The UK National Quantum Technologies Programme

Professor David Delpy

7 March 2014

The UK National Quantum Technologies Programme

£270MUK Government investment

in quantum technologies research

Delivered against a business case prepared with members of the community.

To exploit the potential of quantum science and develop a range of emerging technologies with the potential to benefit the UK.

A multi-stakeholder, technology-focused initiative to last for an initial period of five years.

EPSRC & UK Quantum Science

The UK quantum science base is acknowledged as excellent.

EPSRC has a long history of sponsoring the very best researchers, and enabling them to undertake world-class quantum physics research.

EPSRC continues to support this science base via our normal funding mechanisms.

The UK National Quantum Technologies programme is focused not on quantum science, but on the exploitation of that science for technological benefit.

Public Investment, Community Delivery

Significant HM Government investment in quantum technologies.

Public sector bodies working together to;

exploit quantum science for practical application,

capitalise on UK research excellence and competitive advantage,

secure a leading UK presence in future quantum technologies.

Requires a rapid and coordinated national response – spend begins in FY2014/15.

Any funding for quantum technologies in future budget settlements will likely be dependent upon the demonstrable impact of this initiative. Advocacy and evidence of success are vitally important.

Quantum Technology Research & Innovation

Programme Governance

Strategic Advisory Board

o National & international membership.

o Advises on national strategy.o Maintains oversight of

coordination, progress and delivery from programme investments.

o Investigates future technology road-mapping and horizon scanning.

o Meets approximately three times per year.

Programme Operations Group

o Initial membership comprises EPSRC, TSB, DSTL, CESG, BIS and NPL.

o Membership will evolve over time, as required.

o Enables effective coordination of various Government agencies and key organisations.

o Meets approximately six times per year.

EPSRC Quantum Technologies Staff

Dr. Rachel Bishop – Theme Leader

: rachel.bishop@epsrc.ac.uk

: (01793) 44 4335

Dr. Derek Gillespie – Senior Portfolio Manager

: derek.gillespie@epsrc.ac.uk

: (01793) 44 4301

Miss Amanda Howes – Portfolio Manager

: amanda.howes@epsrc.ac.uk

: (01793) 44 4447

Quantum Technology Hubs:Vision, Expectations and Assessment

Dr. Derek Gillespie

Senior Portfolio Manager

This session will cover:

Quantum Technology Hub Overview

The vision and ambition for the national network of Quantum Technology Hubs.

Our expectations of a successful Hub, and how we will direct peer review to assess these.

Working in partnership as part of a national network.

Process Overview

Summary of the funding available.

Overview of the peer review process and timelines.

Expectations during and after the peer review process.

Quantum Technology Hubs:Vision & Expectations Overview

The Quantum Technology Hubs

Quantum Technology Hubs are the primary investment of the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme.

Hubs will have an ambitious vision to research specific technologies that exploit the potential of quantum science.

To fulfil that vision, Hubs must bring together a consortium of excellent engineers, quantum scientists, design engineers and mathematicians.

Successful Hubs will demonstrate strong leadership, an excellent academic and industry consortium, a focus upon technology research & development, and a credible plan to foster and support a UK quantum technology community.

Hubs in a National Network

The Quantum Technology Hubs will not operate in isolation – they cooperate to form the core of a network of expertise.

The national network will be broader than the Hubs – inclusive of the wider research and industry community, open to new concepts, and responsive to opportunity.

An effective network will support a balanced landscape of technology research and innovation, exploiting developments from the UK and international peers.

The national network will be supported by a suite of activities to support innovation and technology maturation, with funding initially delivered by EPSRC, TSB and DSTL, and networking by the ESP KTN.

Key Components of a Hub

Hub Leadership and Management

We expect:

The Director to have demonstrable experience in successfully leading and managing large multi-stakeholder research consortia.

The Director and senior leadership team to demonstrate ‘esteem factors’ that are relevant to the proposed vision and technical focus of the Hub.

