How much funding can be received?

The Northern Scientific Training Program (NSTP) provides supplementary funding of up to $6,000 per year to Canadian university and northern post-secondary students conducting thesis-based research in northern regions. The program aims to support advanced undergraduate and graduate students in gaining professional experience and training through eligible activities such as fieldwork, covering additional costs related to transportation, living expenses, and interpreter fees.

Financing terms and conditions

Students may apply for up to $6,000 in funding per year to support thesis-based research in Northern regions.
Undergraduate research is eligible for one year of funding, Master's for up to two years, and Doctoral for up to three years.
Four special scholarships of $2,500 each are awarded annually in distinct discipline areas; these are supplementary and not tied directly to field costs.

Eligible projects & activities

Thesis-based research projects conducted by Canadian university or Northern post-secondary students in northern regions of Canada or eligible circumpolar countries.
Multi-disciplinary research activities addressing issues relevant to the Canadian North.
Projects involving scientific training and professional experience in northern environments for students at the undergraduate, master's, or doctoral level.
Research initiatives that include meaningful engagement and collaboration with northern communities or authorities.
Projects aimed at disseminating or reporting research findings to northern communities.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 58,000

Develop new mobile booking app for local transportation cooperative

$ 35,000

Launch pilot recycling initiative for retail shopping center tenants

$ 87,500

Upgrade local bakery with zero-emission commercial ovens and displays

$ 39,000

Launch a community composting program in partnership with schools

$ 74,000

Install solar panels at community wellness center and upgrade lighting

$ 66,000

Purchase CNC machine for local woodworking social enterprise training

Eligibility criteria of the Northern Scientific Training Program (NSTP) program

The applicant must be a Canadian university or Northern post-secondary institution, or an officially recognized Northern Studies Committee within such an institution.
The applicant institution must support students conducting thesis research in Northern regions or other eligible circumpolar countries.
The institution must submit applications as a package through the Chairperson of its recognized Northern Studies Committee; individual applications are not accepted from students.
Universities or Northern post-secondary institutions wishing to participate in the program for the first time must apply for recognition to the NSTP Secretariat.
If the student's home institution does not have a recognized Northern Studies Committee, applications can be made through a participating institution.

Who is eligible?

Canadian universities
Northern post-secondary institutions

Who is not eligible

Businesses or companies (including private sector organizations) are not eligible; the program is restricted to Canadian universities and Northern post-secondary institutions.
Research institutes or centers applying for general operational, administrative, or faculty salary support are not eligible.
Organizations intending to conduct research outside the defined NSTP geographic boundary (regions without permafrost and ground ice, or outside approved circumpolar areas) are not eligible.
Entities conducting research in Russia or partnering with Russian organizations (due to Canadian government sanctions) are not eligible for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
Institutions seeking funding for field schools, practica, or courses rather than individual thesis-based student research projects are not eligible.

Eligible expenses

Transportation costs directly related to northern research projects.
Living expenses incurred during the fieldwork in northern regions.
Freight or shipping costs for research supplies and equipment used in the field.
Interpreter fees or fees for community experts/elders engaged in the research project.

Eligible geographic areas

Regions of Canada where there is both permafrost and ground ice, as mapped in the 5th Edition of the National Atlas of Canada (see Permafrost map).
Alaska (except for the "panhandle")
All areas of Greenland (Denmark)
Regions north of the southern limit of discontinuous permafrost in Finland, Norway, and Sweden
Iceland (eligibility determined on a case-by-case basis)

Eligibility criteria of the Northern Scientific Training Program (NSTP) program

Compliance of the application and reports with NSTP guidelines.
Completeness and clarity of information submitted.
Evaluation of past performance and future research plans.
Relevance of the research project to current northern issues.
Experience and scientific knowledge/training gained by the student.
Development of northern studies and northern specialists at the university or post-secondary institution.
Overall quality of the submission package from the university or institution.
Supervisor’s recommendation.

How to apply to the Northern Scientific Training Program (NSTP) program

Step 1: Obtain Program Material
- At the start of each academic year, secure the NSTP application materials from your university or Northern post-secondary institution’s Northern Studies Committee (NSC).
- Review reference documents and guidelines available online.
Step 2: Complete Student Application and Research Report Forms
- Access and fill out the required forms online via the NSTP Online Forms system.
- Provide comprehensive information on your project, including research objectives, methodology, timeline in the North, requested amount (up to $6,000), and other funding sources.
- Address ethical principles, community engagement, and necessary permits/licences.
- Prepare a unique project description if you are part of a team, specifying your individual contribution.
Step 3: Submit Application to Northern Studies Committee
- Submit your completed application forms to your university or Northern post-secondary institution’s Northern Studies Committee by the internal deadline (typically November 10th).
- Ensure all required sections are complete and necessary supporting documentation is provided.
Step 4: NSC Compiles and Reviews Applications
- Your Northern Studies Committee reviews all applications for completeness, eligibility, and supervisor recommendations.
- The Committee compiles student applications into a single package along with institutional documents (e.g., NSC Information Sheet, nomination forms for awards).
Step 5: Institutional Submission to NSTP Secretariat
- The NSC Chairperson uploads the completed and signed application package (including required institution information sheets and award nominations) to the NSTP system.
- Submit the full institutional package to the NSTP Secretariat by December 1st (or the next business day if it falls on a weekend or public holiday).
Step 6: Application Review by NSTP Management Committee
- The NSTP Secretariat reviews received packages for completeness.
- The NSTP Management Committee evaluates eligible submissions and allocates funding at the institutional level (not per student).
Step 7: Notification and Disbursement
- Following the allocation meeting (typically in February), the NSTP Secretariat notifies each NSC of results and the funding amount granted.
- Funds are transferred to universities or institutions for distribution to students.

Additional information

Each student is required to provide a detailed summary of their research progress and preliminary results, if available, in their final report.
Students must acknowledge the Program's support in all publications, presentations, or other outputs resulting from NSTP-funded research.
Incomplete or duplicate applications may result in the rejection of funding requests.
Institutions are responsible for distributing allocated funds to participating students and maintaining contact with students until all research outputs are reported.