This page has been archived.
Information identified as archived on the Web is for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It has not been altered or updated after the date of archiving. Web pages that are archived on the Web are not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards. As per the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada, you can request alternate formats on the "Contact Us" page.
NSERC is a separate employer of the Government of Canada, reporting to Parliament through the Minister of Industry, and governed by a Council as mandated in the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Act12 (1985).
The functions of NSERC, based on the authority and responsibility assigned to it under the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Act (1976-77, c.24), are to:
NSERC is governed by a Council which consists of a president and 21 members who are drawn from universities as well as from the private and public sectors, and are appointed by the Governor-in-Council. Members serve part-time and receive no remuneration for their participation. NSERC’s President serves full-time and functions as the Chair of the Council and the Chief Executive Officer.
The diagram below describes NSERC’s governance structure.
NSERC and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) share a Common Administrative Services Directorate which is responsible for finances, facilities, security, human resources and information services for both Councils. This structure maximizes the efficiency of both Councils’ administrative requirements and is one of the reasons that NSERC is able to maintain its administration budget at less than five per cent of total planned spending.
NSERC has developed and implemented several pilot programs to address particular issues with research capacity, technology transfer from colleges to industry, and the training of young Canadians in fundamental science and mathematics concepts.
The following programs are currently funded on a pilot basis. In all cases, a national competition was held to select grantees for the pilot phase and the programs are being monitored to determine their impact on the issues they aim to address. These pilot programs have been designed so that results can be measured against the program objectives early in the life of the program. For pilot programs that have a positive impact relative to their stated objectives, continued funding for the program will be sought.
It is important to demonstrate to Canadians the results of public investments in research, training and innovation, and to ensure that such investments are the most efficient and effective methods of furthering the goals of Canada’s productivity agenda.
NSERC is committed to monitoring the results of its investments. It maintains a long-term evaluation plan to ensure its programs are reviewed regularly and program mechanisms are achieving their intended objectives. NSERC posts the results of program evaluations on its Web site, and each year provides information on all scholarships, fellowships and grants awarded as well as key statistics relating to Canadian research, training and innovation performance.
NSERC will continue to work with its stakeholder communities, other funding agencies, and other federal departments and agencies to ensure that the information collected and disseminated properly demonstrates the impact of such public investments.
NSERC is committed to organizational innovation to improve its program delivery and reach, and to better communicate the impact of publicly funded research on quality of life. To further this goal, NSERC is an active participant in federal working groups and multi-departmental initiatives.
NSERC will continue to liaise with science-based departments and agencies on government priorities and issues that transcend a single department’s mandate. NSERC will also pursue opportunities to develop policies and initiatives in conjunction with SSHRC and CIHR, especially when such initiatives relate to research that falls within the mandate of more than one granting agency, or where common policies, procedures and systems will provide more efficient service for the Canadian research community.
The Office of the National Science Advisor is currently developing a Framework for the Evaluation, Funding and Oversight of Canadian Major Science Investments. A partner with the National Research Council in launching the initiative, NSERC will continue to work with the Office of the National Science Advisor in developing a comprehensive framework for the planning, evaluation, funding and oversight within the overall context of Canadian science and technology.
NSERC is participating in the TBS-led Service Improvement Initiative designed to achieve significant, measurable and sustainable improvement in client satisfaction with services provided by federal departments and agencies.
NSERC has developed a structured service improvement plan that covers the key services it provides to its clients. The plan details the expectations and priorities for service improvement throughout NSERC, and calls for periodic client-satisfaction surveys with the objective of improving service delivery, and for updating the current client-centred internal service standards applied by NSERC’s directorates.
Most of NSERC’s key services are delivered to its clients through the eBusiness Project, the Web site, and the Helpdesk service. For these key services, NSERC has established baseline client satisfaction levels and performance improvement targets. This plan, as well as the results of periodic surveys, is available on NSERC’s Web site.
NSERC will also continue to refine its on-line application submission and peer review system. This will include developing new tools for the on-line review and evaluation of applications by selection committee members and referees. It will also include collaboration with SSHRC and CIHR to improve clients’ ability to conduct all of their business with the three granting agencies electronically.
