Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Results and programs. GC InfoBase reports 25 programs of this department, in its Departmental Plans or its actual spending; 13 are current (in the latest plan or, for a program in no plan, with actual spending in the latest year).
- Actual spending, 2024-25
- $1.47B
- Planned, 2025-26 (latest plan)
- $1.51B
- Core responsibilities with indicators
- 1
Spending and employees
Totals of the department's programs: actual spending where reported, then the latest plan.
Spending
Show the numbers
| Fiscal year | Planned | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| 2010-11 | — | $1.08B |
| 2011-12 | — | $1.09B |
| 2012-13 | — | $1.08B |
| 2013-14 | — | $1.07B |
| 2014-15 | — | $1.09B |
| 2015-16 | — | $1.12B |
| 2016-17 | — | $1.19B |
| 2017-18 | — | $1.22B |
| 2018-19 | — | $1.33B |
| 2019-20 | — | $1.36B |
| 2020-21 | — | $1.49B |
| 2021-22 | — | $1.41B |
| 2022-23 | — | $1.38B |
| 2023-24 | — | $1.38B |
| 2024-25 | — | $1.47B |
| 2025-26 | $1.51B* | — |
| 2026-27 | $1.62B* | — |
| 2027-28 | $1.68B* | — |
| 2028-29 | $1.67B* | — |
Employees (FTEs)
Show the numbers
| Fiscal year | Planned | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| 2011-12 | — | 389 |
| 2012-13 | — | 380 |
| 2013-14 | — | 387 |
| 2014-15 | — | 383 |
| 2015-16 | — | 403 |
| 2016-17 | — | 412 |
| 2017-18 | — | 422 |
| 2018-19 | — | 431 |
| 2019-20 | — | 471 |
| 2020-21 | — | 496 |
| 2021-22 | — | 503 |
| 2022-23 | — | 502 |
| 2023-24 | — | 508 |
| 2024-25 | — | 509 |
| 2025-26 | 558* | — |
| 2026-27 | 537* | — |
| 2027-28 | 535* | — |
| 2028-29 | 456* | — |
Results at a glance
How many indicators met their target each year, as reported in the Departmental Results Reports. Source: GC InfoBase.
