NSERC recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting researchers’ and students’ capacity to conduct their regular research and training activities. NSERC has published guidelines on the consideration of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on research and training activities. These guidelines provide direction on how to describe these impacts in an application and information on how they will be considered in the review of contributions to research and training and research and training plans.
To lessen the impact of COVID-19 and to support all of our researchers and highly qualified personnel, all active Discovery Grant holders can elect to receive a one-year extension with funds at their current funding level. For more information, please consult the NSERC program information in relation to COVID-19 webpage and the Frequently Asked Questions.
In light of the uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic, NSERC is also taking action to ensure effective and timely delivery of the Discovery Grants competition by adjusting the in-person meeting component of the review to take place by videoconference. NSERC is committed to maintaining a peer review process of the highest quality, including fairness and consistency between evaluating committees and across competition years.
Value and duration | Up to $25,000 per year, for up to five years |
Application deadline | November 1 |
Application procedure | See below |
For more information | EnviroSciences-SciencesEnviro@nserc-crsng.gc.ca |
The Northern Research Supplements (NRS) program has been established to augment and promote Canadian university-based northern research and training. The main purpose of the Northern Research Supplements program is to recognize the added costs unique to conducting research in the Canadian North.
The NRS program is aimed at NSERC-funded researchers who intend to conduct Discovery research in Canada's North. Successful applicants will receive a supplement to their Discovery Grant (DG) in the range of $10,000 to $25,000 per year, for the duration of their DG. Awards at the upper end of this range will be made to those with higher logistical costs and to recognize outstanding contributions to outreach, engagement and collaboration with northerners (Note: in the context of this program, “northerner” refers to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members).
Recipients of NRS awards are not restricted to the specific activities described in the application, but must pursue research interests in the North. Only costs associated with working in the Canadian North are eligible expenses. In order to reduce field costs, researchers may also consider Natural Resources Canada’s Polar Continental Shelf Program (PCSP), which provides logistical support to field projects. Other federal funding opportunities for northern research can be found through Polar Knowledge Canada’s
Funding for Researchers page.
In addition to the usual NSERC Eligibility Criteria for Faculty, NRS funding is only accessible to researchers who are applying to the current DG competition and whose research endeavors will take them to work in the Canadian North.
For the purposes of the program, Canada's North is defined as the land- and ocean-based territory north of the southern limit of isolated patches of permafrost from northern British Columbia to Labrador, including the entirety of the three territories. Geographic eligibility does not include the stretch down the central Rocky Mountains along the BC/AB border and several other noncontiguous pockets further to the south. For a map outlining the location of permafrost (shown in bands of yellow, green, blue, purple, and red), visit Natural Resources Canada’s Permafrost page.
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 diversity and gender equity in the research enterprise are key priorities in our current strategic plan, NSERC 2020, and are highlighted in the strategic goal, “Build a Diversified and Competitive Research Base.”
Applicants are encouraged to increase the inclusion and advancement of under-represented and disadvantaged groups in the natural sciences and engineering as one way to enhance excellence in research and training. Where applicable, consideration of sex, gender and diversity in the research design should be addressed in the proposal. Equity, diversity and inclusion considerations should be developed into the rationale of the composition of research teams and trainees. For more information, applicants should refer to the application instructions and the Guide for Applicants: Considering equity, diversity and inclusion in your application.
Applications are evaluated according to the following weighted selection criteria, and the onus is on the applicant to address these explicitly in the proposal:
As part of the DG application process within the Research Portal, applicants must indicate their interest in being considered for this supplement, complete the NRS proposed expenditures table and provide two additional PDF attachments to the application as follows (maximum page counts indicated in parentheses):
Notes:
Provide a detailed explanation and justification for each budget item identified in the NRS proposed expenditures table. Provide sufficient information to allow reviewers to assess whether the resources requested are appropriate. These pages should only contain information pertinent to the NRS proposed expenditures budget table.
Costs associated with work in the North
Provide an outline of the expenses that are expected to be incurred, due to the high costs of undertaking research in the North, including community consultations and outreach, as well as engagement and collaborations with northerners. The onus is on the applicant to justify how these costs are unique to conducting research in the Canadian North.
Stipends/honoraria/salaries for local students and northern participants, including Indigenous researchers
Give a breakdown of the required individuals to be supported and any applicable fees. Justify each position requested. Note that university-based student stipends and university research personnel salaries are not an eligible expense — formally supervised HQP cannot be paid with NRS funds.
Equipment or facility
Provide a breakdown of the items requested, models, manufacturers, prices and applicable taxes. Justify each item requested and explain how it is specific to use in the North.
Fees to be paid for the use of equipment or a facility in the North should be described (e.g., hours and rate).
Materials and supplies for use in the North
Provide details and explain major items and their use in the North.
Travel to and from northern Canada
Explain briefly how each activity relates to the proposed research.
Dissemination, outreach, engagement and collaboration with northerners and Indigenous communities
Provide details of dissemination costs, translation costs, workshops, consultations, or other community engagement activities undertaken in the North. Publication costs in peer-reviewed journals are not normally an eligible expense from an NRS award.
Other expenses
List any items not included in previous categories and provide a brief explanation for major items. All additional costs should be related to undertaking research or research-related activities in the North.
The proposal must address the NRS selection criteria described above. It must also define the northern Canadian location(s) where the research will be conducted. Give the names of surrounding towns or specific communities, or the latitudes and longitudes.
Note: Pages in excess of the number permitted will be removed.
Evaluation Groups will evaluate and rate DG applications in accordance with established DG evaluation criteria, without seeing the NRS-specific attachments. Following this evaluation, NRS applications from those whose DG applications have been recommended for funding will be forwarded to the NRS Selection Committee. External reviews are not used in the NRS review process.
The NRS Selection Committee is a multidisciplinary panel comprised of experts in the natural sciences and engineering, as well as experts from public and/or private sector organizations, with experience in northern issues. NRS applications are reviewed and scored, and then the committee makes recommendations on funding levels to NSERC.
NRS competition results are released along with the DG results in April each year.