Contact Newsletter

April 2012 - Volume 36 No. 2

In this issue

• Upcoming NSERC deadlines
• Message from the President of NSERC: Economic Action Plan 2012
• Important changes to the Discovery Grant application process
• Major Resources Support Program no longer accepting new applications
• Call for letters of intent for Climate Change and Atmospheric Research Grants
• International Opportunity Fund call for proposals
• Six new projects receive Automotive Partnership Canada support
• Suzanne Fortier receives the Diamond Jubilee Medal
• NSERC welcomes the new Council member Vijay Kanwar

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Upcoming NSERC deadlines

Message from the President of NSERC: Economic Action Plan 2012

The Government of Canada recently released the 2012 federal budget. The budget announces a $15 million ongoing increase to NSERC's base budget, in support of the Strategy for Partnerships and Innovation. It also announces $12 million per year in ongoing funding to make the Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence program permanent, which represents an exciting opportunity for striking new partnerships with the private sector. The budget announces total reductions for NSERC of $15 million in the 2012-13 fiscal year and $30 million thereafter. However, these measures explicitly spare critical programs such as the Discovery Grants Program, and scholarships and fellowships programs.

As stated in Economic Action Plan 2012, under the Industry Portfolio section (page 271), "Organizations within the portfolio related to science and technology (the National Research Council Canada and two of the three federal granting councils) have ensured that programming in support of basic research, student scholarships, and industry-related research initiatives and collaborations are preserved." Read more

Important changes to the Discovery Grant application process

The Notification of Intent to Apply for a Discovery Grant (Form 180) is now mandatory when applying for a Discovery Grant and must be submitted by the deadline date.  Applicants who do not submit a Form 180 will not be eligible to submit an Application for a Grant (Form 101) in the fall. In addition, NSERC is reinforcing its policy on deadlines and late submissions will be rejected. As of May 1, NSERC’s Web site will be updated with more information.

Major Resources Support Program no longer accepting new applications

As part of the Government of Canada's efforts to return to balanced budgets, NSERC’s Major Resources Support (MRS) Program will not be accepting new applications. Commitments for existing installments will be honoured; however, there will be a moratorium on the MRS Program.

Call for letters of intent for Climate Change and Atmospheric Research Grants

The Climate Change and Atmospheric Research (CCAR) initiative will award grants of up to $1 million per year over a maximum of five years to large, integrated projects involving university researchers, Canadian government scientists and partner organizations. Research proposals for CCAR funding must cover one of three designated areas of research. Applicants must submit letters of intent by May 17, 2012, for a preliminary evaluation of their proposals. Those invited to submit full applications will have their proposals evaluated through a competitive peer review process culminating in the grants being awarded in late 2012.

International Opportunity Fund call for proposals

The International Opportunity Fund (IOF) is a joint funding initiative between the G8 Research Councils Initiative on Multilateral Research Funding and the Belmont Forum. The IOF call for proposals opened April 16, 2012 and each funded international consortium will receive between C$1.3 million (€1 million) to C$2.6 million (€2 million) over two to three years. NSERC will be offering new research funds for the Freshwater Security theme of the IOF. The closing date for submission of pre-proposals is July 20, 2012.

Six new projects receive Automotive Partnership Canada support

On March 20, 2012, at the University of Windsor, the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology, announced six new projects to be supported by the Automotive Partnership Canada (APC) initiative. The University of Windsor, Dalhousie University (with two funded projects), McMaster University, Simon Fraser University and the University of Waterloo all received funding through this announcement for their automotive partnerships with various industry partners. These university-industry partnerships received almost $34 million in total project support, including just under $19 million in funding through the APC initiative and nearly $15 million from industry and other partners.

Suzanne Fortier receives the Diamond Jubilee Medal

On March 29, 2012, NSERC President Suzanne Fortier was presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her efforts in promoting science for the benefit of all Canadians. The Honourable Kelvin K. Ogilvie, Senator, presented Dr. Fortier with the medal during the Bacon and Eggheads breakfast lecture held at the Parliamentary Restaurant in Ottawa. The Medal honours significant contributions and achievements by Canadians. It was created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada.

NSERC welcomes new Council member Vijay Kanwar

We are pleased to welcome Vijay Kanwar as the newest member of NSERC’s Council.  Mr. Kanwar was appointed for a three-year term on March 2, 2012. Mr. Kanwar is the co-founder, President and Chief Financial Officer of KMH Cardiology and Diagnostic Centres Inc.; President and Director of Lambardar Inc.; and founder and President of Transamerica Medical Inc. He serves on several boards of directors including Canada's National Ballet School, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, the Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Team Up Foundation, and Youth Empowerment Canada.