The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) have launched a new NSERC – NRF call for proposals on quantum technologies.

This joint initiative aims to leverage the complementary interests and research expertise of Canadian and Korean academic researchers to support bilateral research projects in quantum science and technologies. Through a lead agency model, the Korean project lead will submit a single collaborative proposal on behalf of the Canadian and Korean research teams.

Proposals may address any challenge in quantum science, but their aim must be to advance 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

The Korean project lead must submit the full collaborative proposal to the NRF by October 7, 2026 before 6:00 pm (KST). The NRF will lead the merit review process.

In parallel, the Canadian project lead must submit a simplified application to NSERC through NSERC’s online system by October 7, 2026, before 8:00 pm (ET).

NSERC and the NRF will cohost information sessions on September 9 at 7:00 pm (ET) in English and 2:00 pm (ET) in French on how Canadian researchers can participate in this call.

For questions, please contact alliance_quantumquantique@nserc-crsng.gc.ca.