Early Career Researcher and Research Technical Professional Development

The QEPNT Hub is supporting the advancement of the careers of the quantum research and technical professional community.

The Early Career Researcher (ECR) and Research Technical Professional (RTP) Development programme is aimed at those seeking funding for individual training and professional development, or to those organising training, development or networking opportunities for the wider quantum community. 

QEPNT can offer funding opportunities to researchers and technical colleagues working in any of the 5 National Quantum Technology Programme (NQTP) Hubs.

Who is eligible to apply?  

We can offer funding for researchers, technical staff, and PhD students working within the NQTP hubs, whose work is aligned to the goals of QEPNT.   

What will we fund?   

Funding is offered on a flexible basis, but the types of activities that we will consider funding include:  

  • Individual registration for training or continuing professional development courses (travel and accommodation costs should be covered by the home institution). 
  • Sponsorship for networking events aimed at the UK quantum community. 
  • Funding or sponsorship for training aimed at Early Career Researchers or Research Technical Professionals (including summer schools, workshops, symposia etc.) 

Levels of funding available  

We will fund individual activities to a maximum of £5000 per award, inclusive of VAT (where applicable).  Applications should include a full breakdown of costs.   

 Application Process 

  • Eligible candidates may apply for funding at any time during the current phase of the NQTP Hubs (to November 2029).  
  • Requests for funding should be made by completing the ERC and RTP Development Application Form and returning it to info@QEPNT.ac.uk.   
  • Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and peer reviewed by a selection panel including the Hub PI, Hub Director, Hub Management and selected Hub CoIs.  Members of the review panel will be required to declare any conflicts of interest and abstain where necessary.  
  • You should expect to receive a response to your request within one month of application.  

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 

The QEPNT Hub is committed to supporting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), and our funding programmes are designed to align with our EDI Strategy.  We therefore aim to provide funding as flexibly as possible, with a particular focus on reducing barriers to professional development opportunities; especially for under-represented groups and individuals with caring responsibilities. 

Apply Now

ERC and RTP Development Application Form

ECR and RTP Development Fund Guidance

UK Quantum Technologies Programme

UK National Quantum Technology Programme

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

Other UK Quantum Hubs

The Integrated Quantum Networks Hub (IQN)

QCi3

UK Quantum Technology Research Hub in Sensing, Imaging & Timing (QuSIT)

Q-BioMed

 

Funding Conditions and Payment Terms

  • Funding will be paid directly to the home institution of the recipient as a single award. We are unable to pay any costs (including personal expenses) to a personal bank account.     
  • QEPNT will pay to the recipient 80% of the full economic costs directly incurred by the recipient.  
  • The funding must be used only for the purposes of the activity outlined in the application form and must be spent in accordance with the project budget set out therein.   
  • The award is deemed to be inclusive of VAT and represents the maximum amount payable by QEPNT to the recipient. 
  • Under no circumstances will QEPNT be responsible for any additional costs incurred by the recipient in connection with the activity. 
  • Funding is conditional on the receipt of a post-activity/event report within one-month of the event taking place, outlining the main outcomes/impact of the funding.  The Hub Management Team will provide a pro-forma to all successful recipients. 
  • Funding is only available for colleagues working in one or more of the NQTP Hubs.     
  • Events/activities must be related to the work of the NQTP Hubs and be aligned to the objectives of the QEPNT Hub.   
  • This scheme cannot be used to pay for researcher salaries, or any other costs associated with the payment of an individual.