NSERC joins forces with international funding agencies to tackle global research challenges

April 17, 2012 – The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will combine the resources of the G8 Research Councils Initiative on Multilateral Research Funding and the Belmont Forum to launch the first-ever International Opportunities Fund (IOF). The IOF call for proposals opened today and will support international research consortiums in two distinct themes—Freshwater Security and Coastal Vulnerability.

Thirteen research funding agencies from 11 countries came together on March 28, in London, England, to sign the MOU at the  Planet Under Pressure Conference. Participating countries include Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Up to C$24 million (€18 million) have been allocated to this competition for both research themes, with each two- to three-year consortium receiving from C$1.3 million (€1 million) to C$2.6 million (€2 million).

Each consortium must consist of at least one academic participant from a minimum of three different countries represented by the participating partner organizations. Each consortium must show clear links through to users and include collaboration between natural and social sciences, and other sciences where relevant.

NSERC will be offering new research funds for the Freshwater Security theme of the IOF and will be supporting researchers in the natural sciences and engineering. Canadian researchers interested in the Coastal Vulnerability theme can participate as collaborators but must use their existing research funds. Applicants to NSERC's new Climate Change and Atmospheric Research Initiative (CCAR) should note that research proposed for the CCAR initiative could address the IOF's Freshwater Security and Coastal Vulnerability themes. CCAR applicants must apply separately to the IOF to access available NSERC funds for the IOF Freshwater Security theme.

The closing date for submission of pre-proposals to the IOF is July 20, 2012. Successful applicants will be notified on September 20, 2012, to submit full proposals and the closing date for submissions of full proposals is December 20, 2012.

See the IOF call for proposals for more details.

The Belmont Forum has established a  Research Matching Web Interface to help establish new networks of collaborators for researchers interested in the IOF call for proposals.