Sponsor
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
Program
Alliance International Catalyst - Quantum
For More Information
Please visit the program pages for information on the two streams currently offered:
- Applications in collaboration with partners from G7 countries
- Applications in collaboration with partners from non-G7 countries
Description
Following up on Budget 2021, the Government of Canada launched the 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 NQS and the results of the associated consultations held by the Government of Canada informed these funding opportunities.
Depending on where your intended collaborators are based, please refer to the G7 Countries Alliance International Catalyst Quantum (France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom or the United States) or the Non-G7 Alliance International Catalyst Quantum funding opportunity for more information.
Proposals may address any challenge in quantum science, but their thrust must aim to advance one or more of the NQS missions by advancing research in any of the following areas of quantum technologies, or a combination thereof:
- quantum algorithms/encryption, including post-quantum cryptography
- quantum communications
- quantum computing
- quantum materials
- quantum sensing
Proposals may also synergistically couple any of these quantum technology thrusts to other research topics in the natural sciences and engineering. Proposals that do not address one or more of the NQS missions will not be considered. Applicants are encouraged to consult the roadmaps developed in close consultation with Canada’s quantum community. These roadmaps outline challenges, gaps, and opportunities related to each mission. By aligning proposed research projects with the identified steps needed to achieve Canada’s quantum missions, researchers can ensure their work contributes to Canada’s continued success in quantum technologies.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet all the eligibility requirements for individuals to apply for or hold NSERC funds.
The lead applicant and any Canadian co-applicants must hold, as a primary applicant, an active NSERC peer-reviewed grant at the time of application. This funding opportunity is only intended to fund academic-to-academic collaborations. Your international academic collaborator must be the equivalent of an assistant, associate or full professor from an accredited degree-granting postsecondary institution. For this funding opportunity, non-academic collaborators and partner organizations (private, public or not-for-profit sectors) are not permitted.
You are limited to one application as either applicant or co-applicant. This limit only applies to Alliance International Catalyst Quantum grants and does not count against application limits for other Alliance International grants or calls.
Funding Availability
It is expected that 25-40 grants will be awarded in each stream (G7/non-G7), each between $20,000 to $25,000. Award decisions will be subject to the availability of funds and may include a random selection process.
Maximum Project Value
$20,000 - $25,000
Indirect Costs
0% on NSERC funding
Project Duration
One year
Special Notes
Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern
To ensure that the Canadian research ecosystem is as open as possible and as safeguarded as necessary, the Government of Canada has introduced the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC Policy).
The STRAC Policy addresses risks related to sensitive technology research areas conducted with research organizations and institutions that pose the highest risk to Canada’s national security. The STRAC Policy applies to this funding opportunity.
To comply with the policy, applicants must identify whether the grant application aims to advance a sensitive technology research area. If so, the submission of attestation forms will be required from researchers with named roles (applicants, co-applicants, and collaborators) to certify that they are not currently affiliated with, nor are in receipt of funding or in-kind support from, a Named Research Organization (NRO).
The Tri-agency guidance on the STRAC Policy provides more information on applicable procedures and requirements, including new responsibilities of researchers and institutions.
Equity, diversity and inclusion
NSERC is acting on the evidence that achieving a more equitable, diverse and inclusive Canadian research enterprise is essential to creating the excellent, innovative and impactful research necessary to advance knowledge and understanding, and to respond to local, national and global challenges. This principle informs the commitments described in the Tri-agency Statement on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and is aligned with the objectives of the Tri-agency EDI Action Plan.
Excellent research considers EDI both in the research environment (forming a research team, student training) and in the research process. For Alliance grants, EDI considerations are currently evaluated in the training, mentorship and professional development opportunities for students and trainees. The aim is to remove barriers to the recruitment and promote full participation of individuals from underrepresented groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis), persons with disabilities, members of visible minority/racialized groups and members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities. Applicants are encouraged to increase the inclusion and advancement of underrepresented groups as one way to enhance the excellence in research and training. For additional guidance, applicants should refer to Alliance grants: Equity, diversity and inclusion in your training plan; the NSERC guide on integrating equity, diversity and inclusion considerations in research; and our new video series, Strengthening research by integrating EDI considerations in the research process.
Deadlines
If College-level review is required, your College will communicate its earlier internal deadlines.
| Type | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Internal Deadline | Applicant submits a signed OR-5 to research.services@uoguelph.ca and submits the application in the Research Portal so it appears on the Research Services Office (RSO) server. | |
External Deadline | Final application will be submitted to NSERC by RSO staff. |
How to Apply
To start an application:
- log in to the online system and choose Create a new form 101
- select Research partnerships programs, then Alliance grants
- for the Proposal type field, select Full proposal
- for the Type of call field, select 'International - Catalyst - Quantum' OR 'International - Catalyst – Quantum-G7' from the drop-down menu
The following documents and information must be included with the application:
-
A completed application for a grant (Form 101) completed following the instructions for completing an Alliance International grants application, and containing:
- a summary of your proposed research
- a list of keywords describing your proposed research
- the Alliance International Catalyst Quantum proposal template OR the G7 Countries Alliance International Catalyst Quantum proposal template
- Completed attestation forms for each researcher with a named role (i.e., applicant, co-applicant, collaborator) in the grant application, as this call is directed to technologies listed in the Sensitive Technology Research Areas
- A budget and accompanying justification for the funds you are requesting from NSERC
- A completed and up-to-date personal data form with CCV attachment (Form 100A) for yourself and all Canadian co-applicants.
- A two-page bio sketch for each of your collaborators through NSERC’s online system
Information For Co-applicants
If you need to meet a deadline set by the lead institution for this opportunity, please ensure that you provide the Research Services Office with at least five days notice in advance of the lead institution’s deadline to review the application, or your proposed component of the project. Please be in touch with the Research Services Office ahead of the deadline if it looks like it will be difficult for you to submit all the required documentation on time (i.e. budget, proposal, OR-5 Form).