The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC; french: Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada, CRSNG) is the major federal agency responsible for funding natural sciences and engineering research in Canada. NSERC directly funds university professors and students as well as Canadian companies to perform research and training. With funding from the

Government of Canada The government of Canada (french: gouvernement du Canada) is the body responsible for the federal administration of Canada. A constitutional monarchy, the Crown is the corporation sole, assuming distinct roles: the executive, as the ''Crown-i ...

, NSERC supports the research of over 41,000 students, trainees and professors at universities and colleges in Canada with an annual budget of CA$1.1 billion in 2015. Its current director is Alejandro Adem. NSERC, combined with the

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC; french: Conseil de recherches en sciences humaines du Canada, CRSH) is a Canadian federal research-funding agency that promotes and supports post-secondary research and traini ...

(SSHRC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), forms the major source of federal government funding to post-secondary research. These bodies are sometimes collectively referred to as the "Tri-Council" or "Tri-Agency".

History

NSERC came into existence on 1 May 1978 under the ''Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Act'', which was passed in an omnibus manner by the government of Pierre Elliot Trudeau. University-based research had previously been supported through the National Research Council of Canada. It reports to

Parliament In modern politics, and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern parliament has three functions: representing the electorate, making laws, and overseeing the government via hearings and inquiries. Th ...

through the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. It is governed by a Council composed of its president and up to 18 members appointed from the private and public sectors and an executive team of eight persons.

President

Past presidents include Gordon M. MacNabb (1978-1986),

Arthur W. May Arthur is a common male given name of Brythonic origin. Its popularity derives from it being the name of the legendary hero King Arthur. The etymology is disputed. It may derive from the Celtic ''Artos'' meaning “Bear”. Another theory, more w ...

(1986-1990), Peter Morand (1990-1995), Tom Brzustowski (1995-2005), Suzanne Fortier (2006-2013), and

B. Mario Pinto Dr. B. Mario Pinto is a Canadian chemical biologist, academic and the former President of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Prior to his appointment at NSERC, Pinto served as a chemistry professor and as the ...

(2014-2018). On 25 June 2019, Alejandro Adem was appointed President of NSERC, effective October 1, 2019.

Grants and awards

Professors

NSERC offers research funding for programs and projects covering every discipline of the sciences and engineering.

Students and fellows

NSERC provides awards, scholarships, and fellowships to graduate and undergraduate students for scientific research.

Partnership programs

NSERC has Research Partnerships Programs to help foster collaborations between university researchers, colleges and other sectors (including government and industry) to develop new knowledge and expertise, transfer it to Canadian-based organizations and meet the objectives of the Government of Canada’s Science & Technology Strategy on innovation. In February 2021, ''

The Globe and Mail ''The Globe and Mail'' is a Canadian newspaper printed in five cities in western and central Canada. With a weekly readership of approximately 2 million in 2015, it is Canada's most widely read newspaper on weekdays and Saturdays, although it ...

'' reported that NSERC partnered with

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in which the company contributed over CAN $4.8 million in funding for research. NSERC is also a sponsor of Women in Science and Engineering Newfoundland and Labrador (WISE NL).

References

External links

NSERC
{{DEFAULTSORT:Natural Sciences And Engineering Research Council Federal departments and agencies of Canada Funding bodies of Canada Natural Resources Canada Scientific organizations based in Canada Higher education in Canada 1978 establishments in Canada Government agencies established in 1978