QuantERA

Consortium

QuantERA, the collaborative initiative of Quantum Technologies (QT) in Europe, is an alliance of 41 Research Funding Organisations from 31 countries.

As an independent network, QuantERA recognises and rewards outstanding research ideas with prospective potential. Through mutual engagement it explores and develops additional joint actions.

Acting synergistically, the QuantERA Consortium strives towards a collective goal of enhancing European scientific reinforcement in the QT domain.

Austria

Austrian Science Fund (FWF)

FWF is the Austrian funding organisation for the basic researches. All areas of basic sciences and humanities are funded by FWF through various funding programmes, from stipends for young postdocs to grants to large research consortia.
Main contact: Stefan Uttenthaler, e-mail: [email protected]
Website: https://www.fwf.ac.at/en/

Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)


The FFG is the national funding agency for applied and industrial research and development in Austria. As a one-stop shop offering a diversified and targeted portfolio, the FFG gives Austrian businesses and research facilities quick and uncomplicated access to research funding with a mix of thematic open and thematic oriented funding programmes for national, European and international projects.
Main contact: Fabienne Nikowitz, e-mail: [email protected]
Website: https://www.ffg.at/en/

Belgium

Fund for Scientific Research (F.R.S-FNRS)

The Fund for Scientific Research (FNRS) is a research funding agency that promotes and supports basic scientific research in the French-speaking Community of Belgium. Founded in 1928, it mainly receives public subsidies, currently from the French-speaking Community of Belgium, the Walloon Region and the Federal Government of Belgium. The Fund supports individual researchers on the basis of the criterion of excellence by offering temporary or permanent positions; funding to research teams; grants and credits for international collaboration and scientific prizes. FNRS fosters research in all scientific fields, following a bottom-up approach of investigator-driven research. Further, the Fund supports researchers in an ever growing context of internationalisation through facilitating their mobility, allowing for collaborative transnational projects and supporting a high level international working environment. It also hosts several national contact points (NCP) for the Excellent Science Pillar within HORIZON2020.

Main contacts:

Website: http://www.fnrs.be/en/

Research Foundation Flanders (FWO)

The Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) is the agency that supports ground-breaking fundamental research and strategic basic research within Flanders. The FWO also stimulates cooperation between the Flemish universities and other research institutes.

Main contact:

Website: http://www.fwo.be/en/

Bulgaria

Bulgarian National Science Fund (BNSF)

The Bulgarian National Science Fund is a public institution, established in 2008 to provide funding for project-based research. The Fund also coordinates bilateral programs with the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science, supports COST actions and participates in EC framework programs. The decision-making body of the Fund is the Executive Board, supported by 6 scientific advisory committees in 6 thematic areas, one bilateral committee and external experts. The structure is responsible for the evaluation and implementation of BNSF programs and activities. Some of BNSF’s main goals is to communicate the conclusions of its projects’ evaluations, to provide its own observations and to improve its practices and procedures in setting up research programs and calls. Many efforts are concentrated to provide sound and meaningful analysis on aspects such as policy intervention; clarity in program definition about the social aspect, efficient evaluation criteria, performance indicators according to the specificity of the research and effective frameworks that allows all those actions to correlate and work accordingly.

Reflecting to an on-going Peer Review exercise on evaluating the current research and innovation system in Bulgaria under Horizon 2020 Policy Support Facility, the Bulgarian National Science Fund aims to achieve wider socio-economic impacts of allocated funds through:

  • developing evaluation methodologies that capture wider impact;
  • capitalizing on synergies with reporting, monitoring and evaluation systems on the level of other research funding agencies with regard to impact on research and innovation performance across Europe and beyond;
  • assessing social dimension and strategic relevance of national programs.

Main contacts:

Website: https://www.fni.bg/

Croatia

Croatian Science Foundation (HRZZ)

HRZZ provides support to scientific, higher education and technological programmes and projects, fosters international cooperation, and helps the realization of scientific programmes of special interest in the field of fundamental, applied and developmental research.

Main contact:

Website: http://www.hrzz.hr​/en

Czech Republic

Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS)

According to the Act No. 130/2002 Coll. on the Support of Research, Experimental Development and Innovation from Public Funds and on the Amendment to Some Related Acts, MEYS is the central administration authority responsible for R&D, particularly institutional funding for higher education sector, research infrastructures policy and funding and international R&D collaboration.

