Deadline: 08-Jan-2026
The Government of Canada has launched the National Quantum Strategy (NQS) to amplify Canada’s significant strengths in quantum research, grow its quantum-ready technologies, companies, talent and solidify Canada’s global leadership in this area.
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, and 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.
Alliance International Catalyst Quantum grants 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.
These grants provide up to $25,000 for one year to 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.
Eligible expenses include salary support for research trainees, technicians, and research professionals, materials and supplies, collaboration and knowledge mobilization activities, and the costs of essential equipment that is incremental to what is already available. For projects with multiple international collaborators or institutions, up to 10% of total direct research costs may be allocated to project management.
Up to 40 grants are expected to be awarded under this initiative. Importantly, for this call, applications involving collaborators from G7 member countries—France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, or the United States—are not accepted, as a separate funding opportunity supports collaborations with these nations.
Eligible applicants must hold or have a firm offer of an appointment at an eligible Canadian institution, which may be permanent or term-based, provided it can be renewed during the grant term. Researchers whose primary affiliation is outside of Canada are eligible only if they are affiliated full-time with an eligible Canadian institution for the duration of the grant.
Adjunct professors whose main affiliation is outside of Canada are not eligible. Applicants must engage in independent research and be authorized to supervise or co-supervise students or postdoctoral fellows.
Their appointments must not be conditional on obtaining NSERC or other non-NSERC grants, and their salaries must not be paid from NSERC, SSHRC, or CIHR grant funds, except under institutional or agency salary support programs.
Applications are evaluated based on five equally weighted criteria: relevance and expected outcomes, collaboration, training, equity, diversity and inclusion, and need for funds.
Proposals must demonstrate the significance of the research, the added value of the international collaboration, the quality of training opportunities, consideration of equity and inclusion, and appropriate budget justification.
Applicants must hold an active NSERC peer-reviewed grant and collaborate exclusively with academic partners. Non-academic collaborators or partner organizations are not permitted.
Required documents include Form 101, attestation forms, budget and justification, Form 100A with CCV attachment, and a two-page biosketch for each collaborator. All submissions must be made through NSERC’s online system.
Applications are accepted until January 8, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. (ET).
For more information, visit NSERC.
