Sponsor
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC)
Program
NSERC-CNSC Small Modular Reactors Research Grant Initiative
For More Information
NSERC-CNSC Small Modular Reactors Research Grant Initiative
Safeguarding your Research Portal
NSERC guide on integrating equity, diversity and inclusion considerations in research
NSERC guide for applicants: equity, diversity and inclusion in your application
NSERC-CNSC Grant Application Checklist
Description
The NSERC-CNSC Small Modular Reactors Research Grant Initiative is intended to support activities that will:
- increase the scientific information available to support regulatory decision-making and oversight
- increase capacity to regulate SMRs
- enhance the capabilities of Canadian universities to undertake research related to SMRs
- increase training and help produce a new generation of nuclear scientists, engineers and policy-makers
Research proposals must address one or more of the specific research challenges and knowledge gaps outlined on the NSERC-CNSC Small Modular Reactors Research Grant Initiative web-page.
Eligibility
Canadian university researchers who are eligible to receive NSERC funds, can apply on their own or as a team with co-applicants who are also eligible academic researchers.
Please note that only one application per researcher will be accepted under the call (as either applicant or co-applicant).
Collaborators from federal, provincial or municipal government organizations or laboratories may take part in the research, but they must bring their own resources to the collaboration. They will not have access to grant funds.
In order to avoid the perception of a conflict of interest, or preference for a particular SMR technology, private sector partners are excluded from the current call.
Funding Availability
The total anticipated budget for this initiative is $15 million over five years.
Maximum Project Value
Individual proposals should not exceed $120,000 per year over their initial one-to-three-year duration.
Funds will be administered according to NSERC’s use of grant funds guidelines, outlined in the Tri-agency financial administration guide.
Indirect Costs
0%
Project Duration
Projects should be one-to-three-year duration. A second funding call is expected in 2025 to extend existing projects and/or fund new projects for a two- or three-year duration. NSERC will administer the funding calls in conjunction with the CNSC.
Special Notes
Collaboration outside the natural sciences and engineering
In recognition that implementing policy or directly applying research results can depend on socio-economic considerations as well as scientific understanding, applicants are encouraged to collaborate with experts who work in fields other than the natural sciences and engineering, when appropriate. Such experts may participate in proposals as co-applicants if they meet NSERC’s eligibility requirements for type, duration and nature of appointment. Research costs for these collaborations may constitute up to 30% of the project costs and must be identified in the project budget. All project expenditures will be subject to NSERC’s Tri-agency guide on financial administration.
Deadlines
If College-level review is required, your College will communicate its earlier internal deadlines.
| Type | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Internal Deadline | Please submit a signed OR-5, and a copy of the full application and budget to the Office of Research Services (research.services@uoguelph.ca) a minimum of one (1) week prior to the posted external deadline to NSERC. Please be sure to "verify" and "submit" the application in NSERC's online system. | |
External Deadline | The Office of Research Services will submit the full application on behalf of the applicant to NSERC through their online system. |
How to Apply
NSERC must receive the application by the deadline date.
Submit your application through NSERC’s online system. The application includes:
- Proposal: Application for a grant (form 101)
- Under 'List', select 'Research Partnerships Programs' and then 'Alliance grants'
- For the 'Proposal Type', select 'Full proposal'
- For the 'Type of call', select 'CNSC Small Modular Reactors' from the list
- A Biosketch for each collaborator must be included.
- Personal data form with CCV attachment (form 100A)
- To be completed by the applicant and any co-applicants
- Partner organization form, if applicable
- When you complete the application for a grant (form 101), your partner organizations will automatically be invited to complete this form; the invitation will be sent to the authorized contact
Please refer to the instructions for completing the application and the terms and conditions for applying for applicants of the NSERC-CNSC Small Modular Reactors Research Grant Initiative. All applications are initially screened by NSERC for completeness and adherence to program requirements and objectives. Applications that do not meet all program requirements will be rejected. An evaluation committee composed of distinguished members from academia and government organizations will review applications. In arriving at an overall funding recommendation for the applications, the evaluation committee will consider the evaluation criteria listed below. No appeals of the results will be accepted.
Information For Co-applicants
If you need to meet a deadline set by the lead institution for this opportunity, please ensure that you provide the Office of Research with at least five days in advance of the lead institution’s deadline to review the application, or your proposed component of the project. Please be in touch with the Office of Research (contact information below) ahead of the deadline if it looks like it will be difficult for you to submit all the required documentation on time (i.e. budget, proposal, OR-5 Form).