Expression of Interest: SparQ Access Industry Channel
As the national centre for quantum computing, the NQCC seeks to advance the UK’s quantum computing capabilities, infrastructure, and adoption. SparQ Access is the NQCC’s flagship access programme, providing the UK’s quantum computing user community with assured quantum computing platforms for research, upskilling, and application development.
Dedicated channels provide specific user groups with streamlined access to quantum computing resources from a range of commercial providers. Centrally brokered, onboarded, and managed by the NQCC, this approach reduces administrative burden, simplifies access to diverse quantum computing platforms, and helps accelerate the adoption and application of quantum computing.
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.
The NQCC is now inviting Expressions of Interest to calibrate demand and confirm scope for this channel. Subject to scale and nature of demand identified through this EOI, the NQCC may proceed with the allocation of compute resources from Q4 2026 onwards.
Important dates
Expression of Interest (EOI) application is now open for the SparQ Access Industry Channel and will close on Friday 18 September 2026.
Requests for supplementary detail (if required) and Awards: Q4 2026 – subject to levels of demand
Quantum computing access timeframe: From Q4 2026 / Q1 2027
Submit your Expression of Interest (EOI)About the EOI
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.
How to apply/process
Applicants should complete and submit their Expression of Interest by Friday 18 September.
Subject to award, 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.
Quantum computing access will 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.
Guidance
- To register your interest please complete the EOI form.
- We will be hosting a webinar on Thursday 27 August, 11:00 – 12:00 BST, to provide more information and answer any questions you may have. To register, please click on the following link: Webinar registration
- Please note that any information you supply to us will be treated strictly as commercial in confidence and in line with UKRI policies.
- For further queries, please email SparQAccess@stfc.ac.uk.