Details on transfer payment programs of $5 million or more

Grants and Scholarships (voted)

1978

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through estimates

2018-19

Discovery Research, Research Training and Talent Development, Research Partnerships

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.

In 2019-20, NSERC supported over 12,000 researchers including scientists and engineers and nearly 32,800 trainees at post-secondary institutions across Canada through its funding opportunities under the Discovery Research, Research Training and Talent Development, and Research Partnerships Programs.

To promote and maintain a diversified base of high-quality research across Canada and provide a stimulating environment for research training in small universities across Canada, NSERC continued its Discovery Development Grants pilot program. Award levels were increased from $10,000 to $15,000, and 50 recipients received $740,000 in 2019-20.

In 2019-20, 543 supplements valued at $12,500 each, provided timely resources to support ECRs as they establish their research programs and hire students in areas ranging from environmental sciences and agriculture to information and communications technologies. As a result of these initiatives, the Discovery Research Program committed $101 million over six years to ECRs.

In direct support to the next generation of scientists and engineers, NSERC and Ingenium have renewed their commitment to collaborate for the next three years. In Spring 2019, the Ingenium-NSERC STEAM Horizon Awards were presented to five young people, including two candidates from Indigenous communities.

In 2019-20, through the CREATE funding opportunity, 93 awardees received $25 million and over 75% of the reported CREATE internships offered trainees experience in an industrial setting.

In 2019-20, over 2100 NSERC-funded researchers worked with 3,245 non-academic partner organizations, including companies, societies and associations. These collaborations build on strong discovery research to mobilize knowledge that allows Canada to address complex challenges, generate economic benefits and support evidence-based decision making and leveraged over $281 million of cash and in-kind contributions from private sector research partners to enable researchers to advance scientific knowledge, address real world challenges, and connect people and skills.

No audits of this transfer payment program were completed or underway in 2019-20.

Evaluation of Collaborative Health Research Projects was underway and has incurred delays due to COVID-19 related isolation. The evaluation is planned to be completed sometime in the Fall 2020.

Planning for the Evaluation of Research Training and Talent Development was underway, but has experienced delays due to COVID-19 related isolation, which will likely have an impact on the planned completion date of March 2022.

Planning for the Evaluation of the Canada Research Chairs was underway, but has experienced delays due to COVID-19 related isolation, which will have an impact on the planned completion date of July 2021.

Planning for the Evaluation of the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships was underway, but has experienced delays due to COVID-19 related isolation, which will have an impact on the planned completion date of October 2020.

Evaluation of Discovery Research was completed in January 2020. Summary of evaluation findings include the following:

Examples of outcomes achieved:

• The Discovery Research Program supports research excellence in the fields of natural sciences and engineering. It has a well-established record of providing Canadian researchers in the fields of natural sciences and engineering the opportunity to undertake curiosity-driven, long-term research programs with the required flexibility to pursue promising research avenues.
• The Discovery Research Program addresses the needs of the research communities The Discovery Grants component provides meaningful funding support to approximately 10,000 Canadian researchers in natural sciences and engineering.
• The Discovery Research Program supports diversity and new generations of researchers. The Program is implementing changes to foster engagement in the research ecosystem of underrepresented groups in all fields of natural sciences and engineering.

Summary of Recommendations:

1. Maintain the Discovery Research Program, with the goal of ensuring its sustainability and its continued adaptability to emerging dynamics in the fields of natural sciences and engineering.
2. NSERC should explain the rationale for funding differences across disciplines, providing a clear description of the Discovery Grant funding levels and how they are established.
3. NSERC should clarify its objectives with respect to the nature and level of support it provides for research tools and instruments.
4. NSERC should consider separating the management of the funding for individual mathematics and statistics Discovery Grants from the management of the funding for institutes provided by CTRMS.
5. NSERC should clarify its vision and develop a comprehensive framework and guidelines that communicate how NSERC intends to provide ongoing support to research institutes in Canada.
6. NSERC should pursue the implementation of its EDI principles as they apply to activities funded through the Discovery Research Program.

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.

