Theme
Atomic clocks and quantum navigation that keep time and position without relying on satellite signals.
12 projects (5 active), £358.6m of it with a sourced funding figure; Innovate UK leads the most (5). 30 companies and start-ups work in this area.
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
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
Mission 4
A government goal that by 2030 quantum navigation systems, including clocks, will be deployed on aircraft.
Led by Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Themes: Timing and navigation, 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
An Innovate UK grant competition to remove barriers to the use of quantum sensing and navigation technology.
Led by Innovate UK
Funding: £14.3m
Themes: Sensing, Timing and navigation
An Innovate UK grant competition, funded by DSIT, to build supply chains around quantum sensing and navigation system makers.
Led by Innovate UK
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.
Led by Innovate UK
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.
Led by Innovate UK
Funding: £15m
Themes: Computing, Sensing, Imaging, Timing and navigation
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
The phase 2 national hub for quantum sensors and clocks, led by the University of Birmingham. It ran from 2019 to 2024.
Led by University of Birmingham
Funding: £28.6m
Themes: Sensing, Timing and navigation
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 · Filton
Company · Livingston
Company · Southampton
Company · London
National lab · Aldermaston
Company · London
Company · Paignton
Research organisation · Keyworth
Company · London
Company · Nottingham
Company · Southampton
University · Cranfield
Company · Birmingham
Government · London
Research organisation · London
Research organisation · Porton Down
University · Durham
Funder · Swindon
Research organisation · Glasgow
Company · Ilminster
Government · Cheltenham
University · Edinburgh
University · London
Company · Newcastle upon Tyne
Company · Oxford
Funder · Swindon
Company · Cardiff
Company · Glasgow
University · Loughborough
Company · Glasgow
Company · Staplehurst
Government · London
Company · Birmingham
Research organisation · Teddington
Company · High Wycombe
Company · London
Company · London
Company · London
Company · Farnborough
Company · Bristol
Company · Cambridge
Company · Kidlington
University · Belfast
Company · Didcot
Company · Helsby
National lab · Swindon
Company · Cambridge
Funder · Swindon
University · Birmingham
University · Bristol
University · Cambridge
University · Edinburgh
University · Glasgow
University · Nottingham
University · Southampton
University · Glasgow
University · Guildford
University · Brighton
Start-up · Glasgow
Organisations whose listed specialisms match this theme but which are not yet linked to a project here.
