The UK has announced five new quantum research hubs backed by over £100 million of government funding.
The centres – based in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Oxford and London – will look to deliver breakthroughs in areas such as healthcare, cybersecurity, clean energy and transport through practical adoption of quantum technologies.
Announced by the Science Secretary Peter Kyle on a visit to the University of Glasgow – who will lead one of the hubs – they will bring researchers and businesses together to use their scientific expertise and talent alongside the commercial know-how and resources.
“We want to see a future where cutting-edge science improves everyday lives,” said Kyle. “That is the vision behind our investment in these new quantum technology hubs, by supporting the deployment of technology that will mean faster diagnoses for diseases, critical infrastructure safe from hostile threats and cleaner energy for us all.
“This isn’t just about research; it’s about putting that research to work. These hubs will bridge the gap between brilliant ideas and practical solutions. They will not only transform sectors like healthcare and security, but also create a culture of accelerated innovation that helps to grow our economy.”
The UK Quantum Biomedical Sensing Research Hub (University College London and University of Cambridge) will explore quantum sensors for ultra-sensitive disease diagnosis, including rapid blood tests, and biomedical scanners to facilitate earlier diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.
The UK Quantum Technology Hub in Sensing, Imaging and Timing (University of Birmingham) will focus on the development of quantum sensing for practical applications – brain scanners for dementia, cancer diagnostics, and advanced security and infrastructure monitoring.
The Integrated Quantum Networks Quantum Technology Hub (Heriot-Watt University) aims to deliver the technologies for a future UK-wide ‘quantum internet’, enabling future-proof cybersecurity and powerful distributed quantum computing.
The Hub for Quantum Computing via Integrated and Interconnected Implementations (University of Oxford) will develop technologies for building quantum computers, advancing UK capabilities across hardware and software and targeting applications in a wide range of industry sectors.
The UK Hub for Quantum Enabled Position, Navigation and Timing (University of Glasgow) will create quantum-based positioning and navigation systems for critical infrastructure, autonomous vehicles, and improved indoor and underwater navigation.
The hubs will be delivered by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), with a £106m investment from EPSRC, the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Research Council, UKRI Medical Research Council, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
However Ekaterina Almasque, general partner at OpenOcean, said government funding “must flow, rather than trickle, into quantum research”.
She added: “£100 million is a significant sum, but it pales in comparison to the backing and expert advice that startups need to transform research into immediate, real-world applications. For quantum startups to thrive, we must see more decentralised funding initiatives like this one across the UK, expanding our horizons beyond the traditional tech hubs of London and the South East.
“By building hubs in cities like Birmingham and Glasgow, the UK can more easily commercialise emerging quantum technologies, such as the advanced sensing systems at the University of Birmingham or the next-generation navigation systems at the University of Glasgow, across a range of regions and sectors.
“This approach not only spreads economic growth but also helps to cultivate vibrant startup ecosystems in all four corners of the nation.”