The United Kingdom and Germany have announced a collaborative initiative to advance quantum technology, underpinned by a combined £14 million investment. This funding includes £6 million for joint research and development, with £3 million each contributed by Innovate UK and VDI Germany, alongside an £8 million investment in the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics in Glasgow. A Memorandum of Understanding between the UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and Germany’s Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) will also establish shared quantum standards. This partnership aims to unlock the potential of quantum computing and sensing, technologies projected to contribute £11 billion to UK GDP by 2045.
UK-Germany Quantum Technology Collaboration
The UK and Germany are deepening their collaboration on quantum technology with a combined investment of £14 million. This includes £6 million for joint quantum research and development, with £3 million contributed by both Innovate UK and VDI Germany. An additional £8 million is being invested in Fraunhofer UK’s applied photonics center in Glasgow, aiming to accelerate the development and commercialization of new quantum products for UK businesses. This partnership highlights the potential of quantum technology to revolutionize various fields.
This strengthened collaboration is expected to unlock the vast potential of quantum technology, which could contribute £11 billion to the UK’s GDP and create over 100,000 jobs by 2045. Furthermore, a Memorandum of Understanding between the UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and Germany’s Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) will focus on establishing shared quantum standards, complementing the existing NMI-Q initiative.
Beyond quantum, the UK and Germany demonstrate strong science and technology ties through significant joint investments in space programs—over €6 billion within the European Space Agency—and high-performance computing initiatives. The partnership also includes up to £3.9 million to match fund UK participation in EuroHPC Calls, supporting collaborative development of advanced software and workflows. These efforts fall under the Strategic Science and Technology Partnership launched earlier this year.
Investments in Quantum Research and Development
The UK and Germany are deepening collaboration in quantum technology with a combined investment of £14 million. This includes £6 million for joint quantum research and development, with £3 million contributed by both Innovate UK and VDI Germany. An additional £8 million is being invested in Fraunhofer UK’s applied photonics center in Glasgow, aiming to accelerate the commercialization of new quantum products by supporting UK businesses. These investments acknowledge quantum technology’s potential to revolutionize multiple fields.
Quantum technology is projected to significantly impact the UK economy, potentially contributing £11 billion to GDP and creating over 100,000 jobs by 2045. Beyond economic benefits, advancements in quantum computing could dramatically speed up drug discovery, while improved quantum sensors could lead to more affordable and accurate medical scanners. The collaborative efforts also focus on establishing shared quantum standards through agreements between the UK’s National Physical Laboratory and its German counterpart.
Furthering scientific ties, both nations are jointly funding space programs with over €6 billion allocated through the European Space Agency, including €1 billion for launch programs. The UK is also allocating up to £3.9 million to match fund participation in EuroHPC Calls, supporting collaborative development of AI-ready software with European computing centers. These investments fall under the Strategic Science and Technology Partnership, solidifying the UK and Germany’s commitment to collaborative research.
Quantum technology will revolutionise fields such as cybersecurity, drug discovery, medical imaging, and much more.
UK Science Minister Lord Vallance
Expanding UK-Germany Science and Tech Partnerships
The UK and Germany are bolstering their science and technology partnership with a significant £14 million investment focused on quantum technologies. This includes £6 million in joint research and development funding—£3 million each from Innovate UK and VDI Germany—launching in early 2026. Further investment of £8 million will support research and development at Fraunhofer UK’s applied photonics center in Glasgow, aiming to accelerate the commercialization of new quantum products for UK businesses.
This collaboration extends to establishing shared standards for quantum technology. The UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and Germany’s Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, complementing the NMI-Q initiative. Quantum technology is projected to contribute £11 billion to UK GDP and create over 100,000 jobs by 2045, with potential applications ranging from drug discovery to more accurate medical scanners.
Beyond quantum, the partnership includes over €6 billion jointly funded within the European Space Agency budget, including €1 billion for launch programs and €192 million for the VIGIL space weather mission. Further investment of up to £3.9 million will match fund UK participation in EuroHPC Calls, supporting collaboration with European computing centers on AI and exascale software development. These efforts fall under the Strategic Science and Technology Partnership launched earlier this year.
