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UK quantum policy sits with DSIT, which published the National Quantum Strategy in March 2023. Its five missions set targets such as a UK-based quantum computer running a trillion operations by 2035 and quantum navigation systems fitted to aircraft by 2030. On 17 March 2026 the department and the Treasury announced up to £2bn of support, including a £1bn advance commitment to buy large-scale quantum computers built in Britain and £125m for quantum networking. The ProQure programme followed, offering phase 1 contracts of up to £14m each for prototype machines, with projects starting in October 2026.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is a government body based in London. It leads 5 UK projects, including Mission 1, Mission 2 and Mission 3, and is a partner in 1 more. It funds 11 projects listed here, including ProQure and Mission 1. Profiled here: Chris McDonald (Minister of State for Science).
Sources: GOV.UK: National Quantum Strategy · GOV.UK: National Quantum Strategy missions · GOV.UK: UK's quantum leap (17 March 2026) · Innovate UK Business Connect: ProQure, Scaling UK Quantum Computing
Mission 1
A government goal that by 2035 there will be accessible, UK-based quantum computers able to run one trillion operations.
Role: Lead, Funder
Themes: Computing, Software and algorithms
Mission 2
A government goal that by 2035 the UK will have deployed the world's most advanced quantum network at scale.
Role: Lead, Funder
Themes: Networks, Communications
Mission 3
A government goal that by 2030 every NHS Trust will benefit from quantum sensing-enabled solutions.
Role: Lead, Funder
Themes: Sensing, Imaging, Biomedical and health
Mission 4
A government goal that by 2030 quantum navigation systems, including clocks, will be deployed on aircraft.
Role: Lead, Funder
Themes: Timing and navigation, Sensing
Mission 5
A government goal that by 2030 mobile, networked quantum sensors will give new situational awareness across critical infrastructure.
Role: Lead, Funder
Themes: Sensing, Defence and security
NQTP
The UK's national programme for quantum technologies, set up in 2014 as a partnership between government, academia and industry.
Role: Partner, Funder
Themes: Computing, Sensing, Imaging, Timing and navigation, Communications, Networks, Skills and training
ProQure
A government procurement programme to fund prototype quantum computers now and buy large-scale machines for national infrastructure in the 2030s.
Role: Funder
Themes: Computing
Mission 1
A government goal that by 2035 there will be accessible, UK-based quantum computers able to run one trillion operations.
Role: Lead, Funder
Themes: Computing, Software and algorithms
Mission 2
A government goal that by 2035 the UK will have deployed the world's most advanced quantum network at scale.
Role: Lead, Funder
Themes: Networks, Communications
Mission 3
A government goal that by 2030 every NHS Trust will benefit from quantum sensing-enabled solutions.
Role: Lead, Funder
Themes: Sensing, Imaging, Biomedical and health
Mission 4
A government goal that by 2030 quantum navigation systems, including clocks, will be deployed on aircraft.
Role: Lead, Funder
Themes: Timing and navigation, Sensing
Mission 5
A government goal that by 2030 mobile, networked quantum sensors will give new situational awareness across critical infrastructure.
Role: Lead, Funder
Themes: Sensing, Defence and security
NQTP
The UK's national programme for quantum technologies, set up in 2014 as a partnership between government, academia and industry.
Role: Partner, Funder
Themes: Computing, Sensing, Imaging, Timing and navigation, Communications, Networks, Skills and training
Fraunhofer CAP
Fraunhofer's first UK research centre, in Glasgow, with a dedicated unit for lasers and photonics used in quantum technologies.
Role: Funder
Themes: Sensing, Communications, Materials and components
An Innovate UK grant competition, funded by DSIT, to build supply chains around quantum sensing and navigation system makers.
Role: Funder
Funding: £32.8m
Themes: Sensing, 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.
Role: Funder
Funding: £14m
Themes: Sensing, Timing and navigation, Imaging
Quantum Catalyst Fund
A £15 million SBRI competition, funded by DSIT and Innovate UK, to help the public sector adopt quantum solutions.
Role: Funder
Funding: £15m
Themes: Computing, Sensing, Imaging, Timing and navigation
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