How much funding can be received?

There is no informations about how much funding can be received.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2025-08-01T23:59:59Z.

Who are the financial supporters of the Discovery Grants (individual) program?

Discovery Grants (individual) program is funded by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)

What are Discovery Grants (individual) program's eligibility criterias?

Grants are awarded to individual researchers affiliated with a Canadian university. The research program must fall under the field of natural sciences or engineering (excluding health sciences). Only one eligible program per candidate; the grant cannot be held concurrently with a Discovery Horizons grant.

Discovery Grants (individual) program

Last Update: August 1, 2025

Canada

Supports long-term research in natural sciences and engineering

Discovery Grants (individual) program at a glance

Eligible Funding

No Condition

Timeline

Closing date : August 1, 2025

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Professional, scientific and technical services
Educational services

Grant Providers

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)

Program status

Open

Overview of the Discovery Grants (individual) program program

The Discovery Grants (individual) program provides long-term operating funding for up to five years to support ongoing research programs in the natural sciences and engineering at Canadian universities. This program aims to foster research excellence and innovation, with eligible activities including original research, training of highly qualified personnel, and participation in collaborative projects; there is no fixed maximum funding amount per grant, as awards are determined based on peer review and applicant category.

Financing terms and conditions

Grants are provided as long-term operating funds for research programs, typically for a duration of up to five years.

Eligible projects & activities

Long-term research programs in the natural sciences and engineering aimed at advancing knowledge in these fields.
Innovative research initiatives supporting creativity and excellence in scientific or engineering disciplines relevant to NSERC’s mandate.
Research training environments providing opportunities for highly qualified personnel, such as students and postdoctoral fellows.
Collaborative research activities within the natural sciences and engineering sector.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 170,000

Developing biodegradable smart packaging using biopolymer nanocomposites

$ 157,000

Exploring climate-resilient crop genetics using CRISPR editing tools

$ 210,000

Designing photovoltaic nanomaterials for efficient solar energy harvesting

$ 165,000

Developing AI models for sustainable chemical manufacturing processes

$ 180,000

Advancing remote sensing algorithms for northern permafrost monitoring

$ 185,000

Investigating waterborne microplastics with advanced spectroscopy techniques

Eligibility criteria of the Discovery Grants (individual) program program

The applicant must be an individual researcher affiliated with a Canadian university.
The proposed research program must fall within the natural sciences and engineering fields, in line with NSERC’s mandate (excluding health, social sciences, and humanities).
The research program must be conceptually distinct from research funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) or the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).
The applicant must meet NSERC’s eligibility requirements for faculty to apply for or hold grant funds.
The applicant cannot hold both a Discovery Grant and a Discovery Horizons grant at the same time.

Who is eligible?

Canadian universities (for the benefit of eligible researchers holding faculty positions)

Who is not eligible

Companies and organizations outside the natural sciences and engineering sectors.
Businesses whose primary research activities fall under health, social sciences, or humanities sectors.
Entities seeking funding for projects already supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) or the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

Eligible expenses

Operating expenses essential to the ongoing research program, as allowed by the Tri-agency Guide on Financial Administration.
Costs supporting research activities in the natural sciences and engineering.
Participation in collaborative research initiatives within NSERC’s mandate.

Eligible geographic areas

Canadian universities

Eligibility criteria of the Discovery Grants (individual) program program

Scientific or engineering excellence of the researcher, including knowledge, expertise, and impact on the field.
Merit of the proposal, considering originality, significance, methodology, feasibility, and clarity of objectives.
Contribution to the training of highly qualified personnel (HQP), focusing on the quality and impact of past and planned training, and consideration of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

How to apply to the Discovery Grants (individual) program program

Verify eligibility and mandate

Review eligibility criteria for faculty and research subject
Confirm research program aligns with NSERC's natural sciences and engineering mandate
Consult your research grants office for internal deadlines

Prepare application documents

Prepare and complete the Canadian Common CV (CCV) with up-to-date information
Gather supporting documents required by the program
Familiarize yourself with application guidelines and criteria

Submit notification of intent

Submit notification of intent (NOI) through the Research Portal by August 1, 2025
Include the CCV at the NOI submission stage
Indicate preferred evaluation group for application review

Complete and submit full application

Update and verify the Canadian Common CV as needed
Complete the full application using the Research Portal by November 3, 2025
Ensure that all required sections and documents are finalized

Await evaluation and results

The submission will be reviewed for eligibility and scientific merit
Evaluation groups and external reviewers will assess the application according to program criteria
NSERC will communicate funding decisions upon completion of the review

Additional information

The application process involves two mandatory stages: submission of a Notification of Intent (NOI) and a full application, both requiring a Canadian Common CV (CCV).
Grant recipients have flexibility to pursue new research directions during the grant period, provided these remain within NSERC’s mandate and comply with the agency’s guidelines.
The Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) applies as of May 1, 2024, requiring applicants to certify non-affiliation with certain organizations if applicable.
Guidelines on the assessment of research, training, and mentoring contributions are available to support applicants in preparing their submission.