NRC — Construction Research Centre

The eligibility criteria for this grant include: 1. Applicants must be actively engaged in research and development activities related to building envelope and materials, civil engineering and infrastructure, intelligent building operations, human-building interaction, building information management, carbon accounting, life cycle assessment, and fire safety. 2. The grant is open to industry stakeholders, researchers, and organizations working in the construction sector. 3. Applicants should demonstrate a clear alignment between their proposed projects and the key research areas supported by the grant. 4. Priority may be given to proposals that aim to develop new products and services, provide impartial information to governments, standards organizations, and code development committees, and support market access for construction technologies. 5. Applicants must be willing to participate in large-scale pilots, strategic research and development initiatives, and flexible business arrangements to promote the uptake of construction technologies. 6. The grant is available to Canadian organizations and individuals operating in the construction sector. 7. Proposals must focus on enhancing climate resilience in buildings and infrastructure, supporting low carbon construction solutions, digitalization of construction practices, and development of high-performance materials and innovative structural systems. 8. Applicants should be willing to collaborate with the National Research Council of Canada and adhere to relevant guidelines and standards for grant-funded projects.

Eligible expenses

This grant supports projects and activities that advance research and development in construction technologies and infrastructure. The eligible projects highlight climate resilience, low carbon construction, and innovative infrastructure systems.

• Research on climate resilient buildings and infrastructure, developing guidance, tools, and standards.
• Supporting low carbon construction solutions and digitalization of sector practices via Challenge programs.
• Testing and development of high-performance materials and innovative structural systems.
• Assessing compliance with Canadian building, energy, and safety codes.
• Developing model design and construction specifications for buildings and infrastructure.

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant.

• Evaluation and selection criteria are based on applicants' research proposals, alignment with the grant objectives, potential impact, feasibility, and alignment with the organization's strategic priorities.
• Applicants' track record, capacity to deliver, budget justification, and the quality of the proposed research and methodology are also considered in the evaluation process.
• Applicants may be assessed on their qualifications, experience, and the potential for knowledge mobilization and commercialization of the research outcomes.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• The initiative supports market access and the uptake of construction technologies through demonstration and validation in large‑scale pilots.
• The research emphasizes climate resilience in buildings and infrastructure.
• There is support for the development of low carbon construction solutions and digitalization of construction sector practices.
• Expertise in infrastructure testing and development of high-performance materials and innovative structural systems is provided.
• Technical, administrative, and policy support is available for Canada's harmonized code development system.
• The Canadian Construction Materials Centre assesses compliance with Canadian building, energy, and safety codes.
• Access to model design and construction specifications for buildings and infrastructure is available.
• A comprehensive directory of science professionals and researcher profiles is offered, showcasing their projects and expertise.
• Access to the latest editions of the National Model Codes as of March 28, 2022.
• Publication of a National Guide for Wildland-Urban Interface Fires as part of a climate-resilient initiative.
• Provision of comprehensive guidelines for whole building life cycle assessment for industry professionals.