Funding opportunity
| Who? | University researchers collaborating with at least one Canadian small- or medium-sized enterprise (for profit) and the National Research Council Canada |
|---|---|
| How much? | $100,000 to $350,000 per year for the academic team. On average, up to $350,000 per year for the small- or medium-sized enterprise(s) |
| How long? | 1 to 3 years |
| Application deadline | June 14, 2024 |
Description Partner organizations Research topics Funding your research project How to apply Review of your application Receiving your funding and starting your project During your research project Resources Contact Results
On January 16, 2024, the Government of Canada published its
Quantum science is the study, manipulation and control of systems at the atomic and subatomic level. Quantum technologies are at the leading edge of science and innovation, both in Canada and worldwide. They will support the growth and transformation of key sectors, enable new economic opportunities and help advance a range of benefits for society. Canada is a leader in quantum research, and Canadian scientists are well positioned to capitalize on these opportunities.
Following up on
NSERC and the NRC are partnering to launch the present Alliance Quantum grants call for proposals to strengthen Canada’s quantum research and innovation capacity in quantum sensing and advance the development and application of technologies in this domain for the benefit of Canadians. The NRC is participating through the QSP and CSTIP.
Support provided through this joint initiative will reinforce, coordinate and scale up Canada’s domestic research capabilities in quantum sensing science and technology through partnerships between university researchers, for-profit small- or medium-sized enterprises federally or provincially/territorially incorporated in Canada (referred to as Canadian SMEs), the NRC, and other organizations from the private, public or not-for-profit sectors.
Your proposal may address any challenges in quantum science or engineering, but its thrust must aim to advance the third of the
Projects considered as part of this call for proposals should be associated with a
- Quantum photonics
- Chip-based quantum systems
- Quantum metrology
Collaborations that synergistically couple any of these quantum sensing areas to other research topics in the natural sciences and engineering would be accepted.
Partner organizations do not need to provide cash contributions to participate, but they must actively play a role in the project and support it through in-kind contributions. A broad range of in-kind contributions could be made toward a project; refer to the
NSERC and the NRC will provide financial support for up to three years. Through Alliance Quantum grants, NSERC will provide from $100,000 to $350,000 per year per project toward eligible direct costs of research incurred by the academic team. Through CSTIP, the NRC will provide, on average
This call for proposals will be supported by NSERC and the NRC through a combined envelope of up to $12 million over three years.
Alberta Innovates, through its
* On average means that the amount provided by the NRC in a given year can be higher than $350,000, but it will not exceed an average of $350,000 per year over the project’s duration.
If you are a Canadian university researcher who is
NSERC encourages the participation of early career researchers (ECRs) as applicants or co-applicants on Alliance Quantum grant applications. While applications led by ECRs will be assessed using the same evaluation criteria, the
In addition to the NRC through the QSP, you must involve at least one Canadian SME as a partner organization in your project. You may also include other partner organizations (in the private, public or not-for-profit sector) that play an important role in your project. They may include Canadian federal departments, organizations that perform R&D, multinational companies with business operations in Canada, or anticipated end-users of the project’s targeted quantum technologies. At least one partner organization must have the ability to exploit the project’s research results.
Even though cash contributions are not required from partner organizations, you must have at least one partner organization whose cash contributions would be recognized for cost sharing, had there been any required (see
Since your application involves at least one partner organization from the private sector, you must complete the
At all times, Canadian researchers are encouraged to exercise appropriate levels of due diligence to safeguard their research. Resources to do so are provided by the Government of Canada on the
Your project must involve at least one small- or medium-sized enterprise that is federally or provincially/territorially incorporated in Canada (referred to as Canadian SME), in addition to the National Research Council Canada (NRC) through its
You may also include other partner organizations (in the private, public or not-for-profit sector) that play an important role in your project. They may be Canadian federal departments, organizations that perform R&D, multinational companies with business operations in Canada, or anticipated end users of the project’s targeted quantum technologies.
At least one of the partner organizations must have a demonstrated ability to exploit the research results for the benefit of Canada, while other partners may be chosen for their ability to generate or mobilize knowledge.
