Details on transfer payment programs

2007

2023-24

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2012-13

Canada’s natural sciences and engineering research knowledge is used.

Research Partnerships

The Business-led Networks of Centres of Excellence program (BL-NCE) funds large-scale collaborative research networks that bring a wide range of research expertise to bear on specific challenges identified by an industrial sector. This tri-agency program is administered by NSERC on behalf of SSHRC, CIHR and NSERC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

Private sector investments in Canadian research is increased.
Training of skilled researchers supported.
Transfer of ideas from the laboratory into solutions needed by the private sector is accelerated.

No audits of this transfer payment program were completed or underway in 2020-21.

There are no plans to evaluate this program as the BL-NCE was transferred to the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) managed by ISED and will be evaluated as part of the SIF. This program has been evaluated regularly (i.e., every 5 years) since its inception in 2007. Given the solid evaluation history, there are few lessons to be learned from an evaluation at this time.

No further competitions are planned under this program. Existing recipients are supported by direct contact and engagement through their assigned NCE staff liaison who sits as an observer on the Board of Directors.

* These figures do not include operating expenses.

2017

2025-26

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2017-18

Canada’s natural sciences and engineering research is internationally competitive.

Discovery Research

The Canada 150 Chairs provides Canadian universities with a one-time investment to attract top-tier, internationally based scholars and researchers (including Canadian expatriates) to Canada. This program is administered by SSHRC on behalf of CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

In 2020-21, the total investment from the tri-agency was $14.3M. The program supports 24 Canada 150 Research Chairs.

Of the 24 Chairs, more than 58% are women and 42% are Canadian researchers choosing to return to Canada to carry out their ambitious research programs. Each Chair has the opportunity to recruit students from Canada and beyond who will help further their work in disciplines such as chemistry, microbiology, evolutionary genomics, gender and African politics, global governance, neurosciences, epigenetics, public health and psychology.

No audits of this transfer payment program were completed or underway in 2020-21.

A joint evaluation of the Canada Excellence Research Chairs and Canada 150 Research Chairs was completed in June 2020. Key findings include:

• CERC and C150 are unique in their ability to attract and support world-class international researchers in building research capacity within Canada. These programs represent a specific niche in federal funding programs.
• The CERC and C150 programs have been successful in attracting world-class researchers to Canada. In turn, the reputation and innovative research of these chairholders has been cited as a main factor in attracting faculty and HQP to core teams, and the forming of partnerships and collaborations.
• The timeframe for the CERC application and nomination process was considered too lengthy and onerous, which ultimately led to the loss of desirable candidates. The primary issue with the C150 competition was its compressed timeline was too compressed, which ultimately resulted in candidates declining the potential nomination. Other concerns surrounded the length of the CERC term; that is, the number of years available to spend the $10 million award.
• Despite advances over the last few years, there are still a number of EDI implementation challenges, which in part pertain to the lack of clarity around EDI requirements and what recruitment targets should be applied.

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

* These figures do not include operating expenses.

2008

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2016-17

Canada’s natural sciences and engineering research is internationally competitive.

Discovery Research

The Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) program is a tri-agency initiative that supports Canadian universities in their efforts to build on Canada's growing reputation as a global leader in research and innovation. The program awards world-renowned researchers and their teams to establish ambitious research programs at Canadian universities. This program is administered by SSHRC on behalf of CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

In 2020-21 the program supported 17 CERCs with a total budget of $22.7M , including two that align with SSHRC’s mandate.

A midterm review process for all CERCs awarded as of 2013 is underway and will be completed in 2021. The review process has demonstrated to date that the CERC award holders are building competitive research environments that are attracting top talent and building critical mass of expertise in the country’s priority areas.

Women represent 41.1% of CERC award holders. This is the highest representation of women in the history of the program.

No audits of this transfer payment program were completed or underway in 2020-21.

A joint evaluation of the Canada Excellence Research Chairs and Canada 150 Research Chairs was completed in June 2020.

Key findings:

• CERC and C150 are unique in their ability to attract and support world-class international researchers in building research capacity within Canada. These programs represent a specific niche in federal funding programs.
• The CERC and C150 programs have been successful in attracting world-class researchers to Canada. In turn, the reputation and innovative research of these chairholders has been cited as a main factor in attracting faculty and HQP to core teams, and the forming of partnerships and collaborations.
• Qualitative data suggest that the CERC program has resulted in increased research capacity at host institutions and has greatly influenced the career trajectories of team members, thus contributing to a range of successes that extend beyond the accomplishments of the chairholder alone.
• CERCs may not be reaching wider audiences beyond academia—an expected intermediate outcome as per the program’s logic model.
• The timeframe for the CERC application and nomination process was considered too lengthy and onerous, which ultimately led to the loss of desirable candidates. The primary issue with the C150 competition was its compressed timeline was too compressed, which ultimately resulted in candidates declining the potential nomination. Other concerns surrounded the length of the CERC term; that is, the number of years available to spend the $10 million award.
• Despite advances over the last few years, there are still a number of EDI implementation challenges, which in part pertain to the lack of clarity around EDI requirements and what recruitment targets should be applied.

