UK-Germany Collaborative Innovation for Quantum Technologies 2026
Innovate UK. (UK Research and Innovation) · United Kingdom and Germany. UK partners must carry out project work in the UK, while German partners undertake work in Germany. (Innovation Funding Service)
Grant funding for collaborative UK-Germany research and development projects to commercialise quantum technologies. Projects must demonstrate co-innovation, address a technological challenge, and have strong commercialisation potential with a global market exploitation plan. (UK Research and Innovation)
Summary
Deadline
15 Apr 2026
Updated
16 Oct 2026
Grant funding for collaborative UK-Germany research and development projects to commercialise quantum technologies. Projects must demonstrate co-innovation, address a technological challenge, and have strong commercialisation potential with a global market exploitation plan. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligibility
Applicant types
See eligibility requirements
Industries
Quantum technologies. (Innovation Funding Service)
Match funding
Applicants must provide match funding where grant funding does not cover total eligible project costs. (Innovation Funding Service)
Eligible applicants
UK registered businesses of any size may lead. Applications must include at least one German registered business applying under the equivalent BMFTR programme. (UK Research and Innovation)
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
UK grant funding request must be between £750,000 and £1,000,000 per project. In exceptional cases, a higher amount for the German partner may be agreed by BMFTR in advance. (Innovation Funding Service)
Total fund available
Up to £3,000,000. (UK Research and Innovation)
Funding intensity
Up to 70% for micro and small businesses, 60% for medium businesses and 50% for large businesses. (Innovation Funding Service)
Payment type
Not specified
Eligible scope
Development, prototyping and testing of commercial quantum technologies demonstrating co-innovation, commercial potential and a global market exploitation strategy. (Innovation Funding Service)
Eligible expenses
- Eligible project costs under Innovate UK funding rules. Academic institutions receive 80% Full Economic Cost (FEC). Research organisations undertaking non-economic activity may receive up to 100% of eligible costs. (Innovation Funding Service)
Ineligible costs
Not specified
Application and risks
Application platform
Innovation Funding Service (IFS). (UK Research and Innovation)
Competitiveness
Innovate UK estimates an approximate 30% success rate based on comparable competitions. (Innovation Funding Service)
Decision timeline
Applicants notified on 27 July 2026. (Innovation Funding Service)
Assessment process
Five independent assessors review each eligible application. Funding decisions follow Innovate UK's portfolio approach. Projects must also be independently selected by Innovate UK and BMFTR. (Innovation Funding Service)
Application sections
- Project Details, Application Questions, Finances and Project Impact. (Innovation Funding Service)
Application components
Not specified
Required documents
- Project plan (Gantt chart), risk register and permitted appendices including a project summary appendix. The UK project title must match the German submission. (Innovation Funding Service)
Appendices
Not specified
Assessment criteria
Not specified
Decision risks
Funding decisions follow Innovate UK's portfolio approach. Failure to comply with eligibility requirements, previous Innovate UK grant terms or BMFTR requirements may affect funding. (Innovation Funding Service)
Timeline and partners
Opening date
12 Feb 2026
Project duration
18 to 24 months. (Innovation Funding Service)
Project start
1 Nov 2026
Project end
31 Oct 2028
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Collaboration only. The consortium must include at least one UK registered business and one separate German registered business. UK academic institutions and research and technology organisations (RTOs) may participate as collaborators but cannot lead. No single UK partner may account for more than 70% of eligible UK project costs. (Innovation Funding Service)
Consortium requirements
Not specified
Additional guidance
Document research last revised 2026-07-30.
Grant Name
UK-Germany Collaborative Innovation for Quantum Technologies 2026
Application Limit
A UK business can lead one application and collaborate in any number of additional applications. (Innovation Funding Service)
Specific Themes
Projects must focus on one or more of the following: technologies to scale practical quantum computing (including qubit processors, switching, networking and control systems); commercial quantum computing software solutions and services; industrial products, processes or services advancing scalable quantum technologies such as chip-scale quantum, photonic and optoelectronic systems. (Innovation Funding Service)
Research Categories
Feasibility studies, industrial research and experimental development. (Innovation Funding Service)
Subcontracting Rules
Subcontractors are permitted where justified. Lower-cost delivery alone is not considered sufficient justification. (Innovation Funding Service)
Subsidy Scheme
Awarded under the Research, Development and Innovation Streamlined Subsidy Scheme under the Subsidy Control Act 2022. The award does not count towards Minimal Financial Assistance or De Minimis allowances. (Innovation Funding Service)
State Aid Consideration
UK State aid rules may apply in limited circumstances under the Windsor Framework where relevant. (Innovation Funding Service)
Sanctions Rule
Funding will not be awarded where it would breach UK sanctions. (Innovation Funding Service)
Animal Research Rule
Any project involving animals must comply with UKRI animal welfare guidance and legislation. (Innovation Funding Service)
Key Requirements
Projects must demonstrate balanced technological contributions from UK and German partners, genuine collaboration, equal significance of both countries' participation, a credible commercialisation strategy, and that the majority of work is undertaken in the UK and Germany. (Innovation Funding Service)
Important Notes
UK and German partners are funded separately by their respective national funders. German partners do not receive UK funding. Projects must not start before the Innovate UK Grant Offer Letter is approved. Funding is subject to receipt of sufficient high-quality applications. (Innovation Funding Service)
Contact Email
support@iuk.ukri.org. (Innovation Funding Service)
Contact Telephone
0300 321 4357. (Innovation Funding Service)
Official Grant Page
https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/uk-germany-collaborative-innovation-for-quantum-technologies-2026/ (UK Research and Innovation)
Competition Page
https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/2392/overview/b8b93732-6326-4aed-9af3-334e4cc5ecc0 (Innovation Funding Service)
Application deadline in source document
15 April 2026 at 11:00am UK time. (UK Research and Innovation)
Official source
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 15 Apr 2026
- Funding amount
- UK grant funding request must be between £750,000 and £1,000,000 per project. In exceptional cases, a higher amount for the German partner may be agreed by BMFTR in advance. (Innovation Funding Service)
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Grant. (UK Research and Innovation)
- Payment type
- Not specified
- Audience
- See eligibility requirements
- Industry
- Quantum technologies. (Innovation Funding Service)
- Last updated
- 16 Oct 2026
- Published
- 13 Feb 2026