Quantum Technologies
The UK is making big leaps in quantum technology
The UK is well set to remain at the forefront of a new era in quantum technologies. Our innovative approach is evident in a vibrant and growing industry, a world-class research base and our flagship National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP).
The UK quantum community continues to be strong across the board, with the largest number of quantum start-ups in Europe. We already have an established programme of public and private R&D with over £1 billion of investment over the period 2014-2024.
We have embarked on the next phase of quantum research and innovation in the UK, with a new and ambitious ten-year quantum programme. This will run from 2023 to 2034 and will be even greater in scale and impact, making this a great time to join the UK quantum sector.
Our Strategy
A plan for quantum change
With ground-breaking capabilities emerging from our excellent research and industrial base, the UK is fast becoming a leading destination for global quantum companies and investors.
Quantum technologies will impact crucial areas of science and tech including sensing, communications and computing. Together, they offer possible solutions to some of our greatest challenges in society. These technologies hold enormous potential to transform global security, economies and societies and underpin solutions to some of our biggest global challenges.
Already, a significant proportion of the global talent pool of quantum experts and pioneers are based in the UK. And you’ll find many world-leading companies, an expanding supply chain and many high-performing sectors that will use these new technologies – including finance, aerospace and pharmaceuticals.
Investment
Rising to the challenge
The UK is home to more quantum companies and attracts more capital investment than any other European state.
In fact, we’re a global leader in quantum technologies. The UK ranks second in the world for the number of quantum companies and for the level of private investment.
But we will not stop here. We are going to build on these strengths to support growth, jobs and new discoveries that benefit the UK public. The size of the quantum computing market around the world is estimated to grow from between $9bn to $93bn by 2040, and we want as much of that growth, those start-ups and jobs as possible to be in the UK.
That’s why we are backing the sector through our National Quantum Strategy. This sets out a ten-year commitment to quantum technologies in the UK, funding new quantum research, supporting and developing our growing quantum sector, preparing our wider economy for the quantum revolution and supporting the regulation of quantum technologies.
Since the publication of the strategy, the government has worked with industry, quantum experts, and investors to develop National Quantum Strategy Missions that crystallize where we want to get to as a country.
These will help us achieve our four key goals. Firstly, backing the UK’s world-leading research and skills to ensure the UK is home to world-leading quantum science and engineering, growing UK knowledge and skills. Secondly, to support quantum business making the UK the go-to place for them. Thirdly, to drive the adoption of quantum technologies in the UK and make sure the UK reaps the full benefits of quantum across all sectors. Lastly, to lead quantum regulation and protect the sector by creating a framework for regulating quantum technologies that supports innovation and protects UK capabilities and national security.
Plus the UKRI led Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) for quantum technologies has stimulated commercial development – supporting quantum businesses to collaborate with industry and academic partners and to overcome the commercial and technical challenges they face.
Supported by £204 million from the ISCF, businesses have raised over £500 million in private sector financing – twice the forecast estimate.
Investment
A centre of excellence
Since 2013 UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has funded over 570 PhD studentships in quantum.
This includes multiple Centres for Doctoral Training at centres of research excellence, which provides universities and industry with the opportunity to work closely together on key projects while equipping PhD students with the skills needed for a career in quantum. The UK has recently more than doubled the number of Centres for Doctoral Training focused on quantum technologies, with Centres at the Universities of Bristol, Southampton, Edinburgh, Strathclyde, and University College London.
UKRI also funds fellowships in transformative areas of research to develop novel quantum technologies. We have funded over 30 fellowships to support the brightest and best to undertake their research in the UK.
Important schemes include the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Open Fellowship and the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship. Respectively, they support talented researchers across EPSRC’s portfolio and the development of the next generation of world-class researchers across universities, businesses and other R&D environments.
In 2024, EPSRC ran a call for their £14m quantum technologies career acceleration fellowships. The scheme will support the best and brightest researchers to develop their careers in the UK, build connections with industry and collaborate with UK and international stakeholders.
In July 2024, the UK announced a £160m investment in five quantum research hubs, to ensure the UK can continue to lead and benefit from the potential of quantum technologies. These flagship hubs bring together partners from across academia and industry, to advance research and development on quantum applications, including:
- the transformation of early disease diagnosis
- seeing the invisible, such as gas leaks and hidden objects
- the creation of a ‘quantum internet’
- realising the potential of quantum computing
- resilient position, navigation and timing systems.
