Details on transfer payment programs of $5 million or more

General information

Name of transfer payment program Grants and Scholarships (voted)
Start date 1978
End date Ongoing
Type of transfer payment Grant
Type of appropriation Appropriated annually through estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions 2011-12
Link to department’s Program Inventory Programs 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3
Description NSERC's class grant Grants and Scholarships program supports university-based basic and project research, college-based project research, provides scholarships and fellowships to young researchers, and facilitates links between universities, colleges, the private sector, and governments.
Expected results
  • Canada has a supply of highly qualified Canadians with leading-edge scientific and research skills to fill positions in Canadian industry, government, postsecondary institutions, and other research organizations.
  • Canada makes significant high quality contributions to the creation of knowledge.
  • Canada's research capacity in science and engineering is maintained at world-class levels.
  • Research and training in targeted and emerging areas of national importance is accelerated.
  • The transfer of knowledge and technology residing in Canadian postsecondary institutions to the user sector is facilitated.
  • Mutually beneficial collaborations between the private sector and researchers in postsecondary institutions are created and result in industrial and economic benefits to Canada.
  • The Canadian public has a better understanding of the importance of science and engineering and of Canadian achievements and supports public investments in S&T.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation 2016-17
Decision following the results of last evaluation Continuation
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation 2017-18
General targeted recipient groups Persons, Industry-related, Non-profit organizations.
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

Planning information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment 2016–17 Forecast spending 2017–18 Planned spending 2018–19 Planned spending 2019–20 Planned spending
Total grants $894,566,629 $887,833,122 $887,733,122 $887,933,122
Total contributions 0 0 0 0
Total other types of transfer payments 0 0 0 0
Total program $894,566,629 $887,833,122 $887,733,122 $887,933,122

Name of transfer payment program Canada Graduate Scholarships (voted)
Start date 2003
End date Ongoing
Type of transfer payment Grant
Type of appropriation Appropriated annually through estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions 2009-10
Link to department’s Program Inventory Program 1.1: People: Research, Talent Sub-program 1.1.3: Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarships
Description NSERC's portion of the tri-agency class grant Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) program provides financial support to high-calibre scholars who are engaged in master's or doctoral programs in the natural sciences or engineering.
Expected results A supply of highly qualified personnel to the academic, public, not-for-profit, and private sectors: Percentage of Canada Graduate Scholarship students supported completing their degree.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation 2016-17
Decision following the results of last evaluation Continuation
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation 2019-20
General targeted recipient groups Persons (students)
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

Planning information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment 2016–17 Forecast spending 2017–18 Planned spending 2018–19 Planned spending 2019–20 Planned spending
Total grants $42,580,000 $42,580,000 $42,580,000 $42,580,000
Total contributions 0 0 0 0
Total other types of transfer payments 0 0 0 0
Total program $42,580,000 $42,580,000 $42,580,000 $42,580,000

Name of transfer payment program Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (voted)
Start date 2008
End date Ongoing
Type of transfer payment Grant
Type of appropriation Appropriated annually through estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions 2014-15
Link to department’s Program Inventory Program 1.1: People: Research, Talent Sub-program 1.1.4: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
Description NSERC's portion of the tri-agency class grant Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program provides financial support to Canadian and International students who have achieved outstanding success in their studies and will pursue a doctoral program at a Canadian university in the areas of natural sciences and engineering.
Expected results A supply of world-class doctoral students to build research capacity in Canada: Percentage of applicants considered worthy of award by expert reviewers for a given competition year.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation 2014-15
Decision following the results of last evaluation Continuation
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation 2019-20
General targeted recipient groups Persons (students)
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

Planning information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment 2016–17 Forecast spending 2017–18 Planned spending 2018–19 Planned spending 2019–20 Planned spending
Total grants $8,350,000 $8,350,000 $8,350,000 $8,350,000
Total contributions 0 0 0 0
Total other types of transfer payments 0 0 0 0
Total program $8,350,000 $8,350,000 $8,350,000 $8,350,000