The Hub to have clear management and advice structures that expect to have involvement from the National Programme.

Hubs must be led by a clearly-indicated Director and a supporting senior leadership team, who between them have the experience and credibility to lead an emerging technologies programme.

Knowledge Base

Technology Base

System Integration

High-Level Requirements

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Hub Research Focus and Vision

Quantum Technology

Hubs

Hub Research Focus and Vision

We expect:

Hubs to undertake research that is technology-driven, aimed towards the development of novel, practical devices and systems.

Hubs to be able to clearly define the current international state-of-the-art, and to have credible plans for making significant advances beyond that point during their initial five years.

Each Hub to have the required resources and capability – staffing, finance, and equipment – to deliver the work packages that underpin the vision of the Hub.

Hubs must pursue research focused upon emerging technologies that exploit quantum science.

Partnership Resource

We expect:

That at least 20% of the overall budget is committed to flexible funding under the concept of a ‘Partnership Resource’.

That Hubs will have a plan for activities to be undertaken using the Partnership Resource in the first two years of operation.

The Hub to recognise that Partnership Resource funding can be employed across the breadth of Hub activity.

Hubs should have laid aside substantial proportions of their overall budget with an ethos of flexible funding in mind, to ensure that opportunities for working with other Hubs and stakeholders are maximised.

Research Impact & Technology Transfer

We expect:

That Hubs will consider the full range of impacts arising from their research – technological, societal, economic, academic, etc. – and will have strategies and resources in place to maximise impact potential.

Hubs to proactively manage innovation processes (e.g. technology transfer and/or systems integration processes), considering appropriate risk management and mitigation.

Hubs to remain responsive to impact opportunities as-and-when they arise.

Hubs will recognise that maximising the impact of their research activities is central to their role in the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme.

Responsible Innovation

We expect:

All Hubs to consider EPSRC’s framework for responsible innovation: Anticipate – Reflect – Engage – Act

Hubs to appropriately engage with the concept of responsible innovation in a manner that provides opportunities to enhance the goals of the National Quantum Technologies Programme.

Hubs will acknowledge that, as bodies in receipt of public funding, they have a responsibility to ensure that their activities create value for society in an ethical and responsible manner.

www.epsrc.ac.uk/research/framework/Pages/framework.aspx

Working in a National Network

We expect:

That each Hub views itself as a national collaboration, and not as ‘belonging’ to any single university.

That all Hubs work together in collaborative and cooperative manner.

That Hubs consider their wider activities in the context of the National Quantum Technologies Programme.

The Quantum Technology Hubs will be required to work closely together to maximise current and future opportunities and resources, and to proactively engage with the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme.

Quantum Technology Hubs:Process Overview

Dr. Rachel Bishop

Theme Lead

Summary of Funding Available

~£80M resource, ~£75M capital.

We will fund a small number of Hubs, each with a substantial resource budget (~£10M-£20M).

Partnership Resource funding mandated: at least 20% of total.

Capital funding – requirements for 2014/15 and 2015/16 spend.

Hubs should demonstrate strong, relevant, industrial support.

Strong institutional commitment is required.

We require Hubs to operate with an ethos of flexible funding, such that opportunities for rapid re-deployment of resource is possible. All partners must sign collaboration agreements to this effect.

Strategic Peer Review & Sponsorship Process

Briefing Workshop07 March 2014

Deadline for Outlines16:00 GMT26 March 2014

Outline Assessment Panelw/c 28 April 2014

Feedback & Briefing Meeting for Short-listed Bids14 May 2014

Finance Meeting with HubsMid-September 2014

Interviewsw/c 1 September 2014

Postal Peer Review and PI ResponsesJuly-August 2014

Deadline for Full Proposals16:00 GMT24 June 2014

Funding Decisions15 September 2014

Awards Begin – Decision Letters1 October 2014

Two-day Hub WorkshopMid-October 2014

Expectations: During Process

Building Collaborations

Non-academic partners must be considered and involved when developing the Hub vision and research programme.