• Differences between planned and actual spending relates to the realignment of the Canada Research Chairs budget across the tri-agencies, the increase in Paid Parental Leave as per Budget 2019 and various transfers between NSERC and other government departments and agencies.
• These figures do not include operating expenses.

Canada Graduate Scholarships (voted)

2003-04

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through estimates

2009-10

Research Training and Talent Development

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.

The CGS Program strives to make Canada one of the world’s top countries for research training and development in order to build an innovative and competitive economy, increase future job opportunities and, ultimately, generate social, economic and cultural benefits for Canadians. As a result of investments made to the CGS program in Budget 2019, additional awards (500 awards for both the Master’s and Doctoral levels) were offered to applicants starting in the 2018–19 CGS competitions.

No audits of this transfer payment program were completed or underway in 2019-20.

Planning for the evaluation of Canada Graduate Scholarships was initiated, but has experienced delays due to COVID-19 related isolation; the evaluation is planned to be completed by November 2021.

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

• Differences between planned and actual spending relates to the implementation of Budget 2019 provision for Canada graduate Scholarships
• These figures do not include operating expenses.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (voted)

2008

ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through estimates

2014-15

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.

Through the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship Program, the Government of Canada invests up to $25 million annually, divided among the budgets of CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC, to attract and retain world-class doctoral students and establish Canada as a global centre of excellence in research and higher learning. Up to 166 scholarships are awarded annually to Canadian and international doctoral students studying at Canadian universities who demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and/or engineering, and health.

No audits of this transfer payment program were completed or underway in 2019-20.

Evaluation of Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships was underway and delays were incurred at the approval stage due to COVID-19 related isolation. The evaluation is planned to be completed sometime in the Fall 2020.

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.

• The variance is due to funds from terminated award
• These figures do not include operating expenses.

Canada Excellence Research Chairs (voted)

2008

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through estimates

2016-17

Discovery Research

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.

• A total of 17 CERCs (5 CIHR, 10 NSERC and 2 SSHRC) at 13 Canadian institutions were supported in 2019-20 for a total investment of $21.5 million ($7.0 million CIHR, $11.9 million NSERC and $2.6 million SSHRC). SSHRC-funded areas include data-intensive methods in economics, smart cities, and migration and integration. NSERC-funded areas include materials engineering, food systems and precision drug design. CIHR-funded areas include genetics, glycomics and metabolic health.
• The third competition was finalized over the course of the fiscal year with 9 of the 11 available chair positions approved by the steering committee over the course of 2019-20. Of these chairs, eight were announced in April 2019 by the Minister of Science and Sport.
• The midterm review panel reviewed two CERCs in 2019-20 and recommended continued funding. The reviews highlighted that the CERC program is contributing to enhancing institutional capacity, strengthening relationships with research collaborators/partners, and furthering Canada’s reputation as a global centre of excellence in science, research and innovation.

No audits of this transfer payment program were completed or underway in 2019-20.

Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) were evaluated jointly with Canada 150 Research Chairs (C150). Approvals were delayed due to COVID-19 related isolation. The evaluation was planned to be completed in June 2020.

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.

• The variance is due to funds from terminated award
• These figures do not include operating expenses.

Networks of Centres of Excellence (voted)

1997

2023-24

Grant

Appropriated annually through estimates

2014-15

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.

This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.

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.

No audits of this transfer payment program were completed or underway in 2019-20.

There are no plans to evaluate this program, as the NCE is no longer an ongoing program and its funds will be gradually transferred to the New Frontiers in Research Fund. This program has been evaluated regularly (i.e., every 5 years) since its inception (as a sunset program) in 1985. Given the solid evaluation history, there are few lessons to be learned from an evaluation at this time.

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.

• These figures do not include operating expenses.

Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence (voted)

2007

2023-24

Grant

Appropriated annually through estimates

2012-13

Research Partnerships

The Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence program 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.

This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.

The research knowledge and technology produced by the networks and centres are transferred and used.

No audits of this transfer payment program were completed or underway in 2019-20.

There are no plans to evaluate this program as the BL-NCE was transferred to the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) managed by ISED and will be evaluated as part of the SIF. This program has been evaluated regularly (i.e., every 5 years) since its inception in 2007. Given the solid evaluation history, there are few lessons to be learned from an evaluation at this time.

