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.
The next phase of quantum R&D in the UK will be even greater in terms of ambition, scale and impact. With a new and ambitious ten-year £2.5 billion research and innovation quantum programme from 2023-34.
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. It more than doubles our investment in quantum technologies to £2.5 billion over the next decade, with the aim of attracting significant additional private investment on top of that. This will fund new quantum research, support and develop our growing quantum sector, prepare our wider economy for the quantum revolution and support the regulation of quantum technologies.
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. The UK has committed to more than double the number of Centres for Doctoral Training this year.
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. A further £14m fellowship programme is launching in 2024, enabling quantum researchers to accelerate their careers in the UK.
Other 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.
