• Important information
• Objectives
• Description
• Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI)
• Research security
• Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern
• International stream
• Industrial collaborator participation
• Eligibility
• Award information
• Progress reports and performance evaluations
• Specific rules for the use of grant funds
• Application procedures
• Review procedures and selection criteria
• Resources

For the current competition, NSERC will fund one CREATE initiative through the Government of Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS). The initiative will help advance the DIS’s workforce development priorities by supporting training opportunities that result in skilled and technologically-proficient research trainees in areas including, but not limited to, quantum communications, quantum sensing, quantum materials, quantum computing and quantum software. Investments in high-potential dual-use domains such as quantum will advance national defence priorities, bolster Canada’s industrial capacity and create new business and workforce opportunities, thereby maximizing research impacts and delivering economic benefits for all Canadians. Applications will be evaluated through the normal CREATE peer review process, but applications should include “Quantum” in the title. Letters of Intent (LOIs) submitted to the Quantum call are not included in each university’s allotment of LOIs advancing to the application stage. Each university can submit up to one LOI for the Quantum call.

The Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) program supports the training and mentoring of highly qualified students and postdoctoral researchers from Canada and abroad through the development of innovative training programs that:

• encourage collaborative and integrative approaches between institutions of various sizes to address significant scientific challenges
• facilitate the transition of new researchers from trainees to productive employees in the Canadian workforce

These innovative programs must foster the development of professional skills among students and postdoctoral researchers that complement their technical skills, thereby improving their job readiness for careers in industry, government, non-governmental organizations, and/or academia.

In addition, these programs should encourage:

• student mobility, nationally or internationally, between individual universities and between universities and other sectors
• interdisciplinary research within the natural sciences and engineering (NSE), or at the interface between the NSE and health or the social sciences and humanities; however, the focus of the training must still lie within the NSE
• increased collaboration between academic and non-academic sectors

The CREATE program promotes the development of new researchers within the NSE disciplines, or at the interdisciplinary frontier between the NSE and the areas supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). Proposed initiatives should encourage interaction with future employers and provide opportunities for trainees to participate in exchanges at the national or international level. The initiative should provide value-added experiences to better prepare trainees for careers in industry, government or academia.

Successful initiatives require a diverse group of researchers working collaboratively to develop and deliver a defined research training program. The focus of the training experience must be on graduate (master’s and doctoral) students, representing at least 60% of trainees. Undergraduate students and postdoctoral researchers may also be supported and integrated into the training program.

Supported training programs will be recognized for:

• their innovative nature to create a rich research training and mentoring environment
• the excellence of the researchers and their success in training and mentoring highly qualified personnel (HQP) for future employment in all sectors
• raising the standard for best practices in research training, mentoring and development of professional skills of new researchers
• ensuring student mobility between different Canadian universities, potential workplaces, or among participating Canadian and international institutions

All master’s and PhD trainees are required to conduct a mobility experience (internship, exchanges, etc.) of a minimum of one month and two months, respectively. These can occur in industry, government, non-governmental organizations, and/or academia in or outside Canada. Multiple mobility experiences may be conducted to cumulatively meet the minimum length required. In-person or hybrid experiences are expected, however, remote or virtual experiences may be considered for accommodation needs. Mobility experiences are encouraged for undergraduate or postdoctoral trainees but are not mandatory. It is the responsibility of the initiative to ensure there is adequate support and supervision at the appropriate level for the trainee.

In addition, industry-supported training programs will be recognized for their capacity to support improved job readiness within the industrial sector by exposing participants to the specific challenges of the private sector and to support training in skills that have been identified as needed for a career in industry, such as leadership, business management, entrepreneurship and marketing.

NSERC supports excellent, innovative, and impactful research that advances knowledge and understanding and responds to local, national and global challenges. NSERC recognizes that equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles are foundational to research quality and impact. It is essential to recognize and remove systemic barriers that limit the full participation of all individuals and communities, and to integrate EDI considerations in all aspects of research. These principles are integral to the Tri-agency Statement on EDI and the Tri-agency EDI Action Plan. For more information, consult the NSERC EDI web page.

Accessibility is integral to equity, diversity and inclusivity. An accessible research ecosystem facilitates the full participation of persons with disabilities and strengthens research by providing access to a broader range of expertise, perspectives, and life experiences. Measures taken to ensure accessibility for trainees and other program participants should be integrated in the training program description. For more information, consult NSERC’s accessibility web page.

CREATE initiatives are expected to increase the inclusion and advancement of under-represented groups in the NSE as one way to enhance excellence in research and training. EDI considerations in the research process should be integrated in the proposal as applicable. For more information, refer to the NSERC guide on integrating equity, diversity and inclusion considerations in research. EDI considerations should also be developed into the rationale of the composition of the group of trainees and their supervisors, role models and mentors.

Do not include personal or demographic data for your research team or any of its members, including trainees. Doing so compromises the privacy of the individuals involved. This information is not requested, required or assessed. For specific requirements, see the Instructions for completing and submitting a letter of intent or application to apply for a CREATE grant.

To ensure that the Canadian research ecosystem is as open as possible and as secure as necessary, the Government of Canada has integrated research security considerations into the development, evaluation and funding of grant applications.

For more information about the harmonized implementation of research security measures by the granting agencies, as well as further guidance and resources on how to safeguard your research, refer to the Tri-agency guidance on research security.

The STRAC Policy addresses risks related to Sensitive Technology Research Areas performed with research organizations and institutions that pose the highest risk to Canada’s national security. The STRAC Policy applies to this funding opportunity.

Applicants must identify whether the grant application aims to advance a Sensitive Technology Research Area. If so, the submission of attestation forms will be required from researchers with named roles (see instructions for the list of named roles specific to this funding opportunity) to certify that they are not currently affiliated with, nor are in receipt of funding or in-kind support from, a Named Research Organization (NRO).

The Tri-agency guidance on the STRAC Policy provides more information on applicable procedures and requirements, including responsibilities of researchers and the responsibilities of institutions.

The CREATE program offers two streams: regular and international.

An agreement between NSERC and the German research foundation the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) has established a formal mechanism for supporting a bilateral training program involving an exchange of students between Germany and Canada. In the international stream, all CREATE graduate trainees must complete an exchange of at least one month for a master’s trainee and two months for a PhD trainee at a collaborating laboratory in Germany.

To apply to the international stream, Canadian candidates should note the following:

• Canadian researchers should first establish a collaboration with researchers in Germany.
• As the DFG International Research Training Groups (IRTG) process requires more time than the NSERC application process, researchers in Germany must start by submitting a pre-proposal to the DFG.
• Applicants with a successful DFG IRTG pre-proposal can submit a CREATE LOI followed by a full application.
• International stream proposals are excluded from the lead university’s allotment of LOI proposals.
• Proposals will be evaluated through NSERC and DFG respective peer review processes. The CREATE application should stand alone and contain all the necessary details about the Canadian side of the collaboration.
• CREATE grant applications applying to the international stream compete with regular-stream applications.
• DFG IRTG/NSERC CREATE proposals will only be funded if both are successful in their individual competitions
• If funded, the duration of the CREATE grant can be extended to match the duration of the partner DFG IRTG grant, which is nine years; if extended, the total NSERC CREATE grant value remains $1.65 million.

• Industrial participation in initiatives is encouraged. The degree of industrial participation in initiatives can vary substantially according to discipline and program objectives and should be explained and justified by the applicants.
• Generally, an industrial collaborator is defined as a Canadian or international business that provides products or services and derives the majority of its revenues from the sale of these products and services, not from government aid.
• The same company can host internships and have a representative on the Program Committee, as long as the representative does not directly benefit from the internships. Applicants are encouraged to consider Mitacs programs to assist in meeting the mobility requirements.
• Due to conflict-of-interest considerations, trainee internships at companies owned wholly or in part by the applicant or by a co-applicant are prohibited. However, trainees are permitted to conduct internships at companies owned wholly or in part by a collaborator.
• In order to expose trainees to new environments and to promote networking opportunities, internships at university incubators, on-campus industrial parks or companies started by a trainee are not permitted.
• A financial contribution from industry is not a requirement but would be viewed as an asset.

Eligibility conditions apply to applicants, co-applicants and institutions. CREATE grants are tenable only at NSERC-eligible Canadian universities, and the applicant must hold an eligible full-time position at that university. Adjunct professors are not eligible to be applicants, but may be co-applicants, and researchers at non-eligible organizations may participate as collaborators. Ensure that you review the eligibility requirements for applicants, co-applicants and collaborators described on NSERC’s website under Eligibility criteria for faculty.

For initiatives that were awarded in 2020 or earlier, the one-year COVID-19 extension is added to the grant duration and affects the eligibility of applicants or co-applicants for new LOIs to the CREATE program.

A researcher can participate in a maximum of two CREATE grants/LOIs at any given time and a maximum of one as the lead applicant. Consult the CREATE FAQ Eligibility section for more information.

Larger institutions are encouraged to collaborate with small- and medium-sized institutions. All universities that will be involved in the application must have at least one co-applicant listed in the proposal. This ensures access to CREATE funds for all students and postdoctoral researchers involved at that university. The funds will be administered by the co-applicant on behalf of all the students and postdoctoral researchers, whether they are under the co-applicant’s direct supervision or not.

