KNOWLEDGE HUB

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) has recently opened another round of its Public Engagement Spark Awards, aimed at engaging members of the wider community with STEM research supported by its funding, the remit of which includes quantum science. If you are a quantum practitioner whose research has been supported by STFC funding, please consider applying for this opportunity.  

A total fund of £100k is available with individual awards to range between £5,000 and £20,000, over a duration of 12 to 36 months, depending on project aims and complexity. Standard STFC eligibility rules apply. The deadline for all applications is 10 December 2026 at 4pm.  

For full information on the scope of the funding call and a link to the application form, visit the funder website.  

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EustonX brings together voices from academia, industry and investment to explore the technologies, partnerships and places shaping the quantum economy. These conversations cover how quantum science and technology are developing solutions for real-world challenges.

EustonX | Quantum Technologies in Healthcare

EustonX | The future of Quantum at IBM

British businesses developing quantum technologies are being backed to keep our railways running, reduce eye scan waits, and keep our military connected – improving lives for people across the country.

Quantum technologies use the behaviour of tiny particles including atoms to do things that are difficult or impossible with today's technology. This includes quantum sensors, which can make extremely precise measurements to help with everything from healthcare and transport to infrastructure and national security.

Businesses turning this new science into real-world solutions are being backed with a share of £50 million, as part of a new government package to unleash the potential of one of the defining technologies of our generation. 

Delivered through UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) Sensing and Positioning, Navigation and Timing competition, it will directly support companies building next-generation systems that could outperform today's technology in critical areas. The funding will help companies build on early testing and turn their innovations into products that make a difference in the real world.

Winning projects include a quantum monitoring system, led by West Midlands-based MoniRail, which could pinpoint the precise location of faults in railway tracks and signalling equipment where GPS is unable to reach. That means track staff being able to deal with problems as soon as they arise, which will spare commuters frustrating last-minute delays. 

A handheld quantum eye scanner from Bristol-based Siloton is designed to make advanced eye diagnostics available outside specialist hospitals, with smaller, more accessible devices improving access to care for patients all over the country.  

Oxfordshire-based Infleqtion is being backed to develop a compact, mobile quantum radio system that can locate signals with high accuracy. It could support operational intelligence in the military, strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure such as airports, and help emergency responders locate distress signals.

The funding forms part of the government's wider goal to make the UK a world leader in quantum sensing by 2030, backed by up to £2 billion investment earlier this year.

Science, Innovation and Investment Minister Chris McDonald said: ‍

“Quantum has long been an exciting technology, but now real world applications are within our grasp.

“UK innovators are showing us what these breakthroughs could mean for our lives in the near future, from cutting down on train delays, to earlier appointments at in-demand areas of the NHS, to keeping our armed forces safe and connected as they protect our country.

“We’re backing teams across the UK to turn bright ideas into products that make a real difference, growing the economy, creating new jobs, and ensuring we can as leaders in Quantum technology for decades to come.”

The announcement comes as the government takes further action to back the foundations needed to turn quantum breakthroughs into a thriving UK industry.

Innovate UK is investing £20 million in UK-based businesses to build domestic capability in quantum communication networks, a strategically important future quantum technology.

Through its Enabling Commercial Quantum Networking competition, Innovate UK will support companies like Sheffield-based Aegiq to develop specialist components, such as lasers and photonic chips, strengthening supply chains and keeping the UK at the forefront of developing quantum technologies.

Meanwhile an £8 million expansion of UKRI’s QuEST Apprentices Programme will create new routes into skilled quantum jobs, helping employers train the engineering technicians and specialist quantum technicians needed to build, maintain and commercialise these technologies.  

By 2030 the scheme aims to equip 150 apprentices studying engineering subjects with the ability to support the growing UK quantum workforce, helping to maintain Britain as a global leader in the technology.

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Imagine being fascinated by quantum technology, by the strange behaviour of particles, the possibilities of quantum computing, or the idea that new technologies could transform healthcare, navigation and communications, but looking around the room and rarely seeing anyone like you. Would you feel that this was a field where you belonged? This question matters as the UK builds its ambitions for quantum technology.

Quantum may sound like something distant or highly specialised, but its potential impact is becoming increasingly real. From more precise sensing and navigation to secure communications and new approaches to computing, quantum technologies could shape many aspects of our lives in the decades ahead. The UK wants to be at the forefront of that development. But achieving that ambition will require more than investment in research, infrastructure and technology. It will require people. Scientists, engineers, software developers, technicians, entrepreneurs and innovators will all play a part in turning quantum research into technologies that work outside the laboratory.

