Government of Canada supports most promising Canadian Students and Researchers

Toronto, July 21, 2009 — Canada’s top researchers are getting significant support that will help them compete with the best in the world. The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), today announced grants, scholarships and fellowships for students and researchers across Canada from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC).

“Our government recognizes that research and development creates a stronger, more innovative economy and a more prosperous Canada,” Minister Goodyear said. “The support announced today will accelerate the progress and nurture the talent of our most promising researchers at every stage of their careers, from undergraduate to graduate to professional.”

The $150 million in funding is provided through five established programs of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada:

• Discovery Accelerator Supplements (DAS)
• Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA)
• Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS)
• NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships (PGS)
• NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowships (PDF)

In all, more than 6,000 researchers and students across Canada are receiving these funds. The recipients were selected through independent peer-reviewed evaluations. Some examples of research projects that will be enhanced by this funding include: the effects of climate change on glaciers and ice fields, advanced wireless communications systems, structural safety of dams and the engineering of artificial tissues.

“These recipients represent some of Canada’s finest researchers,” said Dr. Suzanne Fortier, President of NSERC. “They are advancing our understanding of the universe around us. They are uncovering and exploring new areas of knowledge. They are our trailblazers, driving the innovations of tomorrow. NSERC is proud to support their work and we look forward to their future achievements.”

More information on the DAS program and on NSERC’s scholarships and fellowships can be found in the backgrounder provided below.

For further information, please contact:

Gary Toft
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State
(Science and Technology)
Tel.: 613-947-2956

Natasha Gauthier
Senior Advisor, Media Relations
NSERC
Tel.: 613-943-8621

Backgrounder

Discovery Accelerator Supplements, Scholarships and Fellowships Announcement

NSERC Discovery Accelerator Supplements (DAS)
The DAS Program provides substantial, timely support to outstanding researchers who have a well-established research program and who show strong potential to become international leaders in their areas. Each supplement is valued at $120,000 over three years and allows recipients to compete with the best in the world. Supplement holders may use their supplement to hire more research staff (e.g., students, postdoctoral fellows, or technicians), to purchase or gain access to specialized equipment, or for other initiatives that will accelerate the progress of their research program. DAS awards are allocated based on the results of NSERC’s annual Discovery Grants competition. Out of over 2,200 researchers who received funding in the 2009 Discovery Grants competition, 100 will receive supplements.

NSERC Scholarships and Fellowships
NSERC offers scholarships and fellowships for every stage of study, from undergraduate to postdoctoral. These awards help ensure an ongoing supply of highly qualified people for Canada by helping train and produce the top researchers of the future. As a result of the 2009 competitions, $138 million in scholarships and fellowships have been offered to 6,059 students through the following programs:

• Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) stimulate students’ interest in research. They also encourage them to undertake graduate studies and pursue a research career. Valued at $4,500 each, USRAs help students gain academic research work experience that complements their studies.
• Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) and NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships (PGS) provide financial support to excellent scholars enrolled in master's or doctoral programs in the natural sciences or engineering. The CGS are offered to the top-ranked applicants at each level (master’s and doctoral), while the next tier of meritorious applicants are offered an NSERC PGS. This support allows scholars to fully concentrate on their studies and seek out the best research mentors in their chosen fields. The scholarships are worth between $17,500 and $35,000, depending on the program and the degree being completed.
• Postdoctoral Fellowships (PDF) support our most promising researchers at a pivotal time in their careers. The fellowships also secure a supply of highly qualified Canadians with outstanding scientific and research skills for Canadian industry, government, and universities. The fellowships are worth $80,000 over two years.