NQS Mission 2 Coordination Network
- Funding
- Up to £504,750
- Deadline
- 24 November 2026
- Location
- England
- Applications
- Deadline: 24 November 2026
Overview
EPSRC, with the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), funds a national coordination network for Mission 2 of the UK National Quantum Strategy, open to UK research organisations eligible for EPSRC funding. EPSRC pays 80% of full economic cost, up to £504,750. Applications close at 4:00pm UK time on 24 November 2026. The network must link researchers, industry partners and network operators working on quantum communications and networking. Applicants must show a network model and meaningful end user involvement throughout. The funder's website names quantum hardware, photonics, communications infrastructure, networking protocols, software, standards, cybersecurity and systems integration as areas to bring together. The project lead applies on the UKRI Funding Service, not Je-S. The research office checks and submits the application. Only the lead research organisation can submit. No matched funding is required beyond the standard 20% FEC. Each person can be named project lead on one application only.
Requirements to check
Who can apply:
Key requirements:
- Full economic cost of up to £630,937, with EPSRC funding 80% (£504,750)
- Projects must last no more than 33 months and start by 31 May 2027
- The network must be academic-led and co-created with end users
- You can be named as project lead on only one application
- No Norway-based project co-lead is allowed
- No equipment over £25,000 and no PhD studentships in costs sought from EPSRC
Who it is for
- UK research organisations eligible for EPSRC funding
- Teams led by a project lead who can complete the application on the UKRI Funding Service
- Project leads named on no more than one application
- Co-leads, who can join any number of applications
- Teams that can bring in industry, government and international partners as project partners
Who it is not for
- Applications that use the Je-S system
- Applications with a Norway-based project co-lead
- Uninvited resubmissions of projects already sent to UKRI or another funder
- Applications submitted after 4:00pm UK time on 24 November 2026
- Applications that include sentences, paragraphs of text or tables inside images
You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for EPSRC funding, and UKRI individual eligibility rules apply. You can be named as project lead on no more than one application, but you can be co-lead on as many as you like. Applications cannot include a Norway-based project co-lead. Include international collaborators as project partners. Uninvited resubmissions of projects already submitted to UKRI or any other funder will not be accepted.
This summary may not include every exclusion. Check the full eligibility rules, including who and what the funder will not support.
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Start freeWho is this for?
UK research organisations eligible for EPSRC funding that can lead a network linking researchers, industry, network operators and end users in quantum networking and communications.
Regions
Full details from Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Apply for funding to establish a national coordination network supporting the UK National Quantum Strategy Mission 2. The network will connect researchers, industry partners and network operators to advance quantum communications.You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for EPSRC funding.
How to apply
Apply on the UKRI Funding Service by selecting 'Start application' on the funder's page. The project lead confirms their role, signs in or creates an account, and answers the questions online. The completed application goes to your research office, which checks it and submits it to UKRI. Only the lead research organisation can submit.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I get from the NQS Mission 2 Coordination Network funding?
The maximum EPSRC contribution is £504,750. The funder's website says no matched funding is required beyond the standard 20% FEC.
When is the NQS Mission 2 Coordination Network deadline?
EPSRC must receive your application by 24 November 2026 at 4:00pm UK time. You cannot apply after this time.
Can I apply to the NQS Mission 2 Coordination Network through Je-S?
No. You cannot apply on Je-S. The project lead applies on the UKRI Funding Service, then the research office checks and submits it.
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Create free accountLast updated: 9 November 2026