Membership of an independent advisory board to be discussed with EPSRC.

Institutional Support

What do your institutions contribute to your bid? Consider resources, facilities, equipment access, studentships etc.

Agreements and Spending Plans

Do not leave collaboration agreements and capital spend plans until a funding decision is made – timelines are tight.

Expectations: After Funding Decisions

Engaging with the National Quantum Technology Programme

Close, regular contact with EPSRC & TSB as Hub sponsors.

Regular interaction with all Programme stakeholders.

Hub Advisory Boards linked to National Strategic Advisory Board.

Fostering & Supporting a Quantum Technology Community

Hubs are not ‘closed’ awards – engagement with academic and industrial community is vital.

Gaining Additional Funding

Hubs should seek a diverse research & innovation funding portfolio from existing funding routes.

Expectations: After Funding Decisions

Mid-Term Reviews

All Hubs will have mid-term reviews after two years, to assess relative progress within the Hub and within the Network.

Stage-Gating Opportunities

Opportunities to supplement Hub funding via ‘stage-gating’ mechanisms will be explored – could support, amongst others; research translation, leadership, and/or novel concepts.

Advocacy and Demonstration of Results

Requirement to demonstrate the benefits to the UK of public investment in a programme such as this.

HM Government is a key stakeholder for all Hubs.

Quantum Technology Hubs:Applicant ‘Elevator Pitches’

Elevator Pitches

Hub Director, or nominee, has up to three minutes to summarise:

Vision for proposed Hubs

Core consortium and partners

Key skills and facilities in place, and requests for expertise required

Driving Innovation

V2 140508

Driving Innovation

Quantum Technology Exploitation Initiative

Simon Bennett

7 March 2014

Why does TSB care about QT?

• Extraordinary power – when it can be harnessed• Huge diversity of highly disruptive applications• UK research base exceptionally strong• We can take a world lead at the earliest stage of a

rapidly emerging technology• Accelerated transition from lab to economic impact

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EPSRC & TSB Programme

• Technology is immature– Early stage for TSB involvement– Emphasis on accelerated transition from physics lab

• Joint funding of innovation projects– Early industrial engagement essential– Feasibility studies through to demonstrators

• Opportunity for leverage: – Coherence between EPSRC, TSB, dstl, others– Shared road-maps

• This is NOT business as usual!

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Collaboration is vital

• Early industrial engagement– Defence, geo-survey, comms, pharma, medical...– Component & Systems level supply– Systems integration, application algorithms...

• Challenge led drive to provide focus?• Build a strong foundation

– Eco-system: • skills, capability, infrastructure...understanding

– Supply chain: SMEs as well as large end users

• Early wins essential for future funding

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Preparing & Submitting Proposals:Guidance and Documentation

Miss Amanda Howes

Portfolio Manager

This session will cover:

Basics of submission

Required documentation

Things to consider now for the full proposal stage

Additional grant conditions

Deadline for outline submission through JeS:

16:00 GMT on Wednesday 26 March 2014

An institution may lead only one bid.

The Network of Quantum Technology Hubs is a national endeavour – people are not restricted to involvement in one bid only, key expertise should be utilised where required.

Basics of Submission: Outlines

Vision and ambition

Leadership quality

Research quality

National importance

Partnership and user engagement strategy

Exploitation strategy and potential impact

Resources and management strategy

Institutional commitment

Assessment Criteria

JeS form

Case for Support (‘6+2’ page limit)

Attach an 8-page document; 6 pages ‘Case for Support’ + 2 pages ‘Capital Business Case’

CV of Director (2 page limit)

Attach as CV

Capital Business Case (2 page limit)

Attach as part of Case for Support as a component of the 8-page document

Letters of Institutional Support for each institution involved in the proposed Hub

Attach each letter as a separate document using document type, ‘Justification of Resources’

Required Documentation for Outline Proposals

The JeS ApplicationOutline submission must be made through JeS.

