Alliance Quantum grants 2026: Advancing the development and adoption of quantum technologies in Canada

Eligibility

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.

Adjunct professors whose primary place of employment is in Canada while outside the university sector (e.g., government, industry or not-for-profit) may apply as co-applicants. College faculty can participate as co-applicants.

NSERC encourages the participation of early career researchers (ECRs) as applicants or co-applicants on Alliance Quantum grant applications. While applications led by ECRs are assessed using the same evaluation criteria, the merit indicators used for the assessment consider whether the expertise of the entire team (academic and partner organization participants) is appropriate for carrying out the planned research activities, as well as for managing the project and providing training. For more information on how NSERC categorizes an applicant as an ECR, refer to the Discovery Grants: applicant categories.

Grants awarded for this call may support proposals of varying scale and complexity, from projects involving one researcher to projects involving researchers across several universities, and from one-on-one collaborations with one partner organization directly involved in the research to collaborations involving many partner organizations across multiple sectors.

Summary

Alliance Quantum grants delivered through this call for proposals will reinforce, coordinate and scale up Canada’s domestic research capabilities in quantum science and technology through partnerships between university researchers and organizations from the private, public or not-for-profit sectors. Supported projects will generate new knowledge and accelerate the use of research results to create benefits for Canada.

Proposals may address any challenges in quantum science, but the proposals’ thrust must aim to advance one or more of the NQS missions through the development of 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

Proposals may also couple any of these quantum technology thrusts to other research topics in the natural sciences and engineering.

Proposals that do not address one or more of the NQS missions will not be considered. You are encouraged to consult the mission roadmaps developed in close consultation with Canada’s quantum community and align your proposed research project with the agreed-upon actions to tackle the challenges, gaps and opportunities the roadmaps identified for each mission.

Grant support ranges from $100,000 to $650,000 per year, for up to two years. NSERC provides 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 Eligibility of partnership section for additional information.

Refer to the Regulations, policies and guidelines section for important information pertaining to requirements for your application.

How to apply

This application process involves two stages: (1) a letter of intent (LOI), and (2) a full proposal.

Stage 1: Letter of intent (LOI)

1A: NSERC Steps

Instructions for submitting the LOI to NSERC:

• 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 Letter of intent.
• For the Type of call field, select Quantum - Technology development and adoption from the drop-down menu.
• Complete the required sections, provide the NSERC Form 100A for the applicant and all co-applicants, and attach the completed LOI template (refer to the instructions for completing an Alliance Quantum grant application specific to this call for proposals). 

1B: UCalgary RSO steps

Complete the Pre-Award/Letter of Intent record in 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.

Stage 2: Full proposal (by invitation only)

2A: NSERC steps

If your LOI is accepted by NSERC, it will be converted to a full Form 101 application and will be available to you in your portfolio in NSERC’s online system by August 19, 2026.

To submit your full application:

1. Log in to NSERC’s online system.
2. Select the appropriate Form 101 from your portfolio (Form: 101; Program: Alliance Grants; Application Title: Application title you created at the LOI stage).
3. Following the instructions for completing an Alliance Quantum grant application specific to this call for proposals, you must complete the Alliance Quantum grants proposal template and the other sections of your application. Note that Alliance Quantum grants allow 20% more space for French content in application sections that have a page or character limit.
   Important: You must use the Alliance Quantum grants proposal template specific to this call for proposals.
4. If your application involves one or more partner organizations from the private sector, including when they participate alongside other partner organizations from the public or not-for-profit sectors, complete the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships’ Risk Assessment form.
5. In accordance with the Tri-agency guidance on the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC Policy), since your application aims to advance one of the listed sensitive technology research areas, you (as the applicant), your co-applicant(s), and your collaborator(s) must each complete the STRAC Attestation form.
6. Submit your completed application and supporting documents, including the personal data form with CCV attachment for the applicant and all co-applicants, through NSERC’s online system. Your partner organization’s contact person will already have provided the required organizational information by following the partner organization instructions.

2B: UCalgary RSO steps

When NSERC confirms that you have been invited for the full application submission, the RSO will mark your pre-award/Letter of Intent RMS record (from Step 1) as "Invited for full application". This will automatically create a Pre-award/Full Application RMS record with the the same RMS number. Upload a copy of the full application to this Pre-award/Full Application record and then send it forward for approvals well before the internal deadline.

Overhead

No overhead allowed. 

Pre-application deadlines

RSO internal deadline

Pre-application program deadline

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.

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.

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