Main contact:

Website: http://www.msmt.cz/?lang=2

Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TA CR)


The Technology Agency of the Czech Republic is an organizational unit of the state that was founded in 2009 by the Act No. 130/2002 Coll. on the support of research, experimental development and innovation. The creation of TA CR is one of the cornerstones of the fundamental reforms in research and development (R&D) in the Czech Republic. The key features of the reform is the redistribution of financial support from the national budget. The Technology Agency of the Czech Republic simplifies the state support of applied research and experimental development which has been fragmented and implemented by many bodies before the reform.

TA CR has joined QuantERA II in 2021.

Main contact:

Website: https://www.tacr.cz/en/technology-agency-of-the-czech-republic/

Denmark

Innovation Fund Denmark (IFD)

Innovation Fund Denmark invests in cultivating and translating ideas, knowledge and technology for the benefit of Danish Society.

Entrepreneurship, partnership and an international outlook thrive so that ideas, knowledge and technologies are translated into viable businesses and innovative solutions for the benefit of society.

Innovation Fund Denmark’s investments stimulate:

  • Growth and employment
  • Solutions to key societal challenges
  • The objectives are achieved by means of:
  • Innovation and technological advances
  • Interdisciplinary alliances
  • Thriving entrepreneurship
  • Research excellence
  • A dynamic international outlook

Main contact:

Website: http://innovationsfonden.dk/en

Estonia

Estonian Research Council (ETAG)

The Estonian Research Council (ETAG) is a private body fulfilling public functions, responsible to the Ministry of Education and Research. We maintain and develop a balanced, high-level and internationally successful research, development and innovation (RDI) system in Estonia, as well as a knowledge-based and sustainable Estonian society. Its main goal is to support the most promising research initiatives in all fields of basic and applied research including humanities and social sciences. The ETAG acts as National Contact Point for the Horizon 2020, coordinates participation in the COST network and consults mobile researchers through the EURAXESS network and manages the Estonian R&D Liaison Office in Brussels. The ETAG is the authorized processor of the Estonian Research Information system, the information channel for submitting and processing grant applications, as well as submitting and confirming project reports.

ETAG has joined QuantERA II in 2021.

Main contacts:

website: http://www.etag.ee/en/

Finland

Academy of Finland (AKA)

The Academy of Finland’s mission is to fund high-quality scientific research, provide expertise in science and science policy, and strengthen the position of science and research. The Academy is an agency within the administrative branch of the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, and the Academy’s activities cover the full spectrum of scientific disciplines. The Academy selects the best and most promising research projects for funding by means of an international peer review procedure. Each year some 5000 researchers benefit from the Academy funding.

Main contact:

Website: http://www.aka.fi/en

France

French National Research Agency (ANR)

The French National Research Agency (ANR) was established by the French government in 2005 to fund research projects, based on competitive schemes giving researchers the best opportunities to carry out their projects and paving the way for ground-breaking new knowledge. The main mission of ANR is to fund the best basic research, but also targeted and applied research in particular through partnerships between companies and public sector laboratories. Its action is thus intended to support French research excellence at both academic and technological levels by means of a rigorous selection process based on evaluation by peer review. Finally, it is also the ANR’s mission to strengthen international cooperation by contributing in particular to the funding of international consortia in partnership with other funding agencies in Europe and beyond.

Main contacts:

Website: https://anr.fr/en/

Germany

Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) provides funding for excellent research projects and research institutions. The ministry develops strategic research programmes especially for key technologies and their applications. The ministry is the main actor with regard to general science and educational policy in Germany.

The BMBF provides funding for excellent research projects related to any of the four pillars of QuantERA. For the purpose of implementing the call and administrating the funds, the BMBF has commissioned the programme management agency VDI Technologiezentrum GmbH – see below.

