DND/NSERC Discovery Grant Supplements

Objective

The DND/NSERC Discovery Grant Supplements, a joint initiative between the Department of National Defence (DND) and NSERC, aim to support unclassified university-based research dedicated to the development of non-weapon specific technologies with dual-use applications in defence and security target areas.

Description

The DND Supplement provides additional resources to researchers whose Discovery Grant applications were successful in the Discovery Grants competition and whose research addresses the DND target areas.

Each award is valued at up to $120,000 over three years (up to $40,000 annually). These funds may be used to expand the recipient’s research group (e.g., students, postdoctoral fellows, technicians), to purchase or access specialized equipment, or for other initiatives or resources that would accelerate the recipient’s research program in the targeted areas.

Eligibility

In addition to the usual NSERC eligibility criteria for applicants, the DND Supplement is only accessible to researchers who are applying to the current Discovery Grants competition and whose research falls within the DND target areas. Furthermore, adjunct professors whose primary place of employment is outside the university sector (e.g., government, industry or colleges) are not eligible for the DND Supplement.

Application Procedures

No separate application is required. Applicants must indicate their interest in being considered for a DND Supplement and provide written justification of how their proposed research falls within the DND target areas as part of the Discovery Grants application process.

Review Procedures

Evaluation Groups will evaluate and rate Discovery Grants applications in accordance with established Discovery Grants evaluation criteria, without evaluating the DND justification section. Following the NSERC evaluation, the applications and ratings of the successful Discovery Grants applicants who indicated interest in the DND Supplement will be forwarded to an internal DND committee. The DND committee will select the recipients of the DND Supplement based on the Discovery Grants application ratings as well as the extent to which the proposed research activity addresses the DND target areas.

Award

Each year, NSERC and DND will award up to 20 DND Supplements. Each award will have a total value of up to $120,000 (up to $40,000 annually) and will normally be paid over three years. Recipients’ contact information will be shared with DND to facilitate connections with relevant government scientists. DND Supplements recipients will be required to provide written notification to NSERC of any changes in research direction as continued funding through the DND Supplement is contingent on the supported research remaining in the DND target areas.

Reporting Requirements

DND Supplement recipients are required to report on their spending by completing a Grants in Aid of Research Statement of Account (Form 300) at the end of each fiscal year. Furthermore, recipients are required to submit a progress report at 18 months and a final report at the end of the DND supplement period.