The applicant must complete the application and include all required documentation using the online system. In addition, the Canadian Common CV (CCV) must be completed by applicants and co-applicants and attached to the application form as a single PDF attachment. CVs and CCVs of scientific partners/collaborators must not be included.

You are responsible for submitting a complete application that conforms to the presentation standards established by NSERC. Incomplete applications and applications that do not meet the presentation standards may be rejected or be at a disadvantage in comparison with those that are complete and respect the presentation standards. Where page limits are stated, pages in excess of the number permitted will be removed.

For more information, read the NSERC online presentation and attachment standards.

Title of proposal - The title will be used for publication purposes. It should describe the subject of the research to be supported. It should not contain a company or trade name. Spell out scientific symbols and acronyms.

Time devoted to proposed research/activity - Enter the time devoted by the applicant (in hours per month) to the proposed research/activity.

Research subject codes - Consult the NSERC code tables. All applicants are required to select a primary research code.

Keywords - Provide a maximum of 10 keywords that describe the proposal.

Before completing this section, consult the Requirements for certain types of research.

Research involving humans: If you select Yes, you must provide your institution’s administration with the appropriate certification indicating that research involving humans has been reviewed and has received the required approval.

Research involving human pluripotent and/or totipotent stem cells: If you select Yes, or if, through peer review, the application is found to fall into this category and is recommended for funding, it will be forwarded, with your consent, to CIHR’s Stem Cell Oversight Committee (SCOC) to ensure compliance with Chapter 12, Section F of the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2). The SCOC review is in addition to the normal review by local research ethics boards (REBs). Funding will not be released until approval has been obtained from the SCOC.

Research involving the use of animals: If you select Yes, you must provide your institution’s administration with the certification from the animal care committee at the institution that the experimental procedures proposed have been approved and that the care and treatment of animals are in accordance with the principles outlined in the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) guide.

Research involving hazardous substances: If you select Yes, you must provide your institution’s administration with the certification from the biosafety committee at the institution that the laboratory procedures being used comply with the safety precautions necessary for the level of containment required by the research.

Environmental impact: The Impact Assessment Form (Appendix A) is required for this program and must be completed and uploaded to the Environmental impact page, even if the response to all the questions is No. For more information, consult NSERC’s Guidelines on Impact Assessment.

Sensitive Technology Research Areas: If you select Yes, you must complete and attach attestation forms to your grant application – in the STRAC Attestation Attachment section – to comply with the policy. In accordance with the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern, all researchers involved in the activities supported by a research grant that aims to advance a Sensitive Technology Research Area (STRA) must review the List of Named Research Organizations.

For team applications, identify all co-applicants who will participate on the expedition. Co-applicants, except those from the applicant's institution, must advise the authorized officer of their organization that the applicant, or the applicant's institution, will be seeking their signature prior to submitting the application to NSERC, agreeing to their participation.

By submitting this form, the applicant certifies that the individuals listed as co-applicants have been informed of the precise uses and disclosures of their personal information by NSERC (see Use and disclosure of personal information provided to NSERC) and have authorized the release of the information by the applicant.

For individual applications, attach a PDF copy of your CCV.

For team applications, attach a PDF copy of your CCV and those of your co-applicants in a single PDF file.

NSERC Canadian Common CV (CCV)

Refer to How to complete NSERC's version, to access and complete the NSERC CCV. Do not use the PIN/System Account functionality to submit your CCV. NSERC does not use this functionality to validate your account.

• Once you have completed the NSERC CCV, click Submit
• A confirmation number will automatically be provided onscreen after you agree to the consent statement
  • Click History in the top menu bar to view your submission history
• To upload a PDF version of your completed CCV, from History select the PDF icon to preview your completed version
• Verify that it was uploaded correctly and that it contains all of the records that you wish to submit for peer review
  • Your CCV should be in the same language as your application
• Download and save a copy
• Attach that copy of your CCV and those of your co-applicants (if applicable) in a single PDF file

In the absence of these steps, only a draft copy will be included with your Personal Data Form with CCV Attachment.

While the Canadian Common CV website is bilingual, you can only save your NSERC CCV in one official language at a time. For example, to save a French version of your NSERC CCV, you must sign into your account using the French platform.

The summary is intended to explain the proposal in language that the public can understand.

Using simple terms, briefly describe the nature of the work to be done. Indicate why and to whom the research is important, what the anticipated outcomes are, and how your field and Canada will benefit.

This plain language summary will be available to the public if your proposal is funded.

If you wish, you may also provide a summary in the other official language in the text box identified for that purpose.

If the proposed project requires more than one platform (for example, remotely operating vehicle and supporting vessel), you must complete a Ship time requirements page for each platform. Do not complete multiple applications.

Two-year grants will be considered in exceptional circumstances, where the project completion requires a firm commitment of funding for more than one year. If you are requesting funding for more than one year, you will need to complete the Year 2 portion of the Ship time requirements page for each platform being requested. Applicants who need to confirm funding for expeditions taking place well into the future should contact NSERC to discuss.

Duration and related costs of cruise - Identify the number of ship days, daily rate and total cost of the platform(s) being requested.

Mission type - University researchers should be clear about the type of mission they are requesting and should capitalize on shared or joint expeditions and days of opportunity whenever possible.

• Dedicated
  • ship time fully dedicated to university objectives
  • incremental daily cost of the specific platform
• Joint
  • ship time used by a federal department and university where project definition and objectives have been jointly agreed upon and supported in a formal agreement
  • terms of charges specified in the joint agreement
  • applicants must submit details of the agreement
• Opportunity
  • use of unassigned space on existing expeditions (government or university led)
  • hotel cost only (room and board)
• Shared
  • ship time shared by two or more organizations conducting separate missions
  • pro-rated incremental daily cost based on the use of the platform
  • amount agreed upon prior to the mission

If your mission does not clearly fall into one of the four above-noted mission types, please contact NSERC to discuss.

Geographical location - Identify the geographical region(s) where the proposed work is to take place. Include latitude and longitude, estimated distance from departure port to work site and total distance steamed (refers to the total distance travelled to and from the work site, plus the additional distance travelled while on the work site) for the duration of the cruise (identify units of measure).

Platform requested - You must provide the name of the platform requested and the names of two alternate platforms. This list must be ranked in order of preference.

Note: It is the responsibility of the grant holder to ensure that any platform being used for NSERC-supported research is crewed in conformance with the Canada Shipping Act (or similar, for foreign vessels).

Detailed information on the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) fleet can be obtained on the CCG website.

Preferred dates - You must provide the dates of the proposed cruise. Alternate dates should be provided when possible.

For the preferred choice of all platforms requested, you must provide a letter/quotation from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) science ship representative in the region where the vessel is operated (for DFO/CCG vessels) or from the vessel provider (for all other vessels).

When requesting any non-DFO/CCG vessels, include details on the type and origin of the vessel, basic characteristics (that is, specifications), day rate and crew capabilities in the quotation.

The quotation should outline the entire cost of the cruise.

All quotations must be in Canadian dollars. To convert to Canadian currency, you must use an exchange rate consistent with the Bank of Canada rate at the time of application.

Provide a letter from the appropriate representative of each participating or supporting organization other than Canadian universities (for example, a co-applicant, a collaborator or the person responsible for the organization’s participation in, or support of, the project) on letterhead that indicates

• the organization’s intended participation in, or support of, the collaborative activities and its agreement with the proposal
• the nature and extent of the interaction/collaboration
• the support/resources committed
• the organization's reasons for its involvement in the joint undertaking
• how the organization expects to benefit

For upload purposes, all letters of support must be saved into a single PDF document.

Refer to Selecting the appropriate federal granting agency for additional information.

Provide the following information (maximum two pages, plus one additional page per co-applicant):

Explain any relationship and/or overlap, conceptual or financial, with relevant research supported by NSERC or other funding. The onus is on the applicant to provide sufficient information to enable the reviewers to evaluate the relationship between this application and other relevant sources of support and to assess it accordingly. Other sources of support include grants and contributions from funding agencies, organizations, the private sector, institution start-up funds, research chairs, the primary place of employment (for adjunct professors) and other institutional research support.

Use the guidelines outlined in the NSERC online presentation and attachment standards to provide the requested information in a document to be attached to the application.

Refer to the review process section  for a list of criteria that will be considered by reviewers when evaluating the application.

Using the headings below and in a maximum of five pages (excluding references), provide details on the following:

Scientific objectives and methodology

• Describe the scientific objectives of the expedition and explain the importance of the ship time to your Discovery Grant-funded program(s). If the requested ship time is intended to support more than one NSERC project, the ship time needs for each project should be clearly explained
• Demonstrate that the proposed methods are the most appropriate approach to answering research questions

Previous experience

• Summarize previous ship-based experience (a brief description of relevant experience, including that of collaborators; that is, technical support staff, students and any other scientific staff)
• Do not include cruise reports with the application

Cruise and operational plan

• Document the cruise track/map and cruise plan (cruise track and a description of the work to be done, including an outline of the amount of steaming time versus data collection time)
• Detail the operational plan (activities planned, operational procedures, geographic location, station pattern required, explosives or radioactive materials used, rough layout of survey timing, etc.)

Scientific and ship equipment

• Describe the scientific equipment to be used and the logistics involved if loading/departing from a distant port—note that NSERC would normally expect any associated costs (including travel or shipping) to be met by the researcher(s)
• List any ship equipment to be used (winches, navigation equipment, fishing gear, etc.)

