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    Timeline of UK quantum technology

    133 events since 2012: 116 project starts and ends, and 17 national milestones, each with its source. Newest first; scheduled ends appear under future years.

    133 events

    2035scheduled

    1. Due to end: Quantum Mission 1: Quantum computing (Mission 1)

      Mission · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

    2. Due to end: Quantum Mission 2: Quantum networks (Mission 2)

      Mission · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

    2030scheduled

    1. Due to end: Centre for Quantum Commercialisation Skills

      Centre · Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

    2. Due to end: Quantum Mission 3: Quantum sensing in the NHS (Mission 3)

      Mission · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

    3. Due to end: Quantum Mission 4: Quantum navigation (Mission 4)

      Mission · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

    4. Due to end: Quantum Mission 5: Networked quantum sensors (Mission 5)

      Mission · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

    5. Due to end: Scaling Supply Chains for Quantum Enabled Sensing and PNT

      Programme · Innovate UK

    2029scheduled

    1. Due to end: Hub for Quantum Computing via Integrated and Interconnected Implementations (QCi3)

      Hub · University of Oxford

    2. Due to end: Integrated Quantum Networks Quantum Technology Research Hub (IQN)

      Hub · Heriot-Watt University

    3. Due to end: UK Hub for Quantum Enabled Position, Navigation and Timing (QEPNT)

      Hub · University of Glasgow

    4. Due to end: UK Quantum Technology Hub in Sensing, Imaging and Timing (QuSIT)

      Hub · University of Birmingham

    2028scheduled

    1. Due to end: Accelerating adoption of quantum enabled sensing and PNT

      Programme · Innovate UK

    2. Due to end: EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Quantum Information Science and Technologies

      Programme · University of Sussex

    2026

    1. Ends: ADOPT-TEM: Anomaly Detection OPTimisation with Tensor Error Mitigation (ADOPT-TEM)

      Consortium · Algorithmiq UK

    2. Ends: Contracts for Innovation: Quantum Sensors and PNT Missions Primer (Quantum Sensing Mission Primer)

      Programme · Innovate UK

    3. Ends: MARCONI: Modular UK QKD receivers for Quantum Internet (MARCONI)

      Consortium · RedWave Labs

    4. Ends: Nitrogen Doped Graphene Catalysts

      Consortium · Q-CTRL UK

    5. Ends: Open Architecture Quantum (OAQ) Testbed (OAQ Testbed)

      Consortium · TreQ

    6. Ends: QAssure

      Consortium · BT Group

    7. Ends: QTA-Foil (Quantum and Tensor Approaches to aeroFoil design) (QTA-Foil)

      Consortium · Aegiq

    8. Ends: Quantum Missions pilot: Quantum Computing and Quantum Networks (Quantum Missions pilot)

      Programme · Innovate UK

    9. Ends: Quantum Physics Informed Neural Networks for Derivative Pricing (QPINN)

      Consortium · Oxford Quantum Circuits

    10. Ends: Quantum-Accelerated Mixed-Integer Optimisation for Aircraft Loading

      Consortium · 4colors Research

    11. Ends: Quantum-Enhanced Clinical Decision Support for Intensive Care Medicine

      Consortium · Applied Quantum Computing

    12. Starts: Accelerating adoption of quantum enabled sensing and PNT

      Programme · Innovate UK

    13. Starts: Centre for Quantum Commercialisation Skills

      Centre · Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

    14. Starts: ProQure: Scaling UK Quantum Computing (ProQure)

      Programme · Innovate UK

    15. Starts: Quantum Advantage TurboCHarger (QATCH)

      Programme · Quantum Software Lab

    16. Starts: Satellite Platform for Optical Quantum Communications (SPOQC)

      Collaboration · Heriot-Watt University

    17. Starts: Scaling Supply Chains for Quantum Enabled Sensing and PNT

      Programme · Innovate UK

    18. · National milestone

      DSIT publishes the Digital and Technologies Sector Plan Year One Update, reporting the launch of ProQure and a Quantum Growth Alliance.

      Source: National milestone, 10 June 2026 (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)

    19. · National milestone

      Government announces a quantum programme worth up to £2 billion, including £1 billion to procure large-scale quantum computers.