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

* The variance is due to funds from terminated awards

* These figures do not include operating expenses.

2014

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2014-15

Canada’s natural sciences and engineering research is internationally competitive.

Discovery Research

The Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) supports Canada’s postsecondary institutions in their efforts to become global research leaders. CFREF helps institutions: (i) compete with the best in the world for talent, for partnership opportunities and to make breakthrough discoveries; (ii) seize emerging opportunities and strategically advance their greatest strengths on the global stage; and (iii) implement large-scale, transformational and forward-thinking institutional strategies. This program is administered by SSHRC on behalf of CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

A total of 18 CFREF recipients at 17 Canadian institutions were supported in 2020-2021, for a tri-agency investment of $199 million.

The midterm reviews of 13 CFREFs awarded in the second competition were undertaken during 2020-2021. Results are expected by summer 2021. The midterm reviews have demonstrated to date that CFREF recipients have established strong partnerships and collaborations at the national and international level; recruited highly qualified personnel and students; hired new faculty; built world-class infrastructures; already achieved significant advancements in their respective fields of research; and leveraged funding that will contribute to the sustainability of these initiatives in the long term.

Funding supports several areas of strategic relevance to Canada, including environment and agriculture; health and related life sciences; advanced manufacturing; information and communications technology; and natural resources and energy.

An internal audit is underway; expected completion date August 2021.

The CFREF evaluation was completed in March 2021. Key findings include:

• Funded grants have largely met immediate outcomes, and have demonstrated progress towards achieving intermediate outcomes.
• CFREF continues to be relevant as it provides the government with a unique vehicle for strategically investing in priority research areas.
• The CFREF program is well aligned with government priorities on innovation and talent recruitment.
• CFREF participants identified access to interdisciplinary research and training environments and access to state-of-the-art research facilities as key benefits of participation in grant-funded activities.
• While institutions are working to implement their equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) plans, this work needs to continue in order to improve representation and diversity among CFREF teams.
• The flexibility that CFREF offers grantees to build their own governance structure was identified as a strength of the program by many key informants.
• Securing funding to sustain transformational changes brought by the CFREFs could be a challenge following the end of the granting period.
• The CFREF program has been delivered by the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat (TIPS) in a very cost-efficient manner to date.
• Grantees and applicants identified some challenges, which could be mitigated by improving communications between TIPS and grantees/applicants.
• Reporting activities could be improved to enhance consistency in data collection, and to better capture long-term outcomes and contributions of these grants. Specific areas for improvement were identified in the final report.

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

* These figures do not include operating expenses.

2003-04

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2009-10

Canada has a pool of highly skilled people in the natural sciences and engineering.

Research Training and Talent Development

NSERC's portion of the Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) program provides financial support to high-calibre scholars who are engaged in Master's or doctoral programs in the natural sciences or engineering. This program is a tri-agency program and is administered by each respective agency (CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC).

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

The CGS Program strives to make Canada one of the world’s top countries for research training and development in order to build an innovative and competitive economy, increase future job opportunities and, ultimately, generate social, economic and cultural benefits for Canadians.

In 2020-21, direct support to students was increased. More students accessed master’s level scholarship and three-year doctoral scholarship awards through the Canada Graduate Scholarship Program. 950 Master’s level Scholarship awards were allocated to eligible institutions, which represent an increase of 150 from the 800 awards allocated previously. 950 Canada Graduate Scholarships at the Doctoral level were funded, an increase of 50 additional new awards per year.

No audits of this transfer payment program were completed or underway in 2020-21.

The Canada Graduate Scholarships are being evaluated as part of a tri-agency evaluation of Research Training and Talent Development. Planning and initial implementation of this evaluation was underway, but experienced delays due to COVID-19 related isolation; expected completion is likely to be October 2022.

Applicants and recipients are engaged through communication with academic institutions and tri-agency or agency specific electronic communication.

* These figures do not include operating expenses.

2007

2023-24

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2012-13

Canada’s natural sciences and engineering research knowledge is used.

Research Partnerships

The Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) program bridges the challenging gap between innovation and commercialization. The program matches clusters of research expertise with the business community to share the knowledge and resources that bring innovations to market faster. Centres advance research and facilitate commercialization within four priority areas: the environment; natural resources and energy; health and life sciences; and information and communications technologies. This program is administered by NSERC on behalf of CIHR, SSHRC and NSERC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

Pre-competitive development of promising technology and the promotion of its transfer to new or established Canadian companies are facilitated.