($ millions)
|
Forecast |
Planned |
Planned |
Planned |
2005-2006 |
2006-2007 |
2007-2008 |
2008-2009 |
|
1.1 – Promote Science and Engineering |
3.8 |
4.1 |
4.1 |
4.1 |
1.2 – Support Students and Fellows |
131.8 |
137.7 |
137.7 |
137.7 |
1.3 – Attract and Retain Faculty |
133.6 |
167.7 |
166.8 |
166.9 |
2.1 – Fund Basic Research |
379.2 |
391.9 |
402.4 |
400.3 |
2.2 – Fund Research in Strategic Areas |
58.0 |
52.3 |
56.5 |
58.5 |
3.1 – Fund University-Industry-Government Partnerships |
108.0 |
115.0 |
115.2 |
114.7 |
3.2 – Support Commercialization |
14.8 |
16.5 |
17.2 |
17.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
Budgetary Main Estimates (Gross) |
829.2 |
885.3 |
899.9 |
899.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Budgetary Main Estimates (Gross) |
|
|
|
|
Less: Respendable Revenue |
|
|
|
|
Total Main Estimates |
829.2 |
885.3 |
899.9 |
899.7 |
Adjustments: |
|
|
|
|
Governor General Warrant (Period 3) |
|
|
|
|
Carry-forward From 2004-05 |
1.7 |
|
|
|
Advertising Reserve |
0.1 |
|
|
|
Collective Bargaining |
1.3 |
|
|
|
2005 Federal Budget |
1.4 |
|
|
|
Procurement Savings |
(0.1) |
|
|
|
Treasury Board Vote 5 Items |
|
|
|
|
2005 Federal Budget |
30.4 |
|
|
|
Canadian Light Source |
1.0 |
|
|
|
2006-07 Supplementary Estimates |
|
|
|
|
Procurement Savings |
|
(0.3) |
|
|
Budget 2006 |
|
17.0 |
|
|
Total Adjustments |
35.8 |
16.7 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
Total Planned Spending |
865.0 |
902.0 |
899.9 |
899.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Planned Spending |
|
|
|
|
Less: Non-Respendable revenue |
0.8 |
0.8 |
0.8 |
0.8 |
Plus: Cost of Services Received Without Charge |
4.9 |
4.9 |
4.9 |
4.9 |
Net Cost of Program |
869.1 |
906.1 |
904.0 |
903.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
Full-Time Equivalents |
309 |
313 |
319 |
319 |
2006-2007 |
|||||||
($ millions) |
Budgetary |
Non- |
Total Main |
Adjust- |
Total Planned Spending |
||
Operating |
Grants and |
Net |
Loans, |
||||
1.1 – Promote Science and Engineering |
0.2 |
3.9 |
4.1 |
– |
4.1 |
0 |
4.1 |
1.2 – Support Students and Fellows |
6.8 |
130.9 |
137.7 |
– |
137.7 |
0.1 |
137.8 |
1.3 – Attract and Retain Faculty |
2.9 |
164.8 |
167.7 |
– |
167.7 |
0 |
167.7 |
2.1 – Fund Basic Research |
15.9 |
376.0 |
391.9 |
– |
391.9 |
14.4 |
406.3 |
2.2 – Fund Research in Strategic Areas |
3.6 |
48.7 |
52.3 |
– |
52.3 |
2.1 |
54.4 |
3.1 – Fund University-Industry-Government Partnerships |
10.0 |
105.1 |
115.1 |
– |
115.1 |
0.1 |
115.2 |
3.2 – Support Commercialization |
0.7 |
15.8 |
16.5 |
– |
16.5 |
0 |
16.5 |
Total |
40.1 |
845.2 |
885.3 |
0 |
885.3 |
16.7 |
902.0 |
($ millions) |
Truncated Vote or Statutory Wording |
Current |
Previous |
Vote or Statutory Item |
|||
70 |
Operating expenditures |
36.002 |
32.761 |
75 |
Grants and contributions |
845.165 |
792.740 |
(S) |
Contributions to employee benefit plans |
4.091 |
3.731 |
|
Total Department or Agency |
885.258 |
829.232 |
2006-2007 |
|
($ millions) |
Total |
Plus: Services Received without Charge |
|
Accommodation provided by Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) |
3.26 |
Contributions covering employer’s share of employees’ insurance premiums and expenditures paid by TBS (excluding revolving funds) |
1.67 |
Worker’s compensation coverage provided by Social Development Canada |
0.0 |
Salary and associated expenditures of legal services provided by Justice Canada |
0.01 |
|
|
Less: Non-respendable Revenue |
4.94 |
($ millions) |
Forecast |
Planned |
Planned |
Planned |
2005-2006 |
2006-2007 |
2007-2008 |
2008-2009 |
|
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council |
|
|
|
|
Fund Basic Research |
|
|
|
|
Refunds of previous years’ expenditures |
0.8 |
0.8 |
0.8 |
0.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Non-Respendable Revenue |
0.8 |
0.8 |
0.8 |
0.8 |
Over the next three years, NSERC will manage the following transfer payment programs in excess of $5 million.