      Source: National milestone, 17 March 2026 (gov.uk)

    2025

    1. Ends: Autonomous Quantum Technologies (AutoQT)

      Consortium · Riverlane

    2. Ends: Developing an error corrected quantum processor solution for commercial quantum computing

      Consortium · Universal Quantum

    3. Ends: Development of cryo-CMOS to enable the next generation of scalable quantum computers

      Consortium · sureCore

    4. Ends: From batteries to windfarms: Quantum optimisation solutions for the renewable sector

      Consortium · Frazer-Nash Consultancy

    5. Ends: ISCF Commercialising Quantum Technologies Challenge (CQT Challenge)

      Programme · Innovate UK

    6. Ends: National Timing Centre R&D programme (NTC)

      Programme · NPL

    7. Ends: QuantIC - The UK Quantum Technology Hub in Quantum Imaging (QuantIC)

      Hub · University of Glasgow

    8. Ends: QuantiCo: Quantum Computing for Corrosion (QuantiCo)

      Consortium

    9. Ends: Quantum Enhanced Computing Platform for Pharmaceutical R&D (QuPharma)

      Consortium · SEEQC UK

    10. Ends: SBRI: Quantum Catalyst Fund (Quantum Catalyst Fund)

      Programme · Innovate UK

    11. Ends: The Quantum Data Centre of the Future

      Consortium · ORCA Computing

    12. Starts: ADOPT-TEM: Anomaly Detection OPTimisation with Tensor Error Mitigation (ADOPT-TEM)

      Consortium · Algorithmiq UK

    13. Starts: Contracts for Innovation: Quantum Sensors and PNT Missions Primer (Quantum Sensing Mission Primer)

      Programme · Innovate UK

    14. Starts: EPSRC Quantum Technology Career Acceleration Fellowships

      Programme · Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

    15. Starts: Nitrogen Doped Graphene Catalysts

      Consortium · Q-CTRL UK

    16. Starts: Open Architecture Quantum (OAQ) Testbed (OAQ Testbed)

      Consortium · TreQ

    17. Starts: QTA-Foil (Quantum and Tensor Approaches to aeroFoil design) (QTA-Foil)

      Consortium · Aegiq

    18. Starts: Quantum Centre for Nuclear Defence and Security (QCNDS)

      Centre · University of Strathclyde

    19. Starts: Quantum Missions pilot: Quantum Computing and Quantum Networks (Quantum Missions pilot)

      Programme · Innovate UK

    20. Starts: Quantum Physics Informed Neural Networks for Derivative Pricing (QPINN)

      Consortium · Oxford Quantum Circuits

    21. Starts: Quantum-Accelerated Mixed-Integer Optimisation for Aircraft Loading

      Consortium · 4colors Research

    22. Starts: Quantum-Enhanced Clinical Decision Support for Intensive Care Medicine

      Consortium · Applied Quantum Computing

    23. · National milestone

      UKRI publishes Spending Review allocations including about £1,013 million for quantum technologies for 2026-27 to 2029-30.

      Source: National milestone, 17 December 2025 (ukri.org)

    24. · National milestone

      UK National Quantum Technologies Showcase 2025 held at the Business Design Centre, London.

      Source: National milestone, 7 November 2025 (nqcc.ac.uk)

    25. · National milestone

      Industrial Strategy and Digital and Technologies Sector Plan announce £670 million for quantum computing and a 10-year settlement for the NQCC.

      Source: National milestone, 23 June 2025 (gov.uk)

    26. · National milestone

      Seven quantum computing testbeds funded through Innovate UK delivered to the NQCC.

      Source: National milestone, 2025 (nqcc.ac.uk)

