NSERC 2025–26 Departmental plan at a glance
Details on transfer payment programs
Canada 150 Research Chairs (voted)
Start date
2017
End date
2025-26
Type of transfer payment
Grant
Type of appropriation
Appropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions
2017-18
Link to departmental result(s)
Canada’s natural sciences and engineering research is internationally competitive.
Link to the department’s Program Inventory
Discovery Research
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Canada 150 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
  • Strengthened research capacity in Canada through the recruitment and retention of top-tier, internationally based scholars and researchers.
  • Enhanced reputation of Canada as a global centre for science, research, and innovation excellence.
  • Improved capacity of universities to generate and apply new knowledge.
  • Improved training and development of highly qualified research personnel.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation
2020-21
Decision following the results of last evaluation
Continuation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation
There are no plans to evaluate this program as it ends in 2025-26. The program has been evaluated within the five-year period since its establishment.
General targeted recipient groups
Academia and public institutions
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

A 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.

Financial information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment
2024-25 forecast spending
2025-26 planned spending
2026-27 planned spending
2027-28 planned spending
Total program
7,750,000
1,600,000
0
0
Total grants
7,750,000
1,600,000
0
0
Total contributions
0
0
0
0
Total other types of transfer payments
0
0
0
0
Canada Excellence Research Chairs (voted)
Start date
2008
End date
Ongoing
Type of transfer payment
Grant
Type of appropriation
Appropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions
2023-24
Link to departmental result(s)
Canada’s natural sciences and engineering research is internationally competitive.
Link to the department’s Program Inventory
Discovery Research
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The 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
  • Strengthen Canada’s ability to attract the world’s top researchers.
  • Build a critical mass of expertise in priority areas identified by the government at Canadian institutions.
  • Create a competitive environment to help Canadian institutions attract a cadre of world-leading researchers, collaborators, partners and research users from diverse sectors, nationally and internationally.
  • Contribute to the branding of Canada as a location of choice for world-leading research, science and technology development.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation
2020-21
Decision following the results of last evaluation
Continuation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation
2025-26
General targeted recipient groups
Academia and public institutions
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

A 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.

Financial information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment
2024-25 forecast spending
2025-26 planned spending
2026-27 planned spending
2027-28 planned spending
Total program
24,368,131
30,207,334
24,505,420
14,064,641
Total grants
24,368,131
30,207,334
24,505,420
14,064,641
Total contributions
0
0
0
0
Total other types of transfer payments
0
0
0
0
Canada First Research Excellence Fund (voted)
Start date
2014
End date
Ongoing
Type of transfer payment
Grant
Type of appropriation
Appropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions
2023-24
Link to departmental result(s)
Canada’s natural sciences and engineering research is internationally competitive.
Link to the department’s Program Inventory
Discovery Research
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) supports Canada’s postsecondary institutions in their efforts to become global research leaders. CFREF helps competitively selected Canadian postsecondary institutions turn their key strengths into world-leading capabilities. 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 postsecondary 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 evaluation
2020-21
Decision following the results of last evaluation
Continuation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation
2025-26
General targeted recipient groups
Academia and public institutions
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

A 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.

Financial information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment
2024-25 forecast spending
2025-26 planned spending
2026-27 planned spending
2027-28 planned spending
Total program
78,586,304
78,627,871
78,703,633
78,703,633
Total grants
78,586,304
78,627,871
78,703,633
78,703,633
Total contributions
0
0
0
0
Total other types of transfer payments
0
0
0
0
Canada Graduate Scholarships (voted)
Start date
2003-04
End date
Ongoing
Type of transfer payment
Grant
Type of appropriation
Appropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions
2020-21
Link to departmental result(s)
Canada has a pool of diverse and highly skilled people in the natural sciences and engineering.
Link to the department’s Program Inventory
Research Training and Talent Development
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

NSERC'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
  • Rising enrollment in Canadian graduate programs.
  • Reduced time required for CGS scholarship recipients to finish their degrees compared to the national average in their respective fields.
  • Strengthened Canadian universities' ability to draw in top-tier, promising individuals who are poised to become the future leaders in research.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation
2023-24
Decision following the results of last evaluation
Continuation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation
2028-29
General targeted recipient groups
Individuals or sole proprietorships
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Applicants and recipients are engaged through communication with academic institutions and tri-agency or agency-specific electronic communication.