Each partner organization, including the NRC through its QSP, must actively play a role in the project and support it through in-kind contributions. Such involvement must be achieved by doing at least one of the following:
- play an active role in the project’s research activities
- utilize the project’s research results to help achieve its desired outcomes
- play an active role in translating or mobilizing knowledge to ensure that the project’s research results have an impact
Various in-kind contributions could be made toward the project, such as the time of the partner organization’s scientific, engineering or technical staff to participate in the project or contribute to providing direction; provision of equipment, materials or services; and provision of access to data or special equipment.
You must have at least one partner organization whose cash contributions would be recognized for cost sharing, had there been any required. The Canadian SME(s) participating in your project should normally satisfy this requirement. The NRC, as a partner organization of your project, is not recognized for cost sharing. Consult the
Other funding organizations (e.g., other provincial or federal funding agencies) may participate as financial partners and provide support to the project in addition to NSERC. Active participation in the project and in-kind contributions are not required from such funding organizations (see
Your proposal may address any challenges in quantum science or engineering, but its thrust must aim to advance the third of the
Projects considered as part of this call for proposals should be associated with a
- Quantum photonics
- Chip-based quantum systems
- Quantum metrology
As the development of quantum technologies may require coupling to other areas of research in the natural sciences and engineering (NSE), you may collaborate with academic researchers to this end. Such researchers may be co-applicants on your application if they meet
You cannot use an Alliance Quantum grant to support secret or contract research. NSERC may support non-confidential university-based research dedicated to the development of non-weapon specific defence technologies (defence against weapons is acceptable) with dual-use applications (i.e., it has both defence and civilian applications).
You may incorporate international collaborations into your project proposal. Refer to the
Your research or the application of its results may depend on socio-economic or other requirements, as well as scientific understanding beyond the NSE. You may collaborate with academic researchers in fields other than the NSE. Such researchers may be co-applicants if they meet
You can request $100,000 to $350,000 per year from NSERC for up to three years to cover eligible direct costs of research incurred by the academic team. Cash contributions from partner organizations are not required.
Even though NSERC will cover 100% of the project’s eligible costs incurred by the academic team, your project must involve at least one partner organization whose cash contributions would be recognized, had there been any required (see
In-kind contributions are important for the success of the project. All partner organizations participating in the project must play an active role in it and make in-kind contributions through such involvement (see
The Canadian SME(s) participating in your project can request from the NRC’s Collaborative Science and Technology Innovation Program (CSTIP) up to $350,000 per year, on average, for up to three years toward the non-repayable reimbursement of up to 75% of eligible expenditures incurred to support the project. These expenditures are those associated with SME(s) involvement in the project and their in-kind contributions to support it. If your project involves more than one Canadian SME, the average annual non-repayable reimbursement amount of up to $350,000 must be shared between them. In such a case, the SMEs are expected to discuss and agree on the distribution of their requests to the NRC’s CSTIP prior to the submission of your application.
The following table presents an example of a project budget and the support that may be provided by NSERC and the NRC to the academic team and the partnering Canadian SME, respectively.
Total direct costs of research incurred by the academic team (It is assumed that NSERC deems all expenditures eligible) | $300,000 per year |
| In-kind contributions provided by the partnering Canadian SME to support the project | $400,000 per year |
| Funding from NSERC to the academic team through an Alliance Quantum grant | $300,000 per year |
Funding from the NRC’s CSTIP to the partnering Canadian SME for non-repayable reimbursement of expenditures incurred to support the project through the provision of the in-kind contributions (It is assumed that the NRC’s National Program Office finds all expenditures eligible) | $300,000 per year (75% x $400,000) |
Each partner organization’s in-kind contributions are to be presented and well justified in your application. Each Canadian SME requesting non-repayable reimbursement from the NRC’s CSTIP of expenditures incurred as part of the provision of in-kind contributions must complete the NRC’s
You and your co-applicants may receive funds from other sources to cover direct costs of your project. These sources of funds could include cash contributions provided by the university or by other funding agencies. Such funds would add to and complement those requested from NSERC. You must include all of the project’s direct costs funded by sources other than NSERC in the budget table. All costs must be explained in the proposal and are considered in the merit assessment of your proposal.
Alliance Quantum grant funds from NSERC cover the direct costs of the research incurred by the academic team. The funds from NSERC are paid to eligible universities and cannot be used to buy equipment, products or services from any partner organization, or to cover any part of the travel and travel-related subsistence expenditures for partner organization personnel.