Participants’ roles and sharing of ship time

• Describe the roles of all participants (applicant, co-applicant[s] and collaborators) benefiting from this ship time
• Highlight team members’ relevant expertise and expected contributions and collaborations
• Consider EDI in the team composition (if applicable)
  • Qualitatively describe the challenges or barriers encountered when building a diverse research team and the specific actions taken to support EDI in your research team
• Demonstrate attempts made to establish equitable access, time sharing and accessibility of ship time and how the expedition fits with other expeditions in the region and/or research field

Highly qualified personnel training opportunities and urgency

• Outline the role of highly qualified personnel (HQP) in the expedition
• Show the impact on the need and urgency for ship time for HQP
• Consider EDI in the training of HQP
  • Describe the planned approach for promoting participation from a diverse group of HQP, taking into account equity and inclusion in recruitment practices and mentorship approaches and initiatives aimed at ensuring an inclusive research training environment and trainee growth. For more information, refer to the NSERC guide on integrating equity, diversity and inclusion considerations in research.

Important: Do not include personal or demographic data for your research team or any of its members, including trainees. Doing so compromises their privacy. Also, this information is neither requested, required, nor assessed.

Two-year award requests (if applicable)

• Requests for two-year awards must be clearly justified

• Use this section to provide a list of literature references; your list of references must not exceed two pages
• Do not refer readers to websites for additional information on your proposal
• Do not introduce hyperlinks in your list of references

If you selected Yes to the question ‘Will the proposed research activities supported by this grant aim to advance any of the listed sensitive technology research areas?’ in the Sensitive Technology Research Areas (STRA) module of your application, you must complete and attach attestation forms to your grant application – in the STRAC Attestation Attachment section – to comply with the policy. In accordance with the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern, all researchers involved in the activities supported by a research grant that aims to advance a Sensitive Technology Research Area (STRA) must review the List of Named Research Organizations. By using the attestation form template, you and your co-applicants, if applicable, must each complete an attestation form certifying that you have read, understood, and are compliant with this policy. You must collect and compile all the completed attestation forms and save them as a single PDF file. The attestation forms must include the current date, first and last name, primary affiliation (institution), email address, public profile link (optional), and attestation statement check. Your response to the STRA question and your submitted attestation form(s) are not accessible to, nor shared with, external reviewers and/or committee members.

Should the application be successful, you and your research team will also be required to comply with the policy for the duration of the grant. For more information, please read the Tri-agency’s detailed guidance for this policy.

NSERC does not require original signatures on applications or other documents submitted electronically through its online system. The electronic submission of applications through this system represents approval and replaces the traditional “physical” or “wet” signatures. Refer to the frequently asked questions for more details.

For applicants

Before you can submit your application to NSERC, you must read and agree to the terms and conditions of applying that appear in a pop-up window during the submission process. It is your responsibility to retain a copy of the agreed terms and conditions for your records.

The signatures of the institutional authorities certify that

• the institution will abide by the roles and responsibilities as set out in the Agreement on the administration of agency grants and awards by research institutions with the three federal granting agencies, including the Tri-agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research
• the applicant and co-applicant(s) have met, or will meet, the eligibility requirements
• prior to submission of this application, the institution has obtained written approval from any other institutions involved in the application process
• if the applicant discloses any potential intellectual property (IP) arising from the research, they and the institution will endeavour to obtain the greatest possible economic benefit to Canada from the resulting commercial activity (note: this requirement for disclosure is not intended to supersede any IP ownership policy that the institution already has in place)

The signatures of authorized officers of other supporting organizations certify that the organization

• agrees with the content of the application and will provide the committed resources
• agrees to the release of the public summary of the award and to the publication of the organization’s name as a supporter of the initiative

If you are both the applicant or co-applicant and a principal of a collaborating organization, another senior official must sign on behalf of the organization.

Use the following list to make sure your application is complete:

• Application for a grant (Form 101)
  • Application profile (including certification requirements, amounts requested)
  • Co-applicant information (if a group application)
  • Summary of proposal
  • Ship time requirements
  • Quotation(s) (from the platform provider)
  • Letter(s) of support, if applicable (no page limit; documents collected as one PDF)
  • Relationship to other research support (attachment; maximum two pages plus one page per co-applicant)
  • Proposal (attachment; maximum of five pages)
  • References (attachment; maximum of two pages)
  • Appendix A (Impact assessment form)
• CCV for the applicant and each co-applicant; documents collected as a single PDF file

CVs and CCVs of scientific partners/collaborators must not be included. Cruise reports must not be included. Pages in excess of the number permitted will be removed and not seen by the Ship Time Allocations Committee (STAC).