NSERC Funding opportunities
Funding Prizes About Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

Funding opportunity

DND/NSERC Discovery Grant Supplements

Overview

Open
Value and duration

Up to $120,000 over three years

Application deadline

Opens: 2026-08-12 8:00 am (ET)
Deadline: 2026-11-02 8:00 pm (ET)

Who can apply
  • Faculty > University
  • Researcher > University
Eligible institution
  • University
Program type
Discovery Research
Summary

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.

On this page
  • Description
  • Eligibility
  • Funding
  • Application
  • Review
  • Award
  • Post-award requirements
  • Regulations, policies and guidelines
  • Resources
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.

Funding Value and duration

Up to $120,000 over three years

Application How to apply

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.

To view the Discovery Grants (individual) application instructions.

To view the Subatomic Physics Discovery Grants (individual) application instructions.

Research Portal

Application deadline

Opens: 2026-08-12 8:00 am (ET)
Deadline: 2026-11-02 8:00 pm (ET)

Review

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 Supplement 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 aligned with the DND target areas.

Notification of results

Expected in the summer

Post-award 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. These reports are shared with relevant DND scientists, presenting opportunities for collaboration.

Regulations, policies and guidelines

To ensure the Canadian research ecosystem is as open as possible and as secure as necessary, the Government of Canada has provided clear information on research security considerations for the development, evaluation and funding of grant applications.

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

The STRAC Policy addresses risks related to research that advances 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 their proposed research aims to advance a sensitive technology research area. If so, the submission of attestation forms will be required from researchers with named roles in the grant application (see 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.

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

For program-related information, email dndsuppmdn@nserc-crsng.gc.ca.