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Opportunity

QTAP in collaboration with NQCC’s SparQ

Open date: Tuesday 14 April 2026 Close date: Tuesday 12 May 2026

Overview

Digital Catapult is at the forefront of the UK’s deep tech revolution. As part of the UK Catapult Network, we champion the practical adoption of emerging technologies, empowering industry to innovate faster and preparing the nation for a future shaped by breakthrough science. Digital Catapult and the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) are joining forces to launch a new phase of the Quantum Technology Access Programme (QTAP), sponsored by SparQ from the NQCC.

The NQCC’s SparQ programme focuses on applications discovery, skills development, and building a connected UK quantum ecosystem.

Digital Catapult’s QTAP Cohort 3 in collaboration with NQCC, is a 6 month structured programme that aims to support up to twelve organisations across a whole range of sectors including energy, healthcare, transport, logistics, financial services, aerospace and defence. It is designed to accelerate the UK’s quantum readiness by cultivating practical capabilities and empowering industry end users to take confident steps into the quantum era.

The QTAP will provide training and technology access to enable end-users to get hands-on with quantum computing and explore use cases relevant to their businesses.

This cohort focuses on two impactful use case streams: combinatorial optimisation and quantum machine learning. Through targeted training, immersive hands‑on learning, and tangible demonstrations of real world value, participants gain the insight and confidence needed to explore how these quantum approaches can transform challenges within their own organisations and sectors.

Digital Catapult

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Digital Catapult is a deep tech innovation organisation driving business value by accelerating the application of advanced technologies.

Partnering with government, industry and academia, we focus on significant challenges and opportunities facing the UK’s economy and society, where technology can play a major role in providing solutions. We break down barriers, de-risk innovation, open up markets and responsibly shape the products, services and experiences of the future.

Digital Catapult is part of the Innovate UK Catapult Network. Catapults provide a unique combination of cutting-edge R&D facilities and world-class technical expertise to support UK business innovation.

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National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC)

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The National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) is leading an ambitious programme of activities that aims to accelerate the technology roadmap for quantum computing in the UK. It is working alongside government, industry and the research community to drive technical innovation, and enable the evolution of a quantum-ready economy. We aim to provide the training and expertise to help organisations prepare for a quantum future.

SparQ is the NQCC’s flagship user engagement programme, which enables applications discovery, supports skills development, and provides opportunities for networking.

SparQ aims to support the pathway to quantum readiness by building knowledge and expertise in applications discovery, and developing the UK quantum computing user community. The programme is aimed at current and future professionals in industry, business, academia, and beyond.

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ORCA Computing

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Headquartered in London, UK, with offices in Toronto (Canada) and Austin (US), ORCA develop and provide full-stack photonic quantum computing systems to address applications of scientific and economic importance. Founded in 2019 as a spin-out of the University of Oxford, ORCA leverages over 30 years of scientific research and technology breakthroughs by Co-founder Professor Ian Walmsley. The company was established to deliver a completely new approach towards photonic quantum computing.

Since founding, the company has enjoyed numerous achievements including leading a record £11.6 million Quantum Data Centre of the Future grant from the UK government and delivering 10 on-premises quantum photonic system to customers around the world by early 2025. Customers such as the UK Ministry of Defence (UK), National Quantum Computing Centre (UK), Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center (Poland) and Montana State University (US) have placed their trust in us to advance their quantum technologies progress.

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Programme benefits

By grounding learning in practical applicable skills, the programme helps bridge the gap between curiosity and meaningful adoption, supporting future commercialisation, strengthening the UK’s innovation landscape, and building a workforce ready to harness the power of quantum computing.

Gain a strategic quantum advantage: Equip your organisation with early insight into how quantum computing could reshape industry, giving you a future‑ready competitive edge.

Targeted quantum education and skills development: Access a structured, free‑of‑charge programme featuring training, masterclasses, and expert‑led sessions that translate complex quantum concepts into practical, sector‑specific applications.

Upskill your workforce for the quantum era: Learn how to build internal quantum capability, develop foundational and advanced technical skills, and prepare teams to work with emerging quantum technologies.

Connect with the quantum ecosystem: Build a valuable network of industry partners, technology innovators, and quantum specialists to support collaboration, pilots, and long term adoption.

Showcase your quantum journey: Present your organisation’s progress, insights, and use case exploration at a dedicated showcase event attended by industry leaders, experts, and potential partners.

Who should apply

Businesses of all sizes from startups to SMEs to large businesses are encouraged to apply across the following sectors (but not limited to):

Energy
Transport and Logistics
Healthcare and Pharmaceutical
Financial Services
Aerospace and Defence
Advanced Manufacturing
Automotive
Construction
Telecommunications
Media and Entertainment

Applicants must be available for the full 6 month programme. The initiative will help industry end users build practical, applicable skills and take confident first steps towards quantum adoption.

