Quantum Internetworking Challenge program – Call for proposals

1. Overview
2. Objectives
3. Eligibility
4. Project costing overview
5. Funding and support
6. Application timelines and process
7. Projects and funding agreements
8. Contact information
Annex A. Selection criteria for expressions of interest (EOI)

1. Overview

The National Research Council of Canada's (NRC) Quantum Internetworking Challenge program (QUIN) is launching a call for proposals to support the development of critical technologies in quantum networking. The call aims to foster collaboration between the NRC and the quantum ecosystem to advance the vision of a quantum-enabled Canada—where quantum information can be transmitted seamlessly over any distance, whether on-chip, within a data centre or across the country from coast to coast to coast.

The QUIN Challenge program focuses on overcoming the scientific and engineering barriers to building robust, scalable quantum networks. By addressing technological challenges and closing existing gaps at every length scale, the program seeks to drive Canadian development and deployment of interconnected quantum computers and sensors, laying the foundation for a future national quantum network.

The NRC is Canada's federal research and innovation organization. Our mission is to have an impact by advancing knowledge and applying leading-edge technologies. We work with innovators to find creative, relevant and sustainable solutions to Canada's current and future economic, social and environmental challenges.

The program is enabled by the Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation program (CSTIP) with the goal of delivering breakthroughs across the innovation continuum that matter to Canadians. It leverages the expertise of NRC science professionals. As a result, this call is based on collaboration between NRC researchers and external applicants.

Objectives

This call is targeting collaborative projects that have the potential to push technological boundaries and put in place the building blocks for a future national quantum network. Projects must demonstrate that their research outcomes align with the mandate of the program.

2.1 Priority areas

The program is seeking collaborative projects in the following technology areas:

Applied quantum materials and integration: Development of advanced photonic, semiconductor and superconducting materials, optimized for quantum performance, loss minimization and scalability. Includes heterogeneous integration of multiple platforms.
Quantum components and devices: research and development on core building blocks, including single-photon sources, quantum repeaters, memories, detectors and processors. A focus on performance metrics (loss, fidelity, rate, detection efficiency) and readiness for network integration.
Interfaces, transducers and interconnects: Science and engineering solutions for converting quantum information across modalities (e.g. optical to microwave and vice versa, photonic to superconducting and vice versa) with near-100% efficiency and fidelity. Emphasis on interoperability between heterogeneous systems.
Systems and demonstrations: Integration of advancements into functioning quantum networks—from on-chip links to metropolitan fibre networks and satellite-based links. Includes telecom testbeds, free-space links and defence-relevant prototypes.

While the program's scope is broad, it is focused on research that contributes directly to the realization of networked quantum devices. The program is not intended to fund exploratory or fundamental research without relevance to the critical problems of quantum networking. Proposals must demonstrate a well-defined connection to the program's long-term objectives. Early-stage work in materials, components or subsystems will be considered only when it clearly supports downstream benefits to quantum interconnects, devices or systems.

2.2 Benchmarking and performance goals

A critical component of the QUIN Challenge program is the rigorous benchmarking of quantum technologies developed through its collaborative projects. Establishing and tracking key performance metrics across all 4 scientific themes—materials, components, interconnects and systems—will ensure progress is measurable and impactful. The program seeks not only to close existing technological gaps, but to push the performance of quantum networking technologies beyond the current state of the art. By defining clear benchmarks and advancing reproducible metrics such as loss, fidelity, rate, coherence time and efficiency, the program will drive continuous improvement and help position Canadian innovations at the forefront of global quantum research and commercialization.

3. Eligibility

3.1 Eligible applicants

Applicants collaborating with the NRC who are eligible for funding under this call:

Academic institutions
Research institutions
Not-for-profit research organizations
Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (those with fewer than 500 employees)

NOTE: International collaborators may be eligible if their participation in the project would result in a benefit for Canada and Canadians. Eligible applicants can also propose to engage third-party collaborators and subcontractors from across the technology ecosystem, which will be subject to approval.

3.2 Requirements

Applicants must review the NRC Statement on Research Security and the information regarding Safeguarding Your Research and understand the need to take extra precautions to protect the security of their research, intellectual property and knowledge development from potential interference, misappropriation or misalignment with the interests of Canada
Project teams must include at least 1 NRC researcher delivering on the collaborative initiative
Projects must be clearly aligned with the call objectives, the program mandate and the priority areas of the QUI program

Optional requirements:

Projects must be completed within 3 years
Teams must complete an expression of interest (EOI) form

3.3 Commitment to EDI and GBA+

Project teams must clearly demonstrate their commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) in their full proposals, including composition of their project teams, research methods, analysis and knowledge mobilization plans. Undertaking GBA+ and critically considering factors related to EDI adds valuable dimensions in research and improves the quality, social relevance and impact of the research.

EDI and GBA+ considerations should influence all stages of the research or development processes, from establishing priorities and building theory to formulating questions, designing methodologies and interpreting data. Applicants are invited to consult the Government of Canada's guide on best practices in equity, diversity and inclusion in research practice and design.

