Overall Description

Canada-G7-Nordic Call for Proposals on Quantum Technologies is an international funding opportunity led by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), with UK participation funded by EPSRC. The UK has allocated £3 million to the call.

The programme supports world-leading international research partnerships in quantum science and technologies, bringing together researchers from the UK and Canada, with optional participation from the US, Germany, Japan, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway.

The aim is to strengthen international cooperation, accelerate quantum innovation and develop technologies that can contribute to economic growth, security and societal benefits. Projects can be bilateral or multilateral, but must include researchers from both the UK and Canada.

Funding Amount

• Total UK funding available: £3 million;
• Maximum UK project component: £500,000 FEC;
• EPSRC funding rate: 80% FEC;
• Maximum EPSRC contribution: £400,000 per UK project component;
• Expected number of projects: Approximately 6–7 collaborations;
• Maximum duration: 36 months;
• Matched funding: Not required beyond the standard 20% FEC;
• Equipment: Items above £25,000 each are not eligible;
• Doctoral studentships: Not eligible.

Submission Deadlines

• Opening: 27 July 2026, 14:00 UK time;
• Applicant webinar: 19 August 2026, 16:00 UK time;
• Application deadline: 24 September 2026, 01:00 UK time (20:00 Eastern Time on 23 September in Canada);
• Expected UKRI invitation for successful UK teams: January 2027;
• Project start: By 31 March 2027.

Submission Conditions

Projects must:

• Include researchers from both Canada and the UK;
• Be bilateral or multilateral collaborative projects;
• Have a Canadian principal applicant;
• Include UK researchers based at organisations eligible for EPSRC funding;
• Address at least one eligible quantum technology area;
• Last no more than 36 months;
• Start by 31 March 2027;
• Comply with relevant Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I) requirements.

The Canadian principal applicant submits one joint application through NSERC's online system on behalf of all participating teams. UK researchers do not initially submit a parallel application to EPSRC.

UK teams recommended for funding will subsequently be invited to submit their UK costs through the UKRI Funding Service. This second submission is procedural and does not involve another scientific assessment.

Eligible Types Of Applicants

UK participants:

• Researchers based at UK research organisations eligible for EPSRC funding;
• Standard UKRI individual and organisational eligibility requirements apply.

The UK team may include:

• Project lead;
• Project co-lead (UK);
• Researcher co-lead;
• Research and innovation associates;
• Specialists;
• Technicians;
• Professional enabling staff;
• Visiting researchers.

Eligible Countries

• Mandatory participation:
  • Canada;
  • United Kingdom.
• Additional eligible participating countries:
  • United States;
  • Germany;
  • Japan;
  • Sweden;
  • Denmark;
  • Finland;
  • Norway.
• Projects must include Canada + UK as a minimum, while researchers from other participating G7/Nordic countries can form part of a multilateral consortium.
• Other international collaborators not eligible for funding through the programme may participate as project partners, where applicable.