Raison d’être, mandate and role: who we are and what we do

Raison d’être

As Canada’s largest funder of science and engineering, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) supports the work of the best and most promising researchers, students and postdoctoral fellows at universities, colleges, CÉGEPS and polytechnics across the country. The research programs and projects it funds can be curiosity-driven, industry-focused, interdisciplinary or high-risk/high-reward, thereby enriching the research ecosystem and society.

NSERC plays a central role in supporting Canada’s innovation ecosystem by connecting innovative research to key partners in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. NSERC enables stakeholders to access the wealth of resources Canada’s first-rate academic institutions have to offer and to access new knowledge and technologies to put them to use. NSERC supports research that advances the prosperity and quality of life of Canadians. NSERC also recognizes the profound impact that international collaboration can have on research outcomes and is actively working to enhance the profile of Canadian research through international partnership activities.

Canada’s future discoverers and innovators can realize their full potential with the support of NSERC’s scholarships and fellowships programs, along with funding to support trainees through discovery and partnership awards. NSERC promotes the value of science, engineering and the thrill of discovery in Canada, helping to ensure our research ecosystem can meet the talent, industry and technological demands of today and the future. Canada needs a diverse pool of world-class researchers to maximize its research potential; fostering a lifelong love of science in youth across the country is the best way to expand that pool.

Mandate and role

NSERC is a separate agency of the Government of Canada created in 1978. It is funded directly by Parliament and reports to it through the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. NSERC’s Council is composed of a President and up to 18 other distinguished members selected from the private and public sectors. NSERC’s President is the Chief Executive Officer. The elected Vice-President is the Chair of the Council and of its Executive Committee. NSERC’s Council is advised on policy matters by various standing committees. Funding decisions are made by the President, or designate, on the basis of recommendations made by peer review committees.

The functions of NSERC, based on the authority and responsibility assigned to it under the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Act (1976-1977, c.24), are to:

• promote and assist research in the natural sciences and engineering, other than the health sciences; and
• advise the Minister in respect of such matters relating to such research as the Minister may refer to the Council for its consideration.

For more general information about the agency, see the Supplementary information section of this report.