CORNERSTONE launches quantum photonics programme
New C-PIC Future Leaders initiative aims to bring together researchers and industry to develop scalable silicon photonics platforms for quantum technologies
CORNERSTONE, the open-source silicon photonics foundry at the University of Southampton, has opened applications for a new programme aimed at accelerating the development of silicon photonics platforms for scalable quantum technologies.
The C-PIC Future Leaders programme, delivered in partnership with the Integrated Quantum Networks and Quantum Biomedical Sensing hubs, will bring together early- and mid-career researchers with expertise spanning quantum science, photonics, bioengineering, sensing and communications.
The programme will centre on a three-day residential sandpit taking place from 12–14 January 2027. Participants will form cross-disciplinary teams to develop research proposals addressing challenges associated with creating open-access, quantum-ready photonics platforms.
Selected teams will pitch their ideas for a share of £750,000 in funding, with shortlisted projects subsequently able to develop full proposals of up to £250,000 for consideration by the C-PIC Innovation Fund.
CORNERSTONE said the programme is intended to address the need for silicon photonics platforms that combine the performance required by emerging quantum technologies with manufacturability and accessibility for the wider research community.
“Future quantum technologies won't be built by one discipline alone,” said Ruth Churchill, Impact Manager at CORNERSTONE. “Developing new silicon photonics platforms will be critical to scaling the technology, but defining those platforms requires expertise spanning quantum science, photonic integration, materials engineering, biology, and real-world applications.”
Projects must involve collaboration across at least two disciplinary boundaries, at least two research organisations and a member of the C-PIC technical team.
Projects must also be led by an emerging research leader from a UK institution, while established researchers and industry participants can contribute as co-investigators, partners, mentors or advisers.
The initiative forms part of CORNERSTONE's broader efforts to support silicon photonics research and commercialisation. The organisation said it has already invested more than £500,000 through its C-PIC Innovation Fund and Future Worlds Silicon Photonics Cohort.
Applications for the programme opened on 21 September, with the first applicant webinar scheduled for 8 October. Applications for the scoping meeting close on 21 October, followed by the meeting on 11 November. Applications for the main sandpit close on 27 November.
CORNERSTONE has fabricated more than 900 unique PIC designs for over 125 organisations across 26 countries since 2014, using its open-source, licence-free silicon photonics foundry model.