Main contact:

Website: https://www.bmbf.de/en/index.html

VDI Technologiezentrum GmbH (VDI-TZ)

Established in 1973 and being a part of the VDI Group, the VDI Technologiezentrum GmbH is an innovation and research management consultancy, mainly working for clients from public authorities and institutions. In particular, the VDI TZ is acting as a funding agency and programme manager (“Projektträger”) on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

Main contact:

Website: http://www.vditz.de/forschungsfoerderung/

German Research Foundation (DFG)

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) is the central, independent research funding organisation in Germany. It serves all branches of science and the humanities by funding research projects at universities and other research institutions.

The DFG promotes excellence by selecting the best research projects on a competitive basis and facilitating national and international collaboration among researchers. Its mandate also includes encouraging the advancement and training of early career researchers, promoting gender equality in the German scientific and academic communities, providing scientific policy advice, and fostering relations between the research community and society and the private sector.

The DFG is an association under private law. Its member organisations include research universities, non-university research institutions, such as the Max Planck Society, Fraunhofer, the Helmholtz Association and the Leibniz Association, the academies of sciences and humanities, and a number of scientific associations. The DFG has a current annual budget of € 3.3 billion, provided primarily by the German federal government (69 percent) and the states (29 percent), but also including EU funds and private donations.

DFG has joined QuantERA II in 2021.

Main contact:

Website: https://www.dfg.de/en/index.jsp

Greece

General Secretariat for Research and Technology (GSRT), Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs

The General Secretariat for Research and Technology (G.S.R.T.) is the main policy maker and programme owner concerning the R&D system in Greece and employs about 120 well qualified staff. G.S.R.T.’s policy is implemented through operational programmes. G.S.R.T. supports the research activities of both the country’s scientific research institutes and those of its productive industry, focussing on areas that are important for the national economy and for the improvement of the quality of life; it contributes to the reinforcement of the country’s research manpower; it represents Greece in relevant institutions of the European Union, thus bringing the country’s research and technology activities into line with the requirements of the international community; it promotes bilateral and multilateral cooperation with other countries and international organisations; it supervises 11 research and technological centres; it encourages activities aimed at raising awareness about research and technology issues. G.S.R.T. has been involved in 40 EU programmes (ERANETS, ERANET PLUS, INCO-NET, OMC-NET type of projects) and has a considerable experience being a full partner in geographic and thematic ERA-NETs. In this context, it has contributed in the design and implementation of Joint Calls and has funded 54 joint projects in the frame of 19 joint calls of the abovementioned programmes with an approximate amount of 7M€. GSRT has recently participated in 9 new Joint Calls under ERANET RUS PLUS, E-RARE, TRANSCAN, EURONANOMED, ERANETMED and COFASP with an approximate amount of 4500M€. GSRT will fund the projects by the new operational programme 2014-2020.

Main contact:

Website: http://www.gsrt.gr/en/

Hungary

National Research, Development and Innovation Office (NKFIH)

The National Research, Development and Innovation Office was founded on 1 January 2015 by the Act “about scientific research, development and innovation” (Act2014/LXXVI) of the Hungarian Parliament (RDI law) with the aim to create a stable institutional framework for the governmental coordination of the national research, development and innovation ecosystem, provide predictable funding and implement efficient and transparent use of available resources.

NKFIH is a national strategic and funding agency for scientific research, development and innovation, the primary source of advice on RDI policy for the Hungarian Government, and the primary RDI funding agency. NKFIH manages the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund (NRDI Fund) “to provide state support for research, development and innovation.

Mission: To develop RDI policy and ensure that Hungary adequately invest in RDI by funding excellent research and supporting innovation to increase competitiveness.
Mandate: To prepare the RDI strategy of the Hungarian Government, to handle the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund, and represent the Hungarian Government and the Hungarian RDI community in international organisations.
Vision: To be a world-class RDI funding agency, create an internationally attractive RDI environment in Hungary, and a stronger link of RDI to the economy and society to increase growth and prosperity.

Main contact:

Website: https://nkfih.gov.hu/for-the-applicants

Ireland

Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)

Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) is the national Irish foundation for investment in scientific and engineering research. SFI invests in academic researchers and research teams who are most likely to generate new knowledge, leading edge technologies and competitive enterprises in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). The Foundation also promotes and supports the study of, education in, and engagement with STEM and promotes an awareness and understanding of the value of STEM to society and, in particular, to the growth of the economy. SFI makes awards based upon the merit review of distinguished scientists. SFI also advances co-operative efforts among education, government, and industry that support its fields of emphasis and promotes Ireland’s ensuing achievements around the world.

