Canada–Germany 2026 Quantum collaborative industrial research and development call for proposals

• Expression of Interest (EOI) form
• International Consortium Project Proposal (ICPP)
• Draft international consortium agreement
• Signed NRC Research Security Requirements Attestation form
• Cash-flow projection for the Canadian SME(s)

Who is eligible?

• Incorporated Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) developing and commercializing quantum technology products, processes, or technology-based services
• Eligible German commercial enterprises active in quantum technology R&D and commercialization
• Canadian universities participating as project collaborators in quantum technology R&D
• Canadian research and technology organizations (RTOs) participating as project collaborators
• Canadian not-for-profit organizations participating as project collaborators

Who is not eligible

• Canadian companies that are not incorporated in Canada.
• Canadian businesses that are not profit-oriented SMEs (for example, Canadian large enterprises can participate only on a self-funding basis and are not eligible to request Canadian funding).
• Canadian SMEs that have been operating for less than 12 months prior to the Canadian registration deadline.
• Project partners (companies or organizations) that are affiliated in any form with entities on Canada’s Named Research Organization (NRO) list (projects with a current affiliation will not be funded by NRC).
• Organizations involved only as fee-for-service providers (consultants, subcontractors, vendors) cannot participate as project partners in the consortium.

Eligible expenses

• Employee salary costs (project-related).
• Contractor fees / professional services invoiced for services rendered directly to the project.
• International travel costs for employees, including travel and accommodation.
• Research support costs (including student stipends, research materials, and minor equipment purchases up to $10,000).
• Indirect (overhead) costs, up to 10% of total eligible project costs.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Academic principal investigator salaries and NRC researcher salaries (excluded from eligible salary costs).
• Minor equipment purchases over $10,000 (only purchases up to $10,000 are eligible).
• Costs incurred by organizations hired only on a fee-for-service basis (e.g., consultants, subcontractors, service providers) as “project partner” costs.
• Funding requests for Canadian collaborators that exceed the amount requested by the Canadian SME(s).

Eligible geographic areas

• Canada (Canadian incorporated SMEs).
• Germany (eligible German commercial enterprises).

• Quality and completeness of the file submitted to the national funding organization (all required documents and compliance with due diligence requirements), failing which the consortium’s application may be rejected as incomplete or ineligible.
• Results of the evaluation of the International Consortium Project Proposal (ICPP) by the NRC evaluation team (including in particular the representative of the NRC IRAP of the applicant company and representatives of the relevant offices).
• Joint selection of projects after national evaluations: the combined results of the evaluations are shared among funding organizations, then a joint Canada–Germany process determines the projects selected.
• Compliance with the NRC’s research security requirements: no affiliation of partners, persons, and participating organizations with any “named research organizations” (attestation required; the NRC does not fund projects with such affiliation).
• Possible priority given to certain Canadian SMEs (for guidance): at least 15 FTEs in Canada, at least one product already commercialized, and/or annual revenue greater than 500,000 CAD.

• Step 1: Registration (online register)
  • Ensure the lead Canadian applicant is registered as an NRC IRAP client (if not, contact NRC IRAP at 1-877-994-4727 to determine eligibility for support).
  • Register electronically using the Register button for this opportunity.
  • Provide the basic information required about the applicant and the organization during registration.
  • Respond if NRC IRAP contacts you to request additional information following its registration review.
• Step 2: Expression of Interest (EOI submission)
  • Submit the Expression of Interest (EOI) form when invited.
  • Outline basic information about the applicant and the collaborative project in the EOI.
  • Contact your NRC IRAP Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA), if assigned, to discuss the project idea and get guidance while preparing the EOI.
  • Submit the EOI as early as possible to avoid potential delays (EOIs are evaluated as they are received).
• Step 3: International Consortium Project Proposal (ICPP package)
  • Work with all project partners to complete and submit the International Consortium Project Proposal (ICPP) package.
  • Prepare the International Consortium Project Proposal outlining the project consortium, collaborative project, expected outcomes, expected project costs for each partner, and the calendar.
  • Prepare a draft international consortium agreement covering roles and responsibilities, project management framework, division of intellectual property rights, confidentiality and publication agreements, and liability clauses.
  • Complete the NRC IRAP Canadian SME annex form (additional information for assessing Canadian SME applicants and the project consortium).
  • Complete the NRC Other Canadian Collaborator annex form (additional information for assessing Canadian collaborator applicants and the project consortium), where applicable.
  • Complete and sign the NRC Research Security Requirements Attestation form.
  • Provide a cash-flow projection for the Canadian SME(s) demonstrating sufficient financial runway for the project duration.
• Step 4: German partner submission (VDITZ submission)
  • Have each German consortium project partner submit all required documents to VDI Technologiezentrum GmbH (VDITZ) by April 24, 2026.
  • Follow the official instructions in the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) call for proposals announcement for the German process and requirements.
• Step 5: National funding proposal, due diligence and funding agreements (Canada and Germany)
  • If the consortium is selected, each project partner seeking funding completes national funding body proposal requirements with their respective national funding body.
  • For Canadian SMEs: work with the NRC IRAP ITA to prepare an NRC IRAP funding proposal and, if approved, execute a contribution agreement with NRC IRAP.
  • For other Canadian collaborators: work with NRC CSTIP to prepare a funding proposal and, if approved, execute a grant or contribution agreement, as appropriate.
  • Respond to due diligence questions from the relevant national funding body as required.
  • If the consortium includes a non-SME Canadian collaborator, execute an international collaborative research agreement, obtain signatures from all consortium partners, and submit it prior to funding approval.

• NRC IRAP screens submissions and may contact the Canadian applicant to request additional information.
• NRC IRAP evaluates Canadian submissions through an NRC evaluation team (including the applicant’s NRC IRAP representative, the NRC National Program Office, and the NRC IRAP International Office).
• Canadian and German national funding bodies evaluate applications independently, then share results and make a final joint project selection.
• Selected participants are invited to proceed to national funding body proposals, due diligence, and to sign legally binding funding agreements with their respective national funding body.
• If required, the consortium must execute and submit an international collaborative research agreement before funding approval.

• Proposed project duration is up to 24 months, with projects expected to start by December 2026 and end no later than December 2028.
• Canada and Germany will perform their evaluations independently, followed by a final joint project selection.
• Consortium partners must be unrelated entities (no direct, indirect, beneficial, or constructive ownership interest between parties).
• Research security requirements apply: Canadian participants must attest that there is no affiliation with entities on Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Named Research Organization (NRO) list, and NRC will not directly fund projects with a current NRO affiliation.