This information has been archived. Visit the new College and Community Innovation program page for current information.
Archived information is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada web standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please contact us to request a format other than those available.
The CCI Program will no longer be accepting Connect grant applications. Changes to the CCI Program are currently under development and will be communicated to the college community in the 2021-22 fiscal year.
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Value | Level 1: |
Up to $5,000 |
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Level 2: | Typically: up to $5,000 Exceptionally: up to $25,000 |
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Application deadline | No deadline | |
Application procedures | See below. All documents must be uploaded to the NSERC Connect Grants Secure Upload Site. | |
Application forms |
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For more information | Contact the NSERC regional office in your area before applying for a Connect Grant. |
Consult the Connect Grant – Application Checklist and the following sections of this guide:
Connect Grants are supported by funding from the College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program, managed by NSERC in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). As a result, proposed projects can be across the spectrum of natural and social sciences, engineering, humanities or health. All applications must be submitted to NSERC. Grants are provided by NSERC, with the exception of grants exclusively in social sciences and humanities or in health sciences, which will be provided by SSHRC or CIHR, as appropriate. For further information on use of grant funds, consult the College and Community Innovation Program Tri-agency Financial Administration Guide. For other relevant information, read the:
Equity, diversity and inclusion
NSERC is acting on the evidence that equity, diversity and inclusion strengthen the scientific and engineering community and the quality, social relevance and impact of research. Increasing equity, diversity and inclusion in the research enterprise are key priorities in our current strategic plan, NSERC 2020, and are highlighted in the strategic goal of “Building a Diversified and Competitive Research Base”.
Connect Grants provide financial support for the Canadian research community to undertake activities that will help make Canada a country of discoverers and innovators for the benefit of all Canadians. All activities must have outcomes related to the CCI Program and/or plans for future applications to NSERC.
Note: Activities that aim to foster a science and engineering culture in Canada are supported through PromoScience. For more information, please visit the PromoScience website or email the program contact directly at promoscience@nserc-crsng.gc.ca.
Connect Grant applications can be submitted by researchers or administrators at eligible colleges. Canadian colleges that have been declared eligible to administer grants according to the eligibility requirements for colleges of at least one of the three federal granting agencies (NSERC, CIHR and/or SSHRC) may submit an application. If the proposed research and knowledge/technology transfer activities lie entirely within the mandate of a single agency (NSERC, CIHR or SSHRC), the college must be declared eligible to receive funding from that granting agency.
Eligible applicants can apply for two levels of Connect Grant funding:
Level 1 | For domestic travel costs to develop new college-industry partnerships. |
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Level 2 | For activities aimed at developing or promoting new college–industry partnerships aligned with the objectives of the CCI Program. |
All activities — including travel, events and workshops — must take place within Canada.
Connect Grant applicants should strive for diversity and inclusion when developing activities.
Level 1 Connect Grants provide up to $5,000 for travel, accommodation, meals and meeting costs within Canada to academic researchers and research administrators at eligible colleges for outreach aimed at forming new partnerships with Canadian companies. This funding enables researchers and their potential collaborators to identify and develop collaborative research partnerships.
Funding approved for these applications must be used within three months following the award start date. Individuals are limited to two Level 1 Connect Grants per fiscal year.
Level 2 Connect Grants provide support for activities that will position NSERC as an enabler of research and development in Canada, contribute to the objectives of the CCI Program and create value for Canada, including:
Typical funding requests range from $1,000 to $5,000. For exceptional activities, requests of up to $25,000 may be considered. Funds must be used up to 12 months following the award start date. Potential applicants must discuss their proposed activities with NSERC Regional Office staff before applying.
For both Level 1 and 2 applications: requests of $5,000 or less must be submitted at least four weeks before the activity. Requests exceeding $5,000 must be submitted at least 12 weeks before the proposed activity in order to ensure that there is sufficient time to finalize details and issue invitations following NSERC’s decision. Potential Level 2 applicants must discuss their proposed activities with NSERC Regional Office staff before applying.
A Connect Grant Application Checklist provides a synopsis of all elements that must be addressed by the proposal. This list is provided for the convenience of applicants and should not be submitted with the application.
Once completed, the following application documents (in PDF format) must be uploaded to NSERC’s Secure Upload Site:
Applications are reviewed internally by NSERC and are evaluated according to the following criteria:
Additional criteria may be considered, depending on the nature of the activity.
For activities that aim to build research partnerships with an industrial partner, the Guidelines for Organizations Participating in Research Partnerships should be consulted to determine the company’s eligibility. In general, a company partner must operate from a Canadian base and demonstrate clear intentions and capacity to further develop and apply any technology within Canada. Start-up companies may be considered, provided that they meet the requirements below. Holding companies and companies that are unable to further develop the technology in-house are not eligible. To be eligible, a company partner must:
Companies must demonstrate the ability to exploit a research project’s results. In this context, the resources, capabilities and experience of the company and its staff are relevant. Holding companies and companies that are unable to further develop the technology in-house are not eligible.
Funds are to be used to support approved activities and cannot be used for equipment or other direct costs of research. Connect Grants are intended to support activities not possible in other CCI program grants. Requests to the CCI Program may require leverage from other sources to support the overall activity. More detail concerning eligible expenses is available from the NSERC Regional Office. Changes to the post-award budget must be pre-approved by NSERC.
Level 1 Connect Grants
Funds must be used exclusively for travel and subsistence costs (meals and accommodation) of the participants from Canadian colleges and cannot be used for equipment or the direct costs of research. The following limitations apply to this grant:
Level 2 Connect Grants
Eligible expenses include those listed above under “Level 1 Connect Grants” as well as:
Other costs may be covered. Please consult your NSERC regional office for further information about exceptional or unique expenses.
Connect Grants will not cover the following expenses:
A report from the grantee is required at the end of the grant period. This report must include the names and affiliations of all participants and a statement of financial expenditures incurred.
NSERC Regional Offices
Contact the Regional Office in your area.