New funding calls: a QKD microsatellite and UK-German projects
Two exciting funding opportunities have recently opened in the European quantum technologies landscape. An EU call for tender seeks contractors for a microsatellite pilot mission to validate QKD in the IRIS² programme. Meanwhile, a new bilateral call between Germany and the United Kingdom aims to support joint R&I projects in quantum technologies.
EU Tender: IRIS² QKD Microsatellite Pilot Mission
On 17 February, the European Commission published a call for tender titled ‘IRIS² QKD microsatellite pilot mission’ worth €25mil and with a deadline of 18 May 2026. The tender seeks contractors for the procurement of a microsatellite pilot mission that will validate space-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technologies and help prepare the way for future secure quantum networks.
The scope of this procurement includes the design, development and deployment of a compact, high-performance microsatellite with quantum payloads capable of demonstrably performing secure QKD experiments in orbit. The mission will contribute to broader efforts to build out the EuroQCI secure quantum communication infrastructure, which spans terrestrial and space elements as part of the EU’s IRIS² Secure Connectivity Programme.
UK–Germany Collaborative Innovation for Quantum Technologies 2026
Meanwhile a funding competition has opened to support collaborative research and innovation projects between organisations in Germany and the United Kingdom, aiming to accelerate commercialisation in quantum technologies. Worth £6mil in total, the deadline for applications is 15 April 2026.
The ‘UK-Germany Collaborative Innovation for Quantum Technologies 2026’ call (German version here) is a bilateral initiative between the respective funding authorities Innovate UK and the German Federal Ministry of Technology, Research and Space (BMFTR). Eligible projects should focus on the development, prototyping and testing of commercial quantum technologies, spanning areas such as qubit processors and networking, quantum sensing applications, quantum software solutions, and industrial products or services supporting technology scaling.
More opportunities in the European funding landscape
These two recent openings complement a broader ecosystem of European funding for quantum technologies. There are currently several topics published with 2026 deadlines, under Horizon Europe’s Quantum Flagship, the EuroHPC JU, the Chips JU and beyond. Find out more on our dedicated funding page:
