Global network puts spotlight on quantum software
10 February 2026
Scientists from around the world have come together to form the Quantum Software Alliance, highlighting the critical role that quantum software and applications will play as quantum computing enters a new era.
The Quantum Software Alliance (QSA) will champion and co-ordinate the development of quantum software and algorithms to support quantum computing’s shift from lab-based theory to real-world applications.
EPCC is affiliated with the QSA through our role in the Quantum Software Lab, hosted at the School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh. We look forward to working with the Alliance to highlight the critical importance of software research and development to the future of both quantum computing and classical HPC. EPCC has more than three decades' experience of helping to bridge the gap between novel compute and applications. We are now applying this accumulated expertise to quantum computing, with EPCC’s Quantum Group working on programming models and applications for hybrid quantum computing and HPC through the National Quantum Technology Hub, QCi3.
Strategic Vision
QSA's Strategic Vision will focus on the vital contributions quantum software will make in the drive towards practical quantum computing – transforming outputs from small and noisy machines to creating fresh applications that deliver innovative outcomes for social and economic development.
The Vision combines the knowledge and experience of researchers across four continents to provide practical recommendations to accelerate the discovery of new software and algorithms to enhance the performance of large-scale hardware platforms.
Another key action for the partnership is to create a Global Research Agenda that will provide a coherent development framework for the research community, enable closer collaboration with other stakeholders and inform policy and funding decisions.
With its global outlook and independent ethos, the QSA will champion the development of open and interoperable solutions that can boost collaboration and innovation.
It also explores the open questions confronting researchers who are developing software algorithms and protocols for many-qubit quantum processors.
The QSA also makes a direct appeal to policymakers and funding agencies to support these community-driven efforts, and to formulate quantum research programmes that place a more strategic focus on the development of quantum algorithms and software.
Professor Elham Kashefi, Chief Scientist of the UK's National Quantum Computing Centre and a convener of the QSA, said: "Even the most powerful quantum computer will need software and algorithms to create useful applications that deliver genuine benefits for industry and society.
“We now need a dedicated focus on developing quantum algorithms and protocols that can derive the most value from scalable hardware platforms, otherwise there is a real risk that a fault-tolerant machine will not be able to achieve the computational advantage that has been promised for quantum computing."
About the Quantum Software Alliance (QSA)
The QSA is an international network of experts from leading research institutes. Its mission is to highlight the critical role that quantum software and algorithms must play as quantum computing enters the era of practical utility and advantage, and to develop and maintain a Global Research Agenda that will guide the community towards long-term success. The QSA is committed to fair and open development, connecting and growing the research community, and providing independent and expert advice to government, industry and the general public.
