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Source verified May 28, 2026
Alliance grants
Partner-driven research funding for collaborations
Funding available
$ 20,000 - $ 1,000,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
Alliance Advantage supports partner-driven research projects led by Canadian university researchers with private, public, or not-for-profit organizations. Funding ranges from $20,000 to $1 million per year for projects lasting 1 to 5 years.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Minimum amount : 20,000 $
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Other Racialized Persons
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Canadians
- Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Higher Education
- Research
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- General public
- Indigenous peoples
- People with disabilities
- Women & girls
- LGBTQ+ community
- Academia / students
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
- Municipal
- Regional
- Provincial
- National
- International
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Partner-driven research projects in the natural sciences or engineering.
- Collaborative R&D projects aimed at generating new knowledge or technology.
- Projects that create economic, environmental, or societal benefits for Canada.
- Research collaborations that support public policy or train new researchers.
Documents Needed
- Personal Data Form with CCV attachment
- Partner organization form
- Risk Assessment form, if applicable
- STRAC Attestation form, if applicable
- Proposal template and application checklist
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian university researchers eligible to receive NSERC funds.
- Eligible academic researchers applying as co-applicants.
- College faculty as co-applicants.
- Private-sector, public-sector, or not-for-profit partner organizations.
Who is not eligible
- Companies with fewer than two full-time employees.
- Venture capital and angel investors.
- Holding companies.
- Foreign governments.
- Individuals.
Eligible expenses
- Salary support for research trainees, technicians, and research professionals.
- Materials and supplies.
- Collaboration and knowledge mobilization activities.
- Equipment essential to the project and incremental to existing resources.
- Project management costs, up to 10% of direct research costs.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Purchases of equipment, products, or services from partner organizations.
- Travel and travel-related subsistence costs for partner organization personnel.
- Secret or contract research.
Selection criteria
- Partnership strength, including partner roles and in-kind contributions.
- Research plan and team quality, including objectives and expected results.
- Training opportunities for students and trainees, including EDI considerations.
- Impact and benefits to Canada, including innovation and broader societal outcomes.
How to apply
- Step 1: Prepare the application
- Review the application instructions and complete the proposal template.
- Complete any required risk assessment or attestation forms.
- Step 2: Gather partner information
- Invite partner organizations through NSERC’s online system.
- Have the partner organization contact person provide the required organization information.
- Step 3: Submit online
- Submit the completed application and supporting documents through NSERC’s online system.
- Use the application checklist before submitting.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are first assessed administratively for completeness and compliance.
- Eligible applications move to merit review, with the process depending on project size.
- Funding decisions also consider national security risk assessment results, when applicable.
- If approved, applicants receive an award letter with terms and conditions.
- Grant funds are normally transferred to the university within 30 days of the project start date.
Additional information
- The STRAC Policy applies to this funding opportunity.
- If the project aims to advance a sensitive technology research area, attestation forms are required from applicants, co-applicants, and collaborators.
- If the application involves private sector partner organizations, the Risk Assessment form must be included.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Alliance grants Program
What is the Alliance grants?
Alliance Advantage supports partner-driven research projects led by Canadian university researchers with private, public, or not-for-profit organizations. Funding ranges from $20,000 to $1 million per year for projects lasting 1 to 5 years.
How much funding can be received?
Alliance grants Funds up to $1,000,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Alliance grants program?
To be eligible for the Alliance grants program, you must:
Canadian university researchers eligible for NSERC funds.
At least one cost-sharing partner organization.
College faculty may join as co-applicants.
What expenses are eligible under Alliance grants?
Partner-driven research projects in the natural sciences or engineering.
Collaborative R&D projects aimed at generating new knowledge or technology.
Projects that create economic, environmental, or societal benefits for Canada.
Research collaborations that support public policy or train new researchers.
Who can I contact for more information about the Alliance grants?
You can contact Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) by email at alliance@nserc-crsng.gc.ca or by phone at 1-855-275-2861.
Where is the Alliance grants available?
The Alliance grants program is available across Canada.
Is the Alliance grants a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Alliance grants is a Partnering and Collaboration