Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
; "Dr. Jacob Masliyah")
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, a national instrument for making strategic investments in Canada's capability in science and technology, came into existence May 1, 1978. Prior to that, university-based research had been supported by the National Research Council. Since its inception and initial budget of $112 million, NSERC has steadily grown. It now has a budget of $900 million which it invests in discovery and innovation for the benefit of all Canadians.
NSERC has numerous funding programs which support undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research professors. Since 1996, NSERC has invested in excess of $6 billion in discovery grants and project research through partnerships with universities, governments, and the private sector.
NSERC supports basic research, university-industry projects, and the advanced training of highly qualified people. In addition, NSERC administers several prestigious awards and research chair programs that honour high-calibre researchers.
These initiatives include:
- NSERC Doctoral Prizes
- NSERC Steacie Fellowships
- NSERC Industrial Research Chair Program
- NSERC Synergy Awards for Innovation
- NSERC Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering