A new national quantum facility is set to be housed in a 4,000m2 facility at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, equipped with 12 quantum computers.
The Harwell National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), announced by the Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT), will provide open access to quantum computing technology for industry, academia, and other sectors in the UK. With over 70 staff members, the centre will offer summer placements for students, crash courses for industry professionals, and a dedicated quantum apprenticeship programme with 30 PhD studentships.
The centre has received an initial investment of £93m from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), and Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), with an additional £50m from UKRI’s Technology Missions Fund.
The NQCC’s systems will be available for use by anyone with a valid case, aiming to drive collaboration and innovation to deliver transformative benefits for both public and private sectors. Quantum technology is a key focus for the government to kickstart economic growth, with the potential to create cutting-edge innovations that can be commercialised and exported.
The NQCC will focus on projects such as energy grid optimisation, drug discovery, climate prediction, and advancements in AI for medical diagnostics and fraud detection, aiming to improve healthcare outcomes and enhance financial security.
Lord Vallance, the Science minister, highlighted the importance of the centre in advancing quantum technologies and solving major challenges in healthcare, energy efficiency, climate change, and material inventions. The government is committed to supporting quantum companies to scale up and drive innovation for economic growth.
Recent initiatives include £100m for new quantum research hubs and funding for Quantum Centres for Doctoral Training, which will train over 300 PhDs in the next four years.
