NQS Mission 2 Coordination Network

通知摘要

Funding opportunity Funding opportunity: NQS Mission 2 Coordination Network Opportunity status: Upcoming Funders: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) , Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Funding type: Grant Total fund: £630,937 Maximum award: £630,937 Publication date: 16 September 2026 Opening date: 29 September 2026 9:00am UK time Closing date: 24 November 2026 4:00pm UK time Apply for funding to establish a coordination network supporting Mission 2 of the UK National Quantum Strategy. The network will bring together researchers, industry partners, and network operators to strengthen collaboration, maximise the impact of Mission 2 investments, accelerate progress towards secure, scalable quantum communications and the 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) can be up to £630,937. EPSRC will fund 80% of the FEC. Projects must be no more than 33 months in duration and start by 31 May 2027. Who can apply This funding 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 resubmissions 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. What we're looking for 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 funding relative to the funding opportunity. Aim EPSRC is delivering this funding opportunity as part of the UKRI Quantum Technologies Priority Programme. This funding opportunity supports the aims of the UK National Quantum Strategy Mission 2, which seeks to establish the UK as a world leader in quantum networking and communications by developing secure, scalable quantum networks and laying the foundations for a future quantum internet. By 2035, Mission 2 aims for the UK to have deployed advanced quantum networks at scale and to be pioneering the technologies and capabilities needed to realise the quantum internet. Successful applications will establish a Mission 2 Coordination Network that brings together researchers, industry, network operators, policymakers, infrastructure providers and other stakeholders across the quantum and classical networking and communications landscapes. The network will strengthen coordination across the Mission 2 portfolio, foster collaboration and knowledge exchange, identify shared challenges and opportunities, and support the development of a coherent, connected and internationally competitive UK community. he network should demonstrate how it will: enhance connectivity across the ecosystem support the translation and uptake of research outcomes inform future research and innovation priorities contribute to the long-term objectives of Mission 2 You should consider how you will engage stakeholders across academia, industry, government and the wider quantum ecosystem to maximise the impact and value of Mission 2 investments. Scope This funding opportunity, led by EPSRC, will support a Coordination Network that acts as a focal point for the UK quantum networking and communications community. The network will provide leadership and coordination across the Mission 2 landscape, complement existing investments, and strengthen connections between academia, industry, policymakers, infrastructure providers, network operators and end users. Through community-building, knowledge exchange and stakeholder engagement activities, the network should strengthen connections between research, industry, infrastructure providers, policymakers and end users. It should identify shared challenges and emerging opportunities, facilitate collaboration, promote the uptake of research outcomes, and help shape future research and innovation priorities relevant to Mission 2. The network is expected to foster a coherent, sustainable and internationally competitive UK quantum networking and communications ecosystem that supports the long-term ambitions of Mission 2. We are looking to fund a network that will: coordinate and connect stakeholders across the UK quantum networking and communications landscape, as well as relevant sectors to include (but not limited to) photonics and classical networking and communications landscape strengthen collaboration and knowledge exchange between academia, industry, government, network operators and end users support engagement between Mission 2 research projects and relevant industrial, governmental and user communities, including Innovate UK supported testbeds and demonstration activities facilitate the exchange of expertise, best practice and lessons learned across the portfolio identify shared research challenges, capability gaps and future opportunities relevant to Mission 2 help align research activities with evolving user, market and technology needs promote engagement with quantum networking and communications testbeds, demonstrators and other translational infrastructure, helping to connect research, innovation, users and deployment communities and accelerate pathways towards real-world adoption support skills development, community building and the growth of future research and innovation capacity identify opportunities for future collaborative research, innovation and investment strengthen UK leadership and visibility in quantum networking and communications nationally and internationally This is not an exhaustive list. You are encouraged to propose innovative approaches to community coordination, stakeholder engagement and ecosystem development that will contribute to the aims and successful delivery of Mission 2. End-user involvement The network must be academic-led and co-created with end users and key stakeholders across the quantum networking and communications ecosystem. You must demonstrate how end users will be actively involved in shaping the network’s priorities, activities and outputs throughout its lifetime. You are expected to engage stakeholders from academia, industry, government, network operators, infrastructure providers, standards bodies and the wider quantum technologies ecosystem. End users should be represented as active partners in the network and contribute to identifying priorities, challenges, opportunities and routes to impact. You should demonstrate how the network will engage with organisations and communities that can help shape research and innovation priorities, identify emerging challenges and opportunities, accelerate knowledge exchange, and support the future adoption and exploitation of quantum networking and communications technologies. Relevant stakeholders and end users may include industrial organisations, technology developers, telecommunications providers, policymakers, regulators, government departments, public sector organisations, investors, standards organisations, infrastructure providers and current or potential users of quantum networking technologies. We expect networks with named partners to demonstrate meaningful commitment and engagement from those partners, including appropriate in-kind contributions such as expertise, facilities, infrastructure, testbeds, datasets, community access, use cases or strategic advice. Stakeholders and end users