SBRI: Quantum Catalyst Fund, phase 1 and phase 2

To lead a project, you can:

• be an organisation of any size
• work alone or with others from business, research organisations, research and technology organisations or the third sector as subcontractors

Up to £2 million, inclusive of VAT, is allocated to phase 1 for feasibility study R&D contracts of up to £120,000, inclusive of VAT for up to 3 months.

Up to £13 million inclusive of VAT, is allocated to phase 2, for projects selected from phase 1. Phase 2 contracts of between £1 million and £2.5 million, inclusive of VAT will be awarded to develop a prototype and undertake field testing for up to 15 months.

Your phase 1 project must:

• start by 1 September 2023
• end by 30 November 2023
• last up to 3 months

Your phase 2 project must:

• start by 1 January 2023
• end by 31 March 2025
• last up to 15 months

Your project’s total duration will be up to 18 months. There will be an interlude after the 3 month phase 1. This is to assess the progress of phase 1 projects and review the end of phase reports, after which phase 2 contracts will be issued to successful projects.

The aim of this competition is to explore the benefit of using quantum technologies in various areas of interest for the UK Government, accelerating the adoption of quantum solutions by the public sector and for the public benefit.

The UK Government has already identified some areas of interest, but this is largely as an indication of critical areas rather than a list of mandatory topics:

• Transport
• Space
• Health
• Home Office
• Position, Navigation, Timing (PNT)
• Defence
• Net Zero

In phase 1 you must conduct a desk study with detailed planning for a specific application of quantum technologies in the public sector. You must align this with the UK Governments areas of interest. Phase 1 is an opportunity to engage with a government department or organisation on the challenge you propose to develop further in phase 2.

In a Phase 2 demonstrator, your project will be tested to assure and prove that the developed proposal is suitable and feasible in meeting a specific need or problem for the Government.

Your project must:

• show how your solution is expected to have an advantage over classical technologies
• be willing to work with the UK Government’s end-users to define the specifications and requirements of the technology

Contracts will be given to successful applicants.

At this stage contracts will be given for phase 1 only.

You must define your goals in your application and outline your plan for phase 2. This is part of the full commercial implementation in your phase 1 application.

You must demonstrate a credible and practical route to market, so your application must include a plan to commercialise your results.

Your project can focus on one or more of the following quantum technologies:

• quantum sensing and imaging
• quantum communications
• quantum position, navigation and timing (PNT)
• quantum components
• quantum computing

Suggested challenge areas for the UK Government are:

• underground and underwater survey
• transport
• navigation
• earth observation
• healthcare
• environment
• security
• autonomous systems
• telecommunications
• emergency services and response
• time and frequency dissemination
• infrastructures
• space
• optimisation tasks

This list is not exhaustive.

Your proposal must address one or more challenge areas for the UK Government and present a credible and realistic solution, where quantum technologies can successfully be used.

Innovate UK KTN will hold a briefing on Wednesday 31st May, 11am-noon: click here to book a place.

If you would like help to find a collaboration partner, contact Innovate UK KTN’s Quantum Technologies team.