Main contact:

Website: www.sfi.ie

Israel

Israel – Europe Directorate for R&D (ISERD)

ISERD was established by the Israeli Government to implement the R&I cooperation between the EU and Israel in the framework of the former Framework programs and now the Horizon Europe program. This cooperation is based on a formal association agreement. ISERD plays a vital role in future policy and collaborative efforts concerning R&I programs between the EU and Israel, ISERD coordinates the activities of Israel’s delegates to the various programme committees managing Horizon Europe. ISERD records, conducts follow-up efforts and reports on the Israeli participation in the EU R&I programs to Israel’s policy-making bodies and government institutions. ISERD’s representatives have also been operating as the Israeli National Contact Points since the 4th Framework Programme.

ISERD actively disseminates information, enhances industrial cooperation, promotes partnership searches and provides advice and guidance to Israel’s R&I community in industry and research institutions. ISERD organizes events such as seminars, conferences and info days, and publishes information on the web via newsletters and articles in specialized magazines.

Main contact:

Website: https://www.innovationisrael.org.il/ISERD/

Italy

Italian Ministry for University and Research (MUR)

The Italian Ministry for University and Research (MUR) is the key RTD policy actor and funding agency in Italy at state level.

MUR is in charge to prepare and to submit the National Research Programme (PNR – Piano Nazionale della Ricerca) proposal to the Government and to directly manage it.

Besides, the Ministry, in charge of definition of strategic priorities in Research and higher education, has the following responsibilities: coordination, assessment and evaluation of the national university system and advanced training schools; supporting and fostering basic research in university and research institutions, programming intervention in public research institutions; coordination, regulation and funding of national research institutions; coordination of the research activities promoted by other Ministries; monitoring and supporting the integration between the research system and industries; integration between public research and applied research; promoting and supporting research in the industry system; funding research programmes for southern regions; promoting initiatives such as the Funds for the diffusion of scientific culture (PUS); enforcement of EU and international rules on university education and research. The Ministry also has key responsibilities for international co-operation. It concludes bi- and multilateral agreements on research and technology collaboration and is in charge of co-ordinating Italy’s participation in the European Union’s Framework Programme.

Main contacts:

Websites: www.miur.gov.it , www.ricercainternazionale.miur.it/

National Research Council (CNR)

The National Research Council (CNR) is the largest public research organization in Italy; its duty is to carry out, promote and transfer research activities in the main sectors of knowledge for the scientific, technological, economic and social development of the Country. CNR is distributed all over Italy through a network of institutes aiming at promoting a wide diffusion of its competences throughout the national territory and at facilitating contacts and cooperation with local firms and organizations. CNR also takes responsibilities for distributing funds directly to researchers from Universities and other Research Organizations who can be associated to CNR.

The Department of Physical Sciences and Technologies of Matter (DSFTM) of CNR will be concerned with the implementation of the Project. DSFTM consists of 12, highly integrated Institutes, having more than 40 laboratories throughout the country. The role of DFSTM relies on its wide range of competences and skills and on the tight collaboration with the most dynamic sectors of the University and of the industry, especially high-tech companies. The DSFTM has 140 active patent families and has contributed to the creation of high-tech companies such as 7 spin-offs.

Main contact:

Websites: www.cnr.it/en , www.quantera.cnr.it

National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN)

The National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN) is the Italian research agency dedicated to the study of the fundamental constituents of matter and the laws that govern them, under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, Universities and Research (MIUR). It conducts theoretical and experimental research in the fields of subnuclear, nuclear and astroparticle physics. All of the INFN’s research activities are undertaken within a framework of international competition, in close collaboration with Italian universities on the basis of solid academic partnerships spanning decades. Fundamental research in these areas requires the use of cutting-edge technology and instruments, developed by the INFN at its own laboratories and in collaboration with industries. Groups from the Universities of Rome, Padua, Turin, and Milan founded the INFN on 8thAugust 1951 to uphold and develop the scientific tradition established during the 1930s by Enrico Fermi and his school, with their theoretical and experimental research in nuclear physics. In the latter half of the 1950s the INFN designed and built the first Italian accelerator, the electron synchrotron developed in Frascati, where its first national laboratory was set up. During the same period, the INFN began to participate in research into the construction and use of ever-more powerful accelerators being conducted by CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, in Geneva. Today the INFN employs some 5,000 scientists whose work is recognised internationally not only for their contribution to various European laboratories, but also to numerous research centres worldwide.

INFN has joined QuantERA II in 2021.

Main contacts:

Website: https://home.infn.it/en/

National Quantum Science and Technology Institute (NQSTI) 

The National Quantum Science and Technology Institute (NQSTI) is a consortium funded under the “Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza “(PNRR) in the framework of the European Union – NextGenerationEU. It was officially launched in January 2023 and will run for three years.

The partnership aims to create the National Institute of Quantum Science and Technology, a consortium that will bring together Italian entities carrying out competitive and innovative research in the field of quantum science and technology (QST) and will stimulate future industrial innovation in this field by providing a forum where new ideas and opportunities are transferred to companies.

NQSTI cutting priorities are a new innovation ecosystem in which the ability to study and manipulate quantum objects (atoms, molecules, photons, and electrons) is ultimately translated into industrial applications and the development of new technical infrastructures and the creation of a new center between public and private sectors. Furthermore, NQSTI aims at the creation and incubation of spin-offs and start-ups that can push research results up the TRL ranking.

Main contacts:

 

Website: www.nqsti.it

Latvia

Latvian Council of Science (LZP)

The Latvian Council of Science is an institution of direct administration under the supervision of the Minister for Education and Science. Since July, 2020 the functions of implementation of the science policy of the Latvian Council of Science and the Administration of Studies and Science have been merged.

It ensures the implementation of research programs and projects financed from the state budget, as well as the European Union structural funds and other foreign financial instruments. The Council administers the financial resources, monitors scientific activities and the implementation of projects.

The mission is to manage science and research programs and projects focused on excellence, to purposefully develop high-quality scientific expertise and strategic communication of science, as well as to promote international scientific cooperation in order to promote the implementation of Latvia’s science, technology and innovation policy and promote human capital development.

Contact Person:

Website: https://lzp.gov.lv/en/

Lithuania

Research Council of Lithuania (LMT)

Research Council of Lithuania has been founded 1991 to fulfil the role of an expert institution tackling challenges of science development on a national level. The Council is a counsellor of the Lithuanian Parliament and the Government on research and researchers training issues, implements programme based competitive funding of research, administers most important Lithuanian science development programmes, evaluates research performance and represents Lithuanian science in various European institutions and other international organisations.

LMT has joined QuantERA II in 2021.

Main contact:

Website: https://www.lmt.lt/en

Luxembourg

Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR)

The Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) was founded in 1999 to set up a sustainable world-class research system in Luxembourg that will generate societal and economic impact in key strategic areas.

The FNR is the main funder of research activities in Luxembourg, investing public funds and private donations into research projects in various branches of science and the humanities, with an emphasis on selected core strategic areas. Furthermore, the FNR supports and coordinates activities to strengthen the link between science and society and to raise awareness for research. The FNR also advises the Luxembourg government on research policy and strategy.

All funding is allocated by means of a national competition on the basis of quality and independent assessment and selection procedures. FNR is dedicated to strengthening and facilitating international collaboration, in particular by actively contributing to international partnerships.

FNR has joined QuantERA II in 2021.

Main contacts:

website: https://www.fnr.lu

Malta

Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation (MEYR)

The objective of the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation is to provide present and future generations with the necessary skills and talents for citizenship and employability, in the 21st century and beyond. It is committed to continually improve on the services it offers and to ensure that Better Regulation principles and procedures are applied consistently throughout the Ministry.

Main contact:

Website: https://education.gov.mt/

Netherlands

Dutch Research Council (NWO)

The Dutch Research Council (NWO) is one of the most important science funding bodies in the Netherlands and realises quality and innovation in science. Each year, NWO invests almost 1 billion euros in curiosity-driven research, research related to societal challenges and research infrastructure. NWO selects and funds research proposals based on recommendations from expert scientists and other experts in the Netherlands and abroad. NWO encourages national and international collaboration, invests in large research facilities, facilitates knowledge utilisation and manages research institutes. NWO funds more than 7200 research projects at universities and knowledge institutions.

