Updated June 2026 · Verified against National Research Council Canada (NRC) — Quantum and Nanotechnologies Research Centre guidelines
▲ Growing Milestone-Based Est. 2021
Grant Federal Active

NRC IoT: Quantum Sensors Challenge Program

National Research Council Canada (NRC) — Quantum and Nanotechnologies Research Centre
Maximum Funding
Grant and contribution funding sized to project scope;...
Rolling — contact program team for current call status
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Hard
Payment
Milestone-Based
Trend
Growing
First-Timers
—
Co-Funding
Varies
NRC IoT: Quantum Sensors Challenge Program provides grant and contribution funding sized to project scope; per-project ceiling not published. The Internet of Things: Quantum Sensors Challenge Program (QSP) is a collaborative R&D initiative run by NRC's Quantum and Nanotechnologies Research Centre from 2021 to 2028. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
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Program Description

The Internet of Things: Quantum Sensors Challenge Program (QSP) is a collaborative R&D initiative run by NRC's Quantum and Nanotechnologies Research Centre from 2021 to 2028. The program provides grant and contribution funding to Canadian SMEs, academic institutions, and other eligible organizations to co-develop quantum photonic and chip-based sensor technologies with NRC researchers. Application areas include navigation, medical imaging, geological surveying, defence, and safety and security systems. The program is a sensor-domain parallel to the QUIN (Quantum Internetworking) Challenge, with distinct technical eligibility covering quantum metrology, chip-based quantum systems, and photonic sensor integration.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Canadian SMEs, academic institutions, and other eligible recipients
  • Must be willing to collaborate with NRC researchers on quantum sensor development
  • Projects must address quantum photonics, chip-based quantum systems, quantum metrology, or applied sensor integration
  • Applications in navigation, medical imaging, geological surveying, defence, safety, and security are prioritized
  • Collaboration must involve NRC's Quantum and Nanotechnologies Research Centre
Provinces
All Provinces
Industries
Quantum Technology Research Sciences Healthcare Engineering
Business Stage
Startup Growth Established Expansion

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Hard
Competition
High
First-Timer
Not rated

Funding Details

Amount
Grant and contribution funding sized to project scope; per-project ceiling not published
Type
Grant
Level
Federal
Deadline
Rolling — contact program team for current call status

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
High
Deadline
Ongoing
Approval
Varies
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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Application Playbook

Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses

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Application Steps

1 Reach out to program team Send an initial inquiry to the NRC Quantum Sensors program email to introduce your organization and quantum sensor technology focus. NRC will advise on current collaboration opportunities and fit.

Required Documents 5

✓ Initial expression of interest via program contact email
✓ Technical project proposal describing quantum sensor research focus and proposed NRC collaboration

Eligible Expenses 6

Ineligible Expenses 4

Intake Periods

Deadline Notes

Ineligible Organizations

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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

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Compatible Programs

NRC Applied Quantum Computing Challenge Program (ID 522) NSERC Alliance Quantum Grants SR&ED Tax Credits
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Medium Risk

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How NRC IoT: Quantum Sensors Challenge Program Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

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Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
NRC IoT: Quantum Sensors Challenge Pr... Grant and contribution funding... Hard Milestone-Based Rolling — contact...
NRC Applied Quantum Computing Challen... Grant and contribution funding... Hard Milestone-Based Rolling — contact...
NSERC Alliance Quantum Grants — SME P... $100K–$650K Hard Milestone-Based Between intakes for new...
Strategic Response Fund (formerly Str... Minimum $10 million contribution Hard Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Ongoing — continuous...
CanExport SMEs Up to $50,000 Moderate Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Applications accepted...

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about NRC IoT: Quantum Sensors Challenge Program

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Can sole proprietors apply?
No — only incorporated Canadian SMEs, academic institutions, or eligible organizations can apply. Sole proprietors must incorporate to qualify for NRC funding.
What's the realistic project funding range?
Realistic annual funding is $100,000–$350,000 per year for multi-year collaborations. Total project funding can reach $1,000,000+ over the program term.
Do I need to have a prototype before applying?
Yes — proposals without a prototype or demonstrated technical capability in quantum sensors will likely be rejected. NRC prioritizes projects with existing technical groundwork.
Can I stack this with NSERC Alliance Quantum Grants?
Yes — NSERC Alliance covers university-led basic research; QSP covers applied/commercialization collaboration with NRC. They address different phases of quantum sensor development.
How long does the application process take?
Do not start with the proposal. NRC requires pre-application contact with the program team to align with their active research gaps before formal submission, and that conversation shapes what you end up writing. The proposal itself covers the quantum sensor research objectives, the NRC collaboration plan, a budget with cost-sharing, and the commercialization pathway.

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