2006-2007
|
2007-2008
|
2008-2009
|
Grants and Scholarships | Grants and Scholarships | Grants and Scholarships |
Canada Graduate Scholarships |
Canada Graduate Scholarships | Canada Graduate Scholarships |
Perimeter Institute |
Name of Transfer Payment Program: Grants and Scholarships (voted) | ||||
Start Date: April 1, 1978 |
End Date: |
Current Terms and Conditions will expire October 31st, 2011 | ||
Purpose of Transfer Payment Program: NSERC invests in people, discovery, and innovation to build a stronger Canadian economy and to improve the quality of life of all Canadians. NSERC’s Grants and Scholarships program supports university-based basic and project research, provides scholarships and fellowships to young researchers, and facilitates links between universities, colleges, governments and the private sector. | ||||
Strategic Outcomes |
||||
Expected Results (Outputs and Outcomes) Support of people: support 22,000 university students and postdoctoral fellows in their advanced studies each year; students and fellows gain research experience in an academic or industrial setting; excellent researchers are attracted and retained; students are motivated to pursue advanced studies and training in the NSE; human capital and research capacity are enhanced; Canadian industry, government and universities have access to highly qualified personnel with leading-edge scientific and research skills; the discovery, innovation and training capacity of university researchers in the NSE is enhanced. Ultimately, a highly skilled workforce is available for all sectors of the economy. Support of discovery: fund the research programs of more than 10,000 university professors each year; high quality research is conducted in Canadian universities in the NSE; major national and regional research facilities are maintained; a diversified research base is maintained; research capacity is developed in all regions of the country; strong linkages and partnerships are created between university, industry, and government; knowledge and/or technology with economic or social benefits to Canada are transferred. Ultimately, there is generation of ideas and innovation and there is development of expertise that keep Canada internationally competitive in research as well as able to access knowledge generated around the world. Support of innovation: encourage more than 800 Canadian companies to invest in university research; mutually beneficial partnerships and collaborations are formed; new knowledge and/or technology is created in areas of national importance and of relevance to industrial needs; research results are used by the public sector to inform and improve policy-making. Ultimately, there is productive creation, use and commercialization of new knowledge in the NSE for competitiveness, prosperity and quality of life in all sectors of the economy and society. |
||||
Program Activity Category ($ millions) |
Forecast Spending 2005-2006 |
Planned Spending 2006-2007 |
Planned Spending 2007-2008 |
Planned Spending 2008-2009 |
PEOPLE | ||||
Program Activity 1.1: Promote Science and Engineering | ||||
Total Grants | $3.8 |
$4.1 |
$4.1 |
$4.1 |
Planned Audits and Evaluations | – |
– |
– |
– |
Program Activity 1.2: Support Students and Fellows | ||||
Total Grants | $131.8 |
$137.7 |
$137.7 |
$137.7 |
Planned Audits and Evaluations | – |
Evaluation (Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships: USRA, PGS, IPGS) |
Evaluation (Postdoctoral/ Industrial Research Fellowships) |
– |
Program Activity 1.3: Attract and Retain Faculty | ||||
Total Grants | $133.6 |
$167.7 |
$166.8 |
$166.9 |
Planned Audits and Evaluations | Evaluation (University Faculty Awards) |
Evaluation (Industrial Research Chair) |
– |
– |
Total for PEOPLE | $269.2 |
$309.5 |
$308.6 |
$308.7 |
DISCOVERY | ||||
Program Activity 2.1: Fund Basic Research | ||||
Total Grants | $379.2 |
$391.9 |
$402.4 |
$400.3 |
Planned Audits and Evaluations | Evaluation (Research Tools and Instruments, Major Resources Support) |
– |
– |
– |
Program Activity 2.2: Fund Research in Strategic Areas | ||||