No audits of this transfer payment program were completed or underway in 2020-21.

There are no plans to evaluate this program as the CECR was transferred to the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) managed by ISED and will be evaluated as part of the SIF. This program has been evaluated 3 times since its inception in 2007. Given the solid evaluation history, there are few lessons to be learned from an evaluation at this time.

No further competitions are planned under this program. Existing recipients are supported by direct contact and engagement through their assigned NCE staff liaison who sits as an observer on the Board of Directors.

* These figures do not include operating expenses.

2007

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2018-19

Canada’s natural sciences and engineering research knowledge is used.

Research Partnerships

The College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program is managed by NSERC in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). The CCI Program increases innovation at the community and/or regional level by enabling Canadian colleges to increase their capacity to work with local companies, particularly small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), in areas of the natural and social sciences, engineering, humanities and/or health. It supports applied research and collaborations that facilitate commercialization, as well as technology transfer, adaptation and adoption of new technologies, in areas of strategic importance to Canada.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

The College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program invests approximately $86 M annually to increase innovation at the community and/or regional level by enabling Canadian colleges to increase their capacity to work with local partner organizations, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

In 2020-21, NSERC continued to invest new funds allocated through Budget 2018 in the CCI Program, a tri-agency program managed by NSERC. The program invested $24.1M in Applied Research and Development Grants and $9.1M in Engage and Engage Plus Grants for Colleges and also supported 60 active Technology Access Centres Grants, 70 active Innovation Enhancement Grants and 25 active Industrial Research Chairs for Colleges Grants.

In 2020-21, the CCI Program continued undergoing an evolution to simplify, streamline and address the changing dynamics of applied research in colleges and communities across Canada. This evolution will better reflect the program’s tri-council nature by broadening the program’s scope to include social and health innovation.

No audits of this transfer payment program were completed or underway in 2020-21.

Evaluation of the College and Community Innovation program is planned to be completed by March 2024.

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

* Differences between planned and actual spending relates to the transfer of funds to SSHRC and CIHR for CCI awards under their respective mandates

* These figures do not include operating expenses.

1978

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2018-19

Canada’s natural sciences and engineering research is internationally competitive, Canada has a pool of highly skilled people in the natural sciences and engineering, Canada’s natural sciences and engineering research knowledge is used.

Discovery Research, Research Training and Talent Development, Research Partnerships

NSERC's class grant Grants and Scholarships program supports university-based basic and project research, college-based project research, provides scholarships and fellowships to young researchers, and facilitates links between universities, colleges, the private sector and governments.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

In 2020-21, NSERC supported over 12,000 researchers including scientists and engineers, and over 33,000 trainees at post-secondary institutions across Canada through its funding opportunities under the Discovery Research, Research Training and Talent Development, and Research Partnerships Programs.

To promote and maintain a diversified base of high-quality research across Canada and provide a stimulating environment for research training in small universities across Canada, NSERC expanded eligibility for the Discovery Development Grants (DDG) program to allow researchers to hold up to two (2) DDG awards throughout their career. In 2020-21, $960,000 was provided to 64 recipients.

In the 2021 Discovery Grants competition, 490 supplements valued at $12,500 each provided timely resources to support ECRs as they establish their research programs and hire students in areas ranging from environmental sciences and agriculture to information and communications technologies. As a result of these initiatives, the Discovery Research Program committed roughly $92.5 million over six years for new awards to ECRs.

In spring 2020, the Ingenium-NSERC STEAM Horizon Awards were presented to five young people, including two candidates from Indigenous communities.

In 2020-21, 94 CREATE awardees received $25 million. Over 80% of CREATE initiatives offered trainees the opportunity to gain experience in enriched and varied research environments beyond their home institution, including 65% of initiatives that offered internships in industrial, government, non-profit or other settings.

No audits of this transfer payment program were completed or underway in 2020-21.

The evaluation of PromoScience was completed in March 2021. Key findings include:

