NSERC Alliance Announces $15M in Grants for COVID-19 Projects

Administered by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, NSERC Alliance is a Canadian government funding program intended to support collaborative research projects performed at universities. The program multiplies the efforts of a business and university to produce breakthrough innovations that deliver a positive economic impact once complete. To date, NSERC has supported over 11,000 world-class researchers across Canada and their collaborations with companies.

NSERC Alliance is leveraging the knowledge of researchers in engineering and natural sciences and their partners across Canada to address challenges related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Up to $50,000 for one-year projects is now available.

NSERC Alliance Extending Funding During COVID-19

NSERC Alliance is uniquely designed to help Canadian companies perform innovative research projects with a professor and team of university researchers.

In response to COVID-19, up to a total of $15M has been made available to foster collaborations between the public and not-for-profit sectors, academic researchers, and industry to address pandemic-related research and technical challenges.

Applications will be accepted until June 1, 2020.

The main objectives of NSERC Alliance COVID-19 grants:

• Support research and analysis initiatives that address partner organization issues or questions related to COVID-19, leading to applications in the short term; and
• Accelerate the flow and exchange of research results and research expertise in the natural sciences and engineering sectors between academic researchers and public, not-for-profit, and industry partners by supporting these organizations while they face challenges in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.

How Does it Work?

Industry, not-for-profit, or public sector organizations that have a question or challenge that could use assistance from research expertise in the engineering or natural sciences space can submit their statements to NSERC.

What Research Topics Are Eligible?

Topics surrounding engineering, technology, and science that are within NSERC’s mandate with direct relation to COVID-19 are eligible. The major focus should not be medical or clinical research. Examples of project include, but are not limited to:

• Design and engineering expertise in advanced manufacturing of COVID-19-relevant equipment and supplies;
• New technologies relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic;
• Computational modeling and simulation for improved understanding of viral populations and of viral evolution; and
• Better understanding of viral persistence in the environment.

All partners and organizations included in the application must respect the current federal and provincial guidelines set in place (physical distancing, working remotely, etc.)

Who is Eligible to Apply?

Those who are already eligible to apply for the regular NSERC Alliance program may apply for COVID-19-related funds.

There must be at least one partner organization (private, public, or not-for-profit) who will be engaged throughout the research process and who can utilize the expertise or the research results from the project.

How Much Can I Receive?

A request of up to $50,000 in Canadian government funding is available from NSERC.

Learn More and Apply for Funding

Proposals for NSERC Alliance COVID-19 funding will be assessed based on the potential timeliness and impact that the project could have on the partner organizations’ preparedness or ability to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The deadline to apply is June 1, 2020. Applications are to be submitted through NSERC’s online system.

Contact Mentor Works to learn more and to discuss your eligibility for dedicated COVID-19 grants via NSERC Alliance. Stay up to date with the latest government funding programs related to the coronavirus by visiting our COVID-19 support page.