So, alongside asking what quantum technology can do, there is another question we should be asking: Who gets to build it and who sees a future in Quantum?

Quantum is still at its early stage and rapidly developing field. That gives us an unusual opportunity. We are not simply inheriting a fully established filed with a fixed culture and well-worn career paths. We are helping to shape what the quantum sector will look like for years to come. That means we have a chance to think carefully about who is able to participate, and who might be missing.

Like many science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, quantum does not yet fully reflect the diversity of the society it serves. Gender is one of the most visible examples. Women remain underrepresented in subjects that often lead into quantum careers, such as physics and electrical and electronic engineering, and representation falls further at senior career stages and across parts of industry. These patterns are not unique to quantum, but they matter because they influence who enters the field, who stays and ultimately who progresses into positions of influence and leadership.

They raise a much more personal question: If you rarely see people like yourself succeeding in a field, can you imagine yourself having a future there?

Visibility, Belonging and Progression

Since joining the quantum community last year, I have had the opportunity to engage with researchers, students, industry representatives, people working on equality, diversity and inclusion, and early career researchers from across the National Quantum Technologies Programme. These conversations have taken place in panel discussions, workshops, networking events and one-to-one meetings. While every experience is different, three themes repeatedly emerge: visibility, belonging and progression.

What strikes me is that these discussions rarely focus on capability. Instead, people talk about whether they can see a place for themselves in the sector, whether they encounter role models whose journeys feel relatable, and whether opportunities for development and leadership feel genuinely accessible.

Visibility matters because people are more likely to see a future in a field when they can see others like themselves succeeding within it. Belonging matters because people are more likely to stay when they feel valued, connected and supported. Progression is equally important because attracting diverse talent into quantum is only part of the challenge. People also need opportunities to develop skills, build networks and move into leadership positions.

Together, these factors help determine not only who enters quantum, but who remains and eventually helps shape its future.

Moving from Discussion to Action

Personally, I feel that these conversations are increasingly leading to action. Across the National Quantum Technologies Programme, all of the quantum hubs have developed equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plans, and EDI leads are beginning to work more closely together to share learning, identify common challenges and explore collective approaches to improving inclusion across the sector. I think this is a very sensible approach because many of the challenges we face are not unique to a single institution, discipline or project.  

Within QuSIT, our starting point was simple: listen first. When the Hub was established, we already had ambitions around EDI, but we also recognised that our priorities should be informed by the needs of our own community rather than assumptions. We therefore took steps to better understand the composition of the Hub and gather feedback that could help shape the evolution of our EDI Action Plan. Those insights are informing our programme of activity focussing on participation, progression and visibility.

This includes mentoring opportunities, support for accessibility and caring responsibilities, championing diverse role models, creating leadership opportunities for staff and early career researchers, and embedding inclusive practices across events, communications and governance. Alongside this, our Early Career Researcher Task Group is creating opportunities for early career researchers to contribute to discussions, shape activities across the Hub, build networks and gain valuable leadership experience at an early stage in their careers.  

Looking Ahead

There is still a long way to go. Improving representation will require sustained effort across the entire pipeline, from schools and universities through to research organisations, businesses and leadership teams.

But I am optimistic. Across the quantum community, I see people asking difficult questions, sharing ideas and taking practical steps to create a more inclusive sector. Over the past year, one lesson has become increasingly clear to me: building a stronger quantum workforce is not simply about attracting more people into the sector. It is about creating an environment where people can see themselves, feel that they belong and have opportunities to progress.

If the UK wants to lead in the technologies of the future, we must continue asking who feels welcome building them. Because the challenge is not simply creating a larger quantum workforce. It is creating a quantum workforce that reflects the society it serves.

In this discussion, Dr Jess Wade speaks with Professor Sir Peter Knight FRS about the achievements of the International Year of Quantum and the remarkable progress made across the quantum sector. Reflecting on a century of quantum mechanics, they explore the future of quantum technologies and how research, innovation and collaboration are helping bring transformative quantum applications closer to reality.

Digital Catapult announces the latest participants in its quantum innovation programme, bringing together leading industrial organisations to explore practical quantum applications.  

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The National Quantum Computing Centre and Google Quantum AI selected King's College London to access the Willow quantum processor. Researchers will investigate quantum-inspired neural systems and complex quantum dynamics, advancing understanding of novel quantum computing applications while strengthening UK access to world-leading quantum hardware and expertise.

The Royal Institution (Ri) is a UK charity that brings science to life through talks, demonstrations, videos and educational activities for people of all ages. Its programmes connect the public with leading scientists and the latest discoveries, helping to inspire curiosity and a deeper understanding of the world around us.

