Optical Wireless Communications Research and Testing Facility
Funds a UK national facility for advanced research and real-world testing of optical wireless communication systems across terrestrial, aerial, maritime, underwater, and space environments.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: September 15, 2026: Full application submission deadline
Funding Amounts: Up to £7,125,000 total for a single award; project duration up to 27 months; EPSRC funds 100% of full economic cost.
Summary: Supports the creation of a UK national research and testing facility for optical wireless communications, enabling advanced experimentation, industry collaboration, and innovation across multiple environments.
Key Information: Strict nationality and security eligibility; only one award will be made; consortium applications are strongly encouraged.
Description
This opportunity funds the establishment of a national facility dedicated to optical wireless communications (OWC) research and testing in the UK. The facility will enable experimental investigation and validation of integrated terrestrial and non-terrestrial communication systems—spanning terrestrial, aerial, maritime, underwater, and space environments. The aim is to accelerate the translation of OWC research into deployable products and services, strengthen UK industrial competitiveness, and provide infrastructure for evaluating system performance and environmental impacts under real-world conditions. The facility will be open-access, supporting academia, industry, and government, with a focus on innovation, commercialisation, and national security.
