Alliance grants
Canada
Partnering support for R&D projects
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Canada
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Need R&D help for a business problem? Get support when you partner with a university researcher and make an in-kind contribution to a project that benefits Canada.
grant_single_labels|projects
There are eligible projects for this grant:
- Research projects aiming to advance sensitive technology areas
- Projects that generate new knowledge and technology to address complex challenges
- Projects creating economic, environmental, and societal benefits
- Research contributing to Canada's long-term competitiveness
- Projects supporting public policy
- Training new researchers in important areas for Canada and partner organizations
- Projects drawing on diverse perspectives and skill sets to accelerate research results' translation and application
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$400,000
Toronto
Researching advanced AI technology to improve cybersecurity measures for financial institutions
$700,000
Waterloo
Training new researchers in cutting-edge quantum computing technologies to advance Canada's tech sector
$450,000
Vancouver
Investigating renewable energy sources to power remote communities in Canada
$500,000
Toronto
Creating innovative public policy solutions to enhance urban planning and development
$250,000
Montreal
Developing eco-friendly packaging solutions to reduce plastic waste in the retail industry
$600,000
Guelph
Developing biotechnological methods to improve crop yields and sustainability in agriculture
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility criteria for this grant:
- Canadian university researchers eligible to receive NSERC funds.
- Individual or team applications with co-applicants who are eligible academic researchers.
- Minimum one partner organization from private, public, or not-for-profit sector for cost sharing.
- Equity, diversity, and inclusion considerations evaluated in training opportunities for students.
- National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships must be followed.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
There are eligible types of companies for this grant. Partner organizations from the private, public, or not-for-profit sectors can participate in this grant.
- Private sector companies
- Public sector organizations
- Not-for-profit organizations
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Eligible expenses for this grant include:
- Research-related costs
- Salaries and stipends for research personnel
- Travel and communication expenses directly related to the project
- Materials and supplies necessary for the research
- Equipment costs essential to the project
grant_single_labels|criteria
There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The evaluation criteria include the following:
- Relevance to the partner organization's goals
- Demonstrated collaboration among team members
- Potential for economic, environmental, and societal impact
- Contribution to Canada's long-term competitiveness
- Support for public policy
- Training opportunities for new researchers
- Diversity of perspectives and skill sets in the research team
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Identify partner organizations and collaborators
- Content: Identify private, public, or not-for-profit sector organizations willing to collaborate
- Implications: Ensure partners are aligned with the research goals and willing to share in research costs
- Step 2: Develop a research proposal
- Content: Create a detailed research proposal outlining project objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes
- Implications: Demonstrate the potential impact of the research on Canada's competitiveness and societal benefits
- Step 3: Establish an equitable, diverse, and inclusive team
- Content: Consider diversity and inclusion in team formation, training, and mentorship opportunities
- Implications: Enhance research excellence through a diverse and inclusive research environment
- Step 4: Complete a risk assessment form for national security guidelines (if applicable)
- Content: Assess national security risks related to research partnerships involving private sector organizations
- Implications: Ensure due diligence in identifying and mitigating potential national security risks
- Step 5: Submit the Alliance grant application
- Content: Complete and submit the grant application with all required documentation and the risk assessment form (if applicable)
- Implications: Finalize the application process for funding consideration
grant_single_labels|contact
alliance@nserc-crsng.gc.ca
1-855-275-2861
Apply to this program
Alliance Advantage Grant Summary
Alliance Advantage grants support collaborative research projects between university researchers and partner organizations from various sectors to generate new knowledge and accelerate the application of research results, ultimately benefiting Canada.
Explaining the Alliance Advantage Grant
The Alliance Advantage grant program, formerly known as Alliance cost-sharing option 1, is a funding opportunity offered by NSERC to facilitate partnerships between Canadian university researchers and organizations in the private, public, or not-for-profit sectors. These grants range from $20,000 to $1 million per year and can span from 1 to 5 years, supporting projects aimed at addressing complex challenges and creating societal benefits. The key focus of Alliance Advantage grants is to drive innovation, contribute to Canada's competitiveness, support public policy, and train new researchers in critical areas.
For Canadian university researchers eligible to receive NSERC funds, the Alliance Advantage grant provides a platform to collaborate with partners to work on projects aligned with the partners' goals. Partner organizations involved in Alliance Advantage projects actively share in the costs of research, emphasizing a shared commitment to the project's success. By fostering collaborations that draw on diverse perspectives and skill sets, these grants aim to accelerate the translation and application of research outcomes for practical benefits.
In addition to advancing knowledge and technology, Alliance Advantage grants prioritize societal impact, with a focus on creating economic, environmental, and other societal advantages. These grants promote the training and development of new researchers in areas crucial for both Canada and partner organizations, enriching the research landscape with equity, diversity, and inclusion considerations. NSERC encourages applicants to embrace EDI principles in their research teams, training plans, and professional development opportunities, aiming to enhance excellence in research by removing barriers and promoting full participation from underrepresented groups.
To ensure the integrity and security of research partnerships, the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships apply to Alliance grant applications involving private sector organizations alongside public and not-for-profit partners. Researchers and institutions are required to complete a risk assessment form as part of their Alliance application to address potential national security risks associated with the research project.
In conclusion, the Alliance Advantage grant offers a unique opportunity for Canadian researchers and partner organizations to collaborate on innovative projects that drive progress, create societal impact, and contribute to Canada's long-term competitiveness. By embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion principles, these collaborations aim to foster excellence in research while promoting the translation of research outcomes into tangible benefits for society.
