Quantum technologies are often presented in public discourse as one of the most promising scientific frontiers of the twenty-first century. The so-called “second quantum revolution” encompasses developments such as quantum computing, quantum cryptography, and quantum sensing—technologies that are now transitioning from fundamental research to early industrial applications. While large-scale commercial deployment is still limited, concrete uses are already emerging, particularly in sensing and secure communications.
What is less widely discussed, however, is the growing interest that military institutions and defense agencies worldwide have shown in these same technologies. Numerous policy documents and sector reports highlight the potential military applications of quantum research, including quantum sensors for drones, quantum cryptography for military communications, quantum clocks for navigation and positioning, and quantum radar for satellite surveillance. In recent years, public funding for military-oriented and dual-use research in quantum technologies has increased significantly, particularly in the context of a broader global and European push toward rearmament.
In response to this development, a group of researchers in quantum science and technology has published the “Manifesto of Quantum Scientists for Disarmament.” The manifesto expresses strong opposition to the militarization of research and calls for a collective reflection within the scientific community on the ethical consequences of military involvement in academia. The signatories categorically reject the use of their research for military purposes, population control, or surveillance, and oppose the growing dependence of public research on military funding.
The manifesto sets out four main objectives:
- to publicly repudiate the use of quantum research for military ends;
- to open an overdue debate within the quantum-science community on the ethical implications of military-oriented research;
- to build networks of researchers committed to demilitarized science, creating spaces for discussion and collective action;
- to advocate for the creation of a transparent public database listing all research projects at public universities that are funded by military or defense agencies.
The initiative originated during a quantum information workshop held in Benasque, in the Aragonese Pyrenees, between June and July 2025. What began as a small discussion among colleagues quickly developed into a collective effort: a shared draft of the manifesto was written collaboratively and circulated widely within the community. The manifesto was published online on January 13, 2026, and gathered around fifty signatures in its first release. Within just one day, the number of signatories doubled, reflecting a strong and immediate response.
Although most signatories are currently affiliated with European research institutions, the manifesto has received substantial support from researchers originally from the Global South, as well as from scientists based in countries such as Brazil, India, and Canada. This diversity highlights the global nature of the problem. The manifesto explicitly addresses how military funding—particularly from powerful nations—can act as a form of soft power over academic institutions in the Global South, creating long-term dependencies even when the research funded is labeled as “basic” or “non-military.”
The signatories range from early-career researchers to well-established professors. While many signatures come from younger generations, the manifesto also includes the endorsement of more than a dozen senior academics. Notably, the website allows for anonymous signatures with identity verification, an option already used several times—suggesting that openly expressing opposition to militarization in academia has become, if not dangerous, at least professionally sensitive.
The manifesto is not directed against individual researchers, including those currently funded by military agencies, but against a broader system in which public research institutions are increasingly entangled with defense agendas. Its authors argue that the neutrality and independence of universities are essential for ensuring that publicly funded research serves the common good rather than geopolitical or military interests.
Researchers in the broad quantum physics community are invited to read and support the manifesto at https://disarmquantum.com.