NSERC - UKRI call for proposals on quantum technologies

At a glance

On this page

• Overview
• Who can apply
• How to apply
• Review
• Receiving your funding and starting your project
• During your research project
• Resources
• Contact information

Overview

Canada and the UK enjoy long-standing cooperation in science, technology and innovation. In January 2024, Canada and the UK renewed the Memorandum of Understanding governing cooperation in scientific research and innovation, and quantum was identified as an area of cooperation.

Recognizing the importance of international collaboration in promoting scientific discoveries, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI)’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) are partnering to launch a call for research proposals on quantum science.

Building on the complementary interests and research expertise in the UK and Canada, this collaborative opportunity with UKRI is open to scientific challenges in quantum science that aim to advance research in the technology areas of quantum communications and/or quantum sensing. Proposals must advance specific quantum missions described in the National strategies of each country:

Canada:

• Mission: Ensure the privacy and cyber-security of Canadians in a quantum-enabled world through a national secure quantum communications network and a post-cryptography initiative.
• Mission: Enable the Government of Canada and key industries to be developers and early adopters of new quantum sensing technologies.

UK:

• Mission 2: by 2035, the UK will have deployed the world’s most advanced quantum network at scale, pioneering the future quantum internet.
• Mission 3: by 2030, every NHS Trust will benefit from quantum sensing-enabled solutions, helping those with chronic illness live healthier, longer lives through early diagnosis and treatment.
• Mission 5: by 2030, mobile, networked quantum sensors will have unlocked new situational awareness capabilities, exploited across critical infrastructure in the transport, telecoms, energy, and defence sectors.

This call is open to Canadian university researchers working in partnership with academic collaborators from the UK. For this collaborative call for proposals, collaborators and partner organizations from industry (private sector) are not permitted. Through a lead agency model, the UK project lead will submit a single collaborative proposal on behalf of the Canadian and UK research teams, which will undergo a merit review process by UKRI, the lead agency. The Canadian applicant must also submit a modified Alliance International Collaboration application to NSERC on behalf of the Canadian research team. Please refer to the How to apply section for more details.

Successful Canadian researchers will receive funding from NSERC via an Alliance-type grant to support their involvement in the joint project, while eligible UK researchers will be supported by UKRI.

Research topics

This call for research proposals aims to foster scientific collaborations and knowledge exchange between leading-edge researchers in Canada and the UK. It seeks to drive advancements in the rapidly evolving field of quantum by supporting collaborative research projects that address fundamental challenges and explore cutting-edge applications in the field of quantum technologies, specifically in the areas of quantum communications and/or quantum sensing. Projects considered as part of this call for proposals should be associated with a technology readiness level (TRL) in the range of 1-3.

Through these joint projects, NSERC and UKRI aim to leverage the unique expertise and resources of both Canadian and UK academic research team. Potential applications of quantum communications include, but are not limited to, using quantum key distribution for secure communications, protecting communications, developing communication networks (connecting quantum devices together), and satellite-based quantum communications. Quantum sensing has potential for use in various applications such as, but not limited to, communications, mineral exploration, environmental monitoring, imaging, healthcare, and radar detection.

Proposals may also combine quantum communications and/or quantum sensing with other research topics in the natural sciences and engineering. However, proposals that do not address one or more of the above-identified specific quantum missions from each country and that do not have a primary research focus in quantum communications and/or quantum sensing may be removed from consideration. Questions about the appropriateness of a proposal should be directed to NSERC.

Note that research within scope of this call is likely to advance a listed sensitive technology research area. As a result of the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC Policy), attestation forms will be required if a grant proposal is identified as aiming to advance a listed sensitive technology research area. For more information, please consult the Tri-agency Guidance on the STRAC Policy.

Who can apply?

If you are a Canadian university researcher eligible to receive NSERC funds, you can apply independently or as a team. If you apply as a team, your co-applicants must be academic researchers from Canadian universities or colleges who meet NSERC’s eligibility requirements. You must include at least one UK academic collaborator based at a UK research organisation eligible to receive funding from UKRI/STFC/EPSRC. NSERC will internally review the eligibility of the Canadian researchers, and UKRI/STFC/EPSRC will review the eligibility of the UK collaborators.

For this collaborative call for proposals, collaborators and partner organizations from industry (private sector) are not permitted.