Only one JeS form per Hub – all institutions involved on one form.

In JeS, when creating the proposal, select:

Council: ‘EPSRC’

Document type: ‘Outline Proposal’

Scheme: ‘EPSRC Outline’

On project details page, select: ‘National Network of Quantum Technologies Hubs (outline)’ call

Pressing ‘submit’ sends documentation to the host institution’s administrative processes; allow time for the organisation’s submission process to meet the deadline.

Capital costs should be included under Exceptions on the JeS form – include the amount requested from EPSRC.

The six pages should cover the following:

Overall Vision and Ambition

The proposal must articulate how the Hub will address the significant step-change in translating quantum science into quantum technology.

The vision should be explained in a clear but succinct manner. Include brief details of the main application areas, key underlying research challenges, and the broad approach to address them.

National Importance

Explain the importance and context of your Hub as part of the national network, in line with standard EPSRC guidance.

Proposed Programme

A brief description of the programme of technology research, the work packages within the proposal and who leads each work package.

Preparing the Case for Support (i)

Leadership and Track Record

This section is to discuss the core leadership team. The Director’s CV allows a specific focus on the Director.

Include relevant evidence of the leadership team's skills and expertise to drive the Hub vision, and at managing large, complex research programmes.

Regarding the Director, consider the following:

o That they have sufficient time to lead the Hub;

o Please note that you cannot exceed the hours of one full time equivalent post (37.5hrs) across research council grants, whether time is charged or not.

o That they have clearly split their time between managing the Hub, and the research project(s).

Preparing the Case for Support (ii)

If the Principal Investigator is not the Director, justification is required as to why. The Director must have ultimate responsibility and plans to ensure this should be described.

Research Capability

Describe the technical focus and scale of quantum technology research activities at the institutions involved in the Hub, including;

o Core technology areas of relevance

o Available infrastructure

o Scale of current activity, including sources of funding and number of full time equivalent posts

Collaboration and User Engagement Strategy

Any non-academic partners should be listed and their role briefly explained

The role of key users in preparing the proposal should be outlined

A user engagement strategy should be briefly described

Preparing the Case for Support (iii)

Pathways to Impact

An outline of the planned approach to maximising the potential impacts of the research (including academic, societal and user impact) should be provided.

Outline how the technology translation process will be managed as part of the overall management structure.

Responsible Innovation

Outline the Hub’s approach to responsible innovation, including how a proactive approach to responsible innovation is seen as a long term benefit to the Hub, and the wider National Programme.

Include any stakeholder and public engagement planned, and partners or professional expertise that may be engaged.

Preparing the Case for Support (iv)

Resources and Capital Requested

A detailed breakdown of costs is not required, but:

The percentage of time for the Director and co-investigators must be identified

The directly incurred costs should be estimated, including a figure for main headings such as consumables, travel and subsistence, pathways to impact, etc.

A summary description of the capital investment planned should be included, outlining why it is essential to achieve the vision of the Hub, and how it complements existing infrastructure – both within the consortium, and nationally.

Preparing the Case for Support (v)

We will not accept an unapproved variance in costing of more than ±10% between the Outline and Full proposals.

Management and Start-up Plans

Briefly describe:

How the Hub will be managed and monitored

How strategies will be set and monitored for research and translational opportunities

Proposed roles for key staff posts beyond the core leadership team

Committees and advisory structures and their roles

Key issues, such as recruitment strategies

How Hub funding will operate flexibly across all institutions and how expenditure timescales will be met

Preparing the Case for Support (vi)

Maximum 2-page document

Considered against the ‘Leadership Quality’ assessment criterion

Don’t use a standard CV – tailor to provide appropriate evidence of relevant leadership skills and expertise

Include evidence of successful;

Collaboration with academic and non-academic partners

Leadership and management of large research consortia

Preparing the Director’s CV

Alongside demonstrably strong leadership skills, Hub Directors must have sufficient time to lead such large, complex, awards - the role is significantly more than research. As a rule of thumb, at least 30% (and preferably higher) of a Director’s time should be assigned to the Hub award, and a significant proportion of that time should be for activities other than research.

