Discovery Grant
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The Discovery Grants program supports ongoing, long-term research programs within NSERC's mandate and funding principles. Recipients have the flexibility to expand and pursue new research interests.
Support for Researchers
The Research Partner Network provides personalized support and coordinates expert guidance on how to apply for this grant and how to manage the funds should you be successful.
For questions about applying for a Discovery Grant, please reach out to the designated Research Partner:
Please notify the affiliated Research Partner if you decide to withdraw from the competition after submitting your NOI.
summary
Intended Recipients
Researchers conducting an ongoing, long-term research program within the natural sciences and engineering (NSE)
Value
Variable
Duration
Up to five years
Additional Information
NOTE: NSERC has confirmed that the CV format for the upcoming competition will remain the Canadian Common CV (CCV).
Deadlines
Notification of Intent (NOI)
- No RAS Internal Review Deadline
- NSERC Deadline
- August 1, 2025
- August 1, 2025
Full Application
- RAS Internal Review Deadline
- October 21, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. MT
- Submit your complete proposal in Researcher Homepage
- Final Version Submission Deadline
- October 31, 2025 at 10 a.m. MT
- NSERC Deadline (when RAS must forward the application to NSERC)
- November 3, 2025 at 6 p.m. MT
Supports and resources
Roundtable Sessions with NSERC Evaluators
Discover valuable insights into the NSERC Discovery Grant evaluation process through roundtable discussions hosted by the Research Partner Network. During these sessions, experienced U of A researchers, who are active members of NSERC Discovery Grant Evaluation Groups, will share their knowledge and experience on:
- How the Discovery Grant evaluation process works
- What constitutes a successful application
- Best practices to potentially increase your ranking
- Pitfalls to avoid in writing a successful Discovery Grant
2025 roundtable sessions are scheduled from June to early October.
June 23, 2025 | 1:00 to 2:30 pm | Online
Dr. Duane Froese - Geosciences (1506)
Dr. Felix Sperling - Evolution and Ecology (1503)
August 20, 2025 | 1:00 to 2:30 pm | Online
Dr. Harley Kurata - Genes, Cells and Molecules (1501)
Dr. Afsaneh Lavasanifar - Materials and Chemical Engineering (1511)
September 5, 2025 | 1:00 to 2:30 pm | Online
Dr. Harley Kurata - Genes, Cells and Molecules (1501)
Dr. Herb Yang - Computer Science (1507)
September 16, 2025 | 1:00 to 2:30 pm | Online
Dr. Felix Sperling - Evolution and Ecology (1503)
Dr. Christopher Sturdy - Biological Systems and Functions (1502)
Dr. Herb Yang - Computer Science (1507)
October 2, 2025 | 1:00 to 2:30 pm | Online
Dr. Afsaneh Lavasanifar - Materials and Chemical Engineering (1511)
Dr. Christopher Sturdy - Biological Systems and Functions (1502)
Navigating the NSERC Discovery Grant for health researchers
The RPNet will host information sessions targeted to applicants in the health sciences. Drs. Greg Funk (Professor, Physiology) and Richard Fahlman (Professor, Biochemistry) will share their knowledge and experience on what makes a great NSERC Discovery Grant. In particular:
- How it differs from CIHR proposals
- How to communicate your basic biomedical/health sciences research as natural science
- The common mistakes that researchers make
These sessions will be particularly helpful to health science researchers but should also be valuable to all applicants, especially early career researchers and first-time applicants.
PAST June 18, 2025 | 10:30 am to noon | KATZ 3-003 (in person) |
September 2, 2025 | 1:00 to 2:30 pm | Online |
NSERC Discovery Grant information session with NSERC program officer
The RPNet will host NSERC Program Officer Nicolas Desforges for an information session on the NSERC Discovery Grant program. Applicants and researchers will have the opportunity to learn about the program and to ask questions directly to Nicolas. The Research Partner supporting NSERC Discovery Grants, Chris Kazala, and Dr. Duane Froese, who is currently serving on the Geosciences evaluation group panel, will also be present to answer questions or comment on tips and strategies.
PAST June 10, 2025 | 10:30 am to noon | SAB 3-21 |
NSERC Q&A sessions and pre-recorded videos
NSERC offers a series of pre-recorded videos and live Q&A sessions which are meant to assist applicants on various topics, including how to submit an NOI, complete an application and the NSERC Canadian Common CV (CCV). Pre-recorded videos as well as the dates for upcoming live Q&A sessions can be found . New videos and live Q&A sessions will be added as they become available. NSERC requests that participants view the pre-recorded videos prior to attending a live Q&A session as the material presented in the video will not be repeated.
NSERC CCV Workshop
Do you need help preparing your Canadian Common CV (CCV) for the NSERC Discovery Grant competition? This workshop will cover navigating the CCV website, entering details, importing data, and exporting your CCV and attaching it to your application package. You are encouraged to bring your laptop with you and work on your own CCV during the session and test out the tips and get live hands-on help.
July 17, 2025 | 10:30 am to noon | In person (north campus)
NSERC CCV tip sheet (RPNet)
Making sure your CCV is properly filled in and up-to-date is becoming increasingly scrutinized by the NSERC Program Offices. The Research Partner Network has created a tip sheet to help you avoid some common mistakes.
Samples of Successful Discovery Grants
Samples of successful full applications from previous Discovery Grant competitions are available. To receive access to these samples, please .
Note that these samples reflect past competitions, so it's important to check the latest NSERC guidelines for current requirements. Please refrain from duplicating or distributing the sample applications.