale-ups, and increasing the European share of private quantum investments.

It is expected that the market will reach a value of around 155 billion euros by 2040. Further information can be found here.

Life sciences: bringing innovations to patients faster

The new EU strategy for life sciences sees the Commission taking a holistic approach along the entire innovation chain, from laboratory to application. Key objectives:

• Promoting microbiome-based therapies (€100 million from Horizon Europe 2026–27).
• Accelerating market access with the EU Biotech Law
• A platform for networking start-ups, industry and investors
• €250 million for new life science technologies (e.g. molecules, materials, production processes).
• Life Sciences Coordination Group to facilitate cross-sector coordination
• €300 million for public procurement in areas such as vaccines, cancer research and climate adaptation

The EU's life sciences sector contributes 1.5 trillion euros to the economy and secures 29 million jobs. Further information can be found here.

Relevance for Bavaria: funding opportunities and a strong starting position

Both strategies lay the groundwork for a wide range of funding opportunities for Bavarian universities, research institutions, and companies, particularly within the framework of Horizon Europe, the European Innovation Council (EIC), and major strategic projects, such as IPCEIs. Bavaria is already excellently positioned in both areas.

• In the field of quantum technologies, for example, Bavaria is one of Europe's leading quantum regions, home to the Munich Quantum Valley, several Fraunhofer Institutes and the MCQST Cluster of Excellence.
   
• In the life sciences, the Free State also has strong Bavarian centres of bioscientific excellence, where universities, clinics, non-university research institutes and companies cooperate closely. These centres are located in Martinsried, Würzburg, Regensburg and Erlangen-Nuremberg.

BayFOR supports Bavarian stakeholder in positioning themselves strategically, forming strong consortia and submitting promising project proposals.