Financial information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment
2024-25 forecast spending
2025-26 planned spending
2026-27 planned spending
2027-28 planned spending
Total program
64,483,584
64,515,000
54,750,000
53,030,000
Total grants
64,483,584
64,515,000
54,750,000
53,030,000
Total contributions
0
0
0
0
Total other types of transfer payments
0
0
0
0
Canada Research Training Award Suite (voted)
Start date
2026-27
End date
Ongoing
Type of transfer payment
Grant
Type of appropriation
Appropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions
2024-25
Link to departmental result(s)
Canada has a pool of diverse and highly skilled people in the natural sciences and engineering.
Link to the department’s Program Inventory
Research Training and Talent Development
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

NSERC’s portion of the Canada Research Training Award Suite (CRTAS) will support the next generation of innovators in natural sciences and engineering by providing funding and high-quality research training, cultivating research skills, fostering creativity, and empowering awardees to make significant contributions to Canada’s research ecosystem, economy and prosperity. This is a tri-agency program administered (CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC).

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

Expected results
  • A range of excellent students and postdoctoral researchers are supported and recognized
  • Students and postdoctoral researchers can concentrate more fully on their research and training
  • Students and postdoctoral researchers transition to careers where they use their research skills and expertise

Ultimately, Canada’s research capacity is strengthened through a pool of diverse and highly skilled people.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation
n/a
Decision following the results of last evaluation
n/a
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation
2030-31
General targeted recipient groups
Individuals or sole proprietorships
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Academic institutions and tri-agency communicate directly with applications and recipients via email.

Financial information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment
2024-25 forecast spending
2025-26 planned spending
2026-27 planned spending
2027-28 planned spending
Total program
0
0
29,601,324
48,599,064
Total grants
0
0
29,601,324
48,599,064
Total contributions
0
0
0
0
Total other types of transfer payments
0
0
0
0
College and Community Innovation (voted)
Start date
2007
End date
Ongoing
Type of transfer payment
Grant
Type of appropriation
Appropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions
2024-25
Link to departmental result(s)
Canada’s natural sciences and engineering research knowledge is used.
Link to the department’s Program Inventory
Research Partnerships
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The objective of the CCI Program is to increase innovation at the community and/or regional level by enabling Canadian colleges to increase their capacity to partner with local or regional organizations, primarily small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) but including other organizations from the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors.

The suite of CCI Program grants support applied research, training, and knowledge and technology transfer activities. The colleges collaborate with partners in areas where the college has recognized expertise and that meets local or regional needs and have the potential to increase innovation in the community. Supported activities range from applied research and training to knowledge and technology transfer, providing assistance in adaptation and adoption of research outputs by partners, and technology demonstration and development projects for these partners.

Expected results
  • The CCI Program is contributing to outputs and/or outcomes of the agencies’ Departmental Results Framework and Performance Information Profiles as follows:
  • NSERC: Supports Departmental Result #3, “Canada’s natural sciences and engineering research knowledge is used”.
  • Supports the NSERC Program “Research Partnerships”.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation
2018-19
Decision following the results of last evaluation
Continuation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation
2025-26
General targeted recipient groups
Academia and public institutions
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

A 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.

Financial information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment
2024-25 forecast spending
2025-26 planned spending
2026-27 planned spending
2027-28 planned spending
Total program
103,995,890
96,904,510
79,069,491
79,909,491
Total grants
103,995,890
96,904,510
79,069,491
79,909,491
Total contributions
0
0
0
0
Total other types of transfer payments
0
0
0
0
Grants and Scholarships (voted)
Start date
1978
End date
Ongoing
Type of transfer payment
Grant
Type of appropriation
Appropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions
2022-23
Link to departmental result(s)

Canada’s natural sciences and engineering research is internationally competitive, Canada has a pool of diverse and highly skilled people in the natural sciences and engineering, Canada’s natural sciences and engineering research knowledge is used.

Link to the department’s Program Inventory
Discovery Research, Research Training and Talent Development, Research Partnerships
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, through grants, fellowships and scholarships, promotes and supports research and research training in natural sciences and engineering to develop talent, generate discoveries, and support innovation in pursuit of economic and social outcomes for Canadians.

