Funding is available for UK businesses and Canadian SMEs collaborating on joint research and development projects to advance the development of quantum technologies, and enable their commercial use cases.

The aim of this Innovate UK (IUK) competition is to strengthen collaborative research and development (CR&D) through Canadian and UK partnerships towards commercialising quantum technologies.

Proposals must demonstrate co-development, have a high potential for commercialisation, address a technological challenge and include a plan for future exploitation.

Up to £3 million from IUK and up to CAD $4.5 million from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), an equivalent of £6 million, has been allocated to fund feasibility projects and industrial research projects lasting between 12 and 24 months.

The total grant for all UK partners can be up to £450,000 for each application. NRC IRAP will provide a contribution of up to CAD $500,000 to each eligible Canadian SME participating in the project.

The competition is open to Canada and UK collaborations only. To lead a project an organisation must be a UK registered business of any size, and partner with a Canadian SME OR be a Canadian SME, partnering with at least one grant claiming UK registered business of any size.

To collaborate with the lead, an organisation must be a UK registered business of any size, academic institution, research and technology organisation (RTO), Canadian SME, or Canadian research organisation. Academic institutions and RTOs cannot lead.

The competition opens on 21 November 2022. The deadline for applications is 19 April 2023.

How To Apply

The competition opens on 21 November 2022. The deadline for applications is 19 April 2023.

Applications are made online.

Interested parties should access the Innovate website for more details.