UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is investing £50 million in quantum technologies with projects designed to address critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and improve healthcare access, the company says. Among the winning projects is ColdQuanta UK, developing a compact quantum radio system that could allow navigation even when GPS fails, a capability vital for both military operations and resilient infrastructure.
MoniRail is also receiving funding to create a quantum monitoring system pinpointing railway faults where GPS signals are unavailable, promising to reduce commuter delays. Science, Innovation and Investment Minister Chris McDonald said, “Quantum has long been an exciting technology, but now real world applications are within our grasp.”
£50 Million UKRI Funding Drives Quantum Technology Applications
Portable eye scanners designed to accelerate diagnosis within the National Health Service are among the beneficiaries of a new £50 million investment from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), directly addressing pressures on healthcare access and waiting times. The funding, delivered through the Sensing and Positioning, Navigation and Timing competition, prioritizes projects translating quantum science into practical applications across multiple sectors, including transport and national security.
This targeted support aims to build robust UK supply chains for critical quantum components, ensuring domestic expertise and reducing reliance on international sources. A significant portion of the investment addresses a growing vulnerability in critical infrastructure: dependence on GPS. Several projects are focused on developing quantum-based navigation systems capable of functioning reliably even when GPS signals are unavailable or compromised, a capability vital for both railway operations and military deployments.
Professor Charlotte Deane, UKRI Senior Responsible Owner for IS8 Quantum, explained that this funding provides businesses with the resources to expand and refine their technologies, stating, “This UKRI funding gives these businesses what they need to grow and take their technology further, while building strong UK supply chains that keep the parts quantum tech depends on here in the UK.” Maintaining positioning, navigation, and timing without GPS is a strategic imperative for safeguarding essential services and national security interests.
Beyond railways and healthcare, the investment also supports the development of quantum communication networks, with £20 million allocated to companies like Sheffield-based Aegiq. Aegiq will focus on producing specialist components, including lasers and photonic chips, strengthening the UK’s position in the emerging quantum technology landscape.
This commitment to domestic manufacturing is coupled with an £8 million expansion of the QuEST Apprentices Programme, aiming to train 150 engineering apprentices by 2030 with the specialized skills needed to build and maintain these advanced systems. McDonald said these technologies could support operational intelligence in the military, strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure such as airports, and help emergency responders locate distress signals. The investment signifies a strategic move to capitalize on the potential of quantum technologies, not just for scientific advancement, but for economic growth, job creation and enhanced national resilience.
This UKRI funding gives these businesses what they need to grow and take their technology further, while building strong UK supply chains that keep the parts quantum tech depends on here in the UK. These technologies also matter for our national security, giving our military and emergency responders reliable ways to navigate and stay connected even when conventional systems can’t be relied on.
Professor Charlotte Deane, UKRI Senior Responsible Owner for IS8 Quantum
Quantum Supply Chains & Skills Development via UKRI Programs
By 2030, the expanded program anticipates equipping 150 engineering apprentices with the skills necessary to support the growing quantum industry, maintaining Britain’s position as a global leader in the field. This initiative acknowledges the need for a skilled talent pool to not only innovate but also to build, maintain, and commercialize these complex technologies, addressing a potential bottleneck in the sector’s growth.
The funding extends to diverse applications, including QLM Technology Ltd in Wales, which is developing a camera capable of measuring greenhouse gases in energy, water and waste infrastructure, demonstrating the broad potential of quantum sensing beyond traditional sectors.
The ability to operate independently of GPS is particularly important, as reliance on satellite-based positioning systems creates a vulnerability that quantum-based alternatives can mitigate. Complementing the funding, the Quantum City initiative, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, recently relaunched with an updated website and resources designed to inspire the next generation of quantum talent and provide accessible training opportunities.
This public engagement effort aims to broaden participation in the quantum revolution and ensure a pipeline of skilled individuals to support the continued growth of the UK’s quantum industry, encouraging a future where the benefits of this technology are widely shared.
See today’s quantum computing news on Quantum Zeitgeist for the latest breakthroughs in qubits, hardware, algorithms, and industry deals.