The purpose of the Grants and Scholarships transfer payment program is to support:

  • Research Training and Talent Development: support the development of highly qualified personnel (HQP) through a variety of scholarships and fellowships; through research chairs and faculty support; and through the promotion of science, mathematics, and engineering to young Canadians.
  • Discovery Research: support the process of discovery and the creation of new knowledge through funding allocated to researchers at postsecondary institutions who conduct basic and applied research in all areas of the NSE.
  • Research Partnerships: help Canada innovate through support for partnerships between universities, colleges, and organizations in the private, public, and/or not-for-profit sectors in order to ensure that knowledge and skills in the NSE are transferred to and used productively by the user sector in Canada.
Expected results
  • The transfer payment program’s activities and outcomes are most strongly linked to the Government of Canada Outcome Area “Economic Affairs – an innovative and knowledge-based economy,” although the outcomes can also affect several other Government of Canada outcomes such as strong economic growth, income security and employment for Canadians, a clean and healthy environment, healthy Canadians with access to quality health care, and safe and secure communities.
  • The expected results of the program include:
  • Canada’s natural sciences and engineering research is internationally competitive;
  • Canada has a pool of diverse and highly skilled people in the natural sciences and engineering;
  • Canada’s natural sciences and engineering research knowledge is used.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation
2024-25
Decision following the results of last evaluation
Continuation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation
2025-26
General targeted recipient groups
  • Academia and public institutions
  • Individual or sole proprietorships
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

A 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.

Financial information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment
2024-25 forecast spending
2025-26 planned spending
2026-27 planned spending
2027-28 planned spending
Total program
1,100,448,230
1,126,585,903
1,141,321,437
1,178,670,199
Total grants
1,100,448,230
1,126,585,903
1,141,321,437
1,178,670,199
Total contributions
0
0
0
0
Total other types of transfer payments
0
0
0
0
Lab to Market (voted)
Start date
2023
End date
Ongoing
Type of transfer payment
Grant
Type of appropriation
Appropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions
2023-24
Link to departmental result(s)
Canada’s natural sciences and engineering research knowledge is used
Link to the department’s Program Inventory
Research Partnerships
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Lab-to-Market program supports experiential training opportunities for students and researchers, allowing them to explore the commercial potential of their work and encourage their development into scientific entrepreneurs.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

Expected results
  • Institutions participating in Canada’s Lab-to-Market grants collaborate to establish inclusive and collaborative entrepreneurship training networks.
  • Networks establish connections within the innovation ecosystem.
  • Students and researchers are equipped with new tools, knowledge, and skills in entrepreneurship to transform their research into innovation and transfer it to Canadian organizations from all sectors (can include private, public, not-for-profit, and health services). They apply the entrepreneurial knowledge and skills acquired.
  • A national training ecosystem is established.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation
n/a
Decision following the results of last evaluation
n/a
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation
2026-27
General targeted recipient groups
Academia and public institutions
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Applicants and recipients are engaged through communication with academic institutions and tri-agency or agency-specific electronic communication.

Financial information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment
2024-25 forecast spending
2025-26 planned spending
2026-27 planned spending
2027-28 planned spending
Total program
8,386,426
13,443,137
18,679,346
18,860,869
Total grants
8,386,426
13,443,137
18,679,346
18,860,869
Total contributions
0
0
0
0
Total other types of transfer payments
0
0
0
0
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (voted)
Start date
2008
End date
Ongoing
Type of transfer payment
Grant
Type of appropriation
Appropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions
2014-15
Link to departmental result(s)
Canada has a pool of diverse and highly skilled people in the natural sciences and engineering.
Link to the department’s Program Inventory
Research Training and Talent Development
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program is a 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.
  • Enhance 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 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 evaluation
2020-21
Decision following the results of last evaluation
Continuation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation
2025-26
General targeted recipient groups
Academia and public institutions
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Applicants 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.

Financial information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment
2024-25 forecast spending
2025-26 planned spending
2026-27 planned spending
2027-28 planned spending
Total program
8,350,000
8,350,000
8,350,000
8,350,000
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