Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

NSERC has announced the launch of the Alliance International grants, a new funding stream to support Canadian university researchers working with leading international academic researchers to establish and grow international research collaborations and projects of global importance that will generate benefits to Canada. 

NSERC recognizes the need to support engagement with international collaborators to further develop areas of Canadian research strength and leadership. Alliance International will support Canadian researchers working with international colleagues to pursue new knowledge, technologies, and solutions to complex problems.

By combining the expertise of Canadian and leading international researchers, it is expected that Canadian researchers will leverage the best international knowledge to help address important research challenges in the natural sciences and engineering (NSE) disciplines and will provide trainees with an outstanding research environment. These collaborations will ultimately strengthen research excellence in Canada and abroad.

Alliance International offers two grant types: 

• Alliance International Catalyst grants will provide up to $25,000 for one year to support Canadian researchers in initiating international research collaborations in the NSE disciplines. 
• Alliance International Collaboration grants will provide up to $100,000 per year for up to three years, allowing Canadian researchers to participate in international projects and leverage the best international expertise to help address research challenges in the NSE disciplines of impact and benefit for Canada. 

Alliance International is a new, permanent stream of the Alliance program. There is no deadline to apply and grants will be awarded throughout the year.  

Eligibility: 

Canadian Researchers: 

Canadian Principal Investigators and any Canadian Co-Applicants must meet NSERC's Eligibility Criteria and must hold, as primary applicant, an active peer-reviewed grant at the time of application. 

Canadian PIs are limited to one application within a 12-month period as either applicant or co-applicant for the Alliance International Catalyst and Collaboration grants.

International Collaborators: 

International Collaborator(s) must be from the academic sector, and they must have secured funding from their national funding agency to cover their participation in the project. Each collaborator must actively play a role in the project and such involvement must be achieved by doing at least one of the following: 

• Actively participating in the project's research activities 
• Providing an enriched training experience for Canadian research trainees
• Utilizing the project's research results to help achieve its desired outcomes. 

Amount: 

NSERC will provide 100% of the funding for Alliance International Catalyst grants, up to $25,000 for one (1) year. 

The amount you can requested for an Alliance International Collaboration grant will depend on the amount of funding obtained by your international academic collaborator(s) from their own national funding agency. The funding secured by your international collaborator(s) will be recognized for cost-sharing purposes. This contribution must be at least equal to the amount requested from NSERC (in Canadian dollars). NSERC will provide up to $100,000 per year, for up to three (3) years, to support the costs of your participation in the international project. To secure the maximum amount ($100,000 per year) your international academic collaborator(s) must obtain at least $100,000 per year from their national funding agency. In the Budget justification section of your proposal (form 101), you must include information on the annual support obtained by your international collaborator(s) (all amounts in Canadian dollars).

The funds from NSERC must be paid to eligible Canadian universities and cannot be used to buy equipment, products, or services from any collaborating organization 

Deadline: 

No deadline. NSERC will accept applications year round. 

Website: 

NSERC - Alliance International (nserc-crsng.gc.ca)