    2024

    1. Ends: DISCOVERY: Developing UK Industrial Supply for Commercial Quantum Computing (DISCOVERY)

      Consortium · M Squared Lasers

    2. Ends: EPSRC Quantum Communications Hub

      Hub · University of York

    3. Ends: Next Generation Satellite QKD: Creating a UK Sovereign Capability for Manufacturing Satellite QKD Payloads

      Consortium · Arqit

    4. Ends: UK National Foundry for Quantum Components (QFoundry)

      Consortium · Compound Semiconductor Centre

    5. Ends: UK Quantum Technology Hub in Quantum Computing and Simulation (QCS)

      Hub · University of Oxford

    6. Ends: UK Quantum Technology Hub in Sensors and Timing

      Hub · University of Birmingham

    7. Starts: ARTEMIS photonic testbed (Aegiq) (ARTEMIS)

      Testbed · Aegiq

    8. Starts: Asteroidea photonic testbed (ORCA Computing) (Asteroidea)

      Testbed · ORCA Computing

    9. Starts: EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Quantum Information Science and Technologies

      Programme · University of Sussex

    10. Starts: From batteries to windfarms: Quantum optimisation solutions for the renewable sector

      Consortium · Frazer-Nash Consultancy

    11. Starts: Full-stack superconducting testbed (Rigetti UK)

      Testbed · Rigetti UK

    12. Starts: Hub for Quantum Computing via Integrated and Interconnected Implementations (QCi3)

      Hub · University of Oxford

    13. Starts: Integrated Quantum Networks Quantum Technology Research Hub (IQN)

      Hub · Heriot-Watt University

    14. Starts: MARCONI: Modular UK QKD receivers for Quantum Internet (MARCONI)

      Consortium · RedWave Labs

    15. Starts: NQCC Quantum Computing Testbed Programme

      Programme · NQCC

    16. Starts: QAssure

      Consortium · BT Group

    17. Starts: QuantiCo: Quantum Computing for Corrosion (QuantiCo)

      Consortium

    18. Starts: Quantum Business Incubation Centre programme (QuBIC)

      Programme · Quantum Business Incubation Centre

    19. Starts: QUARTET trapped-ion testbed (Oxford Ionics) (QUARTET)

      Testbed · Oxford Ionics

    20. Starts: Silicon Cloverleaf testbed (Quantum Motion)

      Testbed · Quantum Motion

    21. Starts: SQALE neutral-atom testbed (Infleqtion) (SQALE)

      Testbed · Infleqtion UK (ColdQuanta UK Ltd)

    22. Starts: Towards an error-corrected neutral-atom quantum computer (QuEra)

      Testbed · QuEra Computing (UK)

    23. Starts: UK Hub for Quantum Enabled Position, Navigation and Timing (QEPNT)

      Hub · University of Glasgow

    24. Starts: UK Quantum Biomedical Sensing Research Hub (Q-BIOMED)

      Hub · University College London

    25. Starts: UK Quantum Technology Hub in Sensing, Imaging and Timing (QuSIT)

      Hub · University of Birmingham

    26. · National milestone

      Lord Vallance opens the National Quantum Computing Centre facility at Harwell.

      Source: National milestone, 25 October 2024 (gov.uk)

    27. · National milestone

      Five new Quantum Technology Research Hubs announced, backed by £160 million including partner contributions.

      Source: National milestone, 26 July 2024 (ukri.org)

    2023

    1. Ends: AIRQKD

      Consortium · BT Group

    2. Ends: NISQ.OS (Deltaflow.OS quantum operating system) (NISQ.OS)

      Consortium · Riverlane

    3. Ends: Quantum Computing Platform for NISQ Era Commercial Applications

      Consortium · Rigetti UK

    4. Starts: Quantum Mission 1: Quantum computing (Mission 1)

      Mission · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

    5. Starts: Quantum Mission 2: Quantum networks (Mission 2)

      Mission · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

    6. Starts: Quantum Mission 3: Quantum sensing in the NHS (Mission 3)

      Mission · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

    7. Starts: Quantum Mission 4: Quantum navigation (Mission 4)

      Mission · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

    8. Starts: Quantum Mission 5: Networked quantum sensors (Mission 5)

      Mission · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

    9. Starts: SBRI: Quantum Catalyst Fund (Quantum Catalyst Fund)

      Programme · Innovate UK

    10. · National milestone

      Five Quantum Missions launched at the Autumn Statement.

      Source: National milestone, 22 November 2023 (gov.uk)

    11. · National milestone

      Government publishes the National Quantum Strategy with a £2.5 billion, ten-year programme for 2024 to 2034.