Main contact:

Website: https://www.nwo.nl/en

Quantum Delta NL (QDNL)

The National Growth Fund awarded Quantum Delta NL with a €615 million euros investment for the further development of Quantum Technology in 2021. Through the National Growth Fund, the Dutch government invests €20 billion over the next five years, in ‘projects that foster economic growth in the long term’. The basis of the proposal for the National Growth Fund is the ‘NAQT’, the National Agenda Quantum Technology.

Quantum Delta NL supports a vibrant and inclusive quantum community, not just for the Netherlands, but across Europe and worldwide. It’s a diverse ecosystem that includes members of academia, technology developers, startup leaders and workers, industry participants and much more.

As a leading quantum technology ecosystem we aspire to achieve profound societal impact through deep technological innovation, unbounded curiosity, and decisive action.

We connect a network of individual talented minds within the field of quantum and beyond – to learn, collaborate and accomplish even more as a community.

Main contact:

Website: https://quantumdelta.nl

Norway

Research Council of Norway (RCN)

The Research Council of Norway (RCN) serve as a common public administrative and allocating agency for all disciplines and segments within the research sector. RCN is Norway’s official body for the development and implementation of national research strategy and reporting to the Norwegian government. RCN is responsible for enhancing Norway’s knowledge base and for promoting basic and applied research and innovation to help meet research needs within society and works actively to encourage international research cooperation. In 2015, The Research Council of Norway’s total budget amounts to NOK 8 483 million. The Ministry of Education and Research and the Ministry of Trade and Industry are the most important contributors to the budget of the Research Council of Norway.

The Research Council of Norway comprises four research divisions, one division for administrative affairs and an executive staff organized directly under the Director General. The Research Council has approx. 450 employees.

Main contact:

Website: https://www.forskningsradet.no/en/

Poland

National Science Centre (NCN) – the Coordinator

The National Science Centre (Narodowe Centrum Nauki, NCN) is a Polish government executive agency set up in 2011 to fund basic research. The primary task of the Centre is to support research projects. The Centre fulfils its duties by catering for the needs of researchers at every stage of their research career and with different degrees of expertise. It finances basic research carried out in the form research projects, scholarships for PhD students and post-doc internships. To ensure the excellent quality of the research selected for funding, the Centre has adopted a two-stage, peer review-based procedure of proposal evaluation. One important task of the Centre is to foster international cooperation in research and disseminate information on calls for proposals among researchers. The NCN also supports and monitors the progress of research projects financed under its funding opportunities through review and examination of annual and final reports, as well as on-site visits to selected host institutions.

Main contacts:

Website: https://ncn.gov.pl/?language=en

National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR)

The National Centre for Research and Development is the executive agency supervised by the Minister of Science and Higher Education. It was established in 2007 to perform tasks related to science, technology and innovation policies adopted by the Polish government.

NCBR’s mission and tasks:

  • Support of sustainable economic growth in Poland through the use of R&D results
  • Applied research financing
  • Facilitation of science-business cooperation
  • Supporting commercialisation and transfer of scientific research results
  • International cooperation (Bilateral, Multilateral and European Programmes)
  • Providing young scientists with career development opportunities
  • Managing applied research programmes and national security and defense projects

Main contact:

Website: www.ncbr.gov.pl

Portugal

Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) is the national funding agency for science, technology and innovation, in all scientific domains. Under the aegis of the Ministry for Science, Technology and Higher Education, FCT started its activity in August 1997, succeeding the Junta Nacional de Investigação Científica e Tecnológica (JNICT). Since March 2012 FCT coordinates public policies for the Information and Knowledge Society in Portugal, after the integration of the UMIC –Knowledge Society Agency. In October 2013, FCT took over the attributions and competences of the Fundação para a Computação Científica Nacional (FCCN), [Foundation for National Scientific Computation].

FCT’s mission is to continuously promote the advancement of knowledge in science and technology in Portugal, attain the highest international standards in quality and competitiveness, in all scientific and technological domains, and encourage its dissemination and active role in society and in economic growth.

