Applied Research Tools and Instruments (ARTI) grants support the purchase of research equipment to foster and enhance the capacity of colleges to undertake applied research projects in partnership with industry, public, not-for-profit and health organizations within their community* and to provide training opportunities for college students.

Canadian colleges (including CEGEPs and polytechnics) that are declared eligible to administer grants before the application deadline and that meet the eligibility requirements for colleges of any of the three federal granting agencies—the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and/or the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)—can apply. All applications must be submitted to NSERC. Grants are funded by NSERC, except proposals exclusively in the health sciences field, or exclusively in the social sciences or humanities fields, which are funded by CIHR and SSHRC, respectively.

Colleges are invited to submit a limited number of applications per competition. The maximum allowable applications per college will vary from competition to competition based on a number of factors, including budget availability. It is the responsibility of the college to ensure that the number of applications submitted to NSERC does not exceed the permitted limit. For the 2024 ARTI competition, a maximum of two applications can be submitted per college.

For a list of Canadian colleges currently eligible to apply, see the list of eligible institutions for the agency you are applying to (NSERC, CIHR or SSHRC). To become an eligible institution, see the Institutional eligibility requirements and the frequently asked questions on institutional eligibility.

Applied Research Tools and Instruments (ARTI) grants are one-year awards that support the purchase of applied research equipment,* allowing the college to better respond to the innovation needs of its partners and to provide enriched, hands-on training opportunities for college students.

The applied research equipment may be purchased to enhance the capacity of a single, multiple or institution-wide college applied research program(s) in the natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities and health sciences. The college must fully justify and demonstrate the need and value of the equipment for its partners and applied research program(s) resulting in meaningful economic, environmental, social and/or health impacts for Canadians. In addition, the college must demonstrate how the utilization of the equipment will be optimized to maximize benefits to partners and contribute to the training of a diverse pool of trainees in an inclusive environment.

For information on how to integrate EDI considerations into your research proposal, and for links to additional resources, see the Guide to addressing EDI in CCI program grant applications.

NSERC is acting on the evidence that achieving a more equitable, diverse and inclusive Canadian research enterprise is essential to creating the excellent, innovative and impactful research necessary to advance knowledge and understanding, and to respond to local, national and global challenges. This principle informs the commitments described in the Tri-agency Statement on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and is aligned with the objectives of the Tri-agency EDI Action Plan.

For this funding opportunity, applicants are encouraged to increase the inclusion and advancement of underrepresented groups as one way to enhance excellence in research and training. EDI considerations must be integrated into the training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for students and trainees. The aim is to remove barriers to the recruitment and full participation of individuals from underrepresented groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities, members of visible minority/racialized groups and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

Applicants whose research involve Indigenous Peoples or communities must consult and take into consideration the concepts, principles and protocols in the CCI guide for research involving Indigenous Peoples and communities.

All committee members reviewing applications are also expected to consult and take into consideration the same concepts, principles and protocols.

Where possible, CCI program staff will to ensure that reviewers on these applications have experience or expertise in Indigenous research.

Partners are the organizations that contribute to and implement the applied research results, who use these results to help achieve their desired goals and/or who play an active role in mobilizing knowledge to ensure that the results have an impact for Canadians.

Colleges may include partners when applying for an ARTI grant, although this is not a requirement. Following the award of a grant, it is expected that the college will undertake collaborative applied research projects with involvement from partners from the private, public and/or not-for-profit sector(s). If partners are not identified in the application, NSERC will assess the potential of the requested equipment to lead to partnerships. Partners are expected to:

• collaborate actively in the college's research
• have a credible plan to use the research results to provide economic, social, health or environmental benefits for Canadians
• have the capability, maturity, and resources to implement the plan

At least one letter should be provided from a supporting organization that outlines their interest in the requested applied research equipment and their anticipated involvement (if applicable) in the applied research and innovation activities of the college using the proposed equipment. The supporting organization may be a current or future potential partner who will benefit from the acquisition of the equipment but can also be a key organization from the college’s community (e.g., municipal, regional, provincial, territorial and/or federal organizations, associations). The supporting organization may not require the equipment for their own activities but would like to support the acquisition of the equipment to benefit their region, members, and other organizations within their community. Applications without at least one letter of support will be deemed ineligible and removed from the competition. There is no maximum number of support letters that can be provided.

