Five long-term goals for quantum technology in the UK, with deadlines in 2030 and 2035: computing, networks, healthcare sensing, navigation and mobile sensing. They sit under the National Quantum Strategy and were launched at the Autumn Statement on 22 November 2023.
Sources: New Quantum Missions launched as Science Minister visits new advanced quantum lab, GOV.UK, 24 November 2023 · National Quantum Strategy publication page, GOV.UK
Mission 1 · deadline 2035
By 2035, there will be accessible, UK-based quantum computers capable of running 1 trillion operations and supporting applications that provide benefits well in excess of classical supercomputers across key sectors of the economy.
Official text: National Quantum Strategy Missions, GOV.UK
Mission 1 is one of five quantum missions set out with the National Quantum Strategy, published in March 2023. It says that by 2035 there will be accessible, UK-based quantum computers capable of running one trillion operations, supporting applications that bring benefits well beyond classical supercomputers across key sectors of the economy.
In June 2025 the government said £670 million would go to quantum computing through the Industrial Strategy, and gave the National Quantum Computing Centre a 10-year funding settlement. techUK reported that more than £500 million of this would be spent over four years from 2026/27. In March 2026 the government announced a package worth up to £2 billion, including £1 billion to procure large-scale quantum computers and over £500 million for quantum computing over four years.
Funding: £670m for quantum computing announced June 2025; up to £1bn for procurement of large-scale quantum computers announced March 2026
Sources: National Quantum Strategy Missions (GOV.UK) (gov.uk) · UK Government publishes the National Quantum Strategy (UKRI NQTP) (uknqt.ukri.org) · Tech innovators backed to set up and scale up in Britain through Industrial Strategy (GOV.UK, 23 June 2025) (gov.uk) · Ambitious quantum computing mission officially funded as part of the Industrial Strategy (techUK) (techuk.org) · UK's 'Quantum leap' ... up to £2 billion (GOV.UK, 17 March 2026) (gov.uk) · UK Quantum & Tech Gets £1 Billion Boost (Quantum Zeitgeist) (quantumzeitgeist.com) · UK Investment In Quantum With £2 billion From UK Government (Quantum Zeitgeist) (quantumzeitgeist.com)
QCi3
The national research hub for quantum computing, led by the University of Oxford. It works on scalable and networked quantum computers.
Led by University of Oxford
Funding: £21.9m
Themes: Computing, Networks, Software and algorithms
A £30m programme that paid seven companies to build prototype quantum computers, known as testbeds, at the NQCC in Harwell.
Led by NQCC
Funding: £30m
Themes: Computing
ProQure
A government procurement programme to fund prototype quantum computers now and buy large-scale machines for national infrastructure in the 2030s.
Led by Innovate UK
Themes: Computing
Quantum Missions pilot
An Innovate UK competition that funded industry projects in quantum computing and quantum networks towards the UK quantum missions.
Led by Innovate UK
Themes: Computing, Networks
Mission 2 · deadline 2035
By 2035, the UK will have deployed the world's most advanced quantum network at scale, pioneering the future quantum internet.
Official text: National Quantum Strategy Missions, GOV.UK
Mission 2 is one of the five quantum missions published with the National Quantum Strategy in 2023. In the government's words, by 2035 the UK will have deployed "the world's most advanced quantum network at scale", pioneering the future quantum internet.
The March 2026 quantum package included £125 million of dedicated funding for quantum networking. Innovate UK's Quantum Missions pilot competition funded early network projects towards this goal in 2025.
Funding: £125m for quantum networking announced March 2026
Sources: National Quantum Strategy Missions (GOV.UK) (gov.uk) · UK Government publishes the National Quantum Strategy (UKRI NQTP) (uknqt.ukri.org) · UK's 'Quantum leap' ... up to £2 billion (GOV.UK, 17 March 2026) (gov.uk) · UK Investment In Quantum With £2 billion From UK Government (Quantum Zeitgeist) (quantumzeitgeist.com)
IQN
A national research hub building quantum networks, from local links to satellite connections. Heriot-Watt University leads it.
Led by Heriot-Watt University
Funding: £21.9m
Themes: Networks, Communications
A commercial trial of a quantum-secured fibre network in London, run by BT with quantum key distribution equipment from Toshiba.
Led by BT Group
Themes: Communications, Networks
Quantum Missions pilot
An Innovate UK competition that funded industry projects in quantum computing and quantum networks towards the UK quantum missions.
Led by Innovate UK
Themes: Computing, Networks
Mission 3 · deadline 2030
By 2030, every NHS Trust will benefit from quantum sensing-enabled solutions, helping those with chronic illness live healthier, longer lives through early diagnosis and treatment.
