quantum technology hubs briefing slides
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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
: (01793) 44 4335
Dr. Derek Gillespie – Senior Portfolio Manager
: (01793) 44 4301
Miss Amanda Howes – Portfolio Manager
: (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
: (01793) 44 4335
Dr. Derek Gillespie – Senior Portfolio Manager
: (01793) 44 4301
Miss Amanda Howes – Portfolio Manager
: (01793) 44 4447
www.epsrc.ac.uk
http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/research/ourportfolio/themes/quantumtech/Pages/quantumtech.aspx