Although contributions from supporting organizations (cash or in-kind) are not required for ARTI grants, these may strengthen the application by demonstrating the relevance and importance of the equipment to the stakeholders of the college’s community. If a cash contribution towards the purchase of the equipment is provided by an organization (other than the applicant's institution), a letter of support is required from the organization confirming this commitment.

NSERC will accept applications for research equipment whose total net cost* is up to $350,000, provided that the applicant is able to secure funding from other sources to bring the amount requested from NSERC to $200,000 or less. Funding from other sources must be clearly described in the application and confirmed at the time that the application is submitted.

Following the award of a grant, if the purchase price of the equipment changes and the total costs of the project increase (compared to the original budget), the college will be responsible for any additional costs.

ARTI grants must be used only to purchase the specific type of equipment for which the grant was awarded. Grantees who wish to purchase equipment different from that specified in the application must obtain written permission from NSERC prior to its purchase. Grantees may, however, buy a model different from that requested in the application without prior approval.

NSERC will only accept applications for equipment that has not yet been purchased. All applications are reviewed on a competitive basis.

For details on the use of grant funds, see the Tri-agency Guide on Financial Administration.

This program has exceptions to Part 2 (Use of grant funds) of the guide, detailed below.

The following expenditures are eligible:

• Purchase or subscription, for the funded year, of new, used or refurbished equipment; for the repair, upgrade or rental of equipment; for the fabrication of equipment that is not readily available off the shelf; for hardware upgrades; or software licenses, including:
  • taxes for equipment costs paid by the college
  • transportation costs, shipping and handling, extended warranty, brokerage and customs charges
  • installation
  • training fees
  • travel required for equipment commissioning or for training

The following expenditures are not eligible:

• Salaries and benefits
• Insurance costs for equipment and research vehicles
• Costs of the construction, renovation, or rental of laboratories or supporting facilities (construction consists of any infrastructure changes that would remain if the purchased equipment were to be removed) unless required to meet regulatory requirements
• Provision(s) in the budget for unforeseen costs (contingency fees, exchange rate variances, etc.)
• Consumables

Overhead and administration costs equivalent to 20% of the annual grant amount are included automatically; such costs include expenditures eligible under the Research Support Fund (e.g., grant writing, financial reporting, etc.).

The deadline for submitting an application is November 20, 2024 before 8:00 pm (ET). If the deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the application must reach NSERC before 8:00 pm (ET) the following working day.

Applications must be submitted through the Convergence Portal. See the Instructions for completing an ARTI grants application for more details.

Colleges are invited to submit a limited number of applications per competition. The maximum allowable applications per college will vary from competition to competition based on a number of factors, including budget availability. It is the responsibility of the college to ensure that the number of applications submitted to NSERC does not exceed the permitted limit. For the 2024 ARTI competition, a maximum of two applications can be submitted per college.

When NSERC receives an ARTI grant application, it first undertakes an administrative assessment to ensure the application is complete and complies with all eligibility requirements. Once the administrative assessment is satisfactorily completed, applications are assigned to a multidisciplinary review committee for the College and Community Innovation program, which will conduct a merit assessment of the application and make a funding recommendation to NSERC.

Applications are evaluated on three evaluation criteria. The proposal must address all of the criteria and sub-criteria below to be considered for funding.