should contribute insights, requirements, use cases, technical expertise, infrastructure access and perspectives on future needs to help inform research and innovation priorities, strengthen coordination across the Mission 2 portfolio, and support pathways towards future adoption and impact. The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, in collaboration with EPSRC and UKRI, can support introductions to relevant public sector organisations. Please email Quantumtechnologies@epsrc.ukri.org if this is of interest. Engagement with the UK quantum ecosystem While engagement with any specific organisation is not mandatory, you must demonstrate how the network will actively engage with the wider UK quantum ecosystem throughout its lifetime. This should include engagement with relevant research hubs, research organisations, industry, end users, national facilities, infrastructure providers and other stakeholders necessary to deliver the objectives of the network and maximise its impact. Engagement may include: access to relevant facilities, infrastructure, testbeds and demonstration platforms engagement with organisations that can provide strategic insight into future research, innovation and adoption opportunities access to training, skills development and knowledge exchange opportunities opportunities to connect with potential users, adopters, investors and commercial partners visits to relevant institutions, facilities and demonstration sites This should include engagement with organisations such as the Integrated Quantum Networks Hub, other UKRI-funded quantum technology hubs, national laboratories and other relevant parts of the UK’s quantum research and innovation landscape, where appropriate. Any support or engagement will be subject to the availability of relevant resources and the needs of the network. Engagement with Mission 2 research projects The successful Coordination Network funded through this funding opportunity will be expected to engage actively with the Mission 2 research projects funded by EPSRC, UKRI and UK National Quantum Technologies Programme partners. The network will act as a coordinating and convening mechanism across the Mission 2 portfolio, connecting researchers with industry, network operators, policymakers and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, knowledge exchange and the translation of research outcomes. The network will provide a coordination function across Mission 2 investments, helping to identify shared research challenges and opportunities, align research activities with emerging user and industry needs, facilitate the exchange of knowledge and expertise, and support greater coherence across the portfolio. The network should complement and enhance the activities of funded research projects, rather than duplicate them. The Coordination Network will be expected to: create opportunities for Mission 2 funded researchers to share progress, insights and lessons learned identify opportunities for collaboration across projects, disciplines, institutions and sectors facilitate engagement between research projects and relevant industrial, governmental and user communities support the development of future research, innovation and translation opportunities arising from the portfolio provide mechanisms through which industry and user needs can help inform future research and innovation directions Through these activities, the network will help build a more connected and coordinated UK quantum networking and communications research community, maximise the collective value of Mission 2 investments, identify opportunities for future collaborative research and innovation, and strengthen the UK’s long-term capability and leadership in quantum networking and communications. Funding available The FEC of your project can be up to £630,937. EPSRC will fund £504,750 (80% of the FEC). Duration Projects must be no more than 33 months in duration with a latest start date of 31 May 2027. Due to the nature of the mission, there will be additional requirements on reporting, monitoring and evaluation, and grant extensions. This will be reflected in the grant additional conditions, and those funded will need to comply with them. Further details are provided in the ‘Additional information’ section. What we will fund We will fund: project lead and co-lead’s salaries community building and networking activities travel and subsistence relevant non-academic staff, including a network manager, as appropriate specific staff to support the network Project lead and co-lead’s salaries These should be requested under the directly allocated cost heading. The project lead (PL) and project co-leads (PcL) can request funds to cover their salary costs for the time spent on setting up and leading the network. Requests can also be made, if appropriate, for co-lead(s) to assist in the management of the network. Directly incurred costs Funding requested under the ‘Directly Incurred Cost’ heading may include the following. Community building and networking activities This may include funding for: activities to identify and disseminate key research challenges in the area, such as horizon-scanning and road mapping studies activities to facilitate impact and advance policy, such as reports, websites and briefings activities to connect users, industry and other stakeholders with the research base networking events expert working groups workshops, webinars and sandpits online discussion forums lectures and seminars problem-solving workshops staff training other activities as appropriate for the Network Travel and subsistence Travel and subsistence enabling the core team to deliver initial activities and members of the network to meet to exchange ideas and expertise. This may include: travel within the UK international travel where appropriate and justified Where possible, collaborators should meet their own travel costs. Travel should be costed as standard or economy as per our standard terms and conditions, unless there is a need for a reasonable adjustment. Professional enabling staff A sufficient level of administrative support should be requested to ensure the coordination, management, and smooth running of the network. You are expected to employ a dedicated grant manager as a core member of the team, with relevant experience and costed at the appropriate grade. Reasonable costs for monitoring and dissemination of the network’s output can also be included. If justified by your planned activities, you may include costs for additional professional enabling staff, for example, facilitators, science communicators, industrial liaisons, coordinators, administrators, technology transfer officers, commercialisation experts, engagement experts or impact staff. Resources should be requested in accordance with standard EPSRC funding criteria. What we will not fund We will not fund: PL or PcL positions outside of UKRI current research organisation eligibility support for equipment over £25,000 i

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