NordForsk Joins G7 Initiative to Fund International Quantum Technology Research Projects

Insider BriefNordForsk has joined a new international research initiative with G7 funding agencies to support collaborative quantum technology research, committing funding for Nordic participation in up to 12 international projects spanning quantum computing, communications, sensing, materials and post-quantum cryptography.The call for proposals, announced July 27, is being coordinated by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), which will serve as the lead agency for proposal submission and merit review. Applications are due Sept. 24, with successful projects expected to bring together researchers from Canada and partner organizations across the Nordic region and other G7 nations.NordForsk said the initiative is designed to leverage complementary expertise across participating countries while strengthening international collaboration in quantum science and engineering.Under the program, Nordic research teams may request up to NOK 7 million per project from NordForsk. The organization expects to fund Nordic participation in 12 international collaborations.The call is open to research addressing any area of quantum science, provided the primary focus advances one or more core quantum technology fields. Eligible topics include quantum computing, quantum communications, quantum sensing, quantum materials, and quantum algorithms and encryption, including post-quantum cryptography. Researchers may also combine these areas with broader natural science and engineering disciplines where appropriate.According to the call, quantum technologies are expected to play an increasingly important role in economic development, scientific discovery and national security by enabling new computing capabilities, secure communications, advanced sensing systems and other emerging applications.The funding opportunity brings together several of the world’s major public research organizations. In addition to NSERC and NordForsk, participating agencies include the German Research Foundation (DFG), the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), the United Kingdom Research and Innovation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (UKRI-EPSRC), and the U.S.

National Science Foundation (NSF).Within the Nordic region, the program is co-funded by the Research Council of Norway, the Research Council of Finland, the Swedish Research Council and the Independent Research Fund Denmark.To be eligible for NordForsk funding, projects must include research partners from at least two Nordic countries. One participating institution must serve as the Nordic host organization and lead the regional team. Eligible host institutions must be located in Denmark, Finland, Norway or Sweden, while research partners may also come from Åland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Iceland.All proposals must also include at least one Canadian researcher eligible for NSERC funding, along with at least one international collaborator supported by another participating funding agency. Canadian applicants will submit a single joint proposal representing the full international consortium.An information webinar for researchers and university research offices is scheduled for Aug. 19. During the session, NSERC will provide an overview of the funding opportunity and the application process.The initiative reflects a growing trend toward multinational investment in quantum technologies as governments seek to accelerate research and strengthen international partnerships in strategically important areas of science and technology.Read the complete call for proposals here.TopicsShare Get the latest research, company news, and market intelligence every week. MENTIONED IN THE ARTICLEThe National Science Foundation, situated in Alexandria, Virginia, is a governmental entity. This organization administers the America's Seed Fund SBIR/STTR Program, which aids startups and small businesses by providing grants and seed funding. In Aug, 2022, NSF organized a workshop on Quantum Advantage and Next Steps at the University of Chicago. In Oct, 2022, NSF hosted a virtual workshop on Software-Hardware Co-Design for Quantum Computing, aiming to foster collaboration and build a shared technological ecosystem for both quantum and classical technologies. In Mar, 2023, An NSF Research Coordination Network award facilitated weekly collaboration among scientists from various countries, leading to the inclusion of Quantum Biology as a topic in the Gordon Research Conferences. In Jun, 2023, NSF announced new awards for MRSECs, with several focusing on quantum control of materials and materials for quantum information processing. In Jul, 2023, NSF released the solicitation (NSF 23-604) for the first phase of the NQVL, marking a significant step in advancing quantum research and development.NSERC is a government agency in Canada responsible for awarding research grants in the fields of natural sciences and engineering. The agency's financial support also fosters alliances and joint efforts that bridge the gap between the business sector and new findings along with the individuals responsible for them. Collaborative endeavors between researchers and industries facilitated by NSERC play a role in guiding research and development, tackling issues related to scaling up, and minimizing the uncertainties associated with advancing high-potential technologies.The German Research Foundation is a German research funding organization, which functions as a self-governing institution for the promotion of science and research in the Federal Republic of Germany.The Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) is a prominent government organization in Japan responsible for carrying out the nation's science and technology policy. It was established in 2003 as the successor to the Japan Science and Technology Corporation, which was created in 1996 through the merger of the Japan Information Center of Science and Technology and the Research Development Corporation of Japan.UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. It invests £8 billion annually to support research and innovation across a wide range of fields, including quantum computing, science, engineering, arts, humanities, and social sciences. UKRI brings together seven research councils, Research England, and Innovate UK to fund and support researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs, aiming to advance knowledge, improve lives, and drive economic growth across the UK and globally.More in Research