4. Project costing overview

4.1 Eligible costs

Salaries for highly qualified personnel (HQP) working on the project activities
Research support costs: direct costs incurred in the project implementation phase, for example:
- Consumable materials
- Supplies
- Equipment up to $10,000
Costs for travel and accommodation required specifically for execution of the project
Amounts invoiced to the recipient by a contractor for services rendered relating directly to the project (e.g. fees for professional services)
Indirect costs not directly applicable to carrying out the project, but necessary for conducting the recipient's general business, up to a maximum of 10% of total eligible project costs
Reasonable and necessary costs for research equipment of $10,000 or more, including testing tools, instruments, computer equipment, secure equipment and information technology costs such as for high-performance computers and secure servers
- The applicants must show that the project objectives may not be achieved without this equipment and that the equipment can be procured in a reasonable time frame that will ensure the project can be executed. All equipment costs will be reviewed for eligibility at the Proposal stage. The NRC team may contact the applicant if more details are required

4.2 Ineligible costs

Purchase of land
Leasehold interest
Property taxes
Any portion of costs subject to refunds, rebates or credits, including HST, GST and PST
Costs incurred or paid by the NRC

5. Funding and support

The programis planning to make up to $5,000,000 available to support this call, with anticipated funding of up to $500,000 in the form of non-repayable Grants and Contributions per recipient over 3 years.

Determination of financial awards will be made based on the final evaluation (including risk assessment) of proposed projects.

Funding provided by the NRC's National Program Office follows the Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation program terms and conditions. CSTIP is intended to position the NRC as a collaborative platform that uses science excellence to respond to Canada's most pressing challenges.

As such, projects supported under this initiative benefit from NRC assets (special-purpose research facilities, scientific expertise and networks) and financial assistance in the form of non-repayable grants or contributions. For more information on CSTIP funding, consult the grant and contribution funding for collaborators page.

5.1 Government stacking provisions

The stacking provisions for projects are as follows:

The maximum limit of total Canadian government assistance (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal assistance for the same eligible costs) cannot exceed 100% of the total eligible project costs

6. Application timelines and process

The NRC is committed to a consistent, fair and transparent selection process to identify, select and approve the allocation of funding to projects that best fit the objectives of the collaborative call.

Expressions of interest (EOIs) will be used to determine applicant and project eligibility and assess alignment with the goals of the call based on the criteria in annex A.

Eligible applicant projects deemed to have high impact potential based on the EOI will be invited to submit a full project proposal (FPP). Applicants may be asked to provide supplementary information at various points in the review process.

Applicants chosen to submit an FPP will be notified and invited to submit one. They will be provided with the required templates to be completed and the FPP assessment criteria.

Applicants must provide all mandatory information to be considered for funding. Note that an invitation to submit an FPP is not a funding commitment from the NRC. All FPPs will undergo due diligence and verification, including a peer review process, to determine which projects will be recommended for funding.

6.1 Key dates and deadlines

February 2, 2026: Call opens
April 2, 2026: Expression of interest submission deadline
May 2026: Invitations sent out for a full project proposal
July 3, 2026: Submission deadline for full project proposal
October 2026: Notification of results
January 4, 2027: Expected start date for funding and project

6.2 General call process steps

Step 1: Assemble the project team, which will include at least 1 eligible applicant and an NRC collaborator. If you have a project idea but no NRC contact, send an email to NRC.QuantumInternetworking-Interreseautagequantique.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca, and we will try to make a match for projects aligned with the scope of the call.

Step 2: Request the EOI form by sending an email to NRC.QuantumInternetworking-Interreseautagequantique.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca and return the completed form to the same email address.

Step 3: The NRC's National Program Office (NPO) coordinates a review of EOIs received and assesses their eligibility and fit for the call.

Step 4: The NPO sends a notice of outcome to eligible applicants.

Step 5: The NPO sends the full project proposal (FPP) templates to selected eligible applicants to learn more about their project idea.

Step 6: Eligible applicants develop the FPP together with their NRC partner.

Step 7: Eligible applicant principal investigators (PIs) submit the FPP on behalf of the project team by email to Rebecca.Trueman@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca, copying the program team at NRC.QuantumInternetworking-Interreseautagequantique.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Step 8: NRC collaborator PIs submit internal NRC project documents such as the NRC workplan and NRC project workbook for the program.

Step 9: The NPO coordinates the peer review process.

Step 10: The NPO sends a notice of outcome to the eligible applicants.

Step 11: The NPO completes a due diligence review of the FPPs.

Step 12: The NPO develops collaborative research and funding agreements for successful projects with support from the research centres.

Step 13: Projects begin.

6.3 Expression of interest (EOI)

Request the EOI form by sending an email to NRC.QuantumInternetworking-Interreseautagequantique.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca. Return your completed form to the same email address no later than 11:59 pm (ET) on April 2, 2026. Use the subject line "QUIN EOI Submission" in your email.

If you wish to withdraw your EOI at any stage of the evaluation, you must do so by sending an email to NRC.QuantumInternetworking-Interreseautagequantique.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca. If you wish to be considered for funding for the same project in the future, you will be required to resubmit an EOI.

7. Project and funding agreements

After receiving notice of project approval from the NPO, eligible recipients must enter into a collaborative research and funding agreement with the NRC. If this agreement is not finalized within a reasonable time frame, funding will be reallocated to other projects.

8. Contact information

For more information on this specific collaboration opportunity with the QUIN Challenge program, send an email to NRC.QuantumInternetworking-Interreseautagequantique.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Annex A. Selection criteria for expressions of interest (EOI)

The 6 criteria below will be used to evaluate EOI applications. While each criterion will be equally weighted in the evaluation process, consideration will also be given to regional diversity and distribution across streams and strategic areas.

1. Methodology

Describe how the project will be carried out, including a high-level description of the tasks and methodology.