Contracts for Innovation: Quantum Technologies for Transport – Phase 1 (UK)

The aim of the competition is to improve the transport sector by accelerating the development of innovative quantum sensing technologies to solve transport challenges, increasing the efficiency and resilience of transport critical national infrastructure and transport platforms. Projects will benefit the UK transport sector by developing use cases and business cases for quantum sensing technologies to improve the efficiency and resilience of transport critical national infrastructure and transport platforms. Projects need to cover one or more of the challenge areas: Infrastructure, asset testing or fault prediction, monitoring, inspection, for example, quantum sensors for Non-Destructive Testing, or other approaches. Preparing for transport construction, earthworks, monitoring existing structures, for example, quantum sensors for mapping below ground attributes. Improved transport platform health and maintenance using quantum technologies, for example, Non-Destructive Testing of transport platforms, sensing, imaging, or other approaches, transport platforms include maritime vessels, aircraft, road vehicles and trains. Projects must deliver both of the following: A use case based on one or more of the above challenge areas. The use case could consider, for example only, technical requirements, user requirements, operational guidelines, system architecture, security considerations and standards. The main outcome is to strengthen understanding of the practical applications of quantum sensing technologies in the challenge areas to provide a foundation for further development. An outline business case based on the chosen use case. The business case could include, for example only, the business need, market analysis, commercialisation strategy, stakeholder mapping or engagement, supply chain mapping, strategic alignment, economic viability, commercial barriers to adoption. The main outcome is to improve the understanding of the commercial viability for the use case.

Phase 1 projects can range in size up to total eligible costs of £40,000, inclusive of VAT, with projects starting on 1 January 2026 and ending by 31 March 2026. This competition closes on 15 October 2025 at 11:00am UK time. Only successful applicants from phase 1 will be invited to apply for phase 2, which may involve further development and prototype work.

To apply, organisations of any size, including those based in the EU, EEA or internationally, may lead a project either alone or with subcontracted expertise, but the majority of the work must be carried out in the UK. Applications must focus on second generation quantum technologies involving the generation and coherent control of quantum states, such as superposition or entanglement.

Funding will be awarded as contracts for research and development services, with applicants expected to outline a credible route to market and a plan for commercialisation of their results. Innovate UK and EPSRC will apply a portfolio approach in awarding contracts, ensuring a balance across markets, technologies, and maturity levels.

For more information, visit GOV.UK.