FCT pursues its mission by funding fellowships, studentships and research contracts for scientists, research projects, internationally competitive research centres and state-of-the-art infrastructures, via competitive calls with international peer-review. FCT ensures Portugal’s participation in international scientific organisations, fosters the participation of the scientific community in international projects, and promotes knowledge transfer between R&D centres and industry. Working closely with international organisations, FCT coordinates public policy for the Information and Knowledge Society in Portugal and ensures the development of national scientific computing resources. FCT also provides the institutional framework for the Research Councils.

FCT’s budget encompasses funds from the Portuguese state budget and European structural funds. Funding is structured around the following schemes: Graduate Education and Career Development (studentships, fellowships and contracts), R&D Projects (in all scientific domains), R&D Centres (Associate Laboratories, R&D Units), International cooperation (bilateral cooperation, membership of international organisations and international partnerships) and Others (includes Rede Ciência, Tecnologia e Sociedade, Information Society, B-on, Support for Scientific Community Fund and Public Understanding of Science).

Main contact:

Website: https://www.fct.pt/

Romania

Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding (UEFISCDI)

The Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding (UEFISCDI) is a public entity of the Central Administration under the ultimate authority of Ministry of Education and Research.

UEFISCDI implemented, under the supervision of its advisory councils, four out of the six programs of the National Plan for Research, Development and Innovation 2007 – 2013 (PN II), i.e.: Human Resources (exploratory research), Ideas (exploratory research), Partnerships in Priority S&T Areas (applied research), Innovation (innovation and technology transfer).

Externally, UEFISCDI acts for the promotion of Romanian R&D and its integration in the international scientific community, by:

  • Cooperating with similar organizations in Europe and worldwide,
  • Supporting to Romanian R&D actors to develop international partnerships.

Main contact:

Website: http://uefiscdi.gov.ro/

Slovakia

Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS)

The Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS), a governmental research organization, is the recognized leading research and scientific institution in Slovakia. The self-governing scientific institution of the Slovak Republic activities of which are in accordance with the Act No.133/2002 on the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS) focused on the development of science, education, culture, economy and carried out by scientists and specialized and service organizations. By its reasearch, the SAS is developing efforts to advance knowledge in international context considering the social needs of Slovakia. SAS has an expertise concerning ERA.NETs projects not only in the field of nano materials and Nano science and nanotechnology (NanoSci-ERA.NET 2005-2010, NanoSci-EPlus since 2008, MNT ERA.NET 2005-2008, MNT ERA.NET II since 20208, M-ERA.NET) but also in ERA.NETs in other scientific fields including Horizon 2020 ( TRANSCAN II, EraCoSysMed, etc.)

The participation of SAS in the abovementioned ERA-Nets projects have been based on the official mandate of the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic for the SAS to act as RD programme owner and manager. Selection procedures for the applications have been established and approved by the SAS Presidium.

Main contact:

Website: https://www.sav.sk/?lang=en

Slovenia

Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation (MVZI)

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation focuses on the quality development of higher education, the transfer of knowledge into practice for the development of society as a whole, and the creation of a stimulating environment for research and innovation. Our goal is for Slovenia to become a country of knowledge, science and innovation and to be recognised as such around the world.

Main contact:

Website:  www.gov.si

Spain

State Research Agency (AEI)

The State Research Agency (AEI), is responsible for elaborating and implementing government policies on scientific research, technological development and innovation in all sectors, as well as for coordinating state-owned research institutions. In particular the AEI is responsible for the management and financing of public funds for R & D & I based on the State programmes and strategic actions of the State Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and for Innovation 2013-2016, in line with the Spanish Strategy of Science, Technology and Innovation 2013-2020.

Main contact:

Website: https://www.ciencia.gob.es/

Sweden

Swedish Research Council (VR)

The Swedish Research Council is Sweden’s largest financer of basic research and provides support for research projects of the highest academic quality in all scientific fields. Funding is allocated across research projects, infrastructures, fellowships, research environments, and various types of national and international collaboration.

The Swedish Research Council is a governmental authority directed by a Governing Board, whose majority consists of active researchers. The Director General heads the authority. Under the Board there are several special decision-making bodies that allocate funding to research and infrastructure within the framework of the Board’s decisions. These are The Scientific Council for Humanities and Social Sciences, The Scientific Council for Medicine and Health, The Scientific Council for Natural and Engineering Sciences, The Committee for Educational Science, The Council for Research Infrastructures.

