UK–Canada Quantum Communications & Networking Demonstrator

Overview

Innovate UK will invest up to £3.425 million to develop and demonstrate quantum communications and networkingtechnologies, strengthening UK–Canada partnerships and building capability for a future satellite mission. Projects will combine terrestrial demonstrations (≈80%) with space-preparedness work (≈20%) and set out clear plans for exploitation and productisation.

Scope

Projects must focus on quantum communications or networking, deliver terrestrial R&D demonstrations (performance evaluation, de-risking of productisation), and include a work package preparing for participation in a satellite demonstration. Collaboration with Canadian counterparts is expected as the UK project will align with a separately sourced Canadian project.

Key themes and topics

Projects must address one or more of:

• Secure communications using quantum-enabled and related technologies
• Entanglement distribution toward non-security applications (e.g., blind quantum computing)
• Terrestrial testbeds & infrastructure, such as satellite ground stations

Project duration

• Length: 30–36 months
• Start: from 1 April 2026 (projects commence on the 1st of a month)
• End: by 31 March 2029

Award value

• Grant request: up to £3.425 million per project
• Partner cap: no single partner may claim >£3 million

Funding rates

Industrial research:

• Micro/small: up to 70% of eligible costs
• Medium: up to 60%
• Large: up to 50%

Research participation (non-economic activity): up to 30% of total eligible project costs shared across research organisations

• RTO/charity/not-for-profit/public sector/research org: up to 100%
• Je-S academics: 80% FEC

Eligibility criteria

• Lead: UK-registered business (any size) or academic institution (cannot work alone; max 30% of total grant).
• Consortium: must include at least one UK SME claiming grant. No single partner >70% of total eligible costs; no single partner claiming >£3 million.
• Location: work carried out in the UK; results exploited from/in the UK.
• Non-funded partners: permitted (UK/EU/non-UK). Canadian partners may participate as non-funded; their costs count towards total eligible costs.
• Subcontractors: allowed (overseas requires strong justification).
• One lead application per business/academic (may collaborate on two further applications).
• Must comply with Subsidy Control and other competition rules.