The Finnish Quantum Flagship and Mitacs have established a new partnership to fund extended research visits between Finland and Canada. This collaboration will provide doctoral and post-doctoral researchers with financial support for stays lasting up to 48 weeks, with the Finnish Quantum Flagship adding up to €2,000 on top of the Mitacs Globalink Research Award. “Canada and Finland are global leaders in quantum innovation,” says Patrick Hébert, Ambassador of Canada to Finland, emphasizing the importance of this step in strengthening collaboration and accelerating innovation between the two countries’ quantum ecosystems.
Finnish Quantum Flagship and Mitacs Formalize Research Mobility Partnership
This additional financial support aims to ease logistical burdens for doctoral and post-doctoral researchers undertaking extended stays between Canada and Finland, encouraging deeper collaboration within the quantum technology sector. Mitacs’ Globalink Research Award already provides $6,000 CAD for research projects lasting 12 to 24 weeks, or $12,000 CAD for projects spanning 24 to 48 weeks in the host country.
The partnership formalizes a pathway for researchers affiliated with the eight InstituteQ member organizations in Finland, Aalto University, CSC, IT Center for Science, Tampere University, the University of Eastern Finland, the University of Helsinki, the University of Jyväskylä, the University of Oulu, the University of Turku, Technical Research Centre of Finland, to conduct research in Canada and vice versa. Applicants must first establish connections in both their home and destination institutions before applying, ensuring focused and mutually beneficial projects.
Mahdi Moghaddam says the partnership connects Finnish and Canadian research strengths, with the ambition to turn researcher mobility into sustained scientific collaboration. “FQF brings together quantum expertise across Finland, enabling a coordinated framework for international cooperation,” says Mahdi Moghaddam, Manager, Finnish Quantum Flagship, highlighting the organization’s role in streamlining the process for Finnish researchers. The impetus for this collaboration reflects a broader recognition of the importance of international partnerships in accelerating quantum innovation.
“Quantum technologies have enormous potential to shape the industries and economies of the future, and international collaboration is essential to realizing that potential,” explains Dr. Stephen Lucas, CEO of Mitacs, emphasizing the global scope of the field. The agreement intends to cultivate a highly skilled workforce and robust global networks essential for maintaining competitiveness in rapidly evolving technologies.
The funding for this initiative comes from multiple Canadian provincial and territorial governments, as well as the federal government, demonstrating widespread support for its mission, according to Mitacs. Étienne Pineault, Senior Advisor, International relations at Mitacs, notes that the formal partnership represents a natural progression of a relationship that began developing over the past year, the firm reports. He hopes this partnership will create new opportunities for researchers to connect, collaborate, and develop meaningful projects.
The program’s focus on researcher mobility is designed to encourage not only scientific exchange but also the development of long-term partnerships and a shared understanding of research priorities. “These experiences help develop the highly skilled talent and global networks Canada needs to remain competitive in rapidly evolving technologies,” Dr. Lucas added, highlighting the long-term benefits of the initiative. Application procedure details will be released shortly, promising a clear pathway for researchers to access these new funding opportunities and contribute to the advancement of quantum science and technology.
Canada and Finland are global leaders in quantum innovation, united by a shared commitment to world-class research, talent, and technology.
Patrick Hébert, Ambassador of Canada to Finland
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