The UK Quantum Technology Research Hub in Sensing, Imaging and Timing (QuSIT) is pleased to announce the completion of the application and grant-awarding phase of the QuSIT Accelerating Capability Fund (ACF) grant.
The ACF Grant, enabled by funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), is part of a wider EPSRC investment model designed to accelerate the delivery of National Quantum Strategy (NQS) Missions outcomes.
A total of £774k has been allocated across multiple projects which will establish new collaborations and strengthen existing partnerships, enhancing QuSIT’s capability to deliver against the Missions goals and generate real-world impact.
Projects will be completed by 30 March 2027, helping to position the UK to achieve its 2035 ambition of widespread adoption of quantum-enabled technologies that deliver economic and societal benefits through advances in communications, transport, and healthcare.
This QuSIT ACF grant call invited proposals for two key focus strands: A) building upon findings from prior out-of-laboratory trials, or B) accelerating new academic partnerships, including with academics outside QuSIT, to pursue research critical to technology development in support of Mission outcomes.
The selected projects are:
Strand A
Diagnostic OPM-MEG for disadvantaged populations: Using quantum technologies to improve accessibility of diagnostics for autistic children with epilepsy led by University College London in partnership with Young Epilepsy, Cerca Magnetics Ltd and ANT Neuro
With estimates between 26-40% incidence of autism in children living with epilepsy, the complexities of both conditions lead to a host of challenges for epilepsy diagnostics and management, generally leaving this population vastly underserved. By utilising OPM-MEG brain sensing technology, this project aims to adapt the system to aid in the diagnosis of epilepsy in paediatric patients with autism, with state-of-the-art personalised AI analyses to bridge the gap between research and clinic. Building on extensive research and clinical experience, the project will strengthen and build industry partnerships, bolstering clinical applicability for OPM-MEG.
System-level integration for resilient quantum magnetometry on noisy uncrewed aerial platforms led by University of Strathclyde in partnership with BAE Systems
To meet the UK’s National Quantum Missions, quantum sensors must be portable, practical and meet robustness requirements. The Optically Pumped Magnetometers (OPMs) developed at the University of Strathclyde provide highly sensitive and ultra-stable measurements of the Earth’s magnetic field while their small form factor makes them extremely versatile. By building upon prior drone trials and leveraging BAE Systems extensive knowledge of platform integration this project helps realise large area, high-precision magnetic sensing which enables cheaper, faster, and safer measurements in applications spanning area monitoring.
Assessing OPM sensor capabilities for use in magnetic surveys led by British Geographical Survey and University of Strathclyde in partnership with Magnitude Surveys
This project builds on existing trials and will help move quantum magnetic field sensors from the lab out into the field. By bringing together the British Geological Survey’s expertise in geophysical measurements, Magnitude Surveys’ experience of commercial surveying, and the optically pumped magnetometers (OPM) developed at the University of Strathclyde, highly sensitive, ultra-stable measurements of the Earth’s magnetic field can be realised in a portable package, paving the way for drone deployment. By mapping minute variations in the Earth’s magnetic field, we can learn about what is hidden underground. The planned trial will help support advances in geology, archaeology, and renewable energy infrastructure development.
Enabling Adoption of Quantum Timing in Distributed Radar Systems: Quantum Enabled Radar Integration (QERI) led by University of Birmingham in partnership with Infleqtion and BAE Systems
QERI aims to accelerate the adoption of portable quantum clocks within future distributed radar systems. It builds on recent QuSIT and DSTL-funded out-of-laboratory trials at Birmingham, where Infleqtion’s Tiqker quantum clocks were successfully integrated with the ADRAN radar testbed by Birmingham application domain experts, demonstrating measurable improvements in radar performance. These trials also identified limitations within existing radar hardware that prevent the full benefits of quantum-enhanced radar being realised. QERI will address these limitations by developing an improved radar receiver and undertaking further trials, providing the evidence and understanding needed to support future adoption of quantum timing technologies in practical radar systems.
Strand B
Quantum imaging with undetected photons using large area metasurface optics (QIUP-META) led by University of Southampton in partnership with Digistain
This project aims to transform infrared molecular fingerprint sensing by integrating metaoptics with quantum imaging systems. These ultra-thin, lightweight optical components can replace bulky lenses and mirrors while precisely controlling light, polarisation, aberrations, and wavefronts. Through QIUP-META, researchers will combine bespoke metaoptics with quantum imaging with undetected photons to convert infrared molecular signatures into visible light detectable using affordable silicon sensors. Working with QuSIT teams at Bristol and Imperial, and industry partner Digistain, the project will demonstrate compact, high-performance systems for remote gas sensing and cancer tissue imaging, opening opportunities for portable industrial and healthcare technologies with real-world impact.
Tuneable Rydberg Receivers for Radar led by RAL Space (STFC) in partnership with ICEYE
This project examines how networks of quantum radio-frequency detectors may allow the construction of a coherent measurement system. Researcher interest lies in using such a system for Earth observation from low-Earth orbits, exploiting Rydberg sensors to do so. This could be used in bi-static and multi-static imaging and improve ability to characterise the Earth’s surface and near-space environment through highly sensitive distributed measurements of radio-frequency signals and their interactions with natural and man-made features.
Fibre 3D Endoscopy for Improved Clinical Surveillance led by University of Leeds in partnership with University of Glasgow, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and MicroEndo
Drawing on advances in sensing and machine learning, this project will explore a new approach to improve clinical imaging and surveillance in areas that are difficult to examine using existing technologies. Its initial focus is the earlier and more reliable identification of disease in people at increased risk of gastrointestinal cancer, with the potential to improve diagnosis, monitoring and patient outcomes. The project directly supports the National Quantum Strategy Missions by advancing quantum-enabled sensing towards practical NHS use. Collaboration between UK universities, NHS clinicians, and an industry partner will ensure the research addresses unmet clinical need and supports future adoption.
More information on the ACF
QuSIT ACF funding is also driving a range of upcoming community and stakeholder engagement initiatives such as training and careers events, secondments, mission- and sector-specific meetings, as well as the development of international landscape and translation pathways.
Together with the grant call, these initiatives are designed to strengthen QuSIT’s research, market knowledge and user engagement towards adoption and delivery of benefits derived from quantum technologies.
By focusing on overcoming technical barriers to adoption at scale, addressing constrained business models which inhibit progress and upskilling the current research community, QuSIT strives to solidify the UK’s quantum profile on the global stage.
Professor Michael Holynski, Principal Investigator for QuSIT, said:
“We are delighted to open the QuSIT Accelerating Capability Fund, made possible by funding from EPSRC-UKRI as part of the recent UK Government investment in quantum technologies.
The fund aims to generate and accelerate partnerships that support delivery of the UK National Quantum Strategy Missions. Partnerships and the collective efforts of the community are central to our mission of enabling quantum technologies to drive societal benefits and foster economic growth.
We look forward to working closely with new and existing partners, the other QT Hubs, and the wider industry, academic and broader communities to accelerate quantum technologies delivering their best for society.”
Visit our news page to catch up on previous ACF announcements.
