Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Symbol of the Government of Canada
Skip to content Skip to institutional links

Common menu bar links

Home > Professors > Program Guide > Frequently Asked Questions

Institutional links

Back
Print
Bookmark
Larger
Smaller

Frequently Asked Questions

Application Information

Ownership Rights

Application-Related Policies

Funding Decisions

Application Information

Am I eligible?

Please see Eligibility Criteria.

Is my research eligible?

Two other federal granting agencies offer support to university researchers. The This link will take you to another Web site Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) supports the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health care system. The This link will take you to another Web site Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) promotes and supports research and research training in the social sciences and humanities. If you do not know which granting agency you should apply to, refer to Selecting the Appropriate Federal Granting Agency and Addressing Other Sources of Funding.

How do my other sources of funding factor into the review of my application?

Please see Selecting the Appropriate Federal Granting Agency and Addressing Other Sources of Funding.

What if my appointment changes?

You or your institution must notify NSERC immediately when your eligibility status as a grantee changes. It is imperative that NSERC be given precise and timely information with respect to both academic appointment and length of position held by grantees. Non-compliance with these regulations may result in the freezing or closing of your grant account(s). See Continuing Eligibility, Termination of a Grant, Relocation of a Grantee to an Eligible Canadian Institution, Sabbatical Leave and Non-Compliance in the Tri-Agency Financial Administration Guide. The institution’s role regarding the eligibility of individuals is outlined in Schedule 10 of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Roles and Responsibilities in the Management of Federal Grants and Awards.

How do I apply?

For most programs, you must use a Personal Data Form (Form 100) and an Application for a Grant (Form 101). Complete these forms on-line and submit them electronically to NSERC.

Read the relevant program instructions carefully before starting. Incomplete applications and applications that do not meet the presentation standards may be rejected or be at a disadvantage in comparison with those that are complete and respect the presentation standards.

Follow the relevant application procedures described in the outline of each program.

What are the application deadlines?

Application deadlines are indicated in each of the program descriptions, as well as on the Application Deadline Table.

Your application must be received at your institution’s research grants office by their internal deadline date; contact your research grants office for those deadlines. If not received by the deadline, it may be rejected by the institution.   

Your application must be received at NSERC by 5:00 p.m. local time (at your location) on the deadline date. If it is not received by NSERC by the deadline, it will be considered late and will be rejected. If the deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, your application must reach NSERC by the following working day.

Are original signatures required?

NSERC no longer requires original signatures on applications or other documents submitted electronically using the On-line System. User ID/password-based "signatures" allow applicants, supporting organizations and authorized institutional representatives, such as Research Grants Officers, Scholarships Liaison Officers and Business Officers to "sign" and submit on-line applications and other documents to NSERC. (For details, see the Electronic Approval and the eSubmission and Electronic Signatures in the instructions for the program for which you are applying.)

Co-applicants and collaborators: The act of “accepting” an applicant’s electronic invitation to participate in an application and of “linking” your Form 100 (Personal Data Form) to the application constitutes a co-applicant’s or collaborator’s electronic approval and replaces a handwritten signature.

Co-applicants participating on applications from other institutions: NSERC expects that the authorized representatives from the principal applicant’s institution will have obtained approval from other institutions involved in the application process prior to submission of the application, as described in the Electronic Approval page of the On-line System. To confirm this approval, NSERC will seek the institutional authorities’ signature through its Secure Site once the application is received.

Applications submitted on paper – In exceptional cases, NSERC may accept a paper application. One copy of the grant application must bear the original signatures of the applicant and co-applicant(s), and the department head and president of the institution (or their representatives). An institution may also require a signature from the faculty. If the applicant is normally the signing authority for the department, faculty or institution, another senior official must sign instead.

What do the electronic or original signatures on the application mean?

The signature of the applicant confirms that the applicant:

