UKRI Announces Major Infrastructure Investment Including National Cryogenic Facility to Advance Quantum and Clean Energy Research

Cryogenic Chamber, credit: simonkr, E+, via Getty Images

(IN BRIEF) UKRI has announced a major infrastructure investment package, including £51.2 million for a new National Cryogenic Facility that will enable advanced research at ultra-low temperatures. The facility will support innovation in areas such as quantum computing, healthcare, and clean energy while addressing critical skills shortages. The funding is part of a broader £156.6 million initiative supporting additional projects in bioimaging, tidal energy, and agricultural research. Together, these investments aim to strengthen the UK’s research infrastructure, drive economic growth, and position the country as a global leader in key scientific and technological fields.

(PRESS RELEASE) SWINDON, 19-Mar-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — UKRI has announced a major investment package through its Infrastructure Fund, including £51.2 million allocated to establish a new National Cryogenic Facility (NCF) designed to support advanced scientific research at extremely low temperatures. The facility will enable testing and material analysis at temperatures ranging from 2 Kelvin (-271.15 °C) to 20 Kelvin (-253.15 °C), creating conditions even colder than deep space and opening new possibilities for innovation across multiple industries.

The National Cryogenic Facility will be located at UKRI’s Daresbury Laboratory and is expected to significantly expand the UK’s cryogenic research capacity, increasing it by approximately six times. The facility will provide both academic and industrial users with access to highly specialized testing environments, supporting developments in fields such as quantum computing, high-temperature superconductors, healthcare technologies, green aviation, and fusion energy.

By enabling detailed characterization of materials under extreme conditions, the facility will support applications including MRI system development and the advancement of hydrogen-powered aviation. It will also play a crucial role in studying materials used in superconducting magnets, which are essential for a range of emerging technologies.

The NCF is also expected to become a hub for developing expertise in cryogenic engineering and system operations, addressing a recognized skills gap in the UK. This is particularly relevant as demand for talent in quantum technologies continues to grow, with projections indicating hundreds of thousands of new jobs globally in the coming decade.

The investment forms part of a broader £156.6 million funding package supporting four major infrastructure initiatives aimed at driving scientific progress and economic growth. These projects are part of UKRI’s wider Infrastructure Fund portfolio, which currently totals £2.04 billion and focuses on strengthening the UK’s long-term research and innovation capabilities.

Among the additional projects receiving funding is the Imaging Across Scales (IMAS-UK) initiative, a £55 million program designed to provide advanced bioimaging capabilities. By combining cutting-edge imaging technologies with AI-powered data integration, IMAS-UK will enable researchers to study biological systems in unprecedented detail, advancing understanding of ageing, disease progression, and drug resistance. The project will connect leading research centres across the UK and support innovation in areas such as engineering biology.

The Blue Horizon project, led by Innovate UK and delivered by the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney, will receive £15 million to expand tidal energy testing infrastructure. With additional co-funding, the initiative aims to accelerate the commercialization of tidal power, contributing to energy security, industrial growth, and the development of large-scale renewable energy systems. Over the next decade, the project is expected to generate substantial clean energy output, attract significant private investment, and create hundreds of skilled jobs.

Another key initiative, PhenomUK, is a £35.4 million program focused on improving plant and crop resilience in response to climate change, biodiversity loss, and invasive species. By creating a national research infrastructure for crop phenotyping, the project will support the development of more resilient agricultural systems, enhance food security, and reduce reliance on pesticides. It also aligns with broader ambitions to position the UK as a leader in precision breeding and agricultural innovation.

Adam Staines, Infrastructure Portfolio Director at UKRI, highlighted the breadth and ambition of the funded projects, noting their importance in maintaining the UK’s leadership in areas such as clean energy, medical research, and quantum technologies. He emphasized that strategic infrastructure investment is essential for enabling world-class research and delivering long-term economic and societal benefits.

UKRI CEO Professor Sir Ian Chapman underscored the role of infrastructure investment in advancing knowledge, improving quality of life, and driving economic growth. He noted that the funded projects reflect careful prioritization and alignment with national and societal goals, ensuring that public investment translates into tangible outcomes.

The UKRI Infrastructure Fund plays a central role in supporting the facilities, equipment, and resources needed for cutting-edge research. By investing in both new and upgraded infrastructure across disciplines and regions, the program aims to build a robust pipeline of innovation capabilities for the next two decades.

Media Contacts:

Email: press@ukri.org
Phone: 01793 298 902

SOURCE: UKRI