NSERC - Discovery Grants
Generating world-firsts in knowledge. Expanding the frontiers of science and engineering
International
-
Program Type
International
-
Submission Deadline
November 1 (application)
-
Program Duration
Up to five years
-
Industry Focus
Academia
The Discovery Grants program supports ongoing programs of research with long-term goals rather than a single short-term project or collection of projects. These grants recognize the creativity and innovation that are at the heart of all research advances. Discovery Grants are typically five years in duration and are considered “grants in aid” of research, as they provide long-term operating funds and can facilitate access to funding from other programs but are not meant to support the full costs of a research program.
Recipients of Discovery Grants are not restricted to the specific activities described in their applications and may pursue new research interests, provided they are within NSERC’s mandate and adhere to the principles and directives governing the appropriate use of funds as outlined in the Tri-agency guide on financial administration. This provides researchers with the flexibility to pursue promising research avenues as they emerge and the opportunity to address higher risk (higher reward) topics. Researchers can use their grants to participate in collaborative efforts.
Review Process for NSERC Discovery Grants
This video describes the various steps of the peer review process for each application for an NSERC Discovery Grant.
Objective
The Discovery Grants program assists in:
Equity, diversity and inclusion
NSERC is acting on the evidence that achieving a more equitable, diverse and inclusive Canadian research enterprise is essential to creating the excellent, innovative and impactful research necessary to advance knowledge and understanding, and to respond to local, national and global challenges. This principle informs the commitments described in the Tri-agency statement on equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).
Applicants are expected to increase the inclusion and advancement of under-represented groups in the natural sciences and engineering, as one means to enhance excellence in research and training. For more information, refer to the Discovery Grants application instructions
General eligibility principles
Discovery Grants are awarded to individual researchers, normally for five years. Researchers can apply for and hold only one Discovery Grant at a time. Researchers who hold a Discovery Grant cannot reapply for another Discovery Grant until the last year of their current award.
Applicants to the Discovery Grants program must meet the NSERC eligibility criteria for faculty.
Application procedure
To apply for a Discovery Grant, applicants must first submit a notification of intent (NOI) to apply by the deadline date. The NOI is a mandatory step in the application process. It allows NSERC to start the review process (e.g., preliminary assignment to an evaluation group (EG), selection of appropriate external reviewers and verification of the eligibility of the subject matter). Applicants must then complete and submit the application by the deadline date.
Applicants are required to complete and submit the NSERC version of the This link will take you to another Web site Canadian Common CV (CCV) at both the NOI and full application stages for this program. The CCV can be updated following the submission with the NOI, prior to submission with the full application.
Future Phases
Check out an overview of each competition phase below - complete rules for each phase will be released as the competition progresses.
Documents
Let’s Get Started.
To apply or join the program, please submit an application.
