Details on transfer payment programs

The Business-led Networks of Centres of Excellence program (BL-NCE) funds large-scale collaborative research networks that bring a wide range of research expertise to bear on specific challenges identified by an industrial sector. This tri-agency program is administered by NSERC on behalf of SSHRC, CIHR and NSERC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

2015-16

Continuation

Not applicable - Budget 2018 transferred oversight of BL-NCE to the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) at ISED.

• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• Academia and public institutions

No further competitions are planned under this program. Existing recipients are supported by direct contact and engagement through their assigned NCE staff liaison who sits as an observer on the Board of Directors.

Total grants

$5,992,962

$2,763,000

$2,727,000

$1,650,000

Total contributions

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

Total program

$5,992,962

$2,763,000

$2,727,000

$1,650,000

The Canada 150 Chairs provides Canadian universities with a one-time investment to attract top-tier, internationally based scholars and researchers (including Canadian expatriates) to Canada. This program is administered by SSHRC on behalf of CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

• Strengthen Canada’s research capacity through the recruitment and retention of top-tier, internationally based scholars and researchers;
• Enhance Canada’s reputation as a global centre for science, research and innovation excellence;
• Improve universities’ capacity to generate and apply new knowledge; and
• Improve the training and development of highly qualified research personnel.

2019-20

Continuation

2024-25

• Individual and sole proprietorships
• Academia and public institutions

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.

Total grants

$9,450,000

$9,450,000

$9,450,000

$9,450,000

Total contributions

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

Total program

$9,450,000

$9,450,000

$9,450,000

$9,450,000

2008

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2016-17

Canada’s natural sciences and engineering research is internationally competitive.

The Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) program is a tri-agency initiative that supports Canadian universities in their efforts to build on Canada's growing reputation as a global leader in research and innovation. The program awards world-renowned researchers and their teams to establish ambitious research programs at Canadian universities. This program is administered by SSHRC on behalf of CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

• Strengthen Canada’s ability to attract the world’s top researchers;
• Build a critical mass of expertise in priority areas identified by the government at Canadian institutions;
• Create a competitive environment to help Canadian institutions attract a cadre of world-leading researchers, collaborators, partners, and research users from diverse sectors, nationally and internationally; and
• Contribute to the branding of Canada as a location of choice for world-leading research, science and technology development

2019-20

Continuation

2024-25

• Academia and public institutions
• Individual and sole proprietorships

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.

Total grants

$11,769,333

$15,400,000

$12,950,000

$11,200,000

Total contributions

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

Total program

$11,769,333

$15,400,000

$12,950,000

$11,200,000

2014

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2014-15

Canada’s natural sciences and engineering research is internationally competitive.

The Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) supports Canada’s postsecondary institutions in their efforts to become global research leaders. CFREF 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 program is administered by SSHRC on behalf of CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

• Compete with the best in the world for talent, for partnership opportunities, and to make breakthrough discoveries;
• Seize emerging opportunities and strategically advance their greatest strengths on the global stage; and
• Implement large-scale, transformational and forward-thinking institutional strategies.

Not applicable

Not applicable

2020-21

• Academia and public institutions

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.

Total grants

$137,135,497

$137,135,497

$137,135,497

$108,439,290

Total contributions

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

Total program

$137,135,497

$137,135,497

$137,135,497

$108,439,290

2003-04

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2009-10

Canada has a pool of highly skilled people in the natural sciences and engineering.

NSERC's portion of the 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. This program is a tri-agency program and is administered by each respective agency (CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC).

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

• Increased enrolment in graduate studies in Canada.
• Improved time to completion of degrees for CGS scholarship holders, relative to national statistics for time to completion in their discipline.
• Enhanced capacity of Canadian universities to attract the best and brightest young people who will become the next generation of researchers.

2016-17

Continuation

2021-22

• Individuals or sole proprietorships

Applicants and recipients are engaged through communication with academic institutions and tri-agency or agency specific electronic communication.

Total grants

$46,930,000

$48,580,000

$50,455,000

$50,455,000

Total contributions

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

Total program

$46,930,000

$48,580,000

$50,455,000

$50,455,000

2007

2022-23

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2012-13

Canada’s natural sciences and engineering research knowledge is used.

