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Innovate UK, on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), is investing up to £32.8 million to support collaborative projects that strengthen the supply chains underpinning quantum-enabled sensing and Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) technologies.
The competition forms part of the UK's wider National Quantum Technologies Programme and aims to accelerate the commercial deployment of second-generation quantum technologies by addressing the technical and supply chain barriers currently limiting market adoption.
Successful projects will bring together organisations from across the quantum ecosystem to develop industrially relevant demonstrators and create commercially viable routes to market.
Key Dates and Funding
Competition Opens: 3 June 2026
Competition Closes: 8 July 2026 at 11:00am UK time
Funding Available:
Scope of the Competition
The competition aims to stimulate the development of UK supply chains supporting quantum-enabled sensing and Position, Navigation and Timing technologies.
Projects must bring together supply chain partners, technology developers, manufacturers, and system integrators to address key barriers preventing widespread commercial deployment.
The programme focuses specifically on second-generation quantum technologies, including technologies that utilise:
Projects must deliver an industrially relevant hardware demonstrator and provide a clear route towards commercialisation.
Priority Areas
Innovate UK is particularly encouraging projects that:
Projects should demonstrate how their innovation can strengthen the UK's long-term position within global quantum technology markets.
Who Can Apply
To lead a project, organisations must:
Project partners may include:
Academic institutions cannot lead projects.
Expected Project Outcomes
Funded projects should demonstrate:
Projects should help bridge the gap between research excellence and large-scale commercial deployment.
How Inventya Can Help
Quantum technology competitions are among the most technically demanding and competitive funding opportunities available. Success requires more than innovative science. Applicants must demonstrate strong supply chain integration, commercial viability, market demand, manufacturing readiness, and a credible route to deployment.
At Inventya, we help businesses, technology developers, manufacturers, universities, and research organisations build winning collaborative projects that align with Innovate UK's strategic objectives and maximise funding success.
Our support includes:
With extensive experience supporting deep-tech, quantum, advanced manufacturing, photonics, sensing, and emerging technology projects, Inventya can help turn innovative quantum concepts into fundable, commercially impactful projects that strengthen both your organisation and the wider UK quantum ecosystem.