• PromoScience is the only source of public funding available across the country that, regardless of the scientific discipline, supports informal learning in STEM with a particular focus on traditionally underrepresented youth. By supporting informal STEM learning for all young Canadians, NSERC is demonstrating leadership that is helping to fill gaps in the formal STEM education system at the national level.
• Supporting informal science learning is important especially for youth from underrepresented groups, primarily Indigenous girls and youth, but also youth living in rural or remote areas, visible minority youth or youth with disabilities. PromoScience offers the opportunity to participate in activities that increase engagement, stimulate interest & deepen skills and knowledge.
• Funding received through PromoScience has improved the capacity of organizations: by allowing them to reach more young people and teachers, target underrepresented groups, increase the geographic reach of their activities & the scope of their programming, & strengthen existing partnerships.
• PromoScience projects align
with the philosophy of Informal Science Learning: Hands-on & interactive activities help youth establish connections between STEM and daily lives. Activities are tailored to make them more accessible to the diverse identities, interests, & beliefs of diverse Canadian Youth.
• PromoScience projects increase youth exposure to, interest in, as well as their skills and knowledge of STEM: Students demonstrate perseverance in tasks, ability to articulate reasoning & critical thinking, and willingness to use scientific tools & language, or to share & explore ideas.
• The measure of impact of tailored activities is limited: While the majority of grantees report targeting underrepresented groups, the evaluation cannot accurately describe how programming is tailored to make activities accessible to all, without barriers to identities, beliefs or interests.
• The understanding & distinction between general & specialized training appears unclear across grantees: While teachers express greater perceptions of impact related to specialized training, the evaluation cannot accurately determine the nature of training offered.
• The evaluation recommended providing more support to grantees to enhance their monitoring activities. Measuring the impact of the program remains a challenge.

The evaluation of the Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering was underway and expected to be completed in April 2021.

Planning for the Evaluation of the Canada Research Chairs was underway, but has experienced delays due to COVID-19 related isolation; expected completion is likely to be September 2022.

The evaluation of Research Training and Talent Development was underway and is expected to be completed in October 2022.

The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships evaluation is underway. This evaluation is being led by CIHR, with an expected completion date of June 2022.

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

*The variance is mainly due to the COVID Statutory funding of $153.4M received and spent in FY2020-21

* These figures do not include operating expenses.

1989

2024-25

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2014-15

Canada’s natural sciences and engineering research knowledge is used.

Research Partnerships

The program supports large-scale academically led research networks that harness the creativity and inventiveness of Canadian health, natural, and social scientists and engineers. Partners from industry, government and not-for-profit organizations contribute additional expertise and bring cash and in kind support. This program is a tri-agency program administered by NSERC on behalf of CIHR, SSHRC and NSERC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

Strong linkages and partnerships between university, government and industry, and other users (NGOs) resulting in the exploitation of leading-edge research results with economical and/or societal benefits to Canada.

No audits of this transfer payment program were completed or underway in 2020-21.

There are no plans to evaluate this program, as the NCE is no longer an ongoing program and its funds will be gradually transferred to the New Frontiers in Innovation Fund. This program has been evaluated regularly (i.e., every 5 years) since its inception (as a sunset program) in 1985. Given the solid evaluation history, there are few lessons to be learned from an evaluation at this time.

No further competitions are planned under this program. Existing recipients are supported by direct contact and engagement through their assigned NCE staff liaison who sits as an observer on the Board of Directors.

* These figures do not include operating expenses.

2008

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2014-15

Canada has a pool of highly skilled people in the natural sciences and engineering.

Research Training and Talent Development

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program is tri-agency program designed to attract and retain world-class doctoral students by offering them a significant financial award. This financial award assists students during their studies at Canadian universities. Vanier Scholars demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, and health-related fields. This program is administered by CIHR on behalf of CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

Through the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship Program, the Government of Canada invests up to $25 million annually, divided among the budgets of CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC, to attract and retain world-class doctoral students and establish Canada as a global centre of excellence in research and higher learning. Up to 166 scholarships are awarded annually to Canadian and international doctoral students studying at Canadian universities who demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and/or engineering, and health.

No audits of this transfer payment program were completed or underway in 2020-21.

The evaluation of the CGS-Vanier Scholarships was completed in October 2020. Key findings include:

• There is a continued need to support both national and international top-tier doctoral students in Canadian institutions.
• The program’s objectives are aligned with the Acts and priorities of the federal granting agencies.
• The current design and delivery of the program (e.g., the quota and nomination model) limits its ability to: attract top students from other countries to Canada and retain Canada’s top doctoral students at the time of application.
• Almost all international students were already living in Canada at the time of application.
• The majority of recipients were already enrolled in a doctoral program in Canada or would have enrolled in the same doctoral program had they not received the award.
• The assessment of leadership is a challenge due to subjectivity in the interpretation of and inconsistency in the leadership criteria (more so for international applications).
• The program is achieving its expected intermediate outcomes; however, applicants (those who did not receive the award) and recipients report very similar outcomes, which calls into question the added value of the program.
• The majority of both award recipients and applicants are living and working in Canada after graduation, working in the academic sector, in research intensive careers and report similar outcomes in terms of leadership opportunities.

However, recipients have higher research productivity than applicants following completion of their doctoral degrees, and are more likely to be in more advanced academic positions.

Applicants and recipients are engaged through communication with academic institutions and directed tri-agency or agency-specific electronic communication, as well as through the Vanier CGS website.

* The variance is due to funds from terminated awards

* These figures do not include operating expenses.