Key dates

Tuesday 14 April 2026

Applications open at 10:00

Apply now

Tuesday 12 May 2026

Applications close at 23:59

July 2026

Programme start

February 2027

Programme end

Applications close

00 Days
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Apply now

“Our partnership with the NQCC represents an exciting milestone as we continue to prepare UK industry for the next wave of technological transformation. Quantum computing is approaching a moment of real opportunity, and QTAP Cohort 3 is designed to ensure businesses have the clarity, confidence and practical skills to explore where quantum can create meaningful impact, and to experiment on NQCC’s quantum computing systems. We’re thrilled to deepen our collaboration with the NQCC SparQ team and help build a stronger, more connected quantum ecosystem for the UK.” Paul Ceely Director of Technology Strategy, Digital Catapult

“Through the SparQ programme we are committed to opening up access to quantum computing technologies and helping industry understand their potential impact. By working with Digital Catapult, we can bring these capabilities to an even broader audience and support UK organisations in developing the pathway to real world quantum applications.” Simon Plant Deputy Director for Innovation, NQCC

Assessment criteria and competition terms

Assessment criteria:

Problem and solution – 35 marks
Technical and business capability – 35 marks
Ability to execute – 30 marks

Competition terms:

Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they are able to develop a viable quantum use case for their business and will be able to show how they will benefit from the programme.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate they have the technical capabilities to become a Quantum end user including using Python software.
To join for free, applicants must be eligible to receive £20,000 in State Assistance, otherwise programme cost is £20k +VAT.
Applicants must be a UK based registered company or prove they are a company that has an establishment in the UK and undertake most of their activity in the UK.

Read the terms and conditions

How to apply and next steps

Applications will open at 10:00 on Tuesday 14 April 2026 and will remain open until 23:59 on Tuesday 12 May 2026.

An overview of the process is outlined below:

1. Applicants must apply via registering to the online application linked from this page. You will be asked to demonstrate how you meet the selection criteria detailed above.

2. Applications will be reviewed for eligibility. The programme is due to commence in July 2026.

If you have any accessibility requirements regarding the application process, please reach out to the Quantum team at Digital Catapult: [email protected] to discuss how best we can accommodate.

Start your application

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the selection criteria? How will Digital Catapult and NQCC choose the successful applicants?

There are 3 criteria upon which applicants will be assessed:

Problem and Solution

Problem and use case identification – can identify relevant use cases or belongs to an industry sector with relevant use cases

End user of use case

QTAP cohort 1 and 2 participations (weighted in favour of new participants)

Novel or interesting use case based on well identified problem

Technical and Business Capability

Basic knowledge of programming e.g. Python

Basic maths understanding e.g. complex numbers

Technical aptitude

Change management plan

Ability to Execute

Able to commit 8-10 hours a week

Explanation for managing pressures of full-time job or higher education

Scores will be assigned to the selection criteria and we will shortlist the top applicants. An interview stage may be required to clarify any questions from the judges.

What is the commitment level and key dates of the programme?

The programme will take place from July 2026 to February 2027 and delivered in a hybrid format. There will be on average 8-10 hours of commitment per week, of which 2-4 hours will be contact time with quantum technologists (Digital Catapult and ORCA) and the remainder being offline and self-led learning. Individual one to one sessions will be available throughout.

The key in-person dates associated with the programme will be:

Kick-off event at NQCC’s offices in July 2026

Demo Day at NQCC’s offices in January 2027

Showcase event marking the end of the programme in February 2027

Is the QTAP programme in-person or online?

The QTAP programme is delivered in a hybrid format with most interactions online and only key events in person. Participants are encouraged to attend sessions at the scheduled time, but they will be able to access recordings if they are unable to attend.

What are the prerequisites of the programme and what do I need to take part?

We generally recommend that the successful candidate have a basic knowledge of programming (e.g. Python), general knowledge of basic maths (e.g. complex numbers) and possess technical aptitude.

Applicants should have a clearly defined use case relevant to their sector and business. This will provide a real-world problem to solve over the course of the programme. Successful applicants will receive support from Digital Catapult, the NQCC, and ORCA to refine and develop their use cases.

What do you mean by hands-on experience?

Optimisations and Quantum Machine Learning streams will get an opportunity to run a simulation and then demonstrate a scaled down business problem on the ORCA PT-2 photonic quantum computer, subject to feasibility.

How many people can participate per application?

We appreciate that the commitment to the QTAP programme is quite high, and do allow multiple team members to take part, attending training sessions according to their availability and skillset, up to a maximum of five. However, each organisation can only work on one use case.

What is the programme structure?

The programme kicks off with a welcome event hosted at NQCC where you will meet your fellow cohort as well as the teams at Digital Catapult and NQCC. You will receive 8-10 hours of education and training per week, regular one-to-one sessions with our expert technologists as you develop your industry use case and quantum computing algorithm, and bookable support time with partners (Digital Catapult, NQCC and ORCA). By the end of the programme, you will have the opportunity to run your work on a quantum computer and present your findings to a public audience at the end of programme showcase.

Can I apply without the sponsorship of a senior person in my organisation?

As the programme requires a meaningful investment of both time and resources, applicants must confirm internal support before applying. This helps prevent delays during the contracting and onboarding stages.

What is State Aid?

Please review the following gov.uk website [Subsidy Control: a guide for beneficiaries] for more information on state aid and the MFA subsidy, especially section 7. The NQCC QTAP programme has been valued at £20,000.

Applicants will only be eligible to participate for free if confirmation can be provided that including this value, you will not have exceeded the MFA limit.

If your company is not eligible for State Aid, you will be able to apply but successful applicants must pay a fee of £20,000+VAT.

What does the new partnership with NQCC bring to this third iteration of the QTAP programme?

This year, our partnership with the NQCC’s SparQ programme marks an important step forward in preparing UK industry for a future shaped by quantum computing. By collaborating with the NQCC, we are aligning our efforts more closely with the national quantum strategy and giving this year’s cohort access to deeper technical expertise and broader connections across the quantum ecosystem.

Will it impact my application if I have been on a QTAP before or have used Digital Catapult services previously?

If you have previously partaken in other Digital Catapult programmes, or used Digital Catapult services, you are eligible and welcome to apply for QTAP Cohort 3 in partnership with NQCC SparQ. However, you must ensure that you meet the State Aid requirements.