  • certifies that the information provided in the application is true, complete, accurate and consistent with institutional and NSERC policies to the best of the applicant's knowledge;
  • consents to the sharing between NSERC and any academic institution to which the applicant is or may become affiliated, of any and all information, including personal information, in any way related to the application and to the grant/award;
  • understands the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act (including the Use and Disclosure of Personal Information Provided to NSERC) as they pertain to grant application information;
  • attests that consent has been obtained from trainees to include limited personal information about them in the Highly Qualified Personnel section of the Personal Data Form (Form 100);
  • is not ineligible to apply for and hold funding from NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR or any other research funding organization, for reasons of breach of standards of ethics or integrity (including financial or scientific misconduct);
  • certifies that he or she respects and complies with the This link will take you to another Web site Values and Ethics Code for the Public Service, as required only if the applicant is or was (in the last 12 months) a public servant in the federal government;
  • accepts the terms and conditions set out in NSERC's Policies and Guidelines, the Tri-Agency Financial Administration Guide, and the Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Granting Agencies and Canadian institutions;
  • will inform NSERC and institutional officials of changes in eligibility status;
  • agrees to comply with the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Integrity in Research and Scholarship;
  • agrees to comply with the policies and guidelines described in the Requirements for Certain Types of Research, including:
    • research involving humans,
    • research requiring human pluripotent stem cells,
    • research requiring the use of animals,
    • research involving controlled information,
    • research involving biohazards,
    • research involving radioactive materials,
    • research activities having potential effects on the environment,
    • other related policies;
  • will inform NSERC and institutional officials of any changes in the nature of the research that may have an impact on certification or approvals on the same policies as in the previous bullet;
  • accepts that non-compliance with any of these policies and guidelines may result in actions by NSERC, including the termination of funding and disentitlement from eligibility for future funding.

The signature of the applicant also confirms that during tenure of a grant/award, the applicant:

  • will use the grant only for the purpose for which it is awarded;
  • will meet financial and other reporting requirements specific to the grant/award or granting program;
  • acknowledges and accepts that NSERC reserves the right to defer or cancel a grant instalment if the continued need for funds is not demonstrated;
  • will acknowledge, wherever possible, NSERC's funding assistance for the research;
  • accepts the following two conditions of funding:
    • should the applicant decide to pursue commercialization of any results of the research funded in response to this application, he or she will disclose to his or her institution any potential intellectual property arising from the research;
    • if the applicant discloses any potential intellectual property arising from the research, he or she and the institution will endeavour to obtain the greatest possible economic benefit to Canada from the resulting commercial activity. This requirement for disclosure is not intended to supersede the intellectual property ownership policy that the institution might already have in place.

The signatures of the co-applicants confirm that they:

  • also agree to the above;
  • agree that the applicant will administer the grant on behalf of the group/team.

Notes:

  • The act of “accepting” an applicant’s electronic invitation to participate in an application and of “linking” your Form 100 (Personal Data Form) to the application constitutes a co-applicant’s electronic approval and replaces a handwritten signature.
  • In the case of an Industrial Research Chair application, the signatures would be that of the Chair candidate(s) or Chairholder(s).

The signatures of the institutional authorities certify that:

  • the institution will abide by the roles and responsibilities as set out in the Memorandum of Understanding with the three federal granting agencies;
  • the applicant and co-applicant(s) have met or will meet the eligibility requirements;
  • the institution obtained approval from other institutions involved in the application process prior to submission;
  • the institution agrees to comply with NSERC's data protection requirements and has adequate safeguards in place to protect sensitive information entrusted to it by NSERC for the purpose of administering applications and awards;
  • if the applicant discloses any potential intellectual property arising from the research, he or she and the institution will endeavour to obtain the greatest possible economic benefit to Canada from the resulting commercial activity.

    Note: The above requirement for disclosure is not intended to supersede the intellectual property ownership policy that the institution might already have in place.

The signatures of authorized officers of other supporting organizations certify that the organization:

  • agrees with the content of the application and will provide the committed resources;
  • agrees to the release of the public summary of the award and to the publication of the organization's name as a supporter of the initiative.

If you are both the applicant or co-applicant and a principal of a collaborating company, another senior official must sign on behalf of the company.

How is confidential or sensitive information handled?

NSERC safeguards the information that it receives from applicants. It instructs reviewers to keep all information confidential and to use it only for review purposes. If applicants have particular concerns about confidentiality, they should consult NSERC staff. (For further information, please consult the document on the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.)

Do I need any certificates, licences or special forms?

You must obtain appropriate certification if your proposed research involves humans, animals, biohazards, stem cells or radioactive materials.

Federal or territorial governments may require an environmental assessment as a condition of land use. If this is the case, please inform NSERC's Environmental Assessment Unit immediately.

If any activities take place outside of an office or laboratory or involve a physical work under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, you must complete Appendix A of Form 101, Environmental Impact, and Appendix B of Form 101, Canadian Environmental Assessment Act Pre-screening Checklist.

Research in the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut may require special licences.

For further details, consult Requirements for Certain Types of Research.

Note: You must obtain any required certificates (e.g., involvement of human subjects, animals, or use of biohazards) within six months of the award date. The institution will not release the funds to you during this period. The award will be cancelled if the certificate requirements are not met within six months.