      Source: National milestone, 15 March 2023 (gov.uk)

    2022

    1. Starts: Autonomous Quantum Technologies (AutoQT)

      Consortium · Riverlane

    2. Starts: Developing an error corrected quantum processor solution for commercial quantum computing

      Consortium · Universal Quantum

    3. Starts: London Quantum-Secured Metro Network

      Collaboration · BT Group

    4. Starts: Quantum Enhanced Computing Platform for Pharmaceutical R&D (QuPharma)

      Consortium · SEEQC UK

    5. Starts: SparQ quantum readiness programme (SparQ)

      Programme · NQCC

    6. Starts: The Quantum Data Centre of the Future

      Consortium · ORCA Computing

    2021

    1. Ends: Agile Quantum Safe Communications (AQuaSeC)

      Consortium · Toshiba Europe

    2. Ends: Pioneer Gravity: Gravity sensors for infrastructure productivity, situational awareness and seeing the invisible (Gravity Pioneer)

      Consortium · RSK

    3. Starts: Centre for Quantum Technology, University of Glasgow

      Centre · University of Glasgow

    4. Starts: Development of cryo-CMOS to enable the next generation of scalable quantum computers

      Consortium · sureCore

    2020

    1. Starts: AIRQKD

      Consortium · BT Group

    2. Starts: DISCOVERY: Developing UK Industrial Supply for Commercial Quantum Computing (DISCOVERY)

      Consortium · M Squared Lasers

    3. Starts: National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC)

      Centre · NQCC

    4. Starts: Next Generation Satellite QKD: Creating a UK Sovereign Capability for Manufacturing Satellite QKD Payloads

      Consortium · Arqit

    5. Starts: NISQ.OS (Deltaflow.OS quantum operating system) (NISQ.OS)

      Consortium · Riverlane

    6. Starts: QT Assemble: Integrate Quantum Technology Programme (QT Assemble)

      Consortium · Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics

    7. Starts: Quantum Computing Platform for NISQ Era Commercial Applications

      Consortium · Rigetti UK

    8. Starts: UK National Foundry for Quantum Components (QFoundry)

      Consortium · Compound Semiconductor Centre

    9. · National milestone

      National Quantum Computing Centre officially launched as a UKRI centre.

      Source: National milestone, 2020 (nqcc.ac.uk)

    2019

    1. Starts: EPSRC Quantum Communications Hub

      Hub · University of York

    2. Starts: National Timing Centre R&D programme (NTC)

      Programme · NPL

    3. Starts: QuantIC - The UK Quantum Technology Hub in Quantum Imaging (QuantIC)

      Hub · University of Glasgow

    4. Starts: UK Quantum Technology Hub in Quantum Computing and Simulation (QCS)

      Hub · University of Oxford

    5. Starts: UK Quantum Technology Hub in Sensors and Timing

      Hub · University of Birmingham

    2018

    1. Starts: Agile Quantum Safe Communications (AQuaSeC)

      Consortium · Toshiba Europe

    2. Starts: ISCF Commercialising Quantum Technologies Challenge (CQT Challenge)

      Programme · Innovate UK

    3. Starts: Pioneer Gravity: Gravity sensors for infrastructure productivity, situational awareness and seeing the invisible (Gravity Pioneer)

      Consortium · RSK

    4. · National milestone

      Autumn Budget extends the programme with £235 million, including a new National Quantum Computing Centre; £315 million in total for 2019 to 2024.

      Source: National milestone, 1 November 2018 (gov.uk)

    5. · National milestone

      Chancellor announces £80 million over five years to continue the quantum hubs.

      Source: National milestone, 6 September 2018 (gov.uk)

    2017

    1. Starts: Quantum Technologies Innovation Centre (QTIC)

      Facility · University of Bristol

    2016

    1. · National milestone

      Government announces £37 million for the National Quantum Technologies Programme alongside doctoral training funding.

      Source: National milestone, 1 March 2016 (gov.uk)

    2015

    1. Starts: Quantum Metrology Institute (QMI)

      Centre · NPL

    2. · National milestone

      Innovate UK and EPSRC publish a national strategy for quantum technologies drawn up by the Quantum Technologies Strategic Advisory Board.

      Source: National milestone, 23 March 2015 (gov.uk)

    2014

    1. Starts: UK National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP)

      Programme · UK Research and Innovation

    2. · National milestone

      EPSRC announces £120 million for four Quantum Technology Hubs led by Birmingham, Glasgow, Oxford and York.

      Source: National milestone, 26 November 2014 (physicsworld.com)

    2013

    1. · National milestone

      Chancellor announces £270 million for a National Quantum Technologies Programme in the Autumn Statement.

      Source: National milestone, December 2013 (gov.uk)

    2012

    1. Starts: Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics (Fraunhofer CAP)

      Centre · Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics