Discovery Grant

The Discovery Grants program supports ongoing, long-term research programs within NSERC's mandate and funding principles. Recipients have the flexibility to expand and pursue new research interests. 

Summary

Intended Recipients

Researchers conducting an ongoing, long-term research program within the natural sciences and engineering (NSE) 

Value

Variable

Duration

Up to five years

Additional Information

Discovery Grants website

NOTE: NSERC has confirmed that the CV format for the upcoming competition will remain the Canadian Common CV (CCV).

Deadlines

Notification of Intent (NOI)

• No RAS Internal Review Deadline
  • Use the NSERC Research Portal to submit your NOI
• NSERC Deadline
  • August 4, 2026
    

Full Application

• RAS Internal Review Deadline
  • October 21, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. MT
  • Submit your complete proposal in Researcher Homepage
• Final Version Submission Deadline
  • October 30, 2026 at 10 a.m. MT
  • Submit your final approved version in the NSERC Research portal

Supports and resources

Supports and resources for the Discovery Grant competition can be found in the Applicant Support Guide

List of University of Alberta information sessions, workshops and institutional supports

Request access to our NSERC Successful Discovery Grants Library

NSERC Resources

• Memo to potential applicants (2027)
• Completing a Discovery Grant NOI
• NSERC videos on submitting an NOI
• How to Prepare a Discovery Grant application
• NSERC videos on submitting a full application
• How to complete a Canadian common CV for NSERC competitions
• Discovery Grant merit indicators grid (pdf)
• NSERC Discovery Peer Review Manual (pdf)
• FAQ on HQP criteria (pdf)
• Guidelines on proposals related to health (pdf)
• NSERC guide on EDI in research

Quick links

• NSERC Discovery Grant web page
• NSERC contact information
• NSERC frequently asked questions
• NSERC Research Portal
• Canadian Common CV
• UofA application review requirements
• UofA on EDI in research knowledge hub