Researchers face a swift deadline to secure funding for international quantum collaborations, as the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) leads a push involving G7 and Nordic partners. Proposals for bilateral or multilateral projects in quantum science and technologies are due in late September, giving teams just over two months from the late July launch to assemble applications. NordForsk is streamlining the process for Nordic researchers, acting on behalf of Innovation Fund Denmark, the Research Council of Finland, The Research Council of Norway, and the Swedish Research Council. Despite international participation including JST, UKRI, and DFG, NSERC will be the sole agency conducting the merit review of all proposals, ensuring a centralized evaluation of collaborative efforts.
G7 & Nordic Funders Collaborate on Quantum Technologies
The late September deadline for proposals under the new international research call will challenge teams to rapidly forge collaborations, given the launch is slated for late July. NSERC will be solely responsible for the merit review of all submitted proposals, even those including partners from the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), pending final confirmation. Each collaborative project requires at least one Canadian researcher eligible for NSERC funding and one international partner receiving funds from a participating organization, with the Canadian applicant submitting a single proposal on behalf of the entire team. Researchers can address any challenge within quantum science, provided the objective advances one of five key technologies: quantum algorithms/encryption, communications, computing, materials, or sensing; questions regarding the call should be directed to alliance_quantumquantique@nserc-crsng.gc.ca.
Each project must include at least one Canadian researcher eligible to receive NSERC funds and at least one international collaborator eligible to receive funds from a participating international funder.
NSERC
NSERC Leads International Call for Quantum Research Projects
Launching in late July, the initiative seeks to pool resources and expertise from G7 and Nordic nations, supporting projects spanning quantum algorithms, communications, computing, materials, and sensing. Proposals are due by late September, establishing a condensed timeline for assembling international teams and submitting applications. Researchers are permitted to include collaborators from industry, public, or not-for-profit sectors, though such partnerships are not mandatory for consideration. NSERC will provide detailed instructions upon the official launch in July, and interested parties can direct inquiries to alliance_quantumquantique@nserc-crsng.gc.ca.
