Timeline and deadlines:
- 27 July 2026: Call announced and submission window opens
- 19 August 2026: NSERC information webinar
- 24 September 2026, before 8:00 pm (ET): Application submission deadline
Maximum amount of funding sought from NordForsk by the Nordic partners of one project proposal: NOK 7 mill.
The intention is to fund Nordic participation in 12 research projects under this call.
Research objective
Quantum science is the study, manipulation and control of systems at the atomic and subatomic levels. Quantum technologies are at the leading edge of science and innovation, both in Canada and worldwide. They will support the growth and transformation of key sectors, enable new economic opportunities, revolutionize security, and help advance a range of benefits for society.
This funding opportunity aims to leverage the complementary interests and research expertise across the G7 and Nordic countries to support bilateral or multilateral collaborative research projects in quantum science and technologies.
Proposals may address any challenge in quantum science, but their thrust must aim to advance 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
Proposals may synergistically couple any of these quantum technology thrusts to other research topics in the natural sciences and engineering.
See the official call text on NSERC’s website for the full call description and the detailed guidelines for submitting an application.
Funding and administration
This call is announced as a collaboration between the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), NordForsk, German Research Foundation (DFG), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), United Kingdom Research and Innovation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (UKRI - EPSRC) and United States National Science Foundation (NSF).
The Nordic participation is managed by NordForsk in partnership with the Research Council of Norway, the Research Council of Finland, the Swedish Research Council and the Innovation Fund Denmark who are co-financing the call.
Eligibility
Projects must include at least one Canadian researcher eligible to receive NSERC funds and at least one international collaborator eligible to receive funds from a participating international funder.
Projects that apply for funding from NordForsk must include eligible research partners from at least two different Nordic countries. Nordic countries are defined here as Åland Islands, Denmark, Finland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
One of the Nordic partners must have the role of Nordic host institution and lead the Nordic team in the project. The Nordic host institution must be based in one of the Nordic countries co-funding the call: Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.
Nordic project partners that apply for funding from NordForsk must be research performing organisations.
The Canadian applicant will submit a single collaborative proposal on behalf of the Canadian and international research teams, which will undergo a merit review process by NSERC as the lead agency.
Webinar
There will be an information session for the new international research call on quantum technologies in partnership with G7 and Nordic funders. This session is dedicated to researchers and university grants research offices.
When: 19 August 2026.
In this session, NSERC will provide an overview of new international research call on quantum technologies in partnership with G7 and Nordic funders.
Please register to the webinar in advance:
Register for the English session.
Register for the French session.
Contact
Bjørnar Solhaug Komissar
Special Adviser
+47 992 61 503
bjornar.komissar@nordforsk.org
