Alliance Grant

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Key Aspects

Intended Recipients

University NSE researchers collaborating with private, public, or not-for-profit organizations

Value

$20,000-$1 million per year

Duration

1-5 years

Who Can Help Me?

Research Partner Network (2023 Contact: Terra Garneau)

Deadlines

RAS Internal Review Deadline

5 business days before application submission date (Submit application to RAS via the Researcher Home Page)

Final Version Submission Deadline

By 10:00 am MST on application submission day (Submit final application to the NSERC via their online system)

NSERC Deadline

Ongoing (continuous intake)

Opportunity

NSERC Alliance grants support researchers collaborating with partner organizations in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors on research projects that: 

  • Generate new knowledge and/or technology to address complex challenges
  • Create economic, social and/or environmental benefits
  • Contribute to Canada’s long-term competitiveness
  • Support public policy
  • Train new researchers in areas that are important to Canada and the NSERC’s partner organizations
  • Draw on diverse perspectives and skill sets to accelerate the translation and application of research results.

Through the Alliance Grants program, the NSERC also supports collaborative projects on important topics through intermittent special calls and targeted joint research opportunities with other national and international organizations. This includes joint programs with Alberta Innovates and Mitacs.

Alliance Grant applications are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year. For more information on the NSERC Alliance Grant program, please visit its website or contact the affiliated U of A Research Partner.

Research Supports Available for this Competition

Alliance Grant Drop-In Sessions

The Research Relationships team is hosting monthly NSERC Alliance Grant drop-in sessions for researchers who are either thinking about or are currently in the process of applying for an Alliance Grant. These sessions will discuss aspects of the Alliance Grant program that are relevant to researchers and prospective applicants, including but not limited to program guidelines, institutional requirements, budgetary considerations, EDI, partners and funding ratio, partner(s) eligibility, project setup, and any other discussion topics you would like to hear about. 

The goal of each session is to give you a better understanding of the Alliance Grant program, how it pertains to either your current partnerships or your future plans for leveraging partner funding, and to answer any questions you may have. They are not meant to be formal presentations on the Alliance Grant program.

You can register for the next session on the U of A Workshops and Events page.  The registration form allows you to submit any questions you might have ahead of the session.

Samples of Successful Applications

Samples of successful applications from previous Alliance Grant competitions are available through the GRANT library for reference. To receive access to these samples, please fill out the request form. 

It’s important to note that the sample grants in our library reflect applications submitted to competitions over the past few years. As the requirements and formats for applications are continuously evolving, please check the most up to date information posted by the NSERC to ensure your Alliance Grant application meets the current competition guidelines.

We also request that you refrain from duplicating or distributing any sample applications you may use to guide your own grant development. 

Other Resources Available for this Competition

Quick links

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