Funding available to Host an International Summer School in Quantum Technologies

Funding for academics to run one to two week summer schools for students from the UK and Canada and/or the US on the subject of quantum technologies.

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has launched an opportunity to enable UK academics to host a summer school for PhD students in the field of quantum technologies. The summer school should connect with institutions in, and invite PhD students from, the UK, as well as Canada and/or the US.

The fund is designed to facilitate international engagement and collaboration between the UK, the US and Canada. It is hoped that this will encourage further future summer schools to be hosted in each of these countries, forming long-term research partnerships in quantum technologies between the UK and North America.

Quantum technologies are those that involve the creation, control and manipulation of sensitive and fragile quantum effects within single systems. Although many current and future technologies are described by quantum theory, the focus of this opportunity is on expanding capabilities focused on the direct exploitation of quantum phenomena, such as superposition or entanglement. This includes:

  • Quantum computing and simulation.
  • Quantum sensing and timing.
  • Quantum imaging.
  • Quantum communication.
  • Quantum components.

Proposals must be at least 50% within the remit of the EPSRC quantum technologies theme.

The summer school must run for one to two weeks in 2023.

Applicants must be based at institutions eligible for UKRI funding, including: UK higher education institutions; research council institutes.; UK Research and Innovation-approved independent research organisations.; eligible public sector research establishments; and NHS bodies with research capacity.

The full economic cost of the project can be up to £100,000, but smaller bids are also welcome. EPSRC will fund 100% of the full economic cost. Funding can be used to cover the investigator’s time spent on setting up and managing the summer school, travel and subsistence, workshops, and administrative support. All costs must be fully justified.

Applications should be submitted by the 27 September 2022 (16:00) deadline.

(This report was the subject of a ResearchConnect Newsflash.)