NEW quantum challenge from Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS)
Descriptions
Opportunity type:
Sponsor:
Award amount and duration:
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Eligibility
Who can apply?
Eligible proposals must include multidisciplinary teams with members from at least three separate institutions and/or organizations, one of which must be a Canadian university that is identified as the Lead Applicant.
Eligible organizations or institutions are:
- Canadian universities and educational institutions chartered in Canada;
- Incorporated for-profit organizations;
- Incorporated not-for-profit organizations;
- Provincial/territorial and municipal government organizations; and
- International universities and educational institutions.
IDEaS will support interdisciplinary research and collaboration that demonstrates the added value that each researcher, if funded individually, would not have been able to reach alone. They support basic and applied research, technology development and knowledge transfer.
They are looking for academics to partner with industry and other collaborators to form Micro-Networks. Each Micro-Network will advance solutions from Solution Readiness Levels (SRLs) 1 to 6 inclusively, to solve a challenge faced by the Department of National Defence, Canadian Armed Forces, and/or its safety and security partners. (Learn more about SRLs)
Summary
In response to the rapid development and deployment of quantum technologies, the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF) are seeking to stimulate the application of advances for quantum technologies in the defence and security domain. Currently, most research and development work within academia and industry focuses on commercial applications. To leverage that work to address DND/CAF needs, the IDEaS program is looking to develop several research micro-nets focusing on defence and security applications, specifically: quantum sensing and sensors (including for positioning, navigation and timing), quantum communications, and quantum computing, simulations and algorithms.
The Letter of Intent call for proposals for micro-nets is open exclusively to multidisciplinary teams of researchers. The primary affiliation of the investigators must be from at least three separate institutions and/or organizations.
Available funding and duration
Successful applicants will be required to enter into a non-repayable contribution agreement with DND ("Canada"). The maximum contribution per micro-net is $3 million over four years. The duration for the provision of funding is up to the end of June 2027.
To determine the amount of funding to be allocated, consideration will be given to the availability of IDEaS funds, the total amount requested, and confirmed other sources of funding supporting the activities of the micro-net. The total funding available under this CFPMN is expected to be $15 million.
Deadlines
Pre-application deadlines
RSO internal deadline
Pre-application program deadline
Application deadlines
Program application deadline
Approvals
NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.
Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.
Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.
Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:
- Principal Investigator
- Department Head
- Faculty ADR/Dean
- Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)
Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.
Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.
Additional Information
Letter of intent application
The letter of intent contains the names and affiliations of the micro-net members, a summary of the proposed research, and benefits to Canada. The letter of intent must be submitted by the applicant, a Canadian university, by the stated CFPMN deadline using the DND letter of intent form template. Notification will be provided to applicants within 5-6 weeks and only those successful will be invited to the full application stage.
Submission process
Letters of intent or proposals must be submitted by using the Connect service provided by the Canada Post Corporation (CPC). CPC Connect is a digital delivery platform that facilitates sending and receiving confidential messages and documents.
The warning on the letter of intent form/full proposal form is an internal DND warning and the information regarding encryption and use of PKI Smartcard is for DND employees. Once the form is received, internally DND will ensure protection and authorized access. The CPC Connect Service is a protected B environment which enables applicants to securely submit documents to DND. It is the applicant's responsibility to determine the method or process for handling of information within their own networks.
During Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the CFPMN process, applicants are required to register and submit their letter of intent and, if invited, proposal using the Connect service provided by CPC. It is the applicant's responsibility to hold an account with CPC and to complete the submission steps to submit a proposal. There is no cost to register with CPC Connect service as a participant – see CPC Participant Guide.
Step 1: Create a CPC Connect account
If the applicant has an existing CPC Connect account please proceed to Step 2. To register for an account please contact the CPC Connect service, click on Login to Connect, then select Register now, and complete your personal Canada Post profile.
Step 2: Request a Connect conversation
- Applicants must send an email requesting a Connect conversation to IDEaS-IN.IDEeS-RI@forces.gc.ca and provide the email address associated with the CPC Connect service, at least three business days prior to the CFPMN submission closing date and time. The IDEaS program will initiate the Connect conversation. Requests to initiate a conversation received after the three business day cut-off may not be answered or may result in the late submission of the proposal.
- The Connect conversation will create an email notification from CPC prompting the applicant to access and action the message within the conversation. The applicant will then be able to transmit its submission at any time prior to the CFPMN closing date and time.
Step 3: Transmit the submission using Connect
- Applicants are able to transmit their submission by uploading the letter of intent or proposal form in the Connect conversation at any time prior to the CFPMN closing date and time.
- The applicant will receive a confirmation message from DND within the conversation as soon as possible after submission or after the CFPMN closing date.
All submissions will be screened initially for eligibility criteria. Late application(s) will not be assessed.
All Connect conversations must remain open until at least 30 business days after the CFPMN closing date and time.
The file number assigned by the IDEaS program should be identified in all electronic communications.
Eligible costs
Eligible costs are those that are approved and incurred by the initial recipient and the ultimate recipients which, in the opinion of DND, are reasonable and necessary to carry out the eligible micro-net project activities. Eligible costs will be limited to the initial and ultimate recipients' actual, non-recurring, and incremental costs.
Eligible costs are direct costs, fully substantiated and approved in advance by DND, that are associated with the delivery of the approved proposal and that are required to achieve the expected results. The contribution agreement will stipulate the start and end date of eligible costs. Eligible costs are limited to the following categories:
- Stipends, salaries and benefits for students, research assistants and technical staff, reflecting the exact costs that are directly related to micro-net project activities;
- Equipment acquisitions or rentals. Cost category not to exceed 20% of the total approved eligible costs. Any equipment acquisition greater than $25,000 per piece of equipment requires approval in advance by DND.
- Professional, scientific, technical consultant services (provided by third parties not affiliated with the micro-net);
- Laboratory analysis services;
- Materials and supplies;
- Publication, outreach and communication costs;
- Travel in accordance with the National Joint Council's Travel Directive; and
- Administrative overhead costs - not to exceed 15% of the total approved eligible costs (before overhead)