NSERC Alliance Quantum

In Budget 2021, Canada committed to launch a National Quantum Strategy (NQS) to amplify Canada’s significant strengths in quantum research; grow its quantum-ready technologies, companies and talent; and solidify Canada’s global leadership in this area. NSERC supports the implementation of the NQS through funding opportunities that build on NSERC’s sustained investments in quantum research. The results of the consultations held by the NQS Secretariat informed these funding opportunities.

 

 

NSERC Alliance Quantum Grants

Overview:  Alliance Quantum grants will reinforce, coordinate and scale up Canada's domestic research capabilities in quantum science and technology through partnerships between university researchers and organizations from the private, public or not-for-profit sectors. This funding opportunity will be delivered through various calls for proposals, of which Strengthening Canada's quantum research and innovation capacity is the first.

Your proposal may address any challenges in quantum science, but its thrust must support the development of any of the following areas of quantum technologies:

  • quantum algorithms/encryption
  • quantum communications
  • quantum computing
  • quantum materials
  • quantum sensing

Collaborations that synergistically couple any of these quantum technology thrusts to other research topics in the natural sciences and engineering would be accepted.

Value: $50,000 to $300,000 per year

Duration: Up to 5 years

Deadlines: Rolling deadline (final internal deadline: Oct. 24, 2023; final external deadline: Oct. 31, 2023)

Eligibility: 

  • Leads: Canadian university researchers who are eligible to receive NSERC funds can apply individually or as a team with co-applicants who are also eligible academic researchers.
  • Partners: Must have at least one partner organization (in the private, public or not-for-profit sector) whose cash contributions would be recognized for cost sharing, had there been any required (see Alliance grants: Role of partner organizations). Although partner organizations do not need to provide cash contributions to participate, they must actively play a role in the project and support it through in-kind contributions. 
  • ECRs: While applications led by ECRs will be assessed using the same evaluation criteria, the merit indicators used for the assessment include provisions for cases where the applicant's experience in managing projects or mentoring trainees is nascent. 

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NSERC Alliance Quantum International Grants

Overview:  Alliance International Quantum grants will provide support for researchers in Canada to establish and grow international research collaborations that will strengthen research excellence in Canada and abroad, and further develop Canadian research strengths and leadership in quantum science and technology. Using NSERC’s newly launched Alliance International Catalyst grants, Alliance International Catalyst Quantum grants will support Canadian academic researchers in initiating and developing research collaborations with international researchers from the academic sector in the areas of quantum science and quantum technologies. It is expected that approximately 100 Catalyst Quantum grants will be awarded in fiscal year 2022–23. These grants will serve as the foundation for larger partnerships in later years.

Proposals must focus on any of the following areas of quantum technologies:

  • quantum algorithms/encryption
  • quantum communications
  • quantum computing
  • quantum materials
  • quantum sensing

Collaborations that synergistically couple any of these quantum technology thrusts to other research topics in the natural sciences and engineering would be accepted.

Value: Up to $25,000

Duration: 1 year

Deadlines:

  • MRA deadline -  January 24, 2023 at 5pm
  • Sponsor deadline - January 31, 2023

Eligibility:

  • You and any Canadian co-applicants must hold, as a primary applicant, an active NSERC peer-reviewed grant at the time of application. Under this initiative, you are limited to one application as either applicant or co-applicant.
  • See full NSERC eligibility criteria

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