Quantum Missions pilot: Quantum Computing and Quantum Networks

Mission 1

By 2035, there will be accessible, UK-based quantum computers capable of running 1 trillion operations and supporting applications that provide benefits well in excess of classical supercomputers across key sectors of the economy.

Mission 2

By 2035, the UK will have deployed the world’s most advanced quantum network at scale, pioneering the future quantum internet.

Mission 3

By 2030, every NHS Trust will benefit from quantum sensing-enabled solutions, helping those with chronic illness live healthier, longer lives through early diagnosis and treatment.

Mission 4

By 2030, quantum navigation systems, including clocks, will be deployed on aircraft, providing next-generation accuracy for resilience that is independent of satellite signals.

Mission 5

By 2030, mobile, networked quantum sensors will have unlocked new situational awareness capabilities, exploited across critical infrastructure in the transport, telecoms, energy, and defence sectors.

Read more about the five Quantum Missions and the UK National Quantum Strategy.

To lead a project your organisation must:

• be a UK registered business of any size
• carry out its project work in the UK
• intend to commercially exploit the project results from the UK

To collaborate with the lead, your organisation must be one of the following UK registered:

• business of any size
• academic institution
• charity
• not for profit
• public sector organisation
• research and technology organisation (RTO)

A business can only lead on one application but can be included as a collaborator in two further applications. If an organisation is not leading an application, it can collaborate in any number of applications.

Your project must:

• have a total grant funding request of between £1 million and £3 million for Quantum Computing projects
• have a total grant funding request of between £300,000 and £1 million for Quantum Networks projects
• have a total grant funding request of between £1 million and £3 million for combined Quantum Computing and Quantum Network projects
• last between 8 and 12 months
• carry out all of its project work in the UK
• intend to exploit the results from or in the UK
• start by 1 April 2025
• end by 31 March 2026

The aim of this competition is to accelerate Quantum Computing (QC) and Quantum Networks (QN) technologies by increasing their capabilities and removing technological barriers to their commercialisation and adoption.

Your project must identify one or more key technological barriers or limitations and propose an innovative project that will address them.

Your proposal must focus on one or both of the two technological themes:

• Quantum Computing (QC)
• Quantum Networks (QN)

Your application must outline a plan to further develop and exploit the solution within the UK. Your project must exploit the capabilities of second generation quantum technologies.

Exclusions

We are not funding projects that:

• do not use ‘second generation’ quantum technologies defined as those involving the generation and coherent control of quantum states, resulting in phenomena such as superposition or entanglement
• would directly duplicate existing innovation
• are low maturity in their development
• do not include delivery of significant and critical activities in the UK

For Quantum Computing projects you must:

• outline the development of innovative quantum hardware, this could include the development of a quantum computing testbed at an advanced stage

or

• outline a follow up development to an already existing testbed in use by the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) to significantly increase its capabilities

You must also:

• describe how the hardware presents an improvement over available existing technology
• include the requirements and specification development, build, commissioning, initial test and validation stages
• lead to an operational system as the main project output

In your QC project, the term “testbed” corresponds to stable and well characterised prototype, or development platform solutions for a physical quantum computer. It must be capable of running quantum algorithms or analogue quantum processes, which must be tested and validated at system level by the end of the project.

For Quantum Network projects you must:

• describe the implications to businesses of the addressed barrier and how it impedes widespread customer adoption
• deliver an innovative, competitive technical solution
• plan to demonstrate the technical solution and its commercial viability
• demonstrate how the project will enhance the scalability of quantum network technologies and build UK leadership in the emerging global market

In your QN project, we consider technologies involving single photon generation and detection to be in scope. We encourage projects for networking of quantum computers to advance information processing.

(Briefing slides will be available to download after the event)

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