Research organisation · Teddington
Britain's national measurement institute, based in Teddington, tests and validates quantum technologies through its Quantum Metrology Institute, whose facilities include an Advanced Quantum Metrology Lab for evaluating clocks. NPL led the £36m National Timing Centre programme from 2019 to 2025, building a network of atomic clocks so the UK relies less on satellite timing, and it is a partner in the IQN, QuSIT and QEPNT research hubs. In November 2025 it hosted the launch of NMI-Q, a group of eight national metrology institutes from the G7 and Australia working towards shared quantum measurement standards.
NPL is a Teddington research organisation working on quantum sensing and communications, founded in 1900. It leads 2 UK projects (QMI and NTC) and is a partner in 19 more. People profiled here include Alexander Tzalenchuk (NPL Fellow), Christopher Chunnilall (Principal Scientist) and Emma Haynes (Managing Director for Quantum and Timing).
Sources: Quantum Metrology Institute | NPL · New quantum missions launched as Science Minister visits new advanced quantum lab | GOV.UK · World's first timing centre to protect UK from risk of satellite failure | GOV.UK · National Timing Centre R&D end of programme report 2019 to 2025 | NPL · Global quantum collaboration takes flight with launch of NMI-Q | NPL · Five hubs launched to ensure UK benefits from quantum future | University of Cambridge
QMI
NPL's institute that provides measurement expertise and facilities for testing and validating quantum technologies.
Role: Lead
Themes: Timing and navigation, Sensing, Computing, Communications
NTC
An NPL-led programme to build a network of atomic clocks so that the UK relies less on satellite timing signals.
Role: Lead
Funding: £36m
Themes: Timing and navigation
A doctoral training centre run by the universities of Sussex and Bristol to train PhD researchers in quantum technology.
Role: Partner
Funding: £24m
Themes: Skills and training, Computing
QCi3
The national research hub for quantum computing, led by the University of Oxford. It works on scalable and networked quantum computers.
Role: Partner
Funding: £21.9m
Themes: Computing, Networks, Software and algorithms
IQN
A national research hub building quantum networks, from local links to satellite connections. Heriot-Watt University leads it.
Role: Partner
Funding: £21.9m
Themes: Networks, Communications
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.
Role: Partner
Funding: £21.9m
Themes: Timing and navigation, Sensing, Defence and security
Q-BIOMED
A national research hub that develops quantum sensors for earlier diagnosis of disease. UCL and the University of Cambridge lead it.
Role: Partner
Funding: £24m
Themes: Sensing, Biomedical and health, Imaging
QuSIT
A national research hub for quantum sensing, imaging and timing, led by the University of Birmingham.
Role: Partner
Funding: £22m
Themes: Sensing, Imaging, Timing and navigation
NQTP
The UK's national programme for quantum technologies, set up in 2014 as a partnership between government, academia and industry.
Role: Partner
Themes: Computing, Sensing, Imaging, Timing and navigation, Communications, Networks, Skills and training
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: Partner
Funding: £14m
Themes: Sensing, Timing and navigation, Imaging
A BT-led consortium developing ways to assure the security and reliability of quantum key distribution systems.
Role: Partner
Themes: Communications, Networks
AutoQT
A Riverlane-led consortium developing automated methods to control and tune large numbers of qubits.
Role: Partner
Themes: Computing, Software and algorithms
A BT-led consortium testing free-space quantum key distribution for short and mid-range links, including 5G and connected vehicles.
Role: Partner
Themes: Communications, Networks
DISCOVERY
An M Squared-led consortium that worked on the photonics needed to scale neutral-atom, trapped-ion and optical quantum computers.
Role: Partner
Themes: Computing
NISQ.OS
A Riverlane-led consortium that built Deltaflow.OS, an operating system meant to run the same software on different kinds of quantum hardware.
Role: Partner
Funding: £7.6m
Themes: Computing, Software and algorithms
QFoundry
A consortium led by the Compound Semiconductor Centre in Cardiff to set up an open-access foundry for quantum semiconductor components.
Role: Partner
Themes: Materials and components, Communications, Sensing
The phase 2 national hub for quantum communications, led by the University of York. The hub's work ran from 2019 to 2024.
Role: Partner
Funding: £23.5m
Themes: Communications, Networks
QuantIC
The phase 2 national hub for quantum imaging, led by the University of Glasgow. Its grant ran from December 2019 to May 2025.
Role: Partner
Funding: £25m
Themes: Imaging, Sensing
QCS
The phase 2 national hub for quantum computing and simulation, led by the University of Oxford. It ran from 2019 to 2024.
Role: Partner
Funding: £27.3m
Themes: Computing, Software and algorithms
The phase 2 national hub for quantum sensors and clocks, led by the University of Birmingham. It ran from 2019 to 2024.
Role: Partner
Funding: £28.6m
Themes: Sensing, Timing and navigation
AQuaSeC
A Toshiba-led consortium that built prototype quantum-safe communication systems. It combined quantum key distribution with quantum-resistant algorithms.
Role: Partner
Themes: Communications, Networks
Research, commercial and investment relationships, by year. Partners with a profile here are linked.
National Quantum Computing Centre Research 2022
Toshiba Quantum Research 2022
BT Group Research 2021
DSTL Research 2021
University College London Research 2021
Recorded on University College London's profile.
University of Surrey Research 2021
Quantum Communications Hub Research 2020
Recorded on Quantum Communications Hub's profile.
Chosen by shared specialisms, then location and type.
Company · London · 3 shared specialisms
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Research organisation · York · 2 shared specialisms
Company data from Entangled Future. Last checked 2 October 2026.
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