TheNatural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC;French:Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada, CRSNG) is a 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.[1]
With funding from theGovernment 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.[2] NSERC's annual budget was CA$ 1.3 billion for 2023-2024 and the number of employees (FTE) was 354.[3][4][5]
NSERC came into existence on 1 May 1978 under theNatural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Act, which was passed in anomnibus manner by the government ofPierre Elliot Trudeau.[8] University-based research had previously been supported through theNational Research Council of Canada.
In 2022, NSERC released theStrategic Plan "NSERC 2030: Discover. Innovation. Inclusion."[9] It emphasizes the following five pillars:
Support research excellence that strengthens Canada
Expand, diversify and nurture Canada’s talent pool
NSERC funding opportunities are very diverse and include partnerships with other institutions. They are organized into three program streams:Discovery,Training andPartnership.[18]
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]
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]
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]
TheCanadian Association of University Teachers accused NSERC in 2010 of an "ideology of increased selectivity" based on a decline in funding under the administration ofStephen Harper, Canadian Prime Minister from 2006-2015.[35] The broader context was the alleged "muzzling" of scientists under the Harper administration,[36][37] which culminated in theDeath of Evidence rally on Parliament Hill in Ottawa in July 2012.[38]
^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)
^Government of Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada."NSERC - 2023-24 Departmental results report".Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.Archived from the original on 2025-08-20. Retrieved2025-09-30.
^Government of Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (2016-06-28)."NSERC - Dashboard".www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca. Retrieved2018-07-13.
^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)
^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). Retrieved2021-12-28.
^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. Retrieved2025-09-26.