• A demonstrated need for the proposed equipment and evidence that it will increase the college’s capacity for applied research in the area(s) of the proposal
• The fit of the proposed applied research equipment with the college’s applied research strategic plan and existing infrastructure and equipment
• The researcher(s)’ relevant experience and demonstrated ability to fully use the proposed equipment
• The impact on the applied research program of any delay in acquiring the proposed equipment

• The potential for the proposed equipment to foster, stimulate or enable collaborations with partners from industry, public, not-for-profit and/or health organizations
• The innovation impact of the proposed equipment on current and potential partner-focused projects
• The availability and access to similar applied research equipment within the region for the college and partner organizations

• Appropriateness of the equipment training plan to provide college students and other trainees with enriched hands-on applied research training opportunities and marketable skills
• The quality and extent of training
• Identification of at least one concrete practice in the equipment training plan to promote a diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible training environment

NSERC’s funding decision will take into consideration the evaluation criteria ratings assigned to applications by the review committee and the budget available for ARTI grants. For more information about review process timelines, consult the Application deadlines and notification of decision page.

If your application is approved for funding, you will receive an award letter, and you must adhere to the terms and conditions set out in it.

Your award letter will indicate the start date of your grant. NSERC will normally transfer your grant funds to your college within 30 days of the start date. Note that applications funded through CIHR and SSHRC may experience additional delays due to inter-agency transfer requirements.

Colleges are required to acknowledge the support of granting agencies (NSERC, CIHR or SSHRC, as applicable) in all communications (verbally and in writing) related to the research and research results. Furthermore, under Canada’s Official Languages Act, agencies must take measures to promote the use of both English and French in Canadian society. Hence, we ask that you acknowledge your agency’s funding in both English and French, verbally and in writing, whenever possible. For sample text and additional information, visit the Acknowledgement and logos (NSERC), Acknowledging CIHR support or Acknowledging SSHRC support web pages.

Before making an official public announcement for both annual and open competition College and Community Innovation grants, including ARTI grants, consult with NSERC’s, CIHR’s or SSHRC’s communications teams.

NSERC, in coordination with CIHR and SSHRC, will make an annual announcement of the recipients of ARTI grants. Colleges are asked to refrain from making any public announcements until after this annual announcement has been made. NSERC will notify applicants and college communications offices about this announcement with as much advance notice as possible. This does not prevent you from confidentially sharing information about your funding with your collaborators or referring to CCI funding in applications for other funding.

Please refer to the College and Community Innovation program policy on intellectual property, research agreements, patents and copyrights page.

ARTI grants must only be used to purchase the specific type of equipment for which the grant was awarded. Grantees who wish to purchase equipment different from that specified in the application must obtain written permission from NSERC prior to its purchase by contacting colleges@nserc-crsng.gc.ca. Grantees may, however, buy a model different from that requested in the application without prior approval.

The administering institution must complete a Grant amendment form and submit it to grantsadministration@nserc-crsng.gc.ca (with CC to colleges@nserc-crsng.gc.ca) to inform NSERC of administrative changes such as:

• Deferral of grant instalment
• Extension period for the authority to use grant funds
• Continuing eligibility
• Changes to individuals on the grant team
• Termination of a grant

For additional information on administrative changes, consult Part 6: Administrative changes of the Tri-agency Guide on Financial Administration.

A one-year time extension to use the grant funds beyond the grant end date is automatically provided for all ARTI grants. Contact colleges@nserc-crsng.gc.ca for additional information on grant extensions.

• Instructions for completing an Applied Research Tools and Instruments (ARTI) grant application
• ARTI budget template
• Roles and eligibility requirements to apply for or hold College and Community Innovation program grant funds

• CCI guide for research involving Indigenous Peoples and communities
• Guide to addressing equity, diversity and inclusion in College and Community Innovation program grant applications
• NSERC guide on integrating equity, diversity and inclusion considerations in research
• Tri-agency EDI Action Plan
• Tri-agency financial administration
• Tri-agency Statement on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

• Terms and conditions of applying for applicants
• Terms and conditions of applying for co-applicants
• Terms and conditions of applying for contributors
• Terms and conditions of applying for participants

• College and Community Innovation program partnership guidelines

• ARTI Peer Review Committee

• NSERC funding decisions
• Terms and conditions of award

• List of eligible Canadian colleges

Email: colleges@nserc-crsng.gc.ca
Toll free: 1-855-275-2861

For help with online services
Email: websupport@convergence.gc.ca