July 17, 2026

Call for Expressions of Interest: Quantum Science and Technology

The University of Toronto (U of T) and the University of Illinois System (U of I) are contributing matching funds to support collaborative research projects on quantum science and technology. An initial online workshop will be held to assist with matchmaking between PIs from the two institutions.

University of Toronto - University of Illinois Call for Expressions of Interest:  Quantum Science and Technology

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Call for Expressions of Interest (PDF) | U of Toronto-U of I Initiatives Homepage

Proposals:

  1. To be eligible for the online matchmaking workshop, a PI must include at least one and no more than two post-doctoral fellows or doctoral students from their university in the expression of interest.
  2. This Call invites expressions of interest in Quantum Science and Technology.
  3. Expressions of interest will be reviewed by a selection committee from both institutions, which will identify and recommend participants for the online matchmaking workshop. The doctoral students/postdoctoral fellows included in the selected expressions of interest will participate in the workshop alongside their PIs.
  4. Following the workshop, collaborative teams of researchers from both U of I and U of T may submit full proposals for funding of their joint research project. Participation in the online workshop is required for eligibility to submit a full proposal.

Eligibility for U of T participants within the scope of this call:

Expressions of interest are welcome from those employees who are eligible to serve as Principal Investigators.

Eligibility for U of I participants within the scope of this call:

Expressions of interest are welcome from faculty members who are eligible to serve as Principal Investigators:

Value and duration:

Following the online workshop, teams of researchers from both U of I and U of T may submit formal joint research proposals. Up to two (2) joint proposals will be chosen and each joint team will receive up to USD $25,000 of funding from U of I and up to CAD $37,500 from U of T. This funding will be used to cover the costs of the research project.

Timeline:

  • Friday, July 17, 2026 | Call for expressions of interest
  • Friday, Sept. 18, 2026 | Deadline for submission of expressions of interest
  • Friday, Oct. 2, 2026 | Invitations extended to attend online workshop
  • Week of Oct. 26, 2026 | Online Workshop

Submission of Expressions of Interest:

  • Expressions of interest must be submitted by September 18, 2026, online at the following link
  • The expression of interest should include:
    • Name and contact information of the PI and the postdoctoral fellow(s) and/or doctoral student(s) included in the expression of interest
    • Brief Project Description that includes the following items:
      • Abstract that describes the joint proposal (max. 250 words)
      • Trainee involvement: description of proposed roles and contributions of thedoctoral student(s) and/or postdoctoral fellow(s) in the project.
    • A Brief Curriculum Vitae (CV) for the PI (max. 5 pages).

Adjudication:

Expressions of interest will be received jointly by the U of T Office of the Vice-President, International and U of I System Office of the Vice President for Economic Development and Innovation and will be reviewed by a selection committee from both institutions, which will identify and recommend participants for the online matchmaking workshop.

Communication of Workshop Invitations:

Invitations to participate in the online workshop will be communicated by email to the successful faculty applicants.

Information about this Call: 

At the University of Toronto: All questions related to this Joint Call for Workshops should be directed to:

  • Joseph Connolly, Research Officer, Office of the Vice-President, International (Email: connolly@utoronto.ca)
  • Heidi Leerkamp, Associate Director of Research and Program Development, Office of the Vice President for Economic Development and Innovation, University of Illinois System (Email: leerkamp@uillinois.edu)