Name of transfer payment program Canada Excellence Research Chairs (voted)
Start date 2008
End date Ongoing
Type of transfer payment Grant
Type of appropriation Appropriated annually through estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions 2010-11
Link to department’s Program Inventory Program 1.1: People: Research, Talent Sub-program 1.1.7: Canada Excellence Research Chairs
Description NSERC's portion of the tri-agency class grants Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) program to attract Canadian and international leaders who can positively contribute to our global competitiveness, future prosperity and well-being, as well as provide deeper understanding of the human dimension of technological change in the areas of natural sciences and engineering.
Expected results
  • Attract world-leading researchers, trainees and other research professionals to Canada.
  • Enhance research capacity in Canadian universities in areas of priority for Canada.
  • Increase awareness of chair holders and research excellence in Canada.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation 2014-15
Decision following the results of last evaluation Continuation
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation 2018-19
General targeted recipient groups Non-profit organizations, Persons
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

Planning information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment 2016–17 Forecast spending 2017–18 Planned spending 2018–19 Planned spending 2019–20 Planned spending
Total grants $25,448,000 $16,216,667 $8,166,667 $7,000,000
Total contributions 0 0 0 0
Total other types of transfer payments 0 0 0 0
Total program $25,448,000 $16,216,667 $8,166,667 $7,000,000

Name of transfer payment program Networks of Centres of Excellence (voted)
Start date 1997
End date Ongoing
Type of transfer payment Grant
Type of appropriation Appropriated annually through estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions 2014-15
Link to department’s Program Inventory Program 1.3: Innovation: Research Partnerships Sub-program 1.3.3: Networks of Centres of Excellence
Description NSERC's portion of the tri-agency class grant Networks of Centres of Excellence program to mobilize Canada's research talent in the academic, private, public and not-for-profit sectors and apply it to the task of developing the economy and improving the quality of life of Canadians.
Expected results The research knowledge and technology produced by the networks and centres is transferred and used: Ratio of partner contributions (cash and in-kind) relative to Networks of Centres of Excellence funds.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation 2015-16
Decision following the results of last evaluation Continuation
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation 2020-21
General targeted recipient groups Non-profit organizations (universities and research institutions, colleges)
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

Planning information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment 2016–17 Forecast spending 2017–18 Planned spending 2018–19 Planned spending 2019–20 Planned spending
Total grants $33,430,050 $31,590,000 $31,590,000 $31,590,000
Total contributions 0 0 0 0
Total other types of transfer payments 0 0 0 0
Total program $33,430,050 $31,590,000 $31,590,000 $31,590,000

Name of transfer payment program Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research
Start date 2007
End date Ongoing
Type of transfer payment Grant
Type of appropriation Appropriated annually through estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions 2012-13
Link to department’s Program Inventory Program 1.3: Innovation: Research Partnerships Sub-program 1.3.5: Commercialization of Research
Description NSERC's portion of the tri-agency class grant Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) program bridges the challenging gap between innovation and commercialization. The program matches clusters of research expertise with the business community to share the knowledge and resources that bring innovations to market faster. Centres advance research and facilitate commercialization within four priority areas: the environment; natural resources and energy; health and life sciences; and information and communications technologies.
Expected results The research knowledge and technology produced by the networks and centres is transferred and used: Ratio of partner contributions (cash and in-kind) relative to funds for commercialization activities.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation 2012-13
Decision following the results of last evaluation Continuation
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation 2016-17
General targeted recipient groups Industry-related, Persons
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

Planning information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment 2016–17 Forecast spending 2017–18 Planned spending 2018–19 Planned spending 2019–20 Planned spending
Total grants $12,494,569 $9,754,676 $5,500,000 $4,954,000
Total contributions 0 0 0 0
Total other types of transfer payments 0 0 0 0
Total program $12,494,569 $9,754,676 $5,500,000 $4,954,000

