A virtual cultivation workshop, hosted by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the UK Quantum Technology Hub Sensors and Timing, is taking place on 8th October 2020 from 1-3pm for those interested in commercialising quantum science.
The workshop is centred on the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF), a government initiative set up to help translate quantum research into real-world applications. Launched in 2016, the ISCF aims to bring together leading researchers and businesses to tackle the big societal and industrial challenges today.
To date, the ISCF has supported 1820 organisations. £986 million was invested in 497 projects in the first two waves of funding, in addition to almost £488 million of underpinning investment.
The workshop will provide information on opportunities available through ISCF, and the Hub’s current ISCF projects. Speakers including Professor Kai Bongs, Principle Investigator at the UK Quantum Technology Hub Sensors and Timing, and Roger McKinlay, Challenge Director for Quantum Technologies for UKRI, will discuss the next phase of ISCF competitions, currently planned for early 2021, giving organisations and businesses a first look at opportunities for funding to give time for project planning and consortium building.
Gravity Pioneer is a key example of a highly successful ISCF project, receiving £6 million in funding. Led by leading environmental and engineering services company RSK, the project consists of 12 project partners from prominent organisations currently engaged in quantum technologies in the UK: University of Birmingham, Teledyne e2v, Fraunhofer UK, Altran, Geomatrix Earth Science, Magnetic Shields, UniKLasers, Silicon Microgravity, Optocap, QinetiQ and the University of Southampton. The project aims to build and test a new gravity instrument that will have demonstrable benefits over existing technologies on the market.
Gravity Pioneer is specifically funded by the £20 million Quantum Technologies Pioneer Fund, which aims to develop prototypes in two years that could be used in future sensors, consumer electronics and digital services. The fund, which is part of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, implements the policies set out in the UK government’s white paper Industrial Strategy: Building a Britain Fit for the Future, which was published in 2017.
The workshop is open to all, and registration is required. For any queries about this event, please contact us at [email protected].
