Duration | Up to five years |
Value | Up to $1,500,000 per year |
Important dates | June 1, 2021 – Letter of intent (LOI) deadline June 15, 2021 – Invitation to submit full application November 1, 2021 – Full application deadline |
How to apply | See below
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Contact | View contact list |
The objectives of Discovery Institutes Support (DIS) grants are to enable the development of research activities and foster training and collaboration, within and among Canadian theoretical research institutes.
DIS grants assist Canadian-based theoretical research institutes to cover their operating and maintenance costs. Theoretical research institutes provide intellectual infrastructure and support, are used by researchers from different institutions across Canada, are discipline based and promote research and training of highly qualified personnel (HQP). These institutes can provide an environment that serves to accelerate research, develop partnerships and interactions with different disciplines and foster interdisciplinary research. Theoretical research institutes spark and promote regional, national and/or international interactions and can provide mechanisms for researchers to meet, collaborate and exchange ideas.
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 encouraged to increase the inclusion and advancement of under-represented 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. EDI considerations should be developed into the rationale of the composition of research teams and trainees.
For more information, applicants should refer to the Guide for applicants: Considering equity, diversity and inclusion in your application.
DIS grants provide funding to assist coverage of the following costs:
DIS grants cannot be used to pay for any indirect costs of research or expenses that are central or departmental institutional costs. Examples of such indirect costs include, but are not limited to, those for the maintenance and renovation of research spaces and buildings, leasing costs of spaces and equipment, utilities, security and occupational safety, financial and administrative support, and insurance. Furthermore, DIS grants cannot be used to pay for the establishment, construction or infrastructure expansion of an institute.
For further information on use of grant funds consult the Tri-agency guide on financial administration.
Applications will be assessed on the basis of the six selection criteria listed below. Each criterion lists the factors that will be considered. The onus is on the applicants to thoroughly address each criterion in their application.
The applicant and all co-applicants must be eligible for NSERC funding. One person must be designated to administer the grant. This person is the “applicant” and is responsible for completing and submitting the letter of intent (LOI) and the full application (if invited) on behalf of the institute. You are invited to consult NSERC’s eligibility criteria for faculty for more information on the role of applicants and co-applicants.
DIS applications will be evaluated through a two-stage process. Initially, applicants must submit an LOI to NSERC with all required material by the deadline date. The LOI should be saved as a single portable document format (PDF) document and uploaded to NSERC’s secure portal before the deadline. NSERC will communicate with all applicants to inform them of the status of their LOI. Successful applicants will be invited to submit a full application and will be given further instructions regarding submission details.
For the LOI, applicants must submit a five-page document, using 8.5" x 11" paper with margins set at a minimum of ¾" (1.87 cm) and in free-form text format (12-point Times New Roman font), that addresses the following:
* Applicants are encouraged to suggest a diverse cross-section of potential reviewers with appropriate expertise (Canadian, international, established and early–career, women and other under-represented groups, from academic and non-academic institutions). Applicants must not contact suggested external reviewers in advance.
** You may request that some researchers, organizations or large collaborations not be involved in the review of your application. Note that this request may be accessible under the Privacy Act.
Letters of intent
LOIs will be reviewed by NSERC for eligibility and conformity with the objectives of the program.
Full applications
Full proposals will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary, international committee through a rigorous, independent peer review process based on the DIS selection criteria. Applicants will be invited to present their application to the review committee and provide clarification on any issues raised. Once the review of applications is concluded, the committee will complete a report and provide recommendations on funding to NSERC. Internationally constituted institutes will be reviewed in conjunction with partner funding agencies, with NSERC as the lead.
Conflicts of interest
NSERC’s guidelines on conflict of interest for peer reviewers will be strictly applied throughout the review process.
For these grants, the payment of the second and any subsequent yearly instalment is conditional on the submission of an annual report to NSERC. The submission deadline for this report is March 15.