Italy and Canada have strengthened their cooperation in the field of quantum science and technologies by signing two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). The agreements, signed yesterday, 1 September, at the Italian Cultural Institute in Toronto, involved, on the Italian side, the National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), the National Research Council (CNR) and the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), and, on the Canadian side, the University of Toronto, the University of Waterloo and the Perimeter Institute. The signing of the two agreements is the result of a process of cooperation launched with the mission of the Italian scientific delegation to Canada, led by INFN and facilitated by the Embassies of Canada in Italy and Italy in Canada.
In March 2025, the mission brought together representatives of the Italian research community for a series of meetings with some of Canada’s leading research institutions. The mission has already led to the signing of important agreements between the two countries, including the most significant and direct outcome to date: the framework agreement between INFN and the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), signed in Rome in September of the same year.
The two MoUs signed yesterday will promote cooperation in theoretical physics research and the development of quantum technologies through exchange programmes for researchers and students, the development of joint projects, and the sharing of expertise and infrastructure.
The meeting took place as part of the event “Building Quantum Bridges: Italy–Canada Partnership for the Quantum Future”, which brought together representatives of Italian and Canadian institutions to discuss the two countries’ respective quantum science and technology ecosystems. The event was introduced by Alberta Lai, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute, and was attended by Andrea Bertozzi, Consul General of Italy in Toronto, and Janice Vogtle, Ontario Regional Director at Global Affairs Canada. The meeting featured presentations on research activities carried out in the two countries across a range of areas, from quantum computing and quantum optics to metrology and the development of detectors for fundamental physics.
The first MoU was signed by INFN, CNR and ENEA and the Centre for Quantum Information and Quantum Control (CQIQC) at the University of Toronto. The agreement establishes a general framework for cooperation in theoretical research and quantum technologies, with a particular focus on exchange programmes for research staff and quantum simulations of complex systems. The second Memorandum was signed by the Italian research institutions and the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) at the University of Waterloo and the Perimeter Institute. The agreement covers cooperation in quantum technologies and theoretical physics, including research and development activities in the field of quantum technologies and nanodevices.
“These agreements were made possible by a series of interesting and fruitful meetings we held last year during our visit in Canada,” said Antonio Zoccoli, president of INFN. “We believe that Canada and its research institutions are strategic partners for advancing theoretical physics and quantum technologies, and we are very pleased to strengthen our cooperation and work together to shape the future of this field of research.”
“We warmly welcome these agreements,” said Elissa Golberg, ambassador of Canada to Italy. “Investing in science and innovation means investing in the future, and we are pleased to see the excellence of our two countries working together to develop knowledge and technologies that will benefit our citizens and have a global impact.”
“Quantum technologies represent one of the most promising scientific and technological frontiers of the 21st century,” said Alessandro Cattaneo, ambassador of Italy to Canada. “Italy and Canada, as friends and allies, are home to world-class expertise in this field and are at the forefront of research among the world’s democracies. In an increasingly competitive international context, cooperation between countries is essential to leverage complementary expertise, promote research excellence and accelerate innovation. The signing of the two Memoranda of Understanding between some of Italy’s and Canada’s leading research institutions represents a concrete step towards a strategic and long-lasting partnership, in line with the Italy–Canada Roadmap for Enhanced Cooperation. We hope this will be only the beginning of a process capable of generating new opportunities for scientific, technological and industrial cooperation between our two countries.”
