Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council

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The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada
Map
Agency overview
FormedMay 1, 1978; 47 years ago (1978-05-01)
JurisdictionGovernment of Canada
Headquarters125 Zaida Eddy Private, 2nd Floor, Unit 2, Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 0E3 Canada
45°25′14.5″N 75°43′02.1″W / 45.420694°N 75.717250°W / 45.420694; -75.717250
Annual budgetCA$ 1.3 billion (2023; Program Investments)[1]
Minister responsible
Agency executive
Parent departmentInnovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Websitewww.nserc-crsng.gc.ca

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC; French: Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada, CRSNG) is the major federal agency responsible for funding natural sciences and engineering research in Canada. NSERC directly funds university professors and students as well as Canadian companies to perform research and training.[2]

With funding from the Government of Canada, NSERC supports the research of over 41,000 students, trainees and professors at universities and colleges in Canada. Alejandro Adem was appointed president in 2019 and reappointed for a five-year term in 2024.[3] NSERC's annual budget fluctuated between CA$1.1 and 1.7 billion between 2013 and 2024.[4][5][1]

Along with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR), NSERC forms the major source of federal government funding to post-secondary research. They are collectively referred to as the "Tri-Council"[6] or "Tri-Agency".[7]

History

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NSERC came into existence on 1 May 1978 under the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Act, which was passed in an omnibus manner by the government of Pierre Elliot Trudeau.[8] University-based research had previously been supported through the National Research Council of Canada.

In 2022, NSERC released the Strategic Plan "NSERC 2030: Discover. Innovation. Inclusion."[9] It emphasizes the following five pillars:

  1. Support research excellence that strengthens Canada
  2. Expand, diversify and nurture Canada’s talent pool
  3. Translate discovery into impact
  4. Mobilize knowledge on a global scale
  5. Empower our organization and our people

Presidents[10]

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Governance

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It reports to Parliament through the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. It is governed by a Council composed of its president and up to 18 members appointed from the private and public sectors[14] and an executive team of eight persons.[15][16][17]

Programs

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NSERC funding opportunities are very diverse and include partnerships with other institutions. They are organized into three program streams: Discovery, Training and Partnership.[18]

Discovery research programs[19][20]

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These grants support long-term, ongoing research programs for university faculty.

  • Discovery Grants (DG): Provides operating funds to support ongoing, high-quality research programs. Supplements are also available for specific purposes.[21]
  • Northern Research Supplements (NRS): Provides additional funding to Discovery Grant recipients to cover the higher costs of research conducted in the Canadian North.[22]
  • Discovery Horizons (DH): A pilot program for interdisciplinary projects that transcend multiple disciplines to advance knowledge in the natural sciences and engineering.[23]
  • Research Tools and Instruments (RTI): Helps university researchers purchase or access specialized research equipment.[24]

Training and awards programs[25]

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These grants provide funding to students and postdoctoral fellows at various career stages.

  • Canada Research Training Awards Suite (CRTAS): This new suite, launched in 2025,[26] harmonizes and replaces previous scholarships and fellowships. It includes:
    • Canada Graduate Research Scholarships (CGRS): Supports master's and doctoral students.
    • Canada Postdoctoral Research Awards (CPRA): Provides support to highly promising postdoctoral fellows.
    • Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) Program: Supports the development of innovative training programs that provide students with interdisciplinary and professional skills.[27]
    • Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA): Encourages undergraduate students to undertake research during their studies.
  • Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering[28][29]
  • Chairs for Inclusion in Science and Engineering[30]

Research partnerships programs[31]

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These programs foster collaborations between university researchers and partner organizations.

  • Alliance Grants:[32]
    • Alliance Advantage: Supports projects with the highest potential for economic, social, and/or environmental benefits for Canada.
    • Alliance Society: Focuses on projects that address challenges at the intersection of natural sciences, engineering, and society.
    • Alliance International: Supports partnerships between Canadian and international academic researchers to establish and grow research collaborations of global importance with benefits to Canada.
  • Idea to Innovation (I2I) Grants: Assists university and college researchers in developing promising technologies and commercializing their research.[33]
  • College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program: Supports collaborations between colleges, polytechnics, and their private- and public-sector partners to address local and regional innovation needs.[34]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "PowerBI Dashboard: NSERC investments across Canada". NSERC CRSNG. Updated as required; searchable by year and other parameters.
  2. ^ Division, Government of Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Communications (28 June 2016). "NSERC - NSERC's Vision". www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ a b "Minister of Science and Sport Kirsty Duncan announces new President of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada". 25 June 2019. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  4. ^ Government of Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (2016-06-28). "NSERC - Dashboard". www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
  5. ^ Government of Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. "NSERC - QFR - Quarterly Financial Report for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2024". Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Archived from the original on 2024-10-02. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  6. ^ Government of Canada, Interagency Advisory Panel on Research Ethics (2019-04-01). "Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans – TCPS 2 (2018)". ethics.gc.ca. Retrieved 2021-12-28.
  7. ^ Government of Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (2019-12-18). "NSERC - Inter-Agency, Tri-Agency Financial Administration". www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca. Retrieved 2021-12-28.
  8. ^ 1976-77, c. 24, s. 24
  9. ^ "NSERC 2030: Discovery. Innovation. Inclusion". Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  10. ^ "NSERC Past Presidents". Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  11. ^ "Remembering Tom Brzustowski, Waterloo's first provost". Waterloo News. 2020-06-24. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
  12. ^ Hoag, Hannah (March 2006). "Suzanne Fortier, president, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada". Nature. 440 (7081): 252–252. doi:10.1038/nj7081-252a.
  13. ^ "NSERC - Past Presidents". 28 June 2016. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  14. ^ Division, Government of Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Communications (28 June 2016). "NSERC - Chronicle of Past Events". www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ Government of Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (2016-06-28). "NSERC - Executive Team". Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Retrieved 2021-12-28.
  16. ^ "Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council". thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  17. ^ Wilks, Brian (2004). Browsing Science Research at the Federal Level in Canada: History, Research Activities, and Publications. University of Toronto Press. doi:10.3138/9781442671607. ISBN 978-0-8020-8811-6.
  18. ^ Committee, Canada Research Coordinating (2024-01-12). "Canada's research funding ecosystem". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
  19. ^ "NSERC Funding for Professors". Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  20. ^ "NSERC Discover / Explore". Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  21. ^ "Discovery Grants (individual) program". Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  22. ^ "Discovery Grants – Northern Research Supplements program". Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  23. ^ "Discovery Horizons (pilot)". Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  24. ^ "Research Tools and Instruments grants program". Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  25. ^ "NSERC Funding for Students and Postdoctoral Researchers". Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  26. ^ "Launch of the new Harmonized Tri-agency Scholarship and Fellowship programs". Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  27. ^ Government of Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. "NSERC – Collaborative Research and Training Experience program". Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Archived from the original on 2025-09-03. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
  28. ^ "NSERC Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering". Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  29. ^ "NSERC Current Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering (CWSE) chairholders". Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Archived from the original on 2025-08-01. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
  30. ^ "NSERC Chairs for Inclusion in Science and Engineering". Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  31. ^ Government of Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. "NSERC - Innovate - Alliance". Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Archived from the original on 2025-08-11. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
  32. ^ "Innovate / Alliance". Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  33. ^ "Idea to Innovation grants". Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  34. ^ Government of Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. "NSERC - Innovate - College and Community Innovation program". Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Archived from the original on 2025-08-01. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
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