Alliance International Catalyst Quantum Grants
Alliance International Catalyst Quantum grants provide support to Canadian researchers to establish and grow international collaborations that will strengthen research excellence in Canada and abroad, and further develop Canadian research strengths and leadership in quantum science and technology.
The 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) will not be 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 grants funding opportunity for more information.
Proposals may address any challenge in quantum science, but they must aim to advance one or more of the National Quantum Strategy missions by undergoing 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
Visit the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada (NSERC) website for more information on the Alliance International Catalyst Quantum grants.
Value and Duration
- $20,000 to $25,000 for one year
Eligibility
As a university or college faculty member in an applicant or co-applicant role, you must comply with the eligibility requirements listed below at the time of application and during the tenure of the grant. Certain funding opportunities may outline additional requirements to align with specific objectives.
Appointment and Faculty Position
You must hold or have a firm offer of an academic appointment at an eligible post-secondary institution. The appointment can be:
For university faculty:
- a tenured, tenure-track or professor emeritus position, or
- a term or contract position of no less than three continuous years
For college faculty:
- a permanent position, or
- a term or contract position of no less than three continuous years
If your primary position is outside of Canada, you must work full-time in an eligible Canadian post-secondary institution. A part-time position is not eligible if your primary position is outside of Canada.
Research and Student Supervision
Your position at the eligible post-secondary institution must:
For university faculty:
- require you to engage in natural sciences and engineering research that is not under the direction of another individual, and
- permit you to supervise or co-supervise the research of postdoctoral fellows or students registered in an undergraduate or graduate degree program
- E.g., thesis supervision (not regular course or laboratory assignments)
For college faculty:
- permit you to engage in research-related activities that are not under the direction of another individual
Deadlines
- Faculty deadline: consult your Faculty Research Facilitator
- Office of the Vice-President (Research, Innovation and International) (OVPRII) Approval Form deadline:
January 2, 2026 - Submission deadline: January 8, 2026
Submitting Your Application
- Submit an internal Approval Form through our central awards management database cuResearch.
- Submit an external application to NSERC by following their submission guidelines.
Contact Us
Potential applicants are encouraged to discuss this funding opportunity with their Faculty Research Facilitator.