Updated June 2026 · Verified against National Research Council of Canada (NRC) guidelines
✨ New Program Milestone-Based Est. 2026
Grant Federal Upcoming

NRC Quantum for Defence Program

National Research Council of Canada (NRC)
Maximum Funding
$200K–$3M per project
Upcoming — rolling CFP schedule TBD through 2026
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Hard
Payment
Milestone-Based
Trend
New Program
First-Timers
—
Co-Funding
Varies
NRC Quantum for Defence Program provides up to $200K–$3M per project. A dedicated federal program under NRC's $161 million quantum commitment that funds collaborative R&D projects applying quantum technologies to defence and national security challenges. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
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Eligibility & Details

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Program Description

A dedicated federal program under NRC's $161 million quantum commitment that funds collaborative R&D projects applying quantum technologies to defence and national security challenges. Distinct from the NRC Regional Quantum Initiative (catalog id 434) by its explicit defence mandate, DND alignment, and higher per-project funding ceiling. The program connects NRC researchers with Canadian defence industry partners, academic institutions, and government agencies to advance quantum sensing, communications, and computing for sovereign security applications. As of April 2026, the program is upcoming with rolling calls for proposals expected through 2026-27.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Canadian companies, academic institutions, and research organizations with quantum technology expertise
  • Projects must address Canadian defence and national security applications of quantum technology
  • Industry applicants must typically be incorporated Canadian entities
  • Collaborative structure preferred — NRC-industry or NRC-academic partnerships
  • Projects must align with Canada's National Quantum Strategy and Defence Industrial Strategy priorities
  • Dual-use quantum applications (civilian and defence) are in scope
Provinces
All Provinces
Industries
Quantum Technology Research Engineering Sciences
Business Stage
Growth Established Expansion

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Hard
Competition
High
First-Timer
Not rated

Funding Details

Amount
$200K–$3M per project
Type
Grant
Level
Federal
Deadline
Upcoming — rolling CFP schedule TBD through 2026

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
High
Deadline
Upcoming
Approval
Varies
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win NRC Quantum for Defence Program

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How to Win

Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like

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Insider Tip

The NRC Quantum for Defence program sits within a broader $161M NRC quantum commitment that includes QUIN (internetworking), IoT Quantum Sensors, and Applied Quantum Computing.

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Success Profile

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Evaluation Criteria

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Application Playbook

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

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Application Steps

1 Register interest with NRC Contact NRC's National Program Office or the Quantum for Defence program team to register your organization's interest and receive notification when a CFP is released.

Required Documents 7

✓ Letter of intent or expression of interest (format to be confirmed per CFP)
✓ Project description including quantum technology approach and defence application

Eligible Expenses 8

Ineligible Expenses 5

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

SR&ED Tax Credits IDEaS (Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security) NSERC Alliance Quantum Grants
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Medium Risk

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How NRC Quantum for Defence Program Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

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Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
NRC Quantum for Defence Program $200K–$3M per project Hard Milestone-Based Upcoming — rolling CFP...
IDEaS Competitive Projects — Componen... Up to $250,000 Moderate Advance Payment Ongoing — new challenges...
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 Quantum for Defence Program

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Can sole proprietors apply?
No. Only incorporated Canadian entities (corporations, co-ops) or registered non-profits can apply. Sole proprietors must incorporate to qualify for this defence-focused quantum grant.
What's the typical award amount?
Most projects fall in the $500K–$2M range for 2–3 year collaborations. The $200K–$3M range is a broad ceiling; projects below $500K are uncommon for defence applications.
When will the next call open?
No specific call has opened yet (as of April 2026). NRC will release rolling CFPs through 2026–27. Register interest with NRC to get notified when calls open.
Do I need matching funds?
Yes, matching contributions are required. The program expects industry partners to contribute at least 50% of total project costs (e.g., $1M project needs $500K in matching funds).
Why do applications fail?
Most rejections cite no clear defence application link, insufficient quantum technical depth, or project at too high a TRL (e.g., commercial-ready tech).

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