NSERC Discovery Grant
NSERC's largest program: long-term operating grants for a researcher's program of natural sciences and engineering research rather than a single project. Rated equally on excellence of the researcher, merit of the proposal and training of highly qualified personnel.
Scheme details
- Funding range
- No set range: the grant level follows the rating bin and applicant category; up to 5 years. Early career researchers receiving a first grant also get a C$12,500 Discovery Launch Supplement.
- Career stage
- All career stages
- Scheme type
- Individual
- Eligibility
- Faculty with an eligible appointment at a Canadian university who do independent research and may supervise students. One Discovery Grant at a time. Research must be natural sciences or engineering, not health. A notification of intent (NOI) is mandatory. Uses the NSERC CCV.
- Format & limits
- Public summary: 3,000 characters; Proposal: 5 pages; Most significant contributions: 9,000 characters; HQP training plan: 9,000 characters; Past HQP training: 6,000 characters; Budget justification and References: 2 pages each; NOI summary: 6,000 characters
- Deadline
- Open now 2027 competition: NOI closed 4 August 2026; full application closes 8 p.m. ET on 2 November 2026, NOI holders only · 2028 NOI due August 2027 (est.)
View official scheme page
https://nserc-crsng.canada.ca/en/funding-opportunity/discovery-grants-program-individual
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Last updated: 2026-09-24
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