National Quantum Strategy
Environment, Energy and Natural Resources
Information and Communication Technology
Deadlines
Academic Unit: Inquire with Unit
Memorial Deadline: Friday 14th, October 2022
External Deadline: Friday 21st, October 2022
Description
RIS will be offering support with application development for this opportunity. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Jennifer Stevens (v5js@mun.ca) or Karen Follett (kfollett@mun.ca) early during the development process to discuss the services available to them.
DESCRIPTION
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.
In Budget 2021, Canada committed to launch a National Quantum Strategy (NQS) to amplify Canada’s significant strengths in quantum research; grow its quantum-ready technologies, companies and talent; and solidify Canada’s global leadership in this area. The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) supports the implementation of the NQS through funding opportunities that build on NSERC’s sustained investments in quantum research. The results of the consultations held by the NQS Secretariat informed these funding opportunities.
Canada’s investments to date in this field have created significant strengths in quantum science across the country, particularly in a few quantum research and innovation hubs (geographic areas where key quantum ecosystem players, including universities, companies and other types of organizations, are clustered together). Alliance Consortia Quantum grants will support the development of large-scale domestic research collaborations in quantum science and technology by enhancing synergy across Canada’s regional quantum research and innovation hubs, with the additional aim to connect with industrial applications and government needs. These grants will enable collaborations between university researchers and partner organizations from the private, public or not-for-profit sectors. This funding opportunity will be delivered through calls for proposals, of which Supporting coordinated quantum research and innovation across Canada is the first.
Proposals submitted in response to the present call must be for projects that require a large-scale coordinated approach, beyond any one of Canada’s regional quantum hubs, to develop and apply quantum technologies that will benefit Canada. Proposals may focus on areas of sectoral growth, or they may address major national challenges. They may span theory and experiment, and foster collaborations across quantum research areas.
Your proposal may address any challenges in quantum science, but its thrust must support the development of any of the following areas of quantum technologies, or a combination thereof:
- quantum algorithms/encryption
- quantum communications
- quantum computing
- quantum materials
- quantum sensing
Proposals may also synergistically couple any of these quantum technology thrusts to other research topics in the natural sciences and engineering.
Grant support ranges from $500,000 to $1 million per year, for a duration of three to five years. NSERC will provide support for 100% of the eligible costs of research. Although partner organizations do not need to provide cash contributions to participate, 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 Partner organizations web page for additional information.
Additional information can be found here.