You can only include NSERC-eligible direct costs of research in your project budget, such as
- salary support for undergraduate and graduate students as well as postdoctoral fellows to perform research and related training
- salary support for technicians and research professional personnel
- materials and supplies
- activities that support collaborations and knowledge mobilization related to the project
- activities to develop and grow the research collaborations with the partner organizations
You may include project management costs, up to 10% of the total direct research costs (see
You can also include the costs of equipment, provided that the equipment is
- essential to achieving the objectives of the research project
- incremental to the equipment already available at the university or at the partner organization’s location
If your project requires equipment with a total expected cost (including operation and maintenance) exceeding $250,000 over the project’s duration, you should apply for an alternate source of funding such as the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI’s)
Through its
You can apply at any time until 8:00 p.m. (ET) on June 14, 2024. All applications will be reviewed together through a competitive process following this deadline.
For this call for proposals, you may apply for more than one grant as the principal applicant or as a co-applicant in order to support separate projects. The grants must cover distinct expenses; there must be no duplication of funding.
- Log in to
NSERC's 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 Quantum - Advancing quantum sensing from the drop-down menu.
- Following the
instructions for completing an Alliance Quantum grant application , fill out theAlliance Quantum grants proposal template and complete the other sections of your application. - Using the Other documents section of form 101, attach the completed and signed
Industry Collaborator Information and Financial Form for each Canadian SME participating in your project and requesting non-repayable reimbursement from the National Research Council Canada’s (NRC’s) Collaborative Science and Technology Innovation Program (CSTIP) of up to 75% of eligible expenditures incurred to support the project through the provision of in-kind contributions. - Since your application involves at least one partner organization from the private sector, complete the
National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships' risk assessment form . - Submit your completed application and supporting documents, including the
personal data form with CCV attachment for the applicant and all co-applicants, throughNSERC's online system . Your partner organization's contact person will be invited through the online system to provide information about the organization following thepartner organization instructions .
By submitting your application, you and your co-applicants (when applicable) agree to the
Also, by submitting your application, you, your co-applicants (when applicable) and your partner organizations consent to the sharing among NSERC and the NRC (through its National Program Office) of any and all information, including personal information, in any way related to your application, to its review and adjudication and to the award. As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that all participants in your application are aware of the rules concerning disclosure and use of the information contained in your application.
If you intend to submit your Alliance Quantum grant application in response to this call for proposals in conjunction with an application to the Canada Foundation for Innovation's (CFI's)
By submitting your John R. Evans Leaders Fund application to CFI’s NSERC Partnership stream and the related Alliance Quantum grant application to NSERC, you, your co-applicants and your partner organizations agree to the sharing of any and all information between NSERC and CFI, including personal information, in any way related to the applications, to their review, to their adjudication and to the awards.
Since CFI’s awards are institutional, researchers are encouraged to discuss the possibility of submitting a John R. Evans Leaders Fund application with their university’s Research Office as early as possible.
If you are an
- for the Type of call field, select Quantum - Advancing Quantum Sensing from the drop-down menu
- in the Contributions section of form 101, add Alberta Innovates as Other funder (not involved in the research)
- attach Alberta Innovates' conditional approval using the Other documents section of form 101
By submitting your CASBE application to Alberta Innovates and the related Alliance Quantum grant application to NSERC, you, your co-applicants and your partner organizations agree to the sharing between Alberta Innovates and NSERC of any and all information, including personal information, in any way related to the applications, to their adjudication and to the awards.
NSERC and the NRC recognize 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
You are encouraged to consider sex, gender and diversity in the project's research design. Diversity and gender equity should also be considered when developing the research team and considering how to promote and support a variety of forms of mentoring to ensure students' and postdoctoral fellows' equitable participation and growth. Refer to the
When NSERC receives an Alliance Quantum grant application, it first undertakes an administrative assessment to ensure the application is complete and complies with all requirements.
As part of the administrative assessment of an application, NSERC and the National Research Council Canada’s (NRC’s) National Program Office (NPO) will share information, including personal information, in any way related to it. In particular, for any application in which a Canadian small- or medium-sized enterprise (SME) requests non-repayable reimbursement of part of the eligible in-kind contributions from the Collaborative Science and Technology Innovation Program (CSTIP), NSERC will provide the NPO with:
- The SME’s completed
Industry Collaborator Information and Financial Form . - The SME’s
form 101 partner organization’s contributions page and the associated justification of in-kind contributions.
