Discovery research is the driving force behind Canada’s most groundbreaking scientific and engineering achievements and is NSERC’s largest area of investment. This year, an unprecedented $660.3 million in new grants and extensions is furthering the work of researchers and their teams of highly qualified personnel across the country. This marks NSERC’s biggest annual investment through its Discovery Research Program, primarily due to important funding increases from Budget 2024. This funding was part of a series of major investments announced today by the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions.

Within this milestone funding, $589.7 million is dedicated to 2,950 new awards spanning a diverse spectrum of natural sciences and engineering disciplines. From clean technology and quantum science to artificial intelligence, arctic research, genomics, and beyond—NSERC is empowering Canadian researchers to lead in critical fields for the benefit of all Canadians.

“The Government of Canada’s continuous support for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics ensures Canadians have the knowledge and means to pursue their greatest ambitions. That support has created a legacy of innovation that includes breakthroughs like lithium-ion batteries, quantum cryptography, and artificial intelligence. Today we celebrate the many researchers across Canada who are building a stronger country for all of us.”

Prof. Alejandro Adem, FRSC
President, NSERC

Quick facts

The investment announced today includes mainly:

• $503.7 million in individual Discovery Grants going to 2,138 researchers across the full range of science and engineering disciplines.
• $45.2 million in grants to Subatomic Physics research projects, major resources and equipment.
• $4.2 million in grants through the Discovery Horizons pilot for 11 projects that broadly integrate or transcend disciplines to advance knowledge in the natural sciences and engineering.
• $6.3 million in Discovery Launch Supplements going to 505 early career researchers in the first year of their Discovery Grants to help them launch their careers.
• $25 million in Research Tools and Instruments grants to give researchers access to highly specialized tools needed for their investigations.
• $2.2 million in Northern Research Supplements to 26 researchers to augment and promote Canadian university-based northern research and training.
• $2.1 million in Discovery Development Grants going to 47 researchers to promote and maintain a diversified base of high-quality research in small universities across Canada.
• $1 million in Ship Time grants that will allow researchers to access vessels in support of their research programs.
• $70.6 million in one-time, one-year extensions with funds to existing Discovery research grants held by 1,831 researchers across Canada.

Competition Results and Statistics

• 2025 Research Grants Competition Results
• Competition Statistics Dashboard - Discovery Grants
• Competition Statistics Dashboard - Research Tools and Instruments Grants
• Competition Statistics Dashboard - Subatomic Physics Grants