Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) grants foster and enhance the discovery, innovation and training capability of university researchers in the natural sciences and engineering by supporting the purchase of research equipment.

The RTI grants program provides the primary avenue for university researchers in the natural sciences and engineering to obtain up to $150,000 in support for research tools and instruments with a net cost between $7,001 and $250,000. Net cost is defined as the purchase cost of the equipment after any discount from the vendor and before taxes, customs and importation fees, transportation and shipping charges, and assembly and installation costs. The vendor discount cannot be offered in exchange for services from users benefiting the vendor company. The research community is also encouraged to explore other avenues for funding research tools and instruments, including NSERC’s other programs that allow the purchase of equipment as eligible expenses.

NSERC will only accept the following requests:

• for tools and instruments that form a comprehensive system intended to support NSERC-funded research in the natural sciences and engineering:
  • a comprehensive system is one in which each tool or instrument forms part of an integrated system of operation to support the research program(s)
  • requests that bundle unrelated tools and instruments together will not be accepted
• for the purchase of new, used or refurbished equipment, for the repair, upgrade or rental of equipment or for the fabrication of equipment that is not readily available off the shelf
• for equipment that is purchased or rented after the application deadline

Note: Equipment and items that are part of laboratory infrastructure or intended to render other equipment compliant with health and safety standards are ineligible for RTI support.

For more information on eligible expenses under the RTI program, see the instructions on how to complete an RTI application.

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).

Considering equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the research process promotes research excellence by making research outcomes more ethically sound, rigorous, reproducible, and useful. It is important to consider EDI through each stage of the research process including, but not limited to, the research questions, design, methodology, analysis, interpretation and dissemination of results, and integrate these considerations where relevant. Consult Equity, diversity and inclusion considerations at each stage of the research process for more information.

To ensure that the Canadian research ecosystem is as open as possible and as safeguarded as necessary, the Government of Canada has introduced the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC Policy). For more information about research security at the granting agencies, refer to the Tri-agency guidance on research security.

Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern

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 as of May 1, 2024.

To comply with this policy, 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 (for this funding opportunity, these are the applicants and co-applicants) 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).

Researchers should review the list of Sensitive Technology Research Areas and the list of Named Research Organizations carefully to understand which versions of the lists apply to this competition.

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

RTI grants must be used only for the specific type of equipment for which the grant was awarded through the peer review process. Grantees who wish to purchase equipment different from that specified in the application must obtain written permission from NSERC’s use of grant funds prior to its purchase. Grantees may, however, buy a model different from that requested in the application without prior NSERC approval (e.g., newer or upgraded model).

To be eligible to apply for and to hold RTI funds, applicants and co-applicants must each:

1. Meet NSERC’s eligibility requirements for individuals to apply for or hold NSERC grant funds (for university faculty). If your offer of a position is still pending approval at the time of application, you must take up your faculty position no later than September 1^st of the year of the grant before any funds can be released. This appointment must be confirmed in writing to NSERC once you have taken up your position.
   If you are an adjunct professor in the private, public or not-for-profit sector in Canada you are eligible to apply for an RTI as a co-applicant only (not as an applicant).
2. Hold at least one of the following NSERC research grants (either as an applicant or co-applicant):
   • Alliance grant
   • Canada Excellence Research Chairs (NSERC)
   • Canada 150 Research Chairs (NSERC)
   • Canada Research Chairs (NSERC)
   • Collaborative Research and Development grant
   • Discovery Development grant
   • Discovery Grant
   • Discovery Horizons grant
   • Industrial Research Chairs grant
   • Strategic Partnership grant
3. Not hold an RTI grant from the previous year’s RTI competition. In other words, RTI grant applicants and co-applicants who were successful in the previous year’s RTI competition are ineligible to apply for one year. Eligibility will be reinstated the following competition year.

Note: Applicants and co-applicants may apply for any of the above grants while concurrently applying to the RTI program. However, if any applicant or co-applicant does not hold one of the above grants by the RTI award start date, or is not successful in obtaining one of these grants while concurrently applying to the RTI program, the applicant and/or co-applicant will be deemed ineligible and removed from the application.

Researchers can submit one RTI application per competition, either as an applicant or a co‑applicant but not both.

To apply, applicants must submit an application for RTI grants through the Research Portal by the deadline date. Each applicant and co-applicant must also complete a Canadian Common CV (CCV) and link it to the application.

Applicants should strive for a diverse research team. EDI considerations should be reflected in the rationale of the team composition and, where applicable, in the designated roles within the team. For more information, refer to the EDI considerations for research teams.

While applicants are encouraged to provide quotations for all equipment, applicants must include two (2) recent quotations for any individual item(s) over $40,000 net. If the required number of quotations cannot reasonably be submitted, applicants must provide a clear justification in the Budget justification section.

Attachments that do not adhere to the guidelines should not be included and may be removed.

Applications for RTI grants submitted to NSERC are reviewed by experts on a competitive basis. Experts on NSERC RTI selection committees follow the guidelines in the Research Tools and Instruments peer review manual.

Applications to the RTI program are assessed on the basis of the three following weighted selection criteria. The onus is on the applicant to thoroughly address each criterion in the application and to provide detailed information.

1. Need, urgency and suitability (40%):1
   • demonstration that the equipment is essential for the research and that there are no other more cost-effective ways of obtaining the results
   • availability of similar equipment/facilities/services in the vicinity
   • impact of a delay in acquisition of equipment on the research and the pace of research progress
   • need to upgrade or replace obsolete or failed equipment
   • degree of utilization of the equipment by the applicant, co-applicant(s), if applicable, and other users
2. Feasibility and impact (40%):
   • quality and significance of the research program(s), including potential for major advances and impact in the discipline as a result of the equipment
   • feasibility of the plan to use the equipment
   • extent to which the applicant has relevant experience or has presented a training plan to demonstrate how they will gain the ability to fully use the equipment
   • consideration of EDI in the rationale of the team composition2
3. Training of highly qualified personnel (HQP) (20%):
   • quality and extent of training
   • opportunity for hands-on training
   • potential to provide marketable skills for students trained on the equipment
   • consideration of EDI in the training of HQP

Demographic data is not requested or required to assess any impacts resulting from the consideration of EDI in the research team and training environment.

• Frequently asked questions - Research Tools and Instruments grants program
• Guidelines on the assessment of contributions to research, training and mentoring
• Research Tools and Instruments peer review manual
• Q&A sessions and pre-recorded “How to apply” videos

• 1

  If you anticipate use by or benefit to other sectors, describe the support secured from these sources or demonstrate the efforts made to obtain such support.

• 2

  For RTI grants, the research team includes all those who may use the funded equipment (e.g. applicants, co-applicants, collaborators, partners, and trainees and/or students) even if they work on different research programs or projects. Applicants are expected to increase the inclusion, advancement and retention of members of equity-deserving groups in the research ecosystem by ensuring that the equipment is accessible for all users and that access to and time-sharing of the equipment is equitable. For more information on the definition of a research team, refer to equity, diversity and inclusion considerations for research teams.