New quantum technologies have the potential to revolutionise a
range of industries – from cyber security to defence and
healthcare.
But as an emerging technology, research and innovation in quantum
technologies requires continuing government support in order to
maximise the industry’s potential in the UK.
Government has announced that it will invest £153 million through
the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund’s (ISCF) new
commercialising quantum technologies challenge.
The funding will support businesses delivering quantum-enabled
products and help remove technological barriers to productivity
and competitiveness in the UK. It will be supported by £205
million from industry.
The programme will be delivered by UK Research and Innovation,
and lifts total UK investment or planned investment in the
National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP) to over £1
billion.
Challenge scope
The challenge will invest in 4 key areas, designed to support all
aspects of the UK’s quantum industry growth:
- product and service innovations: a series of collaborative
research and development competitions to deliver game-changing
quantum-enabled products and services
- industry-led technology development projects: a programme of
industry-managed research activities addressing specific
challenges
- supply chain: feasibility projects focused on innovative
components and supply chain elements across the quantum sector
- investment accelerator: encouraging venture capital for
early-stage, spin-out and start-up quantum technologies companies
Laying the foundations for a quantum industry
UK Research and Innovation Chief Executive, Professor Sir Mark
Walport, said:
The UK is a world leader in quantum technologies. The funding
announced today builds on the great progress we have made and
lays the foundations for a quantum technology industry here in
the UK.
It will ensure that we remain at the forefront of this exciting
and evolving field and that we realise its potential, from
improved healthcare to more accurate and reliable navigation,
that is fundamental to so many services.
Roger McKinlay, Challenge Director for Quantum Technologies at UK
Research and Innovation said:
Quantum technologies will transform all aspects of our lives
from more efficient infrastructure to higher levels of security
in the transmission and storage of data.
The announcement of this significant public funding for the
industrialisation of quantum technologies exemplifies the
benefits of the Industrial Strategy, both in terms of improved
coordination across government departments and also the
creation of long-term partnerships between government, academia
and businesses. Five years of investment in the UK National
Quantum Technologies Programme has given the UK a technological
lead which businesses are now ready to turn in to a significant
commercial advantage.
Building on pioneer projects’ success
Through the ISCF quantum challenge, UK government has already
invested £20 million in 4 pioneer projects.
The projects, which are still ongoing, focused on delivering
quantum-enabled prototypes within 2 years in 3 areas:
- gravity sensing
- secure communications
- developing a quantum-enabled clock
One project has been developing a device that will use quantum
technology to see underground. The device has applications in
infrastructure planning and development and is being delivered by
engineering and environmental firm RSK.
