RFPs: Emerging Directions in Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing in Canada

The call aims to enable collaboration between the NRC and researchers from Canadian universities and small to medium-sized enterprises to produce research results that will build the foundation for a sustainable and profitable quantum computing sector in Canada.

The Applied Quantum Computing Challenge program focuses on quantum algorithms that enable scientific discovery across a range of domains, benefiting Canadians in health, climate change, economic prosperity and more. The program has a secondary focus on technologies to enable quantum computing, such as error correction, quantum compiling and resource estimation.

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

Objectives

• This call is targeting collaborative projects that have the potential to develop methods for quantum computers to solve specific computing problems where there is the potential for an exponential advantage over classical techniques, and to advance the state-of-the-art in quantum error correction (QEC) and fault tolerance to enable quantum computers to reach practical scale sooner.
• Projects must demonstrate that their research outcomes align with the mandate of the Applied Quantum Computing Challenge program.

Priority Areas

• The program is seeking collaborative projects in the following technology areas:
  • Quantum algorithms for differential equations: Differential equations are used in many scientific and engineering disciplines to model a wide range of events, such as the evolution of galaxies or the dynamics of financial markets.
  • QEC and fault tolerance: Quantum computation holds the promise of outperforming classical computers in tasks such as simulating complex quantum systems and optimizing complex problems.
  • NP approximation, combinatorics and quantum computing: Many business stakeholders are showing interest in quantum computing to revolutionize their performance and be in a ready-to-upgrade state when quantum computers become prevalent.

Funding Information

• The Applied Quantum Computing Challenge program is planning to make up to $4.2M available to support this call, with anticipated funding of up to $400k in the form of non-repayable grants and contributions per project over 2 years.

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

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

Eligibility Criteria

• 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)

For more information, visit Government of Canada.