NSERC Departmental Plan 2019-20
Details on transfer payment programs of $5 million or more

General information

Name of transfer payment programGrants and Scholarships (voted)
Start date1978
End dateOngoing
Type of transfer paymentGrant
Type of appropriationAppropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions2018-19
Link to department’s Program InventoryDiscovery Research, Research Training and Talent Development, Research Partnerships
DescriptionNSERC's class grant Grants and Scholarships program supports university-based basic and project research, college-based project research, provides scholarships and fellowships to young researchers, and facilitates links between universities, colleges, the private sector and governments.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.
Expected results
  • Canada has a supply of highly qualified Canadians with leading-edge scientific and research skills to fill positions in Canadian industry, government, postsecondary institutions, and other research organizations.
  • Canada makes significant high quality contributions to the creation of knowledge.
  • Canada's research capacity in science and engineering is maintained at world-class levels.
  • Research and training in targeted and emerging areas of national importance is accelerated.
  • The transfer of knowledge and technology residing in Canadian postsecondary institutions to the user sector is facilitated.
  • Mutually beneficial collaborations between the private sector and researchers in postsecondary institutions are created and result in industrial and economic benefits to Canada.
  • The Canadian public has a better understanding of the importance of science and engineering and of Canadian achievements and supports public investments in S&T.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation2018-19
Decision following the results of last evaluationContinuation
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation2019-20
General targeted recipient groupsPersons (students, researchers), industry-related, non-profit organizations
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipientsA variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.
Planning information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment2018–19 forecast spending2019–20 planned spending2020–21 planned spending2021–22 planned spending
Total grants$950,482,379$961,749,031$979,182,505$998,594,925
Total contributions$0$0$0$0
Total other types of transfer payments$0$0$0$0
Total program$950,482,379$961,749,031$979,182,505$998,594,925

General information

Name of transfer payment programCanada Graduate Scholarships (voted)
Start date2003-04
End dateOngoing
Type of transfer paymentGrant
Type of appropriationAppropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions2009-10
Link to department’s Program InventoryResearch Training and Talent Development
DescriptionNSERC's portion of the Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) program provides financial support to high-calibre scholars who are engaged in Master's or doctoral programs in the natural sciences or engineering. This program is a tri-agency program and is administered by each respective agency (CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC).

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.
Expected results
  • Increased enrolment in graduate studies in Canada.
  • Improved time to completion of degrees for CGS scholarship holders, relative to national statistics for time to completion in their discipline.
  • Enhanced capacity of Canadian universities to attract the best and brightest young people who will become the next generation of researchers.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation2016-17
Decision following the results of last evaluationContinuation
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation2021-22
General targeted recipient groupsPersons (students)
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipientsApplicants and recipients are engaged through communication with academic institutions and tri-agency or agency specific electronic communication.
Planning information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment2018–19 forecast spending2019–20 planned spending2020–21 planned spending2021–22 planned spending
Total grants$42,580,000$42,580,000$42,580,000$42,580,000
Total contributions$0$0$0$0
Total other types of transfer payments$0$0$0$0
Total program$42,580,000$42,580,000$42,580,000$42,580,000

General information

Name of transfer payment programVanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (voted)
Start date2008
End dateOngoing
Type of transfer paymentGrant
Type of appropriationAppropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions2014-15
Link to department’s Program InventoryResearch Training and Talent Development
DescriptionThe Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program is tri-agency program designed to attract and retain world-class doctoral students by offering them a significant financial award. This financial award assists students during their studies at Canadian universities. Vanier Scholars demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, and health-related fields. This program is administered by CIHR on behalf of CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.
Expected results
  • Establishment of a Canadian doctoral scholarship that is internationally competitive and internationally recognized.
  • Enhanced capacity of Canadian universities to attract the best and brightest students from Canada and the world with the potential to become leaders in the next generation of researchers in Canada.
  • Attract to Canada top students from other countries who will bring with them new knowledge and ideas and enrich the Canadian learning environment.
  • Retain Canada’s top doctoral students in the face of intense international competition for the brightest researchers.
  • Promote and brand Canada as a home of research excellence and Canadian Universities as world-class institutions of research and higher learning.
  • Establish effective research collaborations and networks between Canada and the recipients’ home countries.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation2014-15
Decision following the results of last evaluationContinuation
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation2019-20
General targeted recipient groupsPersons (students)
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipientsApplicants and recipients are engaged through communication with academic institutions and directed tri-agency or agency-specific electronic communication, as well as through the Vanier CGS website.
Planning information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment2018–19 forecast spending2019–20 planned spending2020–21 planned spending2021–22 planned spending
Total grants$8,350,000$8,350,000$8,350,000$8,350,000
Total contributions$0$0$0$0
Total other types of transfer payments$0$0$0$0
Total program$8,350,000$8,350,000$8,350,000$8,350,000

General information

Name of transfer payment programCanada Excellence Research Chairs (voted)
Start date2008
End dateOngoing
Type of transfer paymentGrant
Type of appropriationAppropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions2016-17
Link to department’s Program InventoryDiscovery Research
DescriptionThe Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) program is a tri-agency initiative that supports Canadian universities in their efforts to build on Canada's growing reputation as a global leader in research and innovation. The program awards world-renowned researchers and their teams to establish ambitious research programs at Canadian universities. This program is administered by SSHRC on behalf of CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.
Expected results
  • Attraction of world-leading researchers, trainees and other research professionals to Canada.
  • Enhanced research capacity in Canadian universities in areas of priority for Canada.
  • New and strengthened relationships with collaborators, partners and research users from diverse sectors, nationally and internationally.
  • International recognition of Canada as a global destination of choice for research.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation2014-15
Decision following the results of last evaluationContinuation
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation2019-20
General targeted recipient groupsPersons (researchers), non-profit organizations (universities)
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipientsA variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.
Planning information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment2018–19 forecast spending2019–20 planned spending2020–21 planned spending2021–22 planned spending
Total grants$8,166,667$7,000,000$7,000,000$4,200,000
Total contributions$0$0$0$0
Total other types of transfer payments$0$0$0$0
Total program$8,166,667$7,000,000$7,000,000$4,200,000

General information

Name of transfer payment programCanada First Research Excellence Fund (voted)
Start date2014
End dateOngoing
Type of transfer paymentGrant
Type of appropriationAppropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions2014-15
Link to department’s Program InventoryDiscovery Research
DescriptionThe Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) supports Canada’s postsecondary institutions in their efforts to become global research leaders. CFREF helps institutions: (i) compete with the best in the world for talent, for partnership opportunities and to make breakthrough discoveries; (ii) seize emerging opportunities and strategically advance their greatest strengths on the global stage; and (iii) implement large-scale, transformational and forward-thinking institutional strategies. This program is administered by SSHRC on behalf of CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.
Expected results
  • Institutions develop ambitious and focused strategies.
  • Canadian post-secondary institutions excel globally in research areas of strategic relevance to Canada.
  • Institutions contribute to creating long-term economic advantages for Canada.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluationNot applicable, new program
Decision following the results of last evaluationNot Applicable
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation2019-20
General targeted recipient groupsNon-profit organizations (universities and research institutions, colleges)
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipientsA variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.
Planning information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment2018–19 forecast spending2019–20 planned spending2020–21 planned spending2021–22 planned spending
Total grants$137,135,497$137,135,497$137,135,497$137,135,497
Total contributions$0$0$0$0
Total other types of transfer payments$0$0$0$0
Total program$137,135,497$137,135,497$137,135,497$137,135,497

General information

Name of transfer payment programNetworks of Centres of Excellence (voted)
Start date1997
End date2023-24
Type of transfer paymentGrant
Type of appropriationAppropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions2014-15
Link to department’s Program InventoryResearch Partnerships
DescriptionThe program supports large-scale academically led research networks that harness the creativity and inventiveness of Canadian health, natural, and social scientists and engineers. Partners from industry, government and not-for-profit organizations contribute additional expertise and bring cash and in kind support. This program is a tri-agency program administered by NSERC on behalf of CIHR, SSHRC and NSERC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.
Expected resultsStrong linkages and partnerships between university, government and industry, and other users (NGOs) resulting in the exploitation of leading-edge research results with economical and/or societal benefits to Canada.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation2015-16
Decision following the results of last evaluationContinuation
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluationNot applicable
General targeted recipient groupsNon-profit organizations
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipientsA variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.
Planning information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment2018–19 forecast spending2019–20 planned spending2020–21 planned spending2021–22 planned spending
Total grants$40,004,750$31,590,000$27,899,844$25,706,128
Total contributions$0$0$0$0
Total other types of transfer payments$0$0$0$0
Total program$40,004,750$31,590,000$27,899,844$25,706,128

*Note: In December 2018, the Government of Canada announced that funding from the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program will be gradually transferred to the New Frontiers in Research Fund. The transition will occur over the next few years with a complete wind-down of the NCE suite of programs by 2023-24. During the transition period:

  • Currently-funded networks will continue to be funded until the end of their grant.
  • Successful applicants in the current NCE program and Knowledge Mobilization competitions have been awarded up to five-year non-renewable grants.
  • The networks eligible to apply to the 2018-19 renewal competition have been invited to apply for a final three-year grant.

General information

Name of transfer payment programBusiness-led Networks of Centres of Excellence (voted)
Start date2007
End date2023-24
Type of transfer paymentGrant
Type of appropriationAppropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions2012-13
Link to department’s Program InventoryResearch Partnerships
DescriptionThe Business-led Networks of Centres of Excellence program (BL-NCE) funds large-scale collaborative research networks that bring a wide range of research expertise to bear on specific challenges identified by an industrial sector. This tri-agency program is administered by NSERC on behalf of SSHRC, CIHR and NSERC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.
Expected resultsThe research knowledge and technology produced by the networks and centres are transferred and used.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation2015-16
Decision following the results of last evaluationContinuation
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluationNot applicable
General targeted recipient groupsNon-profit organizations
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipientsA variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.
Planning information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment2018–19 forecast spending2019–20 planned spending2020–21 planned spending2021–22 planned spending
Total grants$0$8,414,750$8,414,750$8,414,750
Total contributions$0$0$0$0
Total other types of transfer payments$0$0$0$0
Total program$0$8,414,750$8,414,750$8,414,750

*Note: In Budget 2018, the Government of Canada called for changes to streamline and modernize programs in support of research and innovation. The management of the Business-led Networks of Centres of Excellence (BL-NCE) program is being transferred to the Strategic Innovation Fund managed by Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED). All applications, including those from Canadian business owners that have been submitted to an existing program, will be honoured, with all current programs remaining in place until further details are announced.