Total Grants | $58.0 |
$52.3 |
$56.5 |
$58.5 |
Planned Audits and Evaluations | – |
– |
– |
Evaluation (Strategic Projects) |
Total for DISCOVERY | $437.2 |
$444.2 |
$458.9 |
$458.8 |
INNOVATION | ||||
Program Activity 3.1: Fund University-Industry-Government Partnerships | ||||
Total Grants | $108.0 | $115.0 | $115.2 | $114.7 |
Planned Audits and Evaluations | – |
– |
Evaluation (Collaborative Research & Development Grants) |
Evaluation (Strategic Network Grants) |
Program Activity 3.2: Support Commercialization | ||||
Total Grants | $14.8 |
$16.5 |
$17.2 |
$17.4 |
Planned Audits and Evaluations | – |
Evaluation (Intellectual Property Mobilization) |
– |
– |
Total for INNOVATION | $122.8 |
$131.5 |
$132.4 |
$132.1 |
Total for Transfer Payment Program | $829.2 |
$885.2 |
$899.9 |
$899.6 |
Name of Transfer Payment Program: Canada Graduate Scholarships (voted) | ||||
Start Date: April 1st, 2003 |
End Date: |
Current Terms and Conditions will expire |
||
Purpose of Transfer Payment Program: The NSERC portion of the Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) program provides financial support to high-calibre scholars who are engaged in master's or doctoral programs in the natural sciences or engineering. | ||||
Strategic Outcome: Highly skilled science and engineering professionals in Canada | ||||
Expected Results (Outputs and Outcomes): Program results in: a significant increase to the existing total funding commitment from the granting agencies for graduate studies and research training; improved access to scholarships for outstanding students to complete Master’s and/or PhDs; increased incentives for students to enrol in and complete Master’s and/or PhDs in a timely manner; increased enrolment in graduate studies in Canada; improved time to completion of degrees for CGS scholarship holders, relative to national statistics for time to completion in their discipline; enhanced capacity of Canadian universities to attract the best and brightest young people who will become the next generation of researchers; increased retention of the next generation of researchers by Canadian universities; highly qualified personnel, expert in research, available to pursue various knowledge-intensive careers in industry, government and other sectors of the economy, for example, to help renew the faculty at Canadian universities; improved branding of Canada as the home of research excellence and of Canadian universities as world-class research centres. |
||||
Program Activity Category ($ millions) |
Forecast Spending 2005-2006 |
Planned Spending 2006-2007 |
Planned Spending 2007-2008 |
Planned Spending 2008-2009 |
Program Activity 1.2: Support Students and Fellows | ||||
Total Grants | $24.9 |
$31.5 |
$31.5 |
$31.5 |
Planned Audits and Evaluations | – |
Evaluation of CGS program |
– |
– |
Total for Transfer Payment Program | $24.9 |
$31.5 |
$31.5 |
$31.5 |
Name of Transfer Payment Program: Perimeter Institute (voted, Named Grant) | ||||
Start Date: December 1st, 2002 |
End Date: March 31st, 2007 |
Total Funding: $25 million | ||
Purpose of Transfer Payment Program: NSERC manages the federal investment in the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, an international focal point of cutting-edge research in foundational theoretical physics financed largely by a private donation. The Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics is a not-for-profit corporation and a Canadian research focal point with a mandate to pursue world-class, non-directed research in foundational theoretical physics. | ||||
Strategic Outcome: High quality Canadian-based competitive research in the NSE. | ||||
Expected Results (Outputs and Outcomes): |
||||
Program Activity Category ($ millions) |
Forecast Spending 2005-2006 |
Planned Spending 2006-2007 |
Planned Spending 2007-2008 |
Planned Spending 2008-2009 |
Program Activity 2.1: Fund Basic Research | ||||
Total Grants | $5 |
$5 |
$0 |
$0 |
Planned Audits and Evaluations | Evaluation |
– |
– |
– |
Total for Transfer Payment Program | $5 |
$5 |
$0 |
$0 |