The NPO will assess the eligibility of the applying SME and the expenses considered as part of the CSTIP reimbursement request.
Once the administrative assessment is satisfactorily completed, NSERC will proceed with the merit assessment of the application. Representatives from the NRC’s NPO will participate as observers in the merit assessment of Alliance Quantum grant applications submitted in response to this call.
By submitting your application in response to this call, you, your co-applicants (when applicable) and your partner organizations agree to such participation and to the sharing of any and all information between NSERC and the NRC’s NPO, including personal information, in any way related to your application and to its administrative and merit review.
All proposals will undergo peer review. A committee of national and international peer reviewers will assess the merit of applications. Committee members will be drawn from universities as well as public, private or not-for-profit organizations.
The merit of your application is evaluated using the following four equally weighted criteria. The proposal must address all the listed points (criteria and sub-criteria) to be considered for funding.
Relevance and outcomes
- Significance of the intended outcomes and of the economic, social and/or environmental benefits for Canada
- Originality of the research to address the topic and the potential for generating new scientific knowledge
- Extent to which the strategy to apply the research results is likely to achieve the intended outcomes
Partnership
- Appropriateness of the partnership to achieve the intended outcomes; leveraging of different types of partner organizations and the integration of their unique perspectives and knowledge in the project, as appropriate
- Clarity of each partner organization's role in the collaboration with respect to defining the challenge, co-designing and implementing the research, and using the results to achieve the desired outcomes
- Appropriateness of the level of in-kind contributions from each partner organization
Quality of the proposal
- Clarity of the objectives and deliverables; appropriateness of the scope and size of planned activities to achieve the expected outcomes; justification for the planned expenditures
- Appropriateness of the identified indicators and methods for monitoring progress during the project and for assessing outcomes after the project
- Appropriateness of academic researchers' expertise, and that found within the partner organizations, both for carrying out the planned research activities and in mentoring trainees
Training
- Opportunities for enriched training experiences for research trainees (undergraduates, graduates, postdoctoral fellows) to develop relevant research skills as well as professional skills such as leadership, communication, collaboration and entrepreneurship
- Consideration of equity, diversity and inclusion in the training plan (for guidance, consult the
Equity, diversity and inclusion in your training plan web page)
NSERC uses established
Since your application involves at least one partner organization from the private sector, NSERC will review the
NSERC's and the NRC’s (through the NPO) funding decisions will take into consideration the merit evaluation as well as the assessment of potential risks for Canada's national security, when applicable.
NSERC and the NRC (through the NPO) will use the merit indicator ratings assigned to applications to select proposals for funding on a competitive basis. Decisions stemming from the national security risk assessment are based on the risks identified and the mitigation measures proposed.
All applications will be reviewed together following the submission deadline. Funding decisions should be made by October 2024.
If your project is approved for funding:
- The National Research Council Canada (NRC) will work with you, the participating academic institutions and the project’s partner organizations to develop a multi-party collaborative research agreement (mCRA), which must be in place for NSERC and NRC funding to be released to recipients.
- You will receive an award letter from NSERC for your Alliance Quantum grant, and you must adhere to the
terms and conditions of award . - The Canadian small- or medium-sized enterprise(s) (SME(s)) participating in your project and requesting reimbursement from the NRC’s Collaborative Science and Technology Innovation Program (CSTIP) will receive a CSTIP agreement for non-repayable contribution funding, which will detail the funding terms and conditions and processes for reimbursement.
The mCRA, the NSERC award letter and the CSTIP funding agreement will indicate the start date of your project. NSERC will normally transfer your Alliance Quantum grant funds to your university within 30 days of that start date. The NRC will reimburse the predetermined portion of eligible expenses to the partnering Canadian SME(s) on a quarterly basis.
The mCRA will define the intellectual property rights and obligations of all the partner organizations involved in your research project. The agreement must be aligned with
You and/or your partner organizations are encouraged to contact the NRC’s
Note:
- NSERC claims no rights of ownership to any intellectual property generated through projects funded by Alliance Quantum grants.
- NSERC’s policy on intellectual property stipulates that each of your students must maintain their right to defend their thesis without delays or impediments.
- All participants, including any trainees, should consult this policy to ensure that they are aware of their rights and obligations.
