Alliance Missions grants

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Overview

Alliance Missions grants are a unique opportunity aimed at addressing critical science and technology challenges that can play a pivotal role in Canada’s economy.

NSERC will provide opportunities for the research community to address challenges that have emerged as a result of the pandemic as well as to take advantage of new opportunities. Alliance Missions grants will help (1) accelerate the translation of Canada’s world-class research results into economic opportunities, and/or (2) inform policy that could have an impact on Canada’s economy. Grant support ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 annually is available to jump-start research projects that would normally require a cash contribution from a partner organization. NSERC will provide support for 100% of the eligible costs of research for a two-year period.

While partner organizations do not need to provide cash contributions to participate, they must be meaningfully engaged throughout the research process, from project design to adoption of the research results.

Projects supported by these grants will facilitate collaboration between academic researchers and private-sector, public-sector and/or not-for-profit partners to address challenges facing partner organization(s). Teams can comprise one or more researchers with any number of partner organization(s). Alternatively, grants can support the R&D activities of a network of academic researchers (three or more researchers) and partner organization(s) that respond to new economic opportunities that are not identified in the list of challenges.

Who can apply?

If you are a Canadian university researcher who is eligible to receive NSERC funds, you can apply on your own or as a team with co-applicants who are also eligible academic researchers.

If you are the principal applicant, you must hold an active peer-reviewed grant from NSERC when you apply.

You may apply for only one Alliance Missions grant as the principal applicant, and one as a co-applicant.

Research topics

You can apply to support any R&D project that responds to a research challenge in the natural sciences or engineering (see Selecting the appropriate federal granting agency). However, you cannot use an Alliance Missions grant to support secret or contract research.

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