Theme
Quantum key distribution, quantum random number generation and post-quantum cryptography for secure communication.
17 projects (8 active), £255.9m of it with a sourced funding figure; BT Group leads the most (3). 44 companies and start-ups work in this area.
Linking quantum devices into networks, including the IQN hub and network testbeds, is covered under quantum networks. Go to that theme
SPOQC
A UK CubeSat mission to test quantum key distribution between a satellite and a ground station in Edinburgh.
Led by Heriot-Watt University
Themes: Communications, Networks
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
Mission 2
A government goal that by 2035 the UK will have deployed the world's most advanced quantum network at scale.
Led by Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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
QTIC
A University of Bristol innovation centre with facilities and support for quantum and deep tech start-ups.
Led by University of Bristol
Funding: £35m
Themes: Computing, Communications, Sensing
QMI
NPL's institute that provides measurement expertise and facilities for testing and validating quantum technologies.
Led by NPL
Themes: Timing and navigation, Sensing, Computing, Communications
NQTP
The UK's national programme for quantum technologies, set up in 2014 as a partnership between government, academia and industry.
Led by UK Research and Innovation
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.
Led by Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics
Themes: Sensing, Communications, Materials and components
MARCONI
A RedWave Labs-led consortium building two UK-made receiver modules for entanglement-based quantum key distribution.
Led by RedWave Labs
Funding: £1.5m
Themes: Communications, Networks
A BT-led consortium developing ways to assure the security and reliability of quantum key distribution systems.
Led by BT Group
Themes: Communications, Networks
An ORCA-led consortium that designed and demonstrated how a quantum computer could sit inside a data centre alongside classical systems.
Led by ORCA Computing
Themes: Computing, Communications, Networks
A BT-led consortium testing free-space quantum key distribution for short and mid-range links, including 5G and connected vehicles.
Led by BT Group
Themes: Communications, Networks
An Arqit-led consortium working on UK manufacture of quantum key distribution payloads for satellites.
Led by Arqit
Themes: Communications, Networks
QFoundry
A consortium led by the Compound Semiconductor Centre in Cardiff to set up an open-access foundry for quantum semiconductor components.
Led by Compound Semiconductor Centre
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.
Led by University of York
Funding: £23.5m
Themes: Communications, Networks
AQuaSeC
A Toshiba-led consortium that built prototype quantum-safe communication systems. It combined quantum key distribution with quantum-resistant algorithms.
Led by Toshiba Europe
Themes: Communications, Networks
CQT Challenge
An Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund programme, delivered by Innovate UK, that funded companies to turn quantum research into products.
Led by Innovate UK
Funding: £174m
Themes: Computing, Sensing, Imaging, Communications, Timing and navigation
Leads, partners and funders of the projects above.
Company · Sheffield
Company · Livingston
Company · London
Start-up · Belfast
Company · London
Company · Paignton
Company · London
Company · London
University · Cardiff
Company · Sheffield
Company · London
Research organisation · Newport
Research organisation · Cardiff
Company · Glasgow
Company · London
Ecosystem and network · Cardiff
Government · London
Research organisation · London
Research organisation · Porton Down
Company · Bristol
Funder · Swindon
Company · London
Research organisation · Glasgow
Government · Cheltenham
University · Edinburgh
Investor · London
University · London
Funder · Swindon
Company · Cardiff
Company · Delft
Company · Bristol
University · London
University · Loughborough
Start-up · London
Company · Caldicot
Government · London
Government · London
Company · Manchester
Company · York
Research organisation · Teddington
Company · Cambridge
Company · London
Company · Reading
Start-up · Sheffield
Company · Oxford
Company · Cambridge
Company · Oxford
University · Belfast
Company · Didcot
Company · Cambridge
University · Egham
National lab · Swindon
Company · Cambridge
Funder · Swindon
University · London
University · Bath
University · Bristol
University · Cambridge
University · Edinburgh
University · Glasgow
University · Canterbury
University · Oxford
University · Sheffield
University · Southampton
University · Glasgow
University · Coventry
University · York
Company · Newbury
Government · Bristol
Organisations whose listed specialisms match this theme but which are not yet linked to a project here.