The Scientific Council for Natural and Engineering Sciences supports the best research as regards quality according to national priorities and the best researchers within the natural and engineering sciences. The Scientific Council also participates in international collaboration organisations and furthermore works on monitoring, evaluation and strategic work.

Main contact:

Website: https://www.vr.se/english.html

Switzerland

Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)

The Swiss partner of the QuantERA Consortium is the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). Mandated by the federal government, the SNSF supports basic science in all academic disciplines. To ensure its independence, the SNSF was established as a private foundation in 1952. Its core task is the evaluation of research proposals. By awarding public research money based on a competitive system, the SNSF contributes to the high quality of Swiss research.

The aims of the SNSF are:

  • Quality. We promote scientific excellence. We also expect our own performance to be of a high standard.
  • Independence. We operate autonomously and evaluate impartially.
  • Responsibility. We are a reliable partner. We fulfil our tasks judiciously and always act ethically.
  • Fairness. Our decisions are well-founded and we respect equal opportunities.

The SNSF is organised in four divisions (Humanities and Social Sciences, Mathematics, Natural and Engineering Sciences, Biology and Medicine, Programmes). Furthermore, three Specialised Committees are responsible for cross-divisional matters (International Co-operation, Careers, Interdisciplinary Research). In addition, the SNSF supports several joint programs designed to reinforce international collaboration with key partner countries.The Presiding Board consists of the President of the Research Council and the Presidents of the divisions and specialised committees. It supervises and coordinates the work of the Research Council and drafts science policy recommendations for submission to the Foundation Council. It focuses mainly on funding policy, the elaboration of funding schemes, evaluation methods and the distribution of funds across the individual scientific disciplines. The Mathematics, Natural and Engineering Sciences division, which will be the Programme Owner and Manager at the SNSF, yearly awards project grants typically worth CHF 140 million. Part of this budget is dedicated for ERA-Nets.

Main contact:

Website: http://www.snf.ch/en/Pages/default.aspx

Türkiye

Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye  (TÜBİTAK)

The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK) is the leading agency for management, funding and conduct of research in Türkiye. It was established in 1963 with a mission to advance science and technology, conduct research and support Turkish researchers. The Council is an autonomous institution and is governed by a Scientific Board whose members are selected from prominent scholars from universities, industry and research institutions.

TÜBİTAK is responsible for promoting, developing, organizing, conducting and coordinating research and development in line with national targets and priorities.

TÜBİTAK acts as an advisory agency to the Turkish Government on science and research issues, and is the secretariat of the  Supreme Council for Science and Technology (SCST), the highest S&T policy making body in Türkiye. 

Setting its vision as to be an innovative, guiding, participating and cooperating institution in the fields of science and technology, which serves for improvement of the life standards of our society and sustainable development of our country, TÜBİTAK not only supports innovation, academic and industrial R&D studies but also in line with national priorities develops scientific and technological policies and manages R&D institutes, carrying on research, technology and development studies. Furthermore, TÜBİTAK funds research projects carried out in universities and other public and private organizations, conducts research on strategic areas, develops support programs for public and private sectors, publishes scientific journals, popular science magazines and books, organizes science and society activities and supports undergraduate and graduate students through scholarships.

Main contact:

Website: https://tubitak.gov.tr/en 

United Kingdom

United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI)

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

EPSRC is a part of the UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government.

EPSRC is the main funding body for engineering and physical sciences research in the UK. By investing in research and postgraduate training, we are building the knowledge and skills base needed to address the scientific and technological challenges facing the nation. Our portfolio covers a vast range of fields from healthcare technologies to structural engineering, manufacturing to mathematics, advanced materials to chemistry. The research we fund has impact across all sectors. It provides a platform for future UK prosperity by contributing to a healthy, connected, resilient, productive nation.

Main contact:

Websites: https://www.ukri.org/ , www.epsrc.ac.uk

Innovate UK

Part of UK Research and Innovation. An organisation of around 250 staff, drawn mainly from business and with a head office in Swindon. Working with people, companies and partner organisations to find and drive the science and technology innovations that will grow the economy.

Main contact:

Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/innovate-uk