NSERC’s Guidelines on Impact Assessment

On the basis of rigorous peer review and in the context of its various programs, NSERC promotes and supports research on the environment and sustainable development.

Where applicable, NSERC must comply with the  Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals.

Where applicable, NSERC must also comply with the Impact Assessment Act (IAA) by ensuring that the research and activities it supports are not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects in areas within federal jurisdiction.

NSERC and the Impact Assessment Act

The IAA, related regulations and guidelines can be found as follows:

•  Impact Assessment Act (IAA)
•  Overview of the IAA and guidance documents
•  Regulations under IAA
•  Canadian Impact Assessment Registry (CIAR)

Definitions:

• A “project” is defined as a physical activity that is carried out on federal lands or outside Canada in relation to a physical work and is not a designated project
  ( section 81, IAA). A “physical work” is generally accepted as being constructed by humans and having a defined area and a fixed locality. A “physical activity” is any activity that involves some degree of physical effort carried out in relation to a physical work. Examples of projects include the construction, expansion, operation, decommissioning or abandonment of smaller structures such as observation blinds, boardwalks, field camps, and small wind or wave turbines.
• “Designated projects” are defined as one or more physical activities that are carried out anywhere in Canada, including all federal lands; listed in the  Physical Activities Regulations and include the construction, expansion, operation, decommissioning or abandonment of structures such as mines, highways, bridges, airports and nuclear facilities.

Activities funded by NSERC are subject to Impact Assessment (IA) Review under IAA when they are either “designated projects” or “projects” as described above ( sections 82 and 83 , IAA).

In cases where NSERC funding is requested to support a “designated project”, NSERC will require the proponent (applicant) to submit an Impact Statement ( Impact Assessment Process Overview) for the proposal to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, which has the authority to determine whether an IA is necessary. In cases where NSERC funding will be used to support a “project”, NSERC will conduct its own IA, to be posted on the  Canadian Impact Assessment Registry (CIAR).

Administrative Matters

NSERC requires that applicants self-identify on grant applications when a "project" takes place on federal lands or outside of Canada.

During the course of an award, grant holders must promptly advise NSERC if the nature of the research activities changes substantially, and/or the location where the research will be conducted changes, such that the Act might be applicable.

1. In cases where the proposed activities constitute a “designated project”, NSERC will verify that the applicant has submitted an Impact Statement to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada for review, in accordance with the  Impact Assessment Process Overview.

2. In cases where the proposed activities constitute a “project”, NSERC will conduct its own IA to determine whether they are likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects, taking into account the effects as described in  section 2 , IAA.

3. In cases where the proposed activities in an NSERC grant application depend on a “designated project” or “project” funded by another organization, NSERC may make the award conditional on the completion of the IA Review of the related “designated project” or “project.”

For any of the above situations, funds for successful applications will be released by NSERC only if it is established that the “designated project” or “project” will not likely result in significant adverse environmental effects.  Partial funding may be released, at NSERC’s discretion, for related research activities not requiring an IA Review.

In addition to the IA described above, NSERC requires that the grant holder(s) themselves comply with all applicable legislation and regulations related to the environment in the conduct of their research. This includes licenses for research in the field, etc. (see the  Tri-Agency Framework for the Responsible Conduct of Research, Section 2.4).

NSERC staff will provide guidance and information to applicants and institutions as needed.

This document will be updated as required.