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Update on NSERC Research Partnerships applications

Posted by Jaq-Lin Larder on September 23, 2019 in Announcements

Please find an update below from NSERC re: Engage and CRD applications. 

As many are already aware, the NSERC Research Partnership program is transitioning to the Alliance Grants program. More information on Alliance Grants can be found at this link.

Thank you,
David

David Spurrell, PhD
Manager, Grants and Contracts 
Office of Research Services (ORS)
David.Spurrell@dal.ca
902.494.1160 (phone) 902.494.1595 (fax)
231 Henry Hicks Academic Administration Building
6299 South Street, Halifax, NS  B3H 4H6


Message from NSERC

Dear applicants,

Thank you for your ongoing patience as we continue to review the applications submitted to NSERC’s Engage and Collaborative Research and Development (CRD) programs. As mentioned in previous communications, we have received a record number of applications prior to the closing of the programs. This unprecedented demand will result in longer decision times and lower success rates compared to previous years as we continue to operate with the same budget. We are working hard to assess all applications as quickly and diligently as possible.

The Engage program received half of a typical year’s application intake within two months. Only applications that fully address each criterion will be supported. This will result in a success rate of approximately 50%. We expect that all applications will be assessed by early October 2019.

The CRD program received approximately 750 submissions within six months—the same number of applications normally received in about a year. These applications are being processed with the following approaches and timelines:

  • CRD projects requesting $50,000 or less (on average) will be assessed with external peer review as in the past, but may take longer than normal due to the number of applications. We expect that most applications will be processed this fall.
  • CRD projects requesting over $50,000 but less than $200,000 (and that meet administrative and eligibility requirements) will be reviewed by a Selection Committee (assisted by external reviews) that will assess each CRD selection criterion. The Selection Committees will meet in late fall 2019 and again in early 2020 to rank the remaining CRD proposals. NSERC will allocate budgets based on that ranking.
  • CRD projects requesting greater than $200,000 (that meet administrative and eligibility requirements) will be externally reviewed and will be ranked by the Advisory Committee on University-Industry Grants (ACUIG) that will meet in fall 2019 and early 2020 to rank the CRD proposals in this category. NSERC will allocate budgets based on that ranking.

Any CRD applications that receive a nil recommendation through the peer review process will receive NSERC’s negative funding decision. These applications will not be sent on to a Selection Committee or the ACUIG for ranking.  

We will continue to keep you informed as we make progress in this exceptional year. Please do not hesitate to send us any questions or comments to RPP@nserc-crsng.gc.ca.

Thank you.

Dr. Marc Fortin
Vice President 
Research Partnerships 
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Marc.Fortin@nserc-crsng.gc.ca
350 Albert Street, Ottawa ON  K1A 1H5
Telephone | 613.947.6499