The RI has a number of videos on YouTube that explain the science behind quantum technologies

STFC offers several public engagement funding opportunities to help connect people with STFC-supported science and technology. Its Spark Awards provide funding for a wide range of organisations to develop innovative public engagement projects, particularly those reaching young people and underrepresented audiences. Nucleus Awards support larger-scale activities that engage the public with STFC-funded research, facilities and technologies, while Public Engagement Leadership Fellowships help build long-term public engagement capacity and expertise within research organisations and communities.

QuantIC focused on developing next-generation imaging technologies based on quantum science. Its research explored applications ranging from healthcare and manufacturing to environmental monitoring and security, helping to translate quantum imaging innovations into real-world solutions.

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Explaining underwater imaging

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Seeing with undetected light

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QuantIC MegaProjector

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QuantIC Indipix

QuantIC Single Fibre Imager

The UK government announces the £10 million National Quantum Standards Network, led by the National Physical Laboratory. The initiative will coordinate standards development across government, industry and academia, helping ensure quantum technologies are reliable, interoperable and trusted while strengthening the UK's influence in emerging international quantum standards.

This Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology briefing provides an accessible overview of quantum computing, sensing and communications, exploring their potential applications, opportunities and policy implications. It examines how quantum technologies could transform areas including healthcare, cybersecurity, navigation, communications and economic growth.

This podcast episode explores how project-based learning can help make quantum technologies and photonics more accessible to students while building the skills needed for the future workforce. Featuring Kristen Outler and Vanessa Mahoney from the Spark Photonics Foundation, the discussion highlights innovative educational approaches that raise awareness of emerging technologies and prepare learners for careers in the rapidly growing quantum sector.

This report examines the current and future skills needs of the UK's rapidly growing quantum sector, identifying the workforce, training and education pathways required to support its long-term success. It sets out recommendations for developing quantum talent, expanding engineering and technical skills, strengthening education and outreach programmes, and ensuring the UK remains internationally competitive in quantum technologies.

The UK government unveiled a £2 billion quantum investment package, including plans to procure and deploy large-scale quantum computers. Funding supports research, infrastructure, commercialisation and skills across computing, networking and sensing technologies, aiming to create jobs, boost productivity, strengthen national security and establish global leadership.  

UK Research and Innovation outlined how new national investment will accelerate quantum computing deployment and commercialisation. Support for research hubs, the National Quantum Computing Centre and the Quantum Software Lab will expand access to cutting-edge hardware, develop skills and convert scientific excellence into economic and societal impact.  

This explainer uses everyday examples, puzzles and humour to introduce the world of quantum physics. Designed as a light-hearted tea-time read, it helps readers explore key quantum concepts such as superposition and entanglement in an approachable way.

An introduction to quantum technologies, explaining how the strange principles of quantum physics are being harnessed to create powerful new tools and capabilities. Through real-world examples, it explores the potential of quantum computing, communications and sensing technologies, and their future impact on science, industry and everyday life.

Inspired by the science fiction idea of teleportation, this episode investigates what quantum teleportation really is, how it works, and whether humans could ever be transported in the same way.

Published by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, this report argues that the UK must move beyond research leadership and focus on scaling quantum businesses, infrastructure and adoption. It sets out recommendations to strengthen quantum sovereignty, support national champions and secure the UK's long-term economic and strategic position in the global quantum race.

This collection brings together educational resources on quantum computing, including videos, online courses, textbooks, tutorials and learning platforms suitable for beginners through to more advanced learners.

This resource explores public attitudes, questions and concerns around quantum computing, bringing together insights from dialogue and engagement activities with members of the public. It offers valuable perspectives on how people view the opportunities, risks and societal impacts of quantum technologies, helping to inform future research, policy and innovation.

This podcast series explores the fundamental ideas and unanswered questions at the heart of quantum physics, featuring conversations with leading researchers and thinkers in the field. Covering topics ranging from quantum mechanics and information theory to the nature of reality itself, the series offers an engaging insight into both the science and philosophy underpinning the quantum world.

Infleqtion announced a major expansion of its UK operations through a new Quantum Innovation Centre in Oxford. The facility will increase research, manufacturing and systems integration capacity, support the UK's quantum ecosystem, create highly skilled jobs, and accelerate development of quantum computing, sensing and timing technologies.

This podcast series explores how quantum technologies are moving from research into real-world applications, featuring insights from experts across academia, industry and government. The podcast examines the opportunities, challenges and practical steps needed to prepare organisations and society for the emerging quantum era.