Each Canadian team should submit only one application to NSERC for their participation in this call. You may participate as an applicant on only one call proposal, but you may be a co-applicant or collaborator on multiple proposals. Researchers from colleges who meet NSERC’s eligibility requirements may participate as co-applicants. For any application limits for your UK collaborators, please consult with UKRI.

Safeguarding your research

At all times, Canadian researchers are encouraged to exercise appropriate levels of due diligence when managing their research and establishing and/or continuing partnerships with national, international and multinational partners. Resources to do so are provided by the Government of Canada on the Safeguarding Your Research portal, including the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships and the Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern. NSERC reserves the right to request additional information, as needed, before making a final funding decision.

Funding your research project

Each funding agency will provide funding to its national researchers, subject to its national rules and budgetary availability. Canadian applicants are only eligible to receive funding from NSERC, and UK researchers are only eligible for funding from UKRI.

The total NSERC budget for the call will be up to CAN $5M. The funding amount from NSERC for each project will be up to CAN $500,000 per project for a two-year project to support the research of eligible Canadian applicants. Note that the Canadian budget and budget justification must be included in the UKRI full proposal as a supplementary document.

UKRI will provide funding to support the research of eligible UK collaborators. Please refer to the UKRI program description for information on funding limits.

The estimated number of awards within the framework of this call is 8-10. The estimated number of awards and anticipated funding level are subject to the availability of funds.

Eligible Canadian expenses

You can only include NSERC-eligible direct costs of research in your project budget, such as:

• Salary support for research trainees (undergraduates, graduates and 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 UK collaborator(s).

Refer to the guidelines on the use of grant funds in the Tri-agency Guide on Financial Administration.

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 to your UK collaborator(s).

If your total expected equipment cost (including operation and maintenance) exceeds $400,000 over your project's duration, then you should apply for an alternate source of funding, such as the Canada Foundation for Innovation's (CFI's) John R. Evans Leaders Fund. Contact CFI for more details at jelf@innovation.ca.

There should be no duplication of funding requests for the same items on the budget submitted to NSERC and the budget submitted to UKRI.

How to apply

As the Canadian principal applicant, you must submit a modified Alliance International Collaboration application to NSERC on behalf of the Canadian team via the online system by the application deadline (August 29, 2024, before 8 pm ET). Your modified application package to NSERC may be submitted in the official language of your choice.

You are responsible for providing the following documents and information to NSERC:

• A completed form 101 (application for a grant) containing:
  • a summary of your proposed research;
  • a list of keywords describing your proposed research;
  • a list of your UKRI collaborators, including the project lead and academic team;

• The proposal template, completed using the instructions for completing an Alliance International application;



Note: Under Relevance and expected outcomes, you should:

• outline the objectives of the proposed international collaboration and explain the potential outcomes and impacts.
• explain how the international collaboration will address important research challenges in the natural sciences and engineering disciplines as well as in quantum science and/or technologies, and how its thrust aims to advance the NQS missions: Ensure the privacy and cyber-security of Canadians in a quantum-enabled world through a national secure quantum communications network and a post-cryptography initiative; and/or Enable the Government of Canada and key industries to be developers and early adopters of new quantum sensing technologies.
• describe the global importance of the topic and how the expected outcomes could benefit Canada.

Be sure to complete the other sections of your proposal as per the instructions and bullets provided in the proposal template.

• completed attestation forms for each researcher with a named role (i.e., applicant, co-applicant, collaborator) in the grant application, as this call is directed to technologies listed in the Sensitive Technology Research Areas;
• a budget (in Canadian dollars) and accompanying justification for the funds you are requesting from NSERC;
• a completed and up-to-date personal data form with CCV attachment (form 100A) for yourself and all Canadian co-applicants. College faculty may submit a CCI format CV; all other co-applicants must submit the CCV in NSERC format;
• a 2-page bio sketch for each of your UK collaborators through the NSERC’s online system.

Note: For this call, you do not need to attach a copy of the proposal prepared/submitted by your UK collaborator(s) or a confirmation that the proposal has been funded.

Instructions for submitting the above-mentioned documents and information to NSERC on behalf of the Canadian research team:

• Log in to NSERC’s online system and 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-UKRI-Quantum from the drop-down menu

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

If you submit a proposal under this call, you agree that information contained in your proposal will be shared between NSERC and UKRI/STFC/EPSRC for purposes consistent with the program objectives. Researchers are responsible for ensuring that they are aware of UKRI rules concerning the disclosure of information contained in the proposal. Researchers should also ensure they are aware of the policies surrounding UKRI programs 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 and SSHRC are 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 research environment (forming a research team, student training) and in the research process. 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 the 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 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.

