Overview
To support industrial users of quantum computing, the NQCC intends to launch a dedicated SparQ Access Industry Channel, providing free trial access to quantum computing resources for early-stage use case discovery and evaluation. By providing access to quantum computing resources, the SparQ Access Industry Channel aims to support organisations in progressing their quantum computing journey, enabling them to explore, validate, and develop practical applications of quantum computing in support of future business objectives. While organisations with existing quantum computing experience or well-defined use cases are likely to derive the greatest immediate benefit from the channel, the long-term ambition is to support a broader range of industry engagement.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must:
- Have identified a clear business need or commercial use case for quantum computing.
- Have sufficient capability in programming quantum computers or have an academic or industry partner with such capability. (You can find a map of research and industry organisations working across quantum on the Innovate UK Quantum Landscape tool.) If you are planning to apply with an academic and / or an industry partner(s), please email SparQAccess@stfc.ac.uk with outline details so we can advise on eligibility.
- Reside in the UK and be a permanent employee at a UK-registered company, with quantum computing access originating in the UK.
- Use the allocated resource for R&D or business development activities rather than direct revenue-generating operations.
Please note, quantum computing resource suppliers may impose additional terms.
We especially welcome proposals that directly benefit high-growth economic sectors set out in the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy 2025.
Where the NQCC chooses to award compute resource through this EOI, this will count towards your organisation’s Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA) under the Subsidy Control Act 2022. Please note that any decision to award will be subject to applications being compliant with relevant UK law (including export control regulations) and commercial due diligence.
Important dates
| EOI submission |
Opens Wednesday 5 August 2026
Closes Friday 18 September 2026
|
| Requests for supplementary detail (if required) and award |
Q4 2026 - subject to levels of demand |
| Quantum computing access timeframe |
From Q4 2026 / Q1 2027 |
How to apply/process
Applicants should complete and submit this proposal by Friday 18 September.
Access will initially be free of charge. The NQCC will review proposals and award quantum computing resource to successful applicants on a tiered basis:
- Large corporations (employing over 250 FTEs): 3 months standard allocation per project.
- Medium enterprises (employing between 50-250 FTEs): up to 6 months standard allocation per project.
- Start-ups (employing <50 FTEs): up to 12 months standard allocation per project.
It is the intention that quantum computing access would initially be provided from either late Q4 2026 or early Q1 2027, and to be reviewed on a quarterly basis with the aid of a progress feedback form.
Please note that any information you supply to us will be treated strictly as commercial in confidence and in line with UKRI policy.
For further queries, please email SparQAccess@stfc.ac.uk.