Webinar
EPSRC held a webinar on 7 February 2023 to support this funding opportunity.
EPSRC webinar slides (PDF, 2.2MB)
Background
EPSRC as part of the National Quantum Technology Programme (NQTP) started a process to develop the funding opportunity for QT Research Hubs from 2024 to 2029 in January 2022.
This was to ensure the momentum and capabilities developed by the phase 1 and phase 2 QT Research Hubs was not lost and the community were able to plan for the 5 years from 2024 to 2029.
This funding opportunity is open to applications from existing and new QT Research Hubs.
EPSRC held roundtables and workshops with the academic community to develop the funding opportunity scope as well as consulting with academic, industry, NQTP partners and the Strategic Advisory Board from July to November 2022.
EPSRC is a key partner within the NQTP and shares the ambition to maintain the UK’s reputation as an excellent place to do research. Find out more about EPSRC’s quantum technologies theme.
This funding opportunity is related to EPSRCs strategic delivery plan 2022 to 2024 where quantum technologies is a priority area.
Grant Additional Conditions (GAC)
GAC 1: project officer appointment
We will nominate a member of our staff (the project officer) who will be your primary point of contact. The project officer will ensure that the project is being run in accordance with the terms and conditions and in line with financial due diligence.
The project officers should have access to all documentation of governance and reporting bodies, in so far as it relates to the administration and application of the grant. As funding administrators, all UKRI staff have agreed to maintain the confidentiality required by all parties involved in our funded research.
GAC 2: equality, diversity and inclusion strategy
In addition to RGC 3.4, you are expected to prepare a full equality diversity and inclusion plan for the duration of this grant to demonstrate best practice in equality, diversity and inclusion throughout the lifetime of this funding award.
This must be received by the project officer within 3 months of the grant start date. Progress and updates to this plan will be recorded through the grant reporting process.
GAC 3: collaboration and user engagement strategy
You must develop and execute a strategy for engaging with potential users of the research funded in the project. This strategy should be reviewed and updated regularly as part of the formal management and reporting process agreed for this grant.
GAC 4: collaboration agreement
Where the grant is associated with more than 1 research organisation and, or, other project partners, a formal collaboration agreement must be in place with the basis of collaboration between the organisations including the following:
- the process of the flexible allocation of resources throughout the project
- ownership of intellectual property
- rights to exploitation
The terms of collaboration agreements must not conflict with the UKRI terms and conditions.
We must be informed within 3 months of the start of the grant, that the collaboration agreement is in place and has been signed by all partners and, or, the progress made (unless some alternative timeline has been agreed with us).
If sufficient progress has not been made within 3 months of the start of the grant, we reserve the right the enact RGC 12.1
Arrangements for collaboration and, or, exploitation must not prevent the future progression of research and the dissemination of research results in accordance with academic custom and practice.
GAC5: advisory board appointment
This grant must establish and run an independent advisory board, or equivalent body, to oversee the running of the project and provide advice on the strategic direction and activities of the project.
The terms of reference and membership of this group (at least 50% independent membership and an independent chair) should be agreed with us.
The project officer will also be expected to attend and participate in advisory board and other appropriate meetings for the duration of the grant.
GAC 6: governance and leadership structure
You should have established an appropriate governance, leadership and management structure with clear lines of responsibility and authority to oversee the day-to-day running of the project.
This should be in place within 6 months of the start date of the grant.
The terms of reference and management structure, including the leadership team membership must be approved by us in advance. As must any changes to this structure.
The project officer will be our main contact with the project, and must receive all meeting minutes of the management committees. We reserve the right to attend any meetings.
GAC7: management resourcing
Adequate resourcing to support an appropriate management structure, as specified in the funding opportunity documentation, should be costed within the grant.
GAC 8: monitoring and reporting
Notwithstanding the requirements set out in standard grant conditions RGC 7.4, RGC 7.5 and RGC 10, you are responsible for providing to the project officer annual progress reports against financial and non-financial performance metrics.
Additional financial or non-financial information may occasionally be requested outside of the standard annual reporting cycle. You agree to undertake all reasonable endeavours to comply with these requests in a timely manner.
GAC 9: publicity and branding
In addition to RGC 12.4 Publication and Acknowledgement of Support, you must make reference to our and UKRI funding and include the UKRI logo relevant branding on all online or printed materials (including press releases, posters, exhibition materials and other publications) related to activities funded by this grant
You must acknowledge the support received from the UK NQTP, including logos where appropriate.
GAC 10: working with the NQTP
The director and members of the leadership team are expected to take a leading role in national policy and debate in relation to quantum technology research, innovation, and exploitation.
In this context, the director and leadership team are expected to support and contribute to our strategies and coordination as requested by us, and participate in the work of the UK NQTP as requested.
About NQTP
The NQTP was established in 2014 to make the UK a global leader in the development and commercialisation of quantum technologies, which is set to transform the global society and economy.
Find out more information about the NQTP.
The strategic intent also further sets out the following specific objectives in relation to maintaining the UK’s excellence in research and technology:
- continue to build on existing excellence to strengthen our global position in research, build the skills pipeline and open-up new opportunities for technological convergence, enabling work across disciplines to unlock innovation
- as an enabling technology we will develop new quantum tools and opportunities for wider science applications
You can download the NQTP strategic intent from NQTP resources.
Responsible innovation
EPSRC is fully committed to develop and promote responsible innovation. Research has the ability to not only produce understanding, knowledge and value, but also unintended consequences, questions, ethical dilemmas and, at times, unexpected social transformations.
We recognise that we have a duty of care to promote approaches to responsible innovation that will initiate ongoing reflection about the potential ethical and societal implications of the research that we sponsor and to encourage our research community to do likewise.
Supporting documents
Equality impact assessment (PDF, 252KB)
EPSRC webinar slides (PDF, 2.2MB)
NQCC additional information (PDF, 1.2MB)
Frequently asked questions (PDF, 951KB)
Guidance for full stage (PDF, 392KB)
Summaries of successful applicants (PDF, 130KB)
NQCC guidance (PDF, 190KB)