Name of transfer payment program Canada First Research Excellence Fund (voted)
Start date 2014
End date Ongoing
Type of transfer payment Grant
Type of appropriation Appropriated annually through estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions 2014-15
Link to department’s Program Inventory Program 1.2: Discovery: Advancement of Knowledge Sub-program: 1.2.3 Canada First Research Excellence Fund
Description The Canada First Research Excellence Fund (the Fund) supports Canada’s postsecondary institutions in their efforts to become global research leaders. It helps Canadian universities, colleges and polytechnics compete with the best in the world for talent and partnership opportunities, to make breakthrough discoveries, and to excel globally in research areas that will create long-term economic advantages for Canada. The Fund helps institutions: (i) compete with the best in the world for talent, for partnership opportunities and to make breakthrough discoveries; (ii) seize emerging opportunities and strategically advance their greatest strengths on the global stage; and (iii) implement large-scale, transformational and forward-thinking institutional strategies. This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.
Expected results Competitively-selected postsecondary institutions excel globally in research areas that create long-term economic advantages for Canada: Percentage of institutions demonstrating progress toward global leadership targets.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation Not applicable—new program
Decision following the results of last evaluation Not applicable
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation 2019-20
General targeted recipient groups Non-profit organizations (universities and research institutions, colleges)
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

Planning information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment 2016–17 Forecast spending 2017–18 Planned spending 2018–19 Planned spending 2019–20 Planned spending
Total grants $66,506,108 $101,820,801 $137,135,497 $137,135,497
Total contributions 0 0 0 0
Total other types of transfer payments 0 0 0 0
Total program $66,506,108 $101,820,801 $137,135,497 $137,135,497

Name of transfer payment program Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence (voted)
Start date 2007
End date Ongoing
Type of transfer payment Grant
Type of appropriation Appropriated annually through estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions 2011-12
Link to department’s Program Inventory Program 1.3: Innovation: Research Partnerships Sub-program: 1.3.3: Networks of Centres of Excellence
Description NSERC's portion of the tri-agency class grant Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence program establishes networks conducting research in priority areas resulting in a long-term competitive advantage to consortia of Canadian firms, supported by networks of academics and government researchers in areas of natural sciences and engineering. This program is included within the class grants Networks of Centres of Excellence program.
Expected results The research knowledge and technology produced by the networks and centres is transferred and used: Ratio of partner contributions (cash and in-kind) relative to Networks of Centres of Excellence funds.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation 2012-13
Decision following the results of last evaluation Continuation
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation N/A
General targeted recipient groups Industry-related, Persons
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

Planning information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment 2016–17 Forecast spending 2017–18 Planned spending 2018–19 Planned spending 2019–20 Planned spending
Total grants $6,551,000 $6,296,500 $8,414,750 $8,414,750
Total contributions 0 0 0 0
Total other types of transfer payments 0 0 0 0
Total program $6,551,000 $6,296,500 $8,414,750 $8,414,750

Name of transfer payment program College and Community Innovation Program (voted)
Start date 2007
End date Ongoing
Type of transfer payment Grant
Type of appropriation Appropriated annually through estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions 2016-17
Link to department’s Program Inventory Program 1.3: Innovation: Research Partnerships Sub-program 1.3.6: College and Community Innovation
Description NSERC's portion of the tri-agency class grant College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program increases innovation at the community and/or regional level by enabling Canadian colleges to increase their capacity to work with local companies, particularly small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), in areas of natural sciences and engineering. It supports applied research and collaborations that facilitate commercialization, as well as technology transfer, adaptation and adoption of new technologies, in areas of strategic importance to Canada.
Expected results
  • Increased awareness by local businesses of the capacity of the postsecondary institutions to assist with applied research projects.
  • Increased involvement of faculty in applied research.
  • Increased applied research capacity at colleges.
  • College students acquiring applied research knowledge and experience, and exposure to business work environments.
  • New technologies and processes adopted by local businesses and other organizations.
  • Increased applied research collaborations between colleges, universities, local businesses and other organizations.
  • Increased R&D investment by local businesses and other organizations.
  • Increased productivity and competitiveness of local businesses and other organizations.
  • Enhanced reputation of colleges as applied research partners for local businesses and other organizations.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation 2012-13
Decision following the results of last evaluation Continuation
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation 2017-18
General targeted recipient groups Industry-related, Persons
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

Planning information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment 2016–17 Forecast spending 2017–18 Planned spending 2018–19 Planned spending 2019–20 Planned spending
Total grants $52,200,459 $52,530,071 $52,610,071 $52,610,071
Total contributions 0 0 0 0
Total other types of transfer payments 0 0 0 0
Total program $52,200,459 $52,530,071 $52,610,071 $52,610,071
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