Sponsor

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada

Program

Engage and Engage Plus

For More Information

See the NSERC Engage Webpage [1]

Description

NSERC Engage Grants are designed to give companies that operate from a Canadian base access to the unique knowledge and expertise available at Canadian universities.  These grants are to foster the development of new research partnerships between an academic researcher and a company that have never collaborated before, by supporting short-term research and development projects that aimed at addressing a company-specific problem in the natural sciences and engineering.

NSERC Engage Plus Grants – To further developments from an ongoing or recently completed Engage Grant project, or to continue the project while seeking longer-term support, applicants may apply for a subsequent Engage Plus Grant to support an additional six months, and it must be with the same partner. As was the case with the initial Engage Grant, intellectual property will belong to the company. To determine its commitment to furthering the project, the industrial partner must contribute cash to the direct project costs in an amount at least equal to the amount requested from NSERC.

Eligibility

Faculty with a minimum three-year appointment, and have been granted peer-reviewed research support in the natural sciences and/or engineering fields from NSERC within the last six years (see selection criteria [1]).  Companies must have a minimum of 2 full-time employees and be in operation for a minimum of two years in addition to meeting the other requirements outlined in the Industrial Participation [2] section. These changes were made effective January 15, 2016. Companies must demonstrate the ability to exploit the results. Applicants are limited to one new Engage award in each fiscal year (April 1 to March 31). This change will be made effective April 1, 2016. 

Maximum Project Value

• Engage - $25,000 per project for 6 months. Companies must provide an in-kind contribution.  A cash contribution is not required, but can be made in addition to in-kind contribution.
• Engage Plus – NSERC will match the cash contribution of the partner up to a maximum of $12,500 (cash contribution required by the partner). In-kind contributions are also required to reflect the company’s ongoing involvement in the project, but will not be matched by NSERC.

Indirect Costs

0%

Special Notes

NSERC makes no claim to the ownership of any intellectual property (IP) generated from the research it funds. Due to the focus on a problem specific to the company and the short duration of this grant, any intellectual property arising from the project will belong to the company. The university or college researchers must have the right to use the new knowledge or technology in future teaching and research, including publication and student theses, subject to the stipulations described in NSERC's Policy on Intellectual Property [3] (IP Policy). When involved in an Engage Grant project, students must maintain their right to publish and to defend their thesis without delays or impediments. Faculty and students must also have the right to describe the project on their curricula vitae. While NSERC does not require that a research agreement be concluded between the host institution and the company, NSERC’s IP Policy should be consulted to ensure that all parties, including any students involved, are aware of their obligations.

How to Apply

The following documents are required as part of a complete submission package to NSERC:

• Form 100 – Personal Data Form
• Form 101 – Application for a Grant
• Form 183A – Information Required from Organizations Participating in Research Partnerships
• Signed Company Letter of Support (on company letterhead)