Skip to McMaster Navigation Skip to Site Navigation Skip to main content
McMaster logo

Research & Innovation

NSERC Discovery Grants – 2026 Competition

Research Admin Offices:

  • ROADS

Funding Type:

Grant

Opportunity Type:

  • Grant

Disciplines:

  • DeGroote School of Business
  • Faculty of Engineering
  • Faculty of Humanities
  • Faculty of Science
  • Faculty of Social Sciences

Sponsors:

Deadlines:

Internal Deadline:

July 18, 2025

Sponsor Deadline:

August 1, 2025

Additional Dates:

  • Notify ROADS of Intent to Apply – ASAP -
  • Draft Notification of Intent (NOI) due to ROADS - July 18, 2025
  • NOI due to NSERC - August 1, 2025

Description:

*Applicants must submit an NOI to be able to submit a Full Application

  • Supports programs of research with long-term goals, rather than single short-term project or collection of projections
  • Five (5) years in duration and are “grants in aid” of research, providing long-term operation funds and are not meant to support full costs of research program
  • Objectives of DG program are to:
    • promote and maintain a diversified base of high-quality research capability in the natural sciences and engineering in Canadian universities;
    • foster research excellence; and
    • provide a stimulating environment for research training.

Additional Program Information:

Researchers interested in the Sub-atomic Physics Discovery Grants Program (individual and project) should contact ROADS for additional information and requirements.

Webinar:
  • NSERC will host English- and French-language live Q&A Sessions in late-June and early-July. More information on these events will be made available in mid-May.
  • ROADS will host Discovery Grants information sessions in June with panelists composed of current DG holders and Evaluation Group members.

Application/Nomination Process:

  • Applicants must submit an NOI to submit a Full Application for the DG competition
  • You must submit your NOI and the NSERC version of the Canadian Common CV (CCV) using the Research Portal. Refer to the instructions on how to complete the NOI and CCV.
ROADS will also provide applicants with guidance documents for completing the NOI and CCV.
Your Notification of Intent to Apply (NOI) must be submitted by the deadline date of August 01, 2025, 8:00 p.m. (ET). NSERC will not accept an NOI after the deadline date.

Resources:

Additional information regarding the Discovery Grants Program can be found on the NSERC website.

  • NSERC has released a memo to all potential applicants for the 2026 competition: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Professors-Professeurs/Grants-Subs/DGIGPNotice-PSIGPAvis_eng.asp.
  • For active DG holders, if the available funds are sufficient to cover anticipated expenditures through the next fiscal year, you can request a deferral of instalment or take advantage of the automatic, no-cost one-year extension to use the accumulated funds prior to submitting a new request for funding.
  • If active DG holders have taken maternity, parental, medical or family medical leave during the grant period, you may request an extension of the term of the current grant, and in certain cases additional funds, for a period of up to two years.

Contact:

For more information and how to apply contact, Ryan Heyden, Senior Advisor.