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.

• The variance between planned and actual spending relates to transfers of funds to SSHRC and CIHR
• These figures do not include operating expenses.

Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (voted)

2007

2022-23

Grant

Appropriated annually through estimates

2012-13

Research Partnerships

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.

This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.

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

No audits of this transfer payment program were completed or underway in 2019-20.

There are no plans to evaluate this program as the CECR was transferred to the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) managed by ISED and will be evaluated as part of the SIF. This program has been evaluated 3 times since its inception in 2007. Given the solid evaluation history, there are few lessons to be learned from an evaluation at this time.

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.

• Differences between planned and actual spending relates to the TB Submission requesting bridge funding for CECR during the gradual transfer to ISED's SIF program
• These figures do not include operating expenses.

College and Community Innovation Program (voted)

2007

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through estimates

2018-19

Research Partnerships

The College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program is managed by NSERC in collaboration with CIHR and 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.

In 2019-20, NSERC invested new funds allocated in Budget 2018 ($140 million over five years) to increase support for collaborative innovation projects involving businesses, colleges and polytechnics through the College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program, a Tri-agency program managed by NSERC. The CCI program continues to increase awareness about the capacity of postsecondary institutions to assist local businesses with applied research projects. In 2019-20, over $75 million was awarded to fund 988 college collaborations with over 1200 partners. Forty-seven percent of the collaborations included new partners (public, private and not-for-profit organizations) that had not previously collaborated with a college. College students acquired applied research knowledge and experience and exposure to business work environments through the program, with 10% of partners indicating that they hired a college student after the grant.

No audits of this transfer payment program were completed or underway in 2019-20.

Evaluation of the College and Community Innovation program is planned to be completed by September 2023.

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.

• Differences between planned and actual spending relates to the transfer of funds to SSHRC and CIHR for CCI awards under their respective mandates
• These figures do not include operating expenses.

Canada First Research Excellence Fund (voted)

2014

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through estimates

2014-15

Discovery Research

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.

• All 18 CFREF recipients at 17 Canadian institutions were supported in 2019-20, for a total investment for the tri-agencies of $199 million.
• The midterm reviews of five CFREFs awarded in the first competition were undertaken during 2019-20. The midterm reviews demonstrate that CFREF recipients have established strong partnerships and collaborations at the national and international level; recruited highly qualified personnel and students; hired new faculty; built world-class infrastructures; already achieved significant advancements in their respective fields of research; and leveraged funding that will contribute to the sustainability of these initiatives in the long term.
• Funding supports several priority areas, including environment and agriculture; health and related life sciences; advanced manufacturing; information and communications technology; and natural resources and energy.

An audit of the Canada First Excellence Research Fund transfer payment program is underway. The audit was expected to be completed in September 2020

Evaluation of the Canada First Excellence Research Fund (CFREF) was planned to be completed in October 2020. Some delays have been incurred due to COVID-19 related isolation.

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.

• These figures do not include operating expenses.

Canada 150 Research Chairs (voted)

2017

2025-26

Grant

Appropriated annually through estimates

2017-18

Discovery Research

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.

• A total of 24 Canada 150 Chairs (4 CIHR, 14 NSERC and 6 SSHRC) at 16 Canadian institutions were supported in 2019-20 for a total investment of $14.3 million ($2.7 million CIHR, $9.5 million NSERC and $2.1 million SSHRC).
• Funding supports several SSHRC research areas, including: new media, climate economics, gender and cultural informatics, moral psychology, and global governance and security. NSERC research areas supported include: quantum chemistry; infection, evolution and public health; and robotics. CIHR research areas supported include neuroscience and cell biology.
• Annual reporting for the program was developed in the winter/spring of 2019-20. All recipients are expected to submit progress reports in fall 2020.

No audits of this transfer payment program were completed or underway in 2019-20.

Canada 150 Research Chairs (C150) were evaluated jointly with Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC). Approvals were delayed due to COVID-19 related isolation. The evaluation was planned to be completed in June 2020.

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.

• The variance between planned and actual spending relates to the funding being moved to future fiscal years.
• These figures do not include operating expenses.