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 8 is now closed. This was a targeted opportunity for the Faculty of Arts at the University of Waterloo (UW). Future calls are anticipated for the Faculties of Health and Environment.
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:
- $900K in seed funding supports new quantum projects;
- New quantum technology projects receive funding boost;
- Seed fund backs $2.8M in new quantum ideas at the University of Waterloo; and
- Seed fund continues to support new diverse quantum projects.
Guideline
We encourage proposals from any tenured or tenure-track faculty member in the Faculty of Arts at UW both established and new to the quantum community. For Round 8, proposals that particularly interest us are described below.
Theme
1. Ethics in the quantum age
2. Roadmap to adoption of (potentially) disruptive technologies with examples from quantum
3. Other ideas* (see list below)
*Other ideas
Anthropology
- Are there sensing needs for better exploring ancient cultures?
- What does a modern society look like if it adopts quantum technology?
- Does the absolute secrecy enabled by quantum fundamentally change society?
- Does ubiquitous sensing/monitoring (for health or other) change society?
Communications
- How to communicate the potential of new technologies
Economics
- Quantum may bring new tools for efficient computation and optimization. What impact would these have?
- Quantum should disrupt technologies that we depend on, communication, computation. What will be the impact?
Philosophy
- The world view from a quantum perspective is very different than a classical one; probability amplitudes and interference replace reality. How does this change society?
- How do we bring potentially disruptive technologies to use?
- How can the benefits/risks of disruptive technologies be aligned with societal needs?
- How can they be realized in an equitable fashion?
Political science
- What policy is enabling of disruptive technologies?
- What policy is appropriate to manage the risks of disruptive technologies?
Legal studies
- Quantum has a different world view, how can this mesh with a legal system tied to a classical world view?
The QQSF provides funding in the amount of up to $25,000 per year for a two-year period. 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 the Faculty of Arts.
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.
The application process involves the completion of the following:
- Application Form (includes Budget Justification);
- Budget Worksheet;
- Acknowledgment; and
- Principal Investigator’s CV.
- UW Coversheet for Sponsored Research (Information for completing the UW Coversheet)
The following item is only required upon award:
- Consent form for each HQP identified on the Application Form.
For successful applicants, TQT is pleased to connect the PI to quantum resources and provide support, where appropriate, to position the research activity for success. Resources may be knowledge-based, and include for example, quantum-literacy support and guidance from TQT leadership.
To stay informed about future calls for applications, fill out the form below.