General information

Name of transfer payment programCentres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research
Start date2007
End date2022-23
Type of transfer paymentGrant
Type of appropriationAppropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions2012-13
Link to department’s Program InventoryResearch Partnerships
DescriptionThe Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) program bridges the challenging gap between innovation and commercialization. The program matches clusters of research expertise with the business community to share the knowledge and resources that bring innovations to market faster. Centres advance research and facilitate commercialization within four priority areas: the environment; natural resources and energy; health and life sciences; and information and communications technologies. This program is administered by NSERC on behalf of CIHR, SSHRC and NSERC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.
Expected resultsPre-competitive development of promising technology and the promotion of its transfer to new or established Canadian companies are facilitated.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation2017-18
Decision following the results of last evaluationContinuation
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluationNot applicable
General targeted recipient groupsNon-profit organizations
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipientsA variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.
Planning information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment2018–19 forecast spending2019–20 planned spending2020–21 planned spending2021–22 planned spending
Total grants$11,228,000$10,103,000$10,651,980$5,409,000
Total contributions$0$0$0$0
Total other types of transfer payments$0$0$0$0
Total program$11,228,000$10,103,000$10,651,980$5,409,000

*Note: In Budget 2018, the Government of Canada called for changes to streamline and modernize programs in support of research and innovation. The management of the Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) program is being transferred to the Strategic Innovation Fund managed by Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED). All applications, including those from Canadian business owners that have been submitted to an existing program, will be honoured, with all current programs remaining in place until further details are announced.

General information

Name of transfer payment programCollege and Community Innovation Program (voted)
Start date2007
End dateOngoing
Type of transfer paymentGrant
Type of appropriationAppropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions2018-19
Link to department’s Program InventoryResearch Partnerships
DescriptionThe College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program is managed by NSERC in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). The CCI Program increases innovation at the community and/or regional level by enabling Canadian colleges to increase their capacity to work with local companies, particularly small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), in areas of the natural and social sciences, engineering, humanities and/or health.. It supports applied research and collaborations that facilitate commercialization, as well as technology transfer, adaptation and adoption of new technologies, in areas of strategic importance to Canada.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.
Expected results
  • Increased awareness by local businesses of the capacity of the postsecondary institutions to assist with applied research projects.
  • Increased involvement of faculty in applied research.
  • Increased applied research capacity at colleges.
  • College students acquiring applied research knowledge and experience, and exposure to business work environments.
  • New technologies and processes adopted by local businesses and other organizations.
  • Increased applied research collaborations between colleges, universities, local businesses and other organizations.
  • Increased R&D investment by local businesses and other organizations.
  • Increased productivity and competitiveness of local businesses and other organizations.
  • Enhanced reputation of colleges as applied research partners for local businesses and other organizations.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation2018-19
Decision following the results of last evaluationContinuation
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation2023-24
General targeted recipient groupsPersons, non-profit organizations
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipientsA variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.
Planning information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment2018–19 forecast spending2019–20 planned spending2020–21 planned spending2021–22 planned spending
Total grants$72,098,820$80,402,694$80,754,491$80,754,491
Total contributions$0$0$0$0
Total other types of transfer payments$0$0$0$0
Total program$72,098,820$80,402,694$80,754,491$80,754,491

General information

Name of transfer payment programCanada 150 Research Chairs (voted)
Start date2017
End date2025-26
Type of transfer paymentGrant
Type of appropriationAppropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions2017-18
Link to department’s Program InventoryDiscovery Research
DescriptionThe Canada150 Chairs provides Canadian universities with a one-time investment to attract top-tier, internationally based scholars and researchers (including Canadian expatriates) to Canada. This program is administered by SSHRC on behalf of CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.
Expected results
  • Attract top-tier international scholars and researchers, trainees and other research professionals to Canada.
  • Enhance training opportunities and institutional support for HQP.
  • Increase research capacity in Canada in the areas of the Chairholders.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluationNot applicable, new program
Decision following the results of last evaluationNot applicable
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation2019–20
General targeted recipient groupsPersons (researchers), non-profit organizations (universities)
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipientsA variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.
Planning information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment2018–19 forecast spending2019–20 planned spending2020–21 planned spending2021–22 planned spending
Total grants$6,490,882$9,450,000$9,450,000$9,450,000
Total contributions$0$0$0$0
Total other types of transfer payments$0$0$0$0
Total program$6,490,882$9,450,000$9,450,000$9,450,000