Official text: National Quantum Strategy Missions, GOV.UK
Mission 3 is one of the five quantum missions published with the National Quantum Strategy in 2023. It says that by 2030 every NHS Trust will benefit from quantum sensing-enabled solutions, helping people with chronic illness live healthier, longer lives through early diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers at the Q-BIOMED hub, led by University College London, are exploring wearable brain scanners for epilepsy. In March 2026 the government announced £205 million for quantum sensing and navigation.
Funding: £205m for quantum sensing and navigation announced March 2026 (shared with Missions 4 and 5)
Sources: National Quantum Strategy Missions (GOV.UK) (gov.uk) · UK Government publishes the National Quantum Strategy (UKRI NQTP) (uknqt.ukri.org) · UK's 'Quantum leap' ... up to £2 billion (GOV.UK, 17 March 2026) (gov.uk)
Q-BIOMED
A national research hub that develops quantum sensors for earlier diagnosis of disease. UCL and the University of Cambridge lead it.
Led by University College London
Funding: £24m
Themes: Sensing, Biomedical and health, Imaging
Mission 4 · deadline 2030
By 2030, quantum navigation systems, including clocks, will be deployed on aircraft, providing next-generation accuracy for resilience that is independent of satellite signals.
Official text: National Quantum Strategy Missions, GOV.UK
Mission 4 is one of the five quantum missions published with the National Quantum Strategy in 2023. It says that by 2030 quantum navigation systems, including clocks, will be deployed on aircraft, giving accuracy and resilience that do not depend on satellite signals.
Innovate UK has run several competitions towards this goal. These include the Quantum Sensors and PNT Missions Primer in 2025 and two further sensing and position, navigation and timing (PNT) competitions in 2026. The March 2026 package included £205 million for quantum sensing and navigation.
Funding: £205m for quantum sensing and navigation announced March 2026 (shared with Missions 3 and 5)
Sources: National Quantum Strategy Missions (GOV.UK) (gov.uk) · UK Government publishes the National Quantum Strategy (UKRI NQTP) (uknqt.ukri.org) · UK's 'Quantum leap' ... up to £2 billion (GOV.UK, 17 March 2026) (gov.uk) · Government support to get quantum to work faster (GOV.UK, 7 November 2025) (gov.uk)
QEPNT
A national research hub for quantum position, navigation and timing, led by the University of Glasgow. It aims to reduce reliance on satellite signals such as GPS.
Led by University of Glasgow
Funding: £21.9m
Themes: Timing and navigation, Sensing, Defence and security
NTC
An NPL-led programme to build a network of atomic clocks so that the UK relies less on satellite timing signals.
Led by NPL
Funding: £36m
Themes: Timing and navigation
Quantum Sensing Mission Primer
Innovate UK contracts for 14 projects building quantum sensors and position, navigation and timing products, run as phase 1 of the sensing missions.
Led by Innovate UK
Funding: £14m
Themes: Sensing, Timing and navigation, Imaging
Mission 5 · deadline 2030
By 2030, mobile, networked quantum sensors will have unlocked new situational awareness capabilities, exploited across critical infrastructure in the transport, telecoms, energy, and defence sectors.
Official text: National Quantum Strategy Missions, GOV.UK
Mission 5 is one of the five quantum missions published with the National Quantum Strategy in 2023. It says that by 2030 mobile, networked quantum sensors will have unlocked new situational awareness capabilities, used across critical infrastructure in transport, telecoms, energy and defence.
Innovate UK's Quantum Sensing Mission Primer awards in 2025 funded 14 projects in this area. The March 2026 package included £205 million for quantum sensing and navigation.
Funding: £205m for quantum sensing and navigation announced March 2026 (shared with Missions 3 and 4)
Sources: National Quantum Strategy Missions (GOV.UK) (gov.uk) · UK Government publishes the National Quantum Strategy (UKRI NQTP) (uknqt.ukri.org) · UK's 'Quantum leap' ... up to £2 billion (GOV.UK, 17 March 2026) (gov.uk) · Government support to get quantum to work faster (GOV.UK, 7 November 2025) (gov.uk)
QuSIT
A national research hub for quantum sensing, imaging and timing, led by the University of Birmingham.
Led by University of Birmingham
Funding: £22m
Themes: Sensing, Imaging, Timing and navigation
Quantum Sensing Mission Primer
Innovate UK contracts for 14 projects building quantum sensors and position, navigation and timing products, run as phase 1 of the sensing missions.
Led by Innovate UK
Funding: £14m
Themes: Sensing, Timing and navigation, Imaging
Updated 11 October 2026. Funding commitments for the missions are on the sector overview.