Back
Top of Page

Ownership Rights

Who owns the rights to intellectual property from research?

NSERC does not retain or claim any ownership of, or exploitation rights to, intellectual property resulting from your NSERC grant. Any right to this intellectual property is governed by your institution’s policy. However, as NSERC's role includes promoting the use of knowledge to build a strong national economy and improving the quality of life of Canadians, every effort should be made to have the results of NSERC-funded research exploited in Canada, for the benefit of Canadians. Within this framework, NSERC also expects access rights and allows ownership rights to be granted to an industrial partner in recognition of, and in proportion to, the company's contribution to an industrial collaboration. (Consult your institution’s research grants office or industry liaison office for guidance on this subject.)

Please see the Policy on Intellectual Property.

Who owns the equipment or material?

Please see Administrative Matters in the Tri-Agency Financial Administration Guide.

When am I in conflict of interest?

As applicant or co-applicant, you must have no financial or personal interest in any transaction chargeable against an NSERC grant. Contact your research grants office and follow the institution's policies.

Conflict of interest may arise when you or the post-secondary institution has an ownership position in a company that is sponsoring your research. It may be difficult to distinguish between institution activities and company activities, and between your contributions as a institution researcher and as a principal in the company. NSERC may therefore request evidence that the company has objectively assessed the commercial potential of the research being undertaken and that the academic interests of the students and postdoctoral fellows are protected. This request may come at the beginning or during the course of the project. NSERC deals with each case individually. (Refer to Guidelines for Organizations Participating in Research Partnerships Programs for more details.)

Back
Top of Page

Application-Related Policies

How are contributions to research and training assessed?

Please see Policy and Guidelines on the Assessment of Contributions to Research and Training.

Are delays in the research and in dissemination of research results taken into account?

Please see Policy and Guidelines on the Assessment of Contributions to Research and Training.

How is the training of highly qualified personnel assessed?

Please see Policy and Guidelines on the Assessment of Contributions to Research and Training.

How are applications in engineering and the applied sciences reviewed?

Please see Guidelines for the Preparation and Review of Applications in Engineering and the Applied Sciences.

How are applications in interdisciplinary research areas reviewed?

Please see the Guidelines for the Preparation and Review of Applications in Interdisciplinary Research.

How are applications related to health sciences evaluated?

Please see the Guidelines for the Evaluation of Subject Matter Eligibility of Applications Related to the Health Sciences.

What is NSERC's policy on women in science and engineering?

NSERC believes that women should have every opportunity to participate fully in science and engineering and strongly encourages women to consider entering careers in these fields.

The Council's programs and peer review system are designed and operated to ensure fair treatment of all applicants regardless of gender.

NSERC recognizes that barriers still exist to the full participation of women in science and engineering careers. It is committed to identifying and working to eliminate any barriers that may exist within its own programs and processes, and encourages others to do the same.

In addition, NSERC endorses the use of special initiatives, when appropriate, to encourage and assist women in reaching full participation in all disciplines.

Note: Refer to the Maternity, Parental, Medical or Family Medical Leave for Grantees, and the Paid Maternity and Parental Leave for Students and Postdoctoral Fellows information in the Administrative Matters section of the Tri-Agency Financial Administration Guide for NSERC's policies applicable to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows supported by NSERC funds.

What is NSERC's policy on parental leave?

Please see the Administrative Matters section of the Tri-Agency Financial Administration Guide.

Back
Top of Page

Funding Decisions

When will I know if my application has been successful?

NSERC will notify you shortly after a final decision has been made. See Application Deadlines and Notification of Decision. Competition results and a list of ongoing instalments will also be made available to the institution's Research Grants Officer and Business Officer. Results will also be posted on NSERC's Web site. As the results of competitions with deadlines are first made available to your institution research grants office, you can inquire there.

What if I have a question about the decision?

For a number of programs, NSERC sends the selection committee's comments with the results or shortly thereafter. You should note that comments may not be available for all applications. If you do not receive comments on your application within four weeks of receiving the decision, you may submit a written request to NSERC for information on file about the review, such as the selection committee's comments or the external referees' reports, if any.

You should not enter into direct contact with selection committee chairs or members who are prohibited by the Privacy Act from discussing or disclosing any information gained during the peer review process. Direct all your inquiries to NSERC.

What if I disagree with the decision?

Please see Appeals of Decision on NSERC Grants.

Back
Top of Page
Date Modified: 2010-08-13
^ Top of Page ^
Important Notices
People Discovery Innovation