Competition brief: commercialisation of quantum technologies, collaborative research & development
Updated 29 March 2017
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1. Dates and deadlines
| Competition opens | Monday 30 January 2017 |
| Networking event | Wednesday 8 February 2017 in London Tuesday 21 February 2017 in Edinburgh Thursday 2 March 2017 in Birmingham |
| Briefing webinar | Monday 13 February 2017 at 10:00am |
| Registration deadline | Midday on Wednesday 29 March 2017 |
| Application deadline | Midday on Wednesday 5 April 2017 |
2. The competition scope
The purpose of this competition is to support challenge-led collaborative research and development (CR&D) projects in quantum technologies. We are looking to fund projects that produce prototype devices and demonstrators. These must meet a clear commercial application or market need. It will help your application if one of the project partners is an end user or customer of the technology.
We are particularly looking for projects that align with the UK’s roadmap for quantum technologies. These themes include:
Quantum sensors, such as:
- quantum oscillators and precision timing devices
- quantum gravity sensors
- electromagnetic sensors
- accelerometers
Quantum-enhanced imaging, such as:
- single photon imaging
- ghost imaging
Quantum information technologies such as quantum computers.
Quantum communications, such as:
- quantum random number generators
- quantum key distribution
Other quantum technology systems that exploit the quantum effects of superposition or entanglement.
We may also consider technologies not on this list. But you must contact us to discuss this before you apply.
Your project may include work packages that either:
- develop core component technologies within these systems
- enable understanding of major market applications or customers
To allow for all levels of interest, we are running a feasibility studies competition in parallel with this competition. This will allow for earlier, more exploratory investigations and development into:
- quantum technologies
- developing components that make up quantum systems
- market opportunities and uses for quantum technologies
3. Projects that we won’t fund
In this competition we are not funding fundamental research.
We define fundamental research as work that:
- still requires excessive theoretical work
- has not proven its effectiveness through previous experiments or prototypes
4. Find out if you are eligible to apply
To lead a project you must:
- be a UK-based business of any size or research technology organisation (RTO) working within the limits that are provided in the guidance for applicants
- carry out your project in the UK
- work in collaboration with others (businesses, research base or third sector)
5. Funding and project details
We have allocated up to £9 million to fund CR&D projects in this competition.
We expect projects to last between 12 and 18 months. We expect them to range in size from total project costs of £500,000 to £2 million. We may consider projects outside this range but you must contact us to discuss this before you apply.
A business or RTO must lead the project and be collaborative.
See the general guidance for applicants for circumstances where RTOs may lead.
You can find out more in the competition guidance for applicants. A link will be available when the competition opens.
You can also attend a briefing and networking event.
Your project must focus on industrial research. You could get:
- up to 70% of your eligible project costs if you are a small business
- up to 60% if you are a medium-sized business
- up to 50% if you are a large business
The total of all research organisation costs can be no more than 50% of the total project costs.
Find out if your business fits the EU definition of an SME.
6. How to apply
- register online
- read the guidance for applicants for this competition
- watch a briefing webinar
- attend networking events on:
- 21 February 2017 in Edinburgh
- 2 March 2017 in Birmingham
- complete and upload your online application on our secure server
We will not accept late submissions. Your application is confidential.
Businesses may only participate in a maximum of 3 projects across both the research and development and feasibility studies streams of this competition.
External, independent experts assess the quality of your application. We will then select the projects that we fund, to build a portfolio of projects as described in the competition guidance for applicants. Please read this carefully before you apply.
Also please read the general guidance for applicants it will help your chances of submitting a quality application.
7. Background and further information
In December 2013, the UK government announced a £270 million work programme over 5 years. This was to establish the UK as a world leader in the commercialisation and exploitation of quantum technologies. This is a new and exciting £1 billion sector that Innovate UK has predicted will grow over the next decade.
Innovate UK and EPSRC published A roadmap for quantum technologies in the UK in September 2015. It outlined recommendations for realising this new industry. One of the 5 action areas was ‘stimulating application and market opportunities’ in the UK. The roadmap identified promising applications for quantum technologies including:
- short-term applications (up to 5 years to market) such as components for quantum systems, compact atomic clocks, quantum-enhanced imaging for non-medical applications and quantum communication systems
- medium-term applications (5 to 10 years to market) such as medical imaging and other sensing technologies
- long-term applications (20 years or more to market) such as networked quantum information systems, quantum computers and quantum technologies for consumer applications
To enable these applications to develop, the roadmap recommends that the UK programme:
- provides public funding for demonstrators
- encourages effective communication and co-working
- identifies early adopters for new technology
The roadmap also recommends that demonstrators should:
- encourage better understanding of the potential properties of quantum devices
- highlight and overcome the remaining technical challenges in the way of potential market applications
We have designed this competition to meet these recommendations. This will support consortia to develop demonstrators of quantum technologies. It will also help them meet the expectations of users and customers. If you want help to find a project partner, contact the Knowledge Transfer Network
If you need more information, contact the competition helpline on 0300 321 4357 or email us at support@innovateuk.gov.uk.