Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
Overview
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) is a Canadian government agency that provides grants for research in the natural sciences and in engineering. Its main role is to make investments in people, discovery and innovation for the benefit of all Canadians. The agency supports university students in their advanced studies, promotes and supports discovery research, and fosters innovation by encouraging Canadian organizations to participate and invest in postsecondary research projects.
History
NSERC was established on May 1, 1978 by the Government of Canada. Prior to the creation of NSERC, research in the natural sciences and engineering was primarily supported by the National Research Council of Canada (NRCC). The establishment of NSERC was part of a broader reorganization of research funding in Canada, which also included the creation of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
Mandate and Funding
The mandate of NSERC is to promote and assist research in the natural sciences and engineering, other than the health sciences. The agency fulfills this mandate by providing funding to individual researchers, teams of researchers and partnerships among academia, government and industry. The funding is provided through a competitive process, with applications reviewed by expert panels.
In the fiscal year 2018-2019, NSERC invested over $1.2 billion in research, supporting more than 11,000 professors and 30,000 students and postdoctoral fellows at over 70 universities across Canada.
Programs
NSERC's funding is distributed through a number of programs, which are grouped into four main areas: discovery, innovation, people and partnerships.
Discovery
The Discovery Grants Program is NSERC's largest program. It provides funding for ongoing programs of research in the natural sciences and engineering. The grants are awarded based on a competitive process, with applications reviewed by expert panels in each discipline.
Innovation
The Innovation Grants Program supports research that has the potential to result in technological innovation. This program is designed to encourage collaboration between academia and industry, with funding provided to support research projects that are jointly undertaken by university researchers and private sector partners.
People
The People Program includes a number of initiatives aimed at supporting the development of highly qualified personnel in the natural sciences and engineering. This includes scholarships and fellowships for students and postdoctoral fellows, as well as programs to promote diversity and inclusion in these fields.
Partnerships
The Partnerships Program is designed to foster collaboration among academia, industry and government. It includes a number of initiatives that support joint research projects, as well as programs that facilitate the transfer of knowledge and technology from academia to industry.
Impact
NSERC's investments in research have had a significant impact on the advancement of knowledge in the natural sciences and engineering. The agency's support has contributed to numerous scientific breakthroughs and technological innovations, and has helped to train a new generation of researchers and innovators.
In addition to its direct impact on research, NSERC's programs have also had a broader impact on the Canadian economy. The agency's investments in discovery research have helped to create a strong foundation for innovation, while its support for partnerships between academia and industry has facilitated the transfer of knowledge and technology, contributing to economic growth and job creation.