The 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. This program is administered by NSERC on behalf of CIHR, SSHRC and NSERC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

Pre-competitive development of promising technology and the promotion of its transfer to new or established Canadian companies are facilitated.

2017-18

Continuation

Not applicable - Budget 2018 transferred oversight of CECR to the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) at ISED.

• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• Academia and public institutions

No further competitions are planned under this program. Existing recipients are supported by direct contact and engagement through their assigned NCE staff liaison who sits as an observer on the Board of Directors.

Total grants

$19,013,036

$10,651,980

$5,409,000

$2,480,000

Total contributions

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

Total program

$19,013,036

$10,651,980

$5,409,000

$2,480,000

2007

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2018-19

Canada’s natural sciences and engineering research knowledge is used.

The College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program is managed by NSERC in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). The 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 the natural and social sciences, engineering, humanities and/or health. 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.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

• 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.

2018-19

Continuation

2023-24

• Academia and public institutions

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.

Total grants

$75,727,700

$76,254,491

$80,804,491

$81,204,491

Total contributions

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

Total program

$75,727,700

$76,254,491

$80,804,491

$81,204,491

1978

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2018-19

Canada’s natural sciences and engineering research is internationally competitive, Canada has a pool of highly skilled people in the natural sciences and engineering, Canada’s natural sciences and engineering research knowledge is used.

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.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

• 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.

2019-20

Continuation

2020-21

• Academia and public institutions
• Individual or sole proprietorships

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.

Total grants

$950,893,980

$968,487,265

$987,279,765

$984,732,612

Total contributions

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

Total program

$950,893,980

$968,487,265

$987,279,765

$984,732,612

1997

2023-24

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2014-15

Canada’s natural sciences and engineering research knowledge is used.

Research Partnerships

The program supports large-scale academically led research networks that harness the creativity and inventiveness of Canadian health, natural, and social scientists and engineers. Partners from industry, government and not-for-profit organizations contribute additional expertise and bring cash and in kind support. This program is a tri-agency program administered by NSERC on behalf of CIHR, SSHRC and NSERC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

Strong linkages and partnerships between university, government and industry, and other users (NGOs) resulting in the exploitation of leading-edge research results with economical and/or societal benefits to Canada.

2015-16

Continuation

Not applicable - no longer an ongoing transfer payment. Budget 2018 created the New Frontiers in Research Fund; NCE funding will be transferred to NFRF over the next several years. At present there are no plans to evaluate this program.

• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• Academia and public institutions

No further competitions are planned under this program. Existing recipients are supported by direct contact and engagement through their assigned NCE staff liaison who sits as an observer on the Board of Directors.

Total grants

$31,590,000

$27,899,844

$25,706,128

$8,035,344

Total contributions

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

Total program

$31,590,000

$27,899,844

$25,706,128

$8,035,344

2008

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2014-15

Canada has a pool of highly skilled people in the natural sciences and engineering.

Research Training and Talent Development

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program is tri-agency program designed to attract and retain world-class doctoral students by offering them a significant financial award. This financial award assists students during their studies at Canadian universities. Vanier Scholars demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, and health-related fields. This program is administered by CIHR on behalf of CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

• Establishment of a Canadian doctoral scholarship that is internationally competitive and internationally recognized.
• Enhanced capacity of Canadian universities to attract the best and brightest students from Canada and the world with the potential to become leaders in the next generation of researchers in Canada.
• Attract to Canada top students from other countries who will bring with them new knowledge and ideas and enrich the Canadian learning environment.
• Retain Canada’s top doctoral students in the face of intense international competition for the brightest researchers.
• Promote and brand Canada as a home of research excellence and Canadian Universities as world-class institutions of research and higher learning.
• Establish effective research collaborations and networks between Canada and the recipients’ home countries.

2019-20

Continuation

2024-25

• Academia and public institutions

Applicants and recipients are engaged through communication with academic institutions and directed tri-agency or agency-specific electronic communication, as well as through the Vanier CGS website.

Total grants

$8,008,333

$8,350,000

$8,350,000

$8,350,000

Total contributions

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

Total program

$8,008,333

$8,350,000

$8,350,000

$8,350,000