Goals

Fundamental Principles:

The GSC Structure Review project will examine the peer evaluation and funding recommendation process for the Discovery Grants Program to ensure that it:

1. achieves the objectives of the Program within NSERC’s Vision of helping to make Canada a country of discoverers and innovators for the benefit of all Canadians by:
   • promoting and maintaining a diversified base of high-quality research capability in the natural sciences and engineering in Canadian universities;
   • fostering research excellence;
   • providing a stimulating environment for research training.
2. is transparent to applicants and reviewers, and can be easily explained to NSERC stakeholders.;
3. is expert, fair and efficient.
4. effectively allocates funding.

Specific Goals:

The preceding Principles will be applied to meet the following goals:

1. A grant evaluation structure that is based on a comprehensive analysis of the current research environment.
2. Protocols that maintain confidence in the Program from the research community by ensuring that:
   • the Committees and their operations are recognized to be designed appropriately and to work effectively;
   • all proposals are assessed by peers who have an appropriate mix of expertise and background; and
   • the topics reviewed by the various committees are clearly defined and published.
3. A dynamic and flexible structure that responds to a changing research environment, with the expectation that:
   • there will be a comprehensive review, and if warranted a re-design, approximately every 10 years; and
   • minor fine-tuning can occur at any time.
4. Consistently high quality Committee review of proposals in established as well as new and emerging areas, that thereby:
   • eliminates any gaps in the ability to review proposals;
   • minimizes overlap between committees; and
   • expertly handles proposals at the interface with other Councils.
5. In-depth review of all proposals through innovative and flexible processes, while ensuring a manageable workload for Committee members, referees and staff.
6. Effective communication of exciting Canadian research.
7. Keeping of administration costs reasonable.