NSERC-French Agence nationale de la recherche (ANR) call for proposals on quantum technologies

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How to apply

Proposals must be prepared by a research team that includes at least one academic applicant in Canada and one in France. Through a lead agency model, the Canadian principal investigator will submit a single collaborative proposal on behalf of the Canadian and French research teams, which will undergo an external peer review led by NSERC, the lead agency.

All documents should follow NSERC’s online presentation and attachment standards. You must submit your application and other information by the applicable deadline. NSERC will screen all applications to ensure they are complete and adhere to the program requirements and objectives. If your application does not meet all program requirements, it will be rejected.

Applications will be accepted from November 23, 2023 until 8:00 p.m. (ET) on March 28, 2024, using the NSERC's online system. Given the limited funding available, Canadian applicants can participate in only one grant application, either as the principal investigator or co-applicant. Proposals exceeding this limit will be returned without review in the reverse order received. To support separate projects, you may concurrently apply as the principal applicant or as a co-applicant to other Alliance funding opportunities, including Alliance International grants. The grants must cover distinct expenses; no duplication of funding is permitted.

A complete application includes:

• An application for a grant (form 101); 
• A personal data form with a common CV attachment (form 100A) for each Canadian applicant and co-applicant;
• A common research plan developed jointly by applicants in Canada and France (maximum 7 pages, free form; see below for details);
• Annual funding to be requested from ANR (€EUR);
• A 2-page biosketch for each French collaborator.

To start your application:

Canadian researchers must submit a modified* Alliance International Collaboration grant application to NSERC by the application deadline.

• 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 International-Collaboration-ANR-Quantum from the drop-down menu
• The project title must be preceded by “Canada-France QUANTUM:”
• Following the instructions for completing an Alliance International application, fill out the proposal template ** and complete the other sections of your application.
  
  

  *Note: Since NSERC is the lead agency for this call, you do not need to attach a copy of the proposal prepared by your French collaborator(s) or confirmation that the proposal has been funded

Your application must also include, as separate documents:

• Annual funding to be requested from ANR (€EUR).
• A common research plan (maximum 7 pages, free form) developed jointly by Canadian and French researchers to provide context for external peer reviewers who will assess each proposal using merit criteria. The common research plan must include the following headers:
  • Background - Relate the proposal to current scientific, technical and commercial developments in the field of quantum science, referring to the current literature and market conditions, if applicable. Describe the background research on which the project is built.
  • Detailed proposal - Discuss the scientific issues, research problems or technical complexities, and describe the research methodology and theoretical or experimental design proposed to explain or resolve them.
  • Team expertise - Describe the appropriateness of the academic researchers’ expertise from both countries for carrying out the planned research activities and mentoring trainees.
  • Research management – Provide a project management plan for day-to-day direction, scientific leadership, and communication between the university research groups.

Submit your completed application and supporting documents, including the personal data form with CCV attachment for the Canadian applicant and all Canadian co-applicants, and the biosketch(es) of your French collaborator(s) through NSERC’s online system.

By submitting your application, you and your co-applicants (when applicable) agree to the Terms and conditions of applying for applicants.

For submissions under this call, you agree that information in your proposal will be shared between NSERC and the ANR for purposes consistent with the program objectives. Participants are responsible for ensuring they are aware of the ANR rules concerning the disclosure of information in the proposal. Participants should also ensure they understand ANR program and post-award policies.

The information you provide in your application is collected under the authority of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Act. NSERC is subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act. The information you provide is stored in a series of NSERC data banks as described in Information about programs and information holdings. You must ensure that others listed in the application have agreed to be included.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

NSERC is acting on the evidence 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 Tri-agency statement on equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and is aligned with the objectives of the Tri-agency EDI action plan.

Excellent research considers EDI both in the environment in which research takes place (forming a research team, student training) and in the research process itself. For Alliance grants, EDI considerations are currently evaluated in the training, mentorship and professional development opportunities for students and trainees. The aim is to remove barriers to the recruitment and promote full participation of individuals from underrepresented groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis), persons with disabilities, members of visible minority/racialized groups and members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities. Applicants are encouraged to increase the inclusion and advancement of underrepresented groups as one way to enhance the excellence in research and training. For additional guidance, applicants should refer to Alliance grants: Equity, diversity and inclusion in your training plan and the NSERC guide on integrating equity, diversity and inclusion considerations in research.

What's next?
Review of your application