Optical wireless communications research and testing facility
UK Research and Innovation funds a national facility to drive research and testing in optical wireless communications across multiple environments, supporting advanced, secure, and AI-enabled connectivity.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: September 15, 2026: Full application deadline
Funding Amounts: Up to £7.13 million per award; project duration up to 27 months; 100% FEC covered for facility and resources.
Summary: Funding to establish a UK-based national research and testing facility for optical wireless communications, enabling advanced experimental infrastructure across terrestrial, aerial, maritime, underwater, and space environments.
Key Information: Strict eligibility: UK-based eligible organisations, Alliance Nations citizenship, security checks, and community-led, consortium approach required.
Description
This opportunity, funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), supports the creation of a national research and testing facility for optical wireless communications (OWC) in the UK. The facility will enable real-world research, testing, and validation of OWC technologies, supporting applications across terrestrial, aerial, maritime, underwater, and space domains. The aim is to accelerate the translation of research into deployable, secure, and high-capacity communication technologies, foster industry and academic collaboration, and strengthen the UK’s position in advanced connectivity, including quantum-secure communications. The investment will provide a shared, AI-ready experimental environment and infrastructure to underpin future communications systems and national resilience.
