The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) have entered into a formal arrangement, which will serve as a framework to build on existing collaborations and investigate new opportunities for cutting-edge research and training activities between both organizations.

The Collaborative Arrangement was signed by Alejandro Adem, President of NSERC, and Dame Ottoline Leyser, Chief Executive of UKRI, and celebrated on July 12, 2024 by both leaders at the UKRI offices in London, United Kingdom.

This arrangement enabled the NSERC and UKRI call for research proposals in quantum sciences, that aims to advance research in the technology areas of quantum communications and/or quantum sensing, and the NSERC and UKRI sustainable critical minerals research partnerships with funding from NSERC’s Alliance Missions grants.

This partnership will also foster the shared commitment by NSERC and UKRI to ensure that equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles are considered in all research-related activities. Both organizations recognize that EDI is essential for innovative and impactful research and training.

NSERC’s collaboration with UKRI fosters a fundamental exchange of ideas that will enable us to leverage international talent and deliver the joint action necessary to solve the world’s most pressing issues. Our complimentary interests, combined with the research expertise in the UK and Canada, will allow us to tackle questions that transcend national boundaries and require our collective efforts.

Canada is a key partner for UKRI, where our aligned priorities and shared values are put into action through meaningful collaboration right across the research, technology and innovation landscape.

I am absolutely delighted to see the establishment of this agreement with NSERC, which signifies a new milestone for UKRI collaboration with Canada.

The agreement will be key in paving the way to delivery against our shared priorities, ensuring vital economic, societal and environmental benefit and continuing to open new pathways for international collaboration.