Driving commercial use of quantum technology: apply for funding

New products and services based on the latest quantum technologies could transform the automotive, healthcare, infrastructure, telecommunications, cybersecurity and defence sectors.

Quantum physics underpins the electronics, media, computing and infrastructure systems we use in our daily life.

A second generation of quantum technologies based on new quantum effects potentially offers more secure digital communication, improved construction and radical increases in computing power.

Innovate UK, as part of UK Research and Innovation, has up to £30 million to invest in projects that remove technological barriers to speeding up commercialisation of these quantum technologies. The funding is from the UK government’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.

Projects must use latest quantum technology

Projects should involve at least 2 partners and must look at removing a technological barrier to speeding up commercialisation of second-generation quantum technologies.

They must address at least one of the following areas:

• connectivity: techniques for securing data in storage and in flight
• situational awareness including autonomous systems, sensors and detectors for the built environment, transport and infrastructure, imaging and sensing of things currently invisible
• transformational computing to solve intractable problems

2-phase competition

Potential projects express an interest in the first phase.

If they are successful, they will be invited to apply for funding in the second phase.

Competition information

• the competition opens on 28 October 2019, and the deadline for expressions of interest is at midday on 27 November 2019
• businesses of any size may apply
• we expect total costs of projects to range in size between £4 million and £20 million
• a briefing event takes place on 30 October 2019