News story: Commercialisation of quantum technologies: apply for funding

Innovate UK and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) are inviting business to apply for a share of up to £14 million to develop quantum technologies.

Quantum technologies have the potential to significantly improve imaging and computing. We predict they will have a major impact on the finance, defence, aerospace, energy and telecommunications sectors.

The competition aims to encourage collaborative research and development (CR&D) projects and feasibility studies that will either:

• develop prototype devices and demonstrators of quantum technologies or their component technologies
• improve the understanding of the technical, business or market challenges of taking a new device or service to market

There are 2 streams of the competition to support technologies at different stages of development.

Feasibility studies

This competition strand is seeking collaborative feasibility studies that will improve understanding of the technical or market feasibility of a product or service. Projects can be technical or non-technical projects and focus on understanding the business or market opportunity and challenges. They should last between 6 and 12 months with costs from £50,000 to £500,000.

Collaborative R&D

Projects in the collaborative research and development strand should be challenge-led. We are looking to fund projects that produce prototype devices and demonstrators with a clear commercial application or market need. They should last between 12 and 18 months with costs from £500,000 to £2 million.

• this competition is open and the deadline for registration is midday on Wednesday 29 March 2017
• proposals must be collaborative and a UK-based business must lead the project
• there will be briefing events for potential applicants in Edinburgh (21 February) and Birmingham (2 March)