You must acknowledge NSERC and the National Research Council Canada (NRC) support in any communications or presentations about the research supported by your Alliance Quantum grant and the Collaborative Science and Technology Innovation Program (CSTIP) contribution.
You and your partner organizations must report regularly on how you use the funds from your Alliance Quantum grant and the CSTIP contribution, the activities you and your partner organizations carry out during your funded project and the outcomes of this project. You will be informed of reporting requirements upon receiving your award letter.
You will be required to report on progress in implementing practices to support equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in your training plan, as described in your application.
Subsequent instalments of your Alliance Quantum grant depend on your adherence to all conditions specified in the
For the Canadian small- or medium-sized enterprise(s) (SME(s)) receiving a CSTIP contribution, reimbursement of eligible costs incurred to support the project are subject to the terms and conditions of the CSTIP funding agreement for non-repayable contribution funding. Any changes to the SME(s), such as a buyout or change of ownership and subsequent name change of the organization, any changes to key investigators, project activities, project timelines or funding amounts must be communicated to the NRC’s
You must notify NSERC and the NRC:
- if any of your partner organizations no longer actively play a role in the project and support it through in-kind contributions, as committed to in the application;
- if any of your partner organizations leave the project—in this respect, during the entire project, you must have at least one partner organization whose cash contributions would be recognized for cost-sharing, had there been any required.
If you and your partner organizations fail to provide requested feedback, your subsequent applications may be denied.
Partner organization self-assessment tool for Alliance grants Alliance grants: Partner organization form instructions
Application instructions and materials
Instructions for completing an Alliance Quantum grants application – form 101 Alliance Quantum grants proposal template National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships’ risk assessment form National Research Council Canada’s Industry Collaborator Information and Financial Form Instructions for completing a personal data form with CCV attachment – form 100A How to complete NSERC’s version of the Canadian Common CV
Supplementary guidelines
Equity, diversity and inclusion in your training plan Safeguarding Your Research portal National Research Council Canada’s grant and contribution funding for collaborators
Terms and conditions of applying
Terms and conditions of applying for applicants Terms and conditions of applying for partner organizations
Presentation on the call for proposals Advancing the industrial readiness of quantum sensing technologies
Presentation on the call for proposals Advancing the industrial readiness of quantum sensing technologies: slides Presentation on the call for proposals Advancing the industrial readiness of quantum sensing technologies: slides with notes
Alliance Quantum grants merit indicators
Terms and conditions of award Policy on intellectual property
Eligibility Tri-agency Guide on Financial Administration National Research Council Canada’s Internet of Things: Quantum Sensors Challenge program Alberta Innovates Campus Alberta Small Business Engagement (CASBE) program—Stream II Canada Foundation for Innovation’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) – NSERC Partnership joint application and review procedure
Email:
Toll free: 1-855-275-2861
By competition year:
The fiscal year in which NSERC received the applications.
| Year | Researcher | Project Title | Institution | Partner(s) | Area(s) of Application | Funding Amount | Type of Call |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Porat, Gil | Airborne standoff quantum sensing of pipeline methane leaks | University of Alberta | Environmental impact of economic activities (including agriculture) | $496,950 | Quantum - Advancing quantum sensing | |
| 2024 | Drouin, Dominique | Deployment-ready quantum nanomagnetic sensors and packaging methods for Canadian Industries | Université de Sherbrooke | Instrumentation technology; Aerospace | $1,045,000 | Quantum - Advancing quantum sensing | |
| 2024 | Chrostowski, Lukas | Scalable cryogenic integration of III-V single-photon light sources | The University of British Columbia | Information, computer and communication technologies; Manufacturing processes and products | $1,015,216 | Quantum - Advancing quantum sensing | |
| 2024 | Wolkow, Robert | Atomically precise manufacture of a primary coulomb blockade thermometer for metrological standards | University of Alberta | Electrical and electronic machinery and equipment (including computer hardware); Manufacturing processes and products | $1,050,000 | Quantum - Advancing quantum sensing | |
| 2024 | Ménard, Jean-Michel | Terahertz quantum sensing | University of Ottawa | Manufacturing processes and products; Medical equipment and apparatus | $1,050,000 | Quantum - Advancing quantum sensing | |
| 2024 | Cory, David | High Tc Josephson junction arrays for quantum standards and measurement devices | University of Waterloo | Physical sciences; Instrumentation technology | $1,042,636 | Quantum - Advancing quantum sensing |