NSERC Alliance International Collaboration grants
Arctic and Northern Regions
Environment, Energy and Natural Resources
Information and Communication Technology
Oceans, Fisheries and Aquaculture
Well-being, Health and Biomedical Discovery
Deadlines
Academic Unit: Inquire with unit
Memorial Deadline: Friday 20th, November 2026
External Deadline: Wednesday 25th, November 2026
Description
Canadian researchers who were preparing a collaboration with their international counterparts but were unable to submit an application to NSERC by the May 20, 2025 deadline may still apply, provided the corresponding international award was granted between that date and the program’s reopening and the international project remains viable. For these applications, the 120-day submission rule does not apply. If you are in this situation, contact NSERC to determine whether you may submit an application for the November 25, 2026 deadline.
Eligible Canadian university researchers may apply to NSERC for funds to collaborate with international university researchers on innovative natural sciences and engineering research projects in areas of global importance. Funding is awarded to projects of high scientific merit that bring together complementary expertise and demonstrate clear benefits to Canada.
The Canadian and international teams must jointly prepare an application that clearly describes both teams and their respective roles in the project. The international collaborator must submit the application to their national funding agency for peer review and funding consideration. If successful, the Canadian team may apply to NSERC for funding to support Canadian research activities no later than 120 days after the international collaborator receives the official international award letter.
The Canadian and international projects must start at roughly the same time; the duration of the international grant must be at least equivalent to the Canadian portion of the project. NSERC expects a balanced level of participation from both the Canadian and international teams. Each team must play a substantive and integral role in the project, and neither team may limit its involvement to a marginal or peripheral contribution.
The application to NSERC must clearly describe the added value of the collaboration for Canada. Applications where the Canadian team and its role are insufficiently described in the international proposal will not be considered.
See here for more information.