NSERC invests $35.6 million in ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ research

148 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ researchers received funding through NSERC’s Discovery Research Programs to power Canadian innovation

Today the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) announced a record-breaking $660 million investment in discovery research, marking NSERC’s biggest annual investment through its Discovery Research Programs. Included in this milestone investment are 148 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ research projects that received a combined total of $35.6 million in funding across several program streams, including Discovery Grants, Discovery Launch Supplements, Research Tools and Instruments Grants, and Subatomic Physics Discovery Grants. The funding was announced by the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions.

Discovery Grants

129 ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ researchers received NSERC Discovery Grants, totaling just over $32 million in funding. The program provides long-term support for ongoing, high-quality, and innovative research, focusing on fostering research excellence and enhancing research training environments. The grants allow researchers to explore new directions, engage in collaborative efforts, and pursue high-risk, high-reward ideas.

Discovery Launch Supplements for Early Career Researchers

Fifteen early-career researchers received a total of $187,000 in additional funding, to kickstart their momentum and to strengthen their long-term research capacity as they launch a Discovery Grant-funded program. This support includes a one-time $12,500 boost through NSERC’s Discovery Launch Supplement, designed to provide timely resources at a pivotal stage in their academic careers.

Research Tools and Instruments Grants

Fifteen ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ researchers received NSERC Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) Grants, totaling $1.89 million in funding. RTI grants, which fund up to $150,000 per project, support the acquisition of research equipment to advance discovery, drive innovation, and enhance training capacity. The RTI grant program is considered the primary pathway for researchers in natural sciences and engineering to secure critical tools for their work.

Subatomic Physics Discovery Grants

Four ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ researchers received NSERC Subatomic Physics (SAP) Discovery Grants, totaling $1.43 million in funding. SAP Discovery grants were created to support strong, diverse, and high-quality research in the field of subatomic physics – the study of matter at scales smaller than the atom – while providing a dynamic environment for research training.

For a list of ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s Discovery Research Program recipients, consult the database of awardees .

Read NSERC's official press release .

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