Call for WACQT-WISE Pilot projects 2025

Application deadline:2025-12-12, 14:00

 

Aim and scope
The aim of the call is to initiate collaboration between WACQT and WISE researchers in the areas of of quantum technology for materials science or for materials science for quantum technology. In both cases a focus on sustainability is required.  Proposals shall be within both WACQT and WISE scientific areas. Project shall be based on a joint research plan, including one Principal Investigator (PI) at WACQT and one PI at WISE. The PIs eligible to apply, one from WACQT and one from WISE, are defined under “Who can apply”. 

 

Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology (WACQT, https://wacqt.se) is a 12-year SEK 1 billion research effort that aims to take Sweden to the forefront of this very rapidly expanding area of quantum technology. WACQT is coordinated from Chalmers. Our main project is to develop a high-end quantum computer that can solve problems far beyond the reach of the best conventional supercomputers. Through an extensive research programme, we aim at developing and securing Swedish expertise within the main areas of quantum technology: quantum computing and simulation, quantum communications and quantum sensing. Our vision is to build an open and interactive Swedish quantum technology community – an environment where people meet and where creativity and knowledge exchange is stimulated. Our main instruments to create this environment are our graduate school with PhD students from around Sweden, the guest researcher program that invites foreign researchers for stays in Sweden, and industrial partnerships for the exchange of ideas and knowledge between academia and industry. 

 

Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE, https://wise-materials.org) is the largest-ever investment in materials science in Sweden and encompasses major efforts at Sweden’s leading universities over the course of (at least) 10 years. The aim is to create the conditions for a sustainable society by researching the next generation of ecofriendly materials and manufacturing processes. This will also facilitate better technology for energy systems of the future, and to combat climate change, pollution, and toxic emissions. Specifically, efforts will be devoted to identifying new or significantly improve materials, which provide a distinct advantage in physical, chemical, biological, or functional performance when compared to existing materials and technologies. This relates to materials that demand fewer resources, are less environmentally hazardous, and enable sound and efficient recycling processes. WISE will also explore materials that, when used in energy technology, generate less negative climate impact under operation, while offering high performance and efficiency when in action at large scales. 

 

Who can apply?
This call is open for academic researchers at WACQT’s and WISE’s partner universities and Affiliated Groups of Excellence as specified below. A PI main applicant can only be involved in one application in this call. 

The WISE PI main applicant must be employed by any of the seven partner universities, Chalmers University of Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Linköping University, Uppsala University, Stockholm University, Lund University, and Luleå University of Technology, or with any of the affiliated groups of excellence at Göteborg University, Karlstad University, Umeå University, and Örebro University. 

The WACQT main applicant PI must be employed by any of the WACQT partner universities, i.e. Chalmers University of Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Linköping University, Stockholm University, Lund University, and Göteborg University. 

 

Budget
The project budget shall be 1 MSEK, total budget (WACQT + WISE) for a project duration of 1 year. 5 projects are expected to be funded within the total budget for the call. Each proposal shall contain a project budget specifying the expected project costs, according to template. The distribution between the WACQT and WISE budgets shall be 0,5 + 0,5 MSEK. 

 

Use of funding
Use of funding is flexible but must be motivated and specified. Eligible costs according to KAW budget template.  

The following applies to the WISE Program (KAW donation letter 2021.0312) 

  • The eligible costs include a maximum compensation of up to 52,5% for social fees (LKP) and a maximum of 5% surcharge for premises and a maximum of 20% surcharge for indirect costs. 

The following applies to the WACQT funding (KAW donation letter 2024.0409): 

  • Salaries can include a maximum of 52.5% LKP (lönekostnadspåslag/social fees) 
  • Overhead costs are covered with a maximum compensation of 14% on salary costs and max 50% of facilities, albeit max 7.5% of salary costs.

 

Evaluation criteria
Projects will be evaluated considering scientific excellence and impact from a materials science for sustainability perspective as well as from a quantum technology perspective, alike. Specifically, the following criteria will be used: 

  • Scientific Quality 
  • Novelty and Originality 
  • Relevance and potential impact of the proposed project’s contribution to sustainability 
  • Scientific merits of the applicants, considering academic age 
  • Synergies in the planned collaboration  
  • Feasibility 
  • Industrial and societal relevance 

 

Important aspects that will be considered are: 

  • Diversity of age and gender of the applicants  
  • Open science and data sharing aspects 
  • Impact on WACQT-WISE community 

 

A project shall be jointly led by one prinicipal investigator (PI) of the WACQT community that is eligible to apply for projects and one PI of the WISE community that is eligible to apply for projects.  

 

The WACQT and WISE programs aim to achieve an overall gender balanced outcome, and possibly so also in every project.  

 

Proposal structure
The proposal must be composed in Times New Roman font, 11 pt, single-spaced text, margins 2,5 cm and be structured as follows: 

  • Name of the project 
  • Names and affiliations of the two PIs 
  • Project Summary (max ½ page) (for publication if funded) 
  • Project plan (max 2 pages, excluding references) with clearly specified subject area and focus including: 
  • challenges 
  • work plan, including forms of collaborations 
  • expected results 
  • sustainability impact 
  • Budget description and motivation of project costs 
  • Explanation of the collaborative benefits and the role of each of the PIs and possible other participants (max 1 page) 
  • Short CV and top publications for the two PIs (max 2 pages each) 
  • Commitment letter from hosting university, signed by the Head of the Department. 

 

The ½ page Project Summary may be used for screening of proposals if necessary. The potential sustainability impact must be clearly described in the summary. 

 

Submission
The proposal shall be submitted as a single PDF file to the submission portal no later than 2025-12-12, 14:00. 

 

Important dates 

2025-10-27 Call opens 

2025-12-12 Call closes 14:00 

Feb 2026 Decision of accepted projects communicated 

2026-04-01 Desired project start 

2026-06-01 Latest project start