Submitted as a 2-page addition to the Case for Support, making that document 8 pages long, in total.

Only resources for ‘capital’ items may be requested in the capital business case.

Preparing the Capital Business Plan

Refurbishment costs for equipment and facilities may be requested where a direct requirement to the success of the Hub can be demonstrated.

Exercise caution in requesting funding for new buildings.

The following Full Economic Costing rules apply:

i. Items of equipment under £10K should not be included.

ii. Any equipment over £10K will be funded at up to 100%.

It is anticipated that procurement and sustainability of capital equipment will be an area of proposals likely to benefit from strong institutional support.

One letter must be included per institution listed on the JeS form.

To be individually attached via JeS, using the ‘Justification of Resources’ document type.

Letters must be signed by a Pro-VC for Research, or equivalent post. Letters should include official University letterheads, and be correctly dated.

Letters are used to assess the extent of institutional commitment to the proposed Hub, and should;

o Demonstrate an understanding of the vision for a national network of Quantum Technology Hubs

o Explain how the Hub aligns with institutional strategy

o Outline what contributions to the Hub an institution will make, and why these add value to the proposal

Preparing Letters of Institutional Support

Letters should be bespoke for each individual Hub bid.

Things to consider now for the full proposal stage:

Management strategy/structure

Commencement of capital procurement processes

Development of IP arrangements – further guidance will be provided at full proposal stage

Suggestions for advisory board membership

User engagement strategy

Additional grant conditions

Collaborative agreements – university and other partners

Vision and ambition

Leadership quality

Research quality

National importance

Partnership and user engagement strategy

Exploitation strategy and potential impact

Resources and management strategy

Institutional commitment

Assessment Criteria

Grant Conditions & Next Steps Overview

Dr. Rachel Bishop

Theme Lead

Advice and Governance

Management structure must be agreed by EPSRC

Membership and terms of reference of all bodies

>50% independent members on advisory board

Expectation of industrial representation

EPSRC representation is required

Director – overall responsibility

One flexible pot of resources

Monitoring strategy to redeploy resources

Collaborative Agreements

Must be in place by time grant starts

Allows flexibility of funding and leadership by Director

With all academic collaborating partners

Additional Grant Conditions (i)

There will be specific grant conditions that relate to the following topics:

Fixed start date - 1 October 2014

Relationship to National Quantum Technologies Programme

Monitoring and reporting

The Director

User engagement

Collaboration agreements

Branding

Partnership resource funding

Capital funding subject to fixed deadlines

Additional Grant Conditions (ii)

Key dates

Activity Date

Deadline for Intention to Submit forms17 February 2014 16:00 GMT

Briefing workshop 07 March 2014

Deadline for outlines26 March 2014 16:00 GMT

Outline assessment panel w/c 28 April 2014

Feedback/briefing meeting & brokering 14 May 2014

Deadline for full proposals 24 June 2014

Interview panelw/c 01 September 2014

Decision of which proposals will be funded15 September 2014

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EPSRC Quantum Technologies Staff

Dr. Rachel Bishop – Theme Leader

: rachel.bishop@epsrc.ac.uk

: (01793) 44 4335

Dr. Derek Gillespie – Senior Portfolio Manager

: derek.gillespie@epsrc.ac.uk

: (01793) 44 4301

Miss Amanda Howes – Portfolio Manager

: amanda.howes@epsrc.ac.uk

: (01793) 44 4447

www.epsrc.ac.uk

http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/research/ourportfolio/themes/quantumtech/Pages/quantumtech.aspx