NQS Mission 2: Components, systems and architectures (Grant)

Apply for funding to advance research supporting the UK National Quantum Strategy Mission 2, strengthening UK leadership in quantum networking and communications and the future quantum internet. You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for EPSRC funding. Total funding: £10.75 million Maximum award: £2.56 million Location: National Who can apply: Public Sector, Non-profit, Private Sector Closing date: 2026-11-24 16:00 (UK time) Eligibility This opportunity is open to organisations with standard eligibility. Check if your organisation is eligible. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) individual eligibility rules apply. For full details, visit EPSRC’s eligibility page. You may be named as project lead in no more than one application. There is no limit to the number of applications you can be named as project co-lead. International researchers The UKRI-RCN (UK Research and Innovation and Research Council of Norway) money follows cooperation agreement does not apply to this funding opportunity. As such applications submitted to this funding opportunity cannot include a Norway-based project co-lead (international). You should include all international collaborators (or UK partners not based at approved organisations) as project partners. Resubmissions We will not accept uninvited resubmissions of projects that have been submitted to UKRI or any other funder. Find out more about UKRI’s resubmission’s policy. Equality, diversity and inclusion We are committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all funding applicants. We encourage applications from a diverse range of researchers. We support people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. This includes: - career breaks - support for people with caring responsibilities - flexible working - alternative working patterns UKRI can offer disability and accessibility support for UKRI applicants and grant holders during the application and assessment process. Summary Apply for funding to advance the research capabilities required to deliver the UK National Quantum Strategy Mission 2, strengthening the UK’s leadership in quantum networking and communications and accelerating progress towards the deployment of the world’s most advanced quantum network and the future quantum internet. You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funding. The full economic cost (FEC) of your application can be up to £2.56 million. EPSRC will fund 80% of the FEC. Projects must be no more than 33 months in duration with the latest start date of 31 May 2027. Objectives Demand management Demand management is not currently being applied to this funding opportunity. However, should the level of interest exceed what can be managed within the assessment process, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) may introduce limits on the number of applications that can be submitted. Further details will be clearly communicated where this is the case. UKRI encourages organisations to support applicants in preparing well-planned, high-quality applications that are competitive for f Dates Assessment process In the event of this funding opportunity being substantially oversubscribed as to be unmanageable, we reserve the right to modify the assessment process. We will assess your application using the following process. Assessment panel We will invite panel members to assess your application independently against the assessment criteria for the funding opportunity. Prior to the assessment panel, panel members will be given the opportunity to request a limited set of questions or po How to apply Click here to start an application on the UKRI Funding Service: https://funding-service.ukri.org/OPP1321/apply/1349 We are running this funding opportunity on the new UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Service so please ensure that your organisation is registered. You cannot apply on the Joint Electronic Submissions (Je-S) system