Quantum Quest Seed Fund
Just as we could only imagine the impact of the transistor in 1947, we can only imagine the future opportunities quantum technologies will reveal. The Quantum Quest Seed Fund (QQSF) is designed to broadly encourage quantum exploration and innovation across TQT’s grand challenges and beyond.
The QQSF promotes the development of new ideas and applications for quantum devices. This fund is intended to encourage ideas and uncover opportunities from diverse fields outside the scope of researchers working day-to-day with quantum devices.
QQSF Round 11 is now open. This opportunity is for all faculties at the University of Waterloo (UW).
If you are interested in applying, you may refer to the guideline below and Q&A for additional information. The following links provide details relating to previous awards:
- Cycle 1 & 2 awards: $900K in seed funding supports new quantum projects;
- Cycle 3 & 4 awards: New quantum technology projects receive funding boost;
- Cycle 5 & 6 awards: Seed fund backs $2.8M in new quantum ideas at the University of Waterloo; and
- Cycle 8 awards: Seed fund continues to support new diverse quantum projects.
Guideline
We encourage proposals from any tenured or tenure-track faculty member at UW, both established and new to the quantum community. Proposals with a focus on health and environment are encouraged but not required. Proposals are encouraged that articulate the use of quantum properties in existing systems including superposition, tunneling, entanglement in applications, and the development of new systems that display quantum properties.
The QQSF provides funding in the amount of up to $50,000 per year for a two-year period and up to $15,000 for six-month Exploratory studies. Projects funded under QQSF are expected to lead to other sources of follow-on external funding. We encourage proposals that consider measures to improve equity performance. Note that QQSF supports only new activities.
Each project must have only one Lead Principal Investigator (PI). The PI shall have an existing tenure or tenure-track appointment within one of the Faculties at the University of Waterloo. Collaborations with other researchers are permitted. Proposals are encouraged that originate from investigators new to the quantum community.
To comply with Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) award administration, QQSF will only accept applications that do not replace or displace the funding that is available through Tri-Council agency’s regular programming.
Investigators are encouraged to explore collaborations with the three quantum programs supported by CFREF (UW TQT, Universite de Sherbrooke Institut Quantique and UBC Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute). Applicants have the option of selecting “joint CFREF project” in the application form, and completing the requisite details. For joint projects, preference will be given to proposals that effectively combine the complementary strengths from the different programs. UW Principal Investigators shall complete the application and budget for the research activities they are responsible for on the joint project; these activities will be funded directly by TQT.
The Principal Investigator of the joint project from the other institution is responsible for covering any activities and expenses on their side. By supporting joint projects we aim to deepen connections with other centres and enhance the value of the seed investment. *Note that this Round of QQSF is not a simultaneous call with the other centres. Joint proposals originating at other centres may be reviewed on a case by case basis.*
The application process involves the completion of the following:
- Seed Application Form (includes Budget Justification) or Exploratory Application Form (includes Budget Justification);
- Budget Worksheet (for Seed applications only);
- Acknowledgment;
- Principal Investigator’s CV; and
- UW Coversheet for Sponsored Research (Information for completing the UW Coversheet).
The following item is only required upon award:
Please submit your application to tqt@uwaterloo.ca by Monday, December 12 at 5 pm ET with the subject header “QQSF2022 Application – Round 11”.
For more information, or to discuss your idea in advance, you may contact Ms. Tracey Forrest, Program Director, Transformative Quantum Technologies, tforrest@uwaterloo.ca.