On Monday, the UK government announced that it is investing a total of £45M (approximately €52M) in the UK’s quantum sector as part of its commitment to transforming into a quantum-enabled economy by 2033.
Of the total investment, £30M (approximately €35M) will go to developing and delivering prototype quantum computers.
These computers will provide scientists and engineers with a controlled environment for experimentation, pushing the boundaries of quantum capabilities.
Additionally, winners of the £15M (approximately €17.5M) Quantum Catalyst Fund, focusing on accelerating the adoption of quantum solutions in the public sector, have been announced.
The funded projects span from optimising power grids to enhancing the diagnosis of dementia, showcasing the diverse applications of quantum technology.
Science Minister Andrew Griffith highlighted the significance of the £45M investment, emphasising its role in propelling the UK towards a quantum-enabled economy.
Projects receiving funding include the development of a high-tech brain scanner using quantum technology to improve the diagnosis of neurological disorders and a smart navigation system for trains utilising quantum sensors for cost savings and enhanced safety in tunnels.
Developing quantum computing hardware prototypes
The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Technology Missions Fund, in collaboration with the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), is contributing £30M to advance the development of world-leading quantum computing hardware prototypes.
Simultaneously, the £15M Quantum Catalyst Fund is set to fast-track the integration of quantum solutions in the public sector, strategically positioning the UK Government to leverage quantum technologies across various policy areas — from healthcare where quantum sensors could be used to look for the signs of dementia, to energy where quantum computers could help manage the electricity grid.
Science Minister Andrew Griffith MP, says, “As we steer towards an economy benefitting from quantum, this further £45M in funding underscores our commitment to support bright UK innovators who are pushing boundaries and seizing the potential of this technology to transform our public services.”
“Already one global leader in quantum and to maintain that position this government will continue to invest in this transformational technology propelling the UK into a new era of technological prowess and economic growth,” adds Griffith.
The Quantum Catalyst Fund, delivered by Innovate UK, has already conducted feasibility studies exploring quantum technology applications in addressing governmental challenges.
The second phase of the competition will fund the development of prototypes for the most promising concepts, further advancing the integration of quantum solutions into public services.
Dr Michael Cuthbert, Director of the National Quantum Computing Centre, says, “Over the coming 15 months, these prototype quantum computing platforms will be deployed into the newly established NQCC facility, providing us with a valuable insight into the maturity, characteristics, and capabilities available across a range of hardware architectures.”
“This next phase of the NQCC will be one of huge promise establishing a unique state-of-the-art facility with on-premises access to a range of qubit modalities at scale,” adds Cuthbert.
The National Quantum Strategy, unveiled in March 2023, commits £2.5B to the development of quantum technologies in the UK over the next ten years, aiming to attract an additional £1B of private investment into the program.
Quantum Computing Testbeds competition
The Quantum Computing Testbeds competition, part of the UKRI Technology Missions Fund and NQCC collaboration, allocates £30 million to drive projects delivering quantum computing testbeds based on diverse hardware architectures by March 2025.
These testbeds serve as controlled environments for manipulating and studying quantum bits, facilitating the testing and validation of new quantum algorithms and technologies.
Dr Kedar Pandya, Executive Director, Cross-Council Programmes at UKRI, says, “We are on the brink of a quantum technology revolution that is poised to transform diverse industries from the financial sector to healthcare, and UKRI is committed to ensuring the UK’s place at the forefront of this.”
“We are providing our world-leading businesses and institutions the resources and tools needed to build a strong foundation in quantum computing with the potential to scale their activities for long-term competitive advantage,” continues Pandya.
“This investment will help our researchers and innovators develop the blueprint for quantum computing hardware and software and secure the UK’s place in this developing field,” adds Pandya.
Professor Will Drury, Executive Director, Digital and Technologies at Innovate UK, says, “Quantum technologies have the potential to meet some of the greatest challenges society faces. By unleashing computing power that goes far beyond existing digital technology, we can reach new frontiers in sensing, timing, imaging, and communications.”
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