This program is currently between intakes. First competition: LOI closed July 27, 2026; full application due October 5, 2026; results March 2027. Future competitions not yet announced — monitor NSERC's funding opportunities page. Confirm on the official site ↗
Updated August 2026 · Verified against Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) guidelines
✨ New Program Milestone-Based Est. 2026
Grant Federal Between Intakes

NSERC Alliance Quantum Grants — SME Partner Stream

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
Maximum Funding
$100K–$650K per year from NSERC (up to 2 years)
Between intakes for new applicants — the mandatory letter of intent closed Ju...
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Hard
Payment
Milestone-Based
Trend
New Program
First-Timers
—
Co-Funding
100%
NSERC Alliance Quantum Grants — SME Partner Stream provides up to $100K–$650K per year from NSERC (up to 2 years). A dedicated quantum-specific NSERC grant that funds university-led research partnerships with private, public, or non-profit sector partners to advance the development and adoption of quantum technologies in Canada. The program covers up to 100% of eligible costs. Between intakes for new applicants — the mandatory letter of intent closed July 27, 2026; only applicants with an accepted LOI may submit the October 5, 2026 full application..
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Eligibility & Details

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Program Description

A dedicated quantum-specific NSERC grant that funds university-led research partnerships with private, public, or non-profit sector partners to advance the development and adoption of quantum technologies in Canada. Unlike the general NSERC Alliance program (catalog id 40), this stream requires proposals to advance one or more National Quantum Strategy missions, through one or more of five quantum technology areas: quantum algorithms and encryption (including post-quantum cryptography), quantum communications, quantum computing, quantum materials, or quantum sensing. Industry partners contribute mandatory in-kind (and optionally cash) contributions while receiving privileged access to leading-edge quantum R&D results. In the first competition the mandatory Letter of Intent stage closed July 27, 2026; full applications are due October 5, 2026.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Lead applicant must be a Canadian university researcher holding NSERC-eligible status
  • Co-applicants must also meet NSERC requirements (adjunct professors and college faculty eligible as co-applicants)
  • At least one partner organization from private, public, or non-profit sector required
  • Partner organizations must actively participate in the project and provide in-kind contributions (staff time, equipment, materials, or services)
  • At least one partner must demonstrate capacity to exploit research results
  • Proposals must aim to advance one or more National Quantum Strategy missions, through one or more of five quantum technology areas: quantum algorithms/encryption (including post-quantum cryptography), quantum communications, quantum computing, quantum materials, or quantum sensing
  • The applicant, every co-applicant and every collaborator must each complete the STRAC attestation form (Tri-agency Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern) — this call is in scope unconditionally, not only where a private-sector partner is involved
Provinces
All Provinces
Industries
Quantum Technology Research Sciences Digital Engineering
Business Stage
Startup Growth Established Expansion

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Hard
Competition
High
First-Timer
Not rated

Funding Details

Amount
$100K–$650K per year from NSERC (up to 2 years)
Type
Grant
Level
Federal
Co-Funding
Up to 100% of eligible costs
Deadline
Between intakes for new applicants — the mandatory letter of intent closed July 27, 2026; only applicants with an accepted LOI may submit the October 5, 2026 full application.

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
High
Deadline
Between Intakes
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 Identify university research partner Connect with a Canadian university quantum researcher whose expertise aligns with one of the five quantum technology areas through which this call advances the National Quantum Strategy missions.

Required Documents 6

✓ Letter of Intent with LOI template, researcher CVs, and partner organization list
✓ Form 101 full application (if invited past LOI stage)

Eligible Expenses 7

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 NRC Collaborative Programs (QUIN, Applied Quantum, Quantum for Defence) IRAP (Industrial Research Assistance Program)
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Low Risk

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How NSERC Alliance Quantum Grants — SME Partne... Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

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Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
NSERC Alliance Quantum Grants — SME P... $100K–$650K Hard Milestone-Based Between intakes for new...
NRC IRAP Clean Technology Program $100,000–$500,000 Hard Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Ongoing
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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 NSERC Alliance Quantum Grants — SME Partne...

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Can sole proprietors apply as the industry partner?
No — industry partners must be legal entities (e.g., incorporated company, non-profit, or public body). Sole proprietors cannot sign NSERC agreements.
Can I still join this cycle?
Not as a new team. The mandatory Letter of Intent closed July 27, 2026, and NSERC does not accept a full application without an accepted LOI. Partner organizations also cannot be added at the full-application stage — watch for the next competition.
What's the realistic total funding for a 2-year project?
Most projects receive $500K–$900K total (e.g., $200K–$400K/year), depending on project scope and number of university researchers involved.
Who has to complete the STRAC attestation?
The applicant, every co-applicant and every collaborator — this call advances listed sensitive technology research areas, so the requirement is unconditional and not limited to private-sector partners. Budget 2–3 weeks; it's a common delay.
Can I stack this with SR&ED?
Yes — industry partner's in-house R&D is SR&ED-eligible, but cash contributions to NSERC reduce the SR&ED base for those costs.
Why do applications fail alignment checks?
Proposals must aim to advance one or more National Quantum Strategy missions through one of five quantum technology areas (algorithms/encryption, communications, computing, materials, sensing). Proposals that do not address an NQS mission are not considered.

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