Review

Eligibility

NSERC will undertake an administrative review of the modified Alliance International Collaboration application to ensure it is complete and complies with all requirements. This includes advancing the specified missions of Canada’s National Quantum Strategy and consideration of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the research and training environment. NSERC will check that the Canadian investigators have an active and appropriate role and confirm their eligibility at the onset of the evaluation process. If your application is incomplete or does not meet all program requirements, it will be rejected.

Merit assessment

The full collaborative Canada-UK proposal will be reviewed by UKRI. Full proposals will be reviewed according to UKRI processes and their merit review criteria: Vision; Approach; Applicant and team capability to deliver; Resources and cost justification; and Ethics and responsible research and innovation. NSERC will not conduct a parallel merit review. UKRI will provide NSERC with the merit review results. Please refer to the UKRI program solicitation for additional information.

Funding decision

NSERC and UKRI will jointly determine funding recommendation outcomes.

NSERC and UKRI will jointly fund each selected Canada-UK project to support the activities of eligible researchers in their respective countries. NSERC’s contribution will be awarded as an Alliance-type grant and be administered by the Canadian principal applicant’s institution. NSERC’s funding is intended to support the activities of eligible Canadian researchers and must be used in accordance with the Tri-agency Guide on Financial Administration.

Receiving your funding and starting your project

Award letter, terms and conditions

If your application is approved for funding, you will receive an award letter and must adhere to its terms and conditions. UKRI will inform your UK collaborator(s).

Transfer of funds and start date

Your award letter will indicate the start date of your project. NSERC will normally transfer your grant funds to your university within 30 days of that start date. NSERC and UKRI intend to coordinate award timing where possible. However, because each agency may have different funding cycles, it is possible that some projects will have different start and end dates.

Research agreements and intellectual property

NSERC recommends that you and your university follow best practices by signing a research agreement that defines the intellectual property rights and obligations of all organizations involved in your research project. The agreement must be aligned with NSERC’s policy on intellectual property, which promotes the use and/or exploitation of knowledge and open access to research results funded by NSERC.

Note:

• NSERC claims no rights of ownership to any intellectual property generated from projects funded by Alliance;
• 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.

During your research project

Acknowledging NSERC

You must acknowledge NSERC support in any communications or presentations about your research supported by this initiative.

Reporting progress

You must report regularly on how you use the funds from your grant, the activities you carry out during your funded project, and the project's outcomes. You will be informed of reporting requirements upon receiving your award letter. You must provide a final report within three months of the end of your project. UKRI will communicate reporting requirements to your UK collaborator(s).

Notifying NSERC about changes

Subsequent instalments of your grant depend on (1) a demonstrated need for NSERC funds and (2) adherence to all other conditions specified in the terms and conditions of an award.

You must notify NSERC of any changes to the Canadian research team or if any of your international collaborators leave the project. In this case, you should discuss with NSERC the impact on your ability to achieve the project's original goals and whether the project may need to be amended or terminated.

If you fail to provide the requested feedback, your subsequent applications may be denied.

Extension of grants

If you cannot complete your planned research activities within the specified term of your grant, you must notify NSERC. You may be permitted an additional year to complete your project using existing funds. In this case, your international collaborator must inform UKRI.

Resources

UK Research and Innovation Funding finder

Canadian budget template for attachment to the UKRI application

Apply

Application instructions and materials

• Instructions for completing an Alliance International application
• Alliance International proposal template 
• Instructions for completing a personal data form with CCV attachment – form 100A
• How to complete NSERC’s version of the Canadian Common CV
• Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (science.gc.ca)

Supplementary guidelines

• Equity, diversity and inclusion in your training plan
• Safeguarding Your Research portal

Terms and conditions of applying

• Alliance International grants terms and conditions of applying for applicants

Award

• Terms and conditions of award 
• Policy on intellectual property

Additional links

• Eligibility
• Tri-agency Guide on Financial Administration

Contact information

NSERC: alliance_quantumquantique@nserc-crsng.gc.ca

UKRI : qfs@stfc.ukri.org