Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

Funds Canadian natural sciences and engineering research through university partnerships, scholarships, and industry collaboration.

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, known as NSERC, is Canada's federal funding agency for research and research training in the natural sciences and engineering. It sits under Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, carries FY 2025-26 authorities of CAD 1.507 billion, and remains one of Canada's three federal granting councils.

NSERC funds investigator-led discovery research, industry partnership grants, scholarships, prizes, outreach, and international collaboration across quantum, hardware, biotech, materials, manufacturing, AI infrastructure, and energy. Discovery Grants support faculty at Canadian universities for up to five years, while Alliance and Alliance Quantum back collaborative projects and I2I supports commercialization. On the training side, the harmonized Canada Research Training Awards Suite now includes CGRS-M, CGRS-D, and CPRA.

The council is strongest for researchers and teams that need long-horizon operating support, talent funding, or industry-linked research capital. Some competitions require a notice of intent, and peer review weighs research excellence, feasibility, training capacity, and equity commitments. NSERC is operating through the broader tri-agency consolidation process announced in 2024, but its public mandate and program portfolio remain active today.