The following conditions apply to all applications:

• The applicant must be from an NSERC-supported field at an NSERC-eligible university.
  • One person must be designated to administer the grant; this person is the “applicant” and is responsible for completing the LOI and the application on behalf of the group.
  • The applicant’s university will be the lead university.
• Only trainees supervised by the applicant, co-applicants or collaborators at an applicant or co-applicant institution are eligible for CREATE stipends and expenses.
• Up to 30% of the co-applicant team may be from non-NSE areas covered under the umbrella of CIHR and SSHRC
  • Applicants submitting a proposal at the interdisciplinary frontiers of CIHR and SSHRC may be required to justify why NSERC is the most appropriate funding agency for their proposal.
  • Consult the CREATE FAQ for more information about determining the NSE status of a researcher. Contact the CREATE team if you require assistance in determining the NSE status of a researcher.
• The focus should be on new training initiatives; for example, CREATE initiatives cannot be renewed or duplicated, and a new proposal must be different in theme, approaches to training, and applicant team from previous grants.
• Eligible institutions will be provided an allotment for the number of LOIs that NSERC will admit to the full application stage. However, eligible institutions may submit an unlimited number of LOIs for consideration. Please refer to the GSAP secure site to verify your university’s allotment of LOIs that can proceed to the application stage.
  • If an institution submits more LOIs than its allotment, their LOIs will be adjudicated to determine which will advance to the application stage.
  • If an institution submits a number of LOIs within its allotment, all LOIs will proceed to the full application stage without adjudication.
  • LOIs submitted to the international stream are exempt from the institution’s allotment.
• Institutions are reminded that CREATE grants are tied to the lead institution. The LOI submissions should be fully supported by all institutions involved in the proposals. Institutions must carefully consider submitting more LOIs than their allotment to ensure that the LOIs moving forward to the application stage are those they consider to be the strongest and that best represent their strategic direction.
• The total number of new CREATE grants that can be awarded to an institution is capped at three per competition year.

Funding of $150,000 in the first year (± $50,000) and $300,000 (± $50,000) annually for up to five subsequent years will be provided by NSERC for up to $1.65 million over six years. It is expected that funds will be spent on an annual basis. The grantee will be able to choose either an April or a September start. Note that there is no automatic extension for the use of funds, and renewal of funding beyond six years is not possible.

Collaborators may contribute additional funds. The application must provide a detailed justification of all expenses.

All project expenditures are subject to the principles and directives governing the appropriate use of grant funds as outlined in the Tri-agency Guide on Financial Administration.

Continuation of CREATE funding beyond the first year of the six-year grant period is subject to the availability of funds. Continuation of CREATE funding for years four to six depends on the satisfactory performance of the initiative, which is assessed by NSERC through progress reports that are required from CREATE grantees. Progress reports should clearly and concisely demonstrate the following:

• The objectives outlined in the application are being met.
• All of the training and mentoring program elements outlined in the application are being delivered (the Deliverables document should be used as a guide).
• Trainees are developing professional and technical skills, participating in mobility experiences, receiving mentorship, and benefiting from a value-added experience.
• All trainees are fully participating in the program.
• HQP targets outlined in the application are being met.
• Funds are being well managed.

The allowable expenses include the following:

Trainee stipends (at least 70% over the course of the grant)

• At least 70% of the CREATE grant must be used for trainees’ stipends.
• Up to 30% of this portion can be distributed to trainees who are not enrolled in the NSE.

The three federal granting agencies—CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC—have harmonized policies on support paid to students and postdoctoral researchers from research grants. Under those policies, there are no minimum or maximum stipend levels paid from grants. Universities are encouraged to ensure that students and postdoctoral researchers are appropriately compensated, commensurate with the important contributions they make to the research environment of the university. Note that it is expected that trainees will be able to complete the training program proposed without long delays to their graduation.

• Students may receive a CREATE stipend and other tri-agency funding.
• CREATE stipends to postdoctoral researchers are normally limited to two years of support.
• Individuals paid from NSERC grants are not considered NSERC employees.

Non-stipend expenses (up to 30% over the course of the grant)

Training program structure

• Funds toward the costs for the purchase of books or periodicals, specialized office supplies, computing equipment and information services not formally provided by the university to its academic and research staff, costs involved in providing personnel with training or development in novel techniques required for the training program.
• Costs associated with developing course content (this applies to non-academic collaborators only).
• Salary of a program coordinator for the duration of the grant.
• Advertising and trainee recruitment costs, including travel costs to bring potential candidates in for interviews.
• Costs associated with short-term training related to professional skill development for trainees.

Travel

• Funds for the travel of trainees between locations if the program involves institutions located in different cities.
• Travel and accommodation expenses of trainees for exchanges between universities and other sectors located in different cities, nationally or internationally.
• Travel and accommodation expenses of trainees to attend conferences or workshops.
• Travel and accommodation expenses of the applicant, co-applicant and program coordinator to attend CREATE program events.
• Travel costs for guest speakers, inclusive of collaborators when they are acting in a guest speaker capacity.
• Travel cancellation insurance.
• Travel health insurance for trainees who do not receive any such benefits from their university or other sources.
• Safety-related expenses for trainees for fieldwork, such as protective gear, immunizations, etc.
• Entry visa fee for trainees when required for the purpose of research.
• For international stream CREATE grant holders, travel to Germany for the applicant once a year for program coordination purposes.

Air travel must be claimed at the lowest rate available and may not exceed full economy fare; land travel costs may not exceed the equivalent of economy airfare.

Dissemination of training materials and research results

• Funds for the development and dissemination of training materials.
• Costs of developing web-based information, including website maintenance fees.
• Costs associated with the dissemination of findings.
• Publication of articles (co-)authored by CREATE trainees.

Services and miscellaneous expenses

• Networking (in-person and virtual) costs, non-alcoholic refreshments or meals/food vouchers for networking purposes in the context of formal courtesy between the trainees and guest researchers.
• Prizes for trainee achievement.

Items that are not eligible include but are not limited to:

• Any salaries other than for the program coordinator
• Research materials and supplies
• Travel and accommodation expenses of collaborators or Program Committee members
• Relocation costs
• College and high school student stipends

Refer to the Tri-agency Guide on Financial Administration for more information.

Applying to the CREATE program involves a two-phase application process—Phase 1: Letter of intent (LOI), and Phase 2: Application.

To apply for a CREATE program grant, researchers must first propose their project to their university for consideration. The university endorses the LOIs to be submitted and provides a support letter for each LOI.

A LOI must be submitted using NSERC’s online system and must include the following:

• Form 187
• Form 100 for the applicant
• a statement of support from the applicant’s university vice-president of research
• a list of potential external reviewers

Refer to Instructions for completing and submitting a CREATE LOI for further information.

Applicants proceeding to the application stage must submit the following documents through their research grants office using NSERC’s online system by the deadline date:

• Form 102, including all free-form sections
• Form 100 for the applicant
• Form 100, a Canadian Common CV (CCV), or regular CV for up to 10 co-applicants*
• one letter of support from the lead university
• a maximum of three support letters from collaborators
• STRAC attestation forms (if applicable)

*Co-applicants who submit a CCV or regular CV will not be able to see the application in the online system.

Refer to Instructions for completing a CREATE application for further instructions.

A multidisciplinary selection committee composed of distinguished Canadian and international members from academia and other sectors reviews the LOIs that require adjudication and the applications. Members are selected according to NSERC’s Guidelines governing membership of selection committees.

At the LOI stage, the training program will be assessed in relation to the:

• merit of the proposed training program (60%)
• excellence of the team of researchers (40%)

Refer to the selection criteria described below for details.

In arriving at an overall rating for the application, the committee will take into consideration the following evaluation criteria: 

Merit of the proposed training program (50%)

• clarity of the short- and longer-term objectives of the research and training program elements and how they relate to current developments
• as appropriate to the proposal’s subject matter, the degree to which the program, while focused on the NSE, fosters research and training at the interface between NSE and health or social sciences and humanities
• extent to which the program uses novel pedagogic approaches, program offerings or mentorship that go above and beyond the traditional graduate school experience or programs currently in place to:
  • develop technical skills
  • develop professional skills
  • provide enriching mobility experiences, including academic exchanges, internships, field work etc., either in Canada or abroad
• description of potential employers and a qualitative assessment of the job prospects for trainees; extent to which the research training program will facilitate the transition of the trainees to the Canadian workforce and promote interaction with non-academic sectors, such as private companies, industry associations, not-for-profit organizations, government departments, etc.

Excellence of the team of researchers (25%)

• Quality and impact of team members’ past contributions in their respective areas of research.
• How the expertise of group members is complementary, and how the group will work collaboratively to deliver on the research and training goals proposed.
• Consideration of EDI in the rationale of the team composition and in the designated roles within the team.
• Quality and extent of past contributions to the training and mentoring of HQP, as well as EDI considerations in trainee recruitment, and the research and training environment.

See the Guidelines on the assessment of contributions to research, training and mentoring for more information.

Program management and long-term sustainability (25%)

• Recruitment and training activities focused on graduate-level trainees.
• Measures that will be implemented to promote participation from a diverse group of trainees; consideration of EDI in recruitment, mentorship, and training activities.
• Evidence of the university’s commitment to facilitate the achievement of the program’s objectives to ensure the longevity of program elements beyond the period of the grant.
• Appropriateness of the proposed management structure, including the composition, role and responsibilities of the Program Committee, and considerations of EDI in the rationale of the proposed management structure.
• Reliability of the project management plans for the implementation of the training program and for the evaluation of the program’s performance against stated objectives.

• Frequently asked questions
• Competition results