2025 NSERC Alliance International Catalyst Quantum grants

Eligibility

Canadian university researchers working in partnership with international^* collaborators from the academic sector.

* Excluding G7 member countries (France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States). Applications with collaborators from these countries must be submitted to the G7 Countries Alliance International Catalyst Quantum funding opportunity.

If you are a Canadian university researcher who is eligible to receive NSERC funds, you can apply on your own or as a team with co-applicants who are also eligible academic researchers. 

Canadian applicants and co-applicants must hold, as a primary applicant, an active NSERC peer-reviewed grant at the time of application. This funding opportunity is only intended to fund academic-to-academic collaborations.

Summary

Alliance International Catalyst Quantum grants provide support for researchers in Canada to establish and grow international research collaborations that will strengthen research excellence in Canada and abroad, and further develop Canadian research strengths and leadership in quantum science and technology. Alliance International Catalyst Quantum grants provide up to $25,000 for one year to support Canadian academic researchers in initiating and developing research collaborations with international researchers from the academic sector in the areas of quantum science and quantum technologies. It is expected that up to 40 grants will be awarded. Important: For this call, applications including collaborators from G7 member countries (France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom or the United States) are not accepted. A separate funding opportunity has been established to support collaborations exclusively with academic researchers from these countries. Please refer to the G7 Countries Alliance International Catalyst Quantum funding opportunity for more information.

Proposals may address any challenge in quantum science, but their thrust must aim to advance one or more of the NQS missions by advancing research in any of the following areas of quantum technologies, or a combination thereof:

• quantum algorithms/encryption, including post-quantum cryptography
• quantum communications
• quantum computing
• quantum materials
• quantum sensing

You are limited to one application as either applicant or co-applicant. This limit only applies to Alliance International Catalyst Quantum grants and does not count against application limits for other Alliance International grants or calls.

To start your application:

• log in to the 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 - Catalyst - Quantum from the drop-down menu

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

• A completed application for a grant (Form 101) completed following the instructions for completing an Alliance International grants application, and containing:
  • a summary of your proposed research
  • a list of keywords describing your proposed research
  • the Alliance International Catalyst Quantum 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 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 two-page bio sketch for each of your collaborators through NSERC’s online system

Submit your application and all other documents as required via NSERC’s online system. Follow the instructions for completing an Alliance International Catalyst grants application for guidance.

Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Consult with your institution’s research office to confirm internal deadlines for the submission of your application.

Overhead

N/A

Submission process:

This competition will be run through Research Management System (RMS).

1. Complete your application in the NSERC On-line system. Once the application is complete (including required attachments and your CCV), verify each section, and then press "Submit". Your application will be sent to the Research Services Office. Please ensure your application is final and complete; Research Services will not review drafts, and, once received, your application may be submitted to NSERC without further notice. 

 2. Complete the Pre-Award record in RMS (login at https://research.ucalgary.ca/rms) and “Submit for academic approvals” (Under Save & Progress) in good time to allow for approvals from your Department Head and/or ADR prior to the Research Services deadline. Consult your department and faculty for more information on their approval processes and timelines.  

• Please note, your application will not be considered submitted and will not be reviewed until both the application is submitted in the Research Portal (a paper copy is not required) and the RMS Approvals have been received. As Alliance is a rolling intake, once we have received both the completed RMS record and the NSERC application in the NSERC portal, please indicate if you would like a basic (allowable turnaround time is 3 days) review or a detailed (allowable turnaround time is 2 weeks) review.
• The detailed review includes a detailed review of the application, checking for eligibility and UofC commitments and risk, compliance with program guidelines, completeness of application, and the opportunity for feedback to improve the application.
• The basic administrative review involves a minimal check of the application for eligibility and any UofC commitment or risk.

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

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.

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.

RESOURCES

Reminder: The sooner the researcher engages with Research Services, the more help we can be!

Contact the following Research Service units for support with:

Projects Involving Indigenous Research:

Support with incorporating wise practices in Indigenous research, community engagement, and Indigenous data management is available through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST).

Applicants can reach out by email to IRST at IRST@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information about IRST, please visit the IRST webpage.

Knowledge Mobilization, Research Impact Assessment, DORA:

Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation, community partnerships, research impact, responsible research assessment (DORA), and open science, is available through the Knowledge to Impact team.

Applicants can reach out by email to the KI team at knowledge.impact@ucalgary.ca.

For more information and access to resource archives, please visit the KI team webpage.

Research Data Management:

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@ucalgary.ca.

EDI in Research:

RSO can provide resources and support to research teams on the integration of equitable and inclusive practices in research design and research practice.

Contact edi.rso@ucalgary.ca for more information.

Research Security:

The Research Security Division is available to ensure researchers adhere to research security guidelines and policies, including the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) and the policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC).

Visit the Research Security website to learn more or contact researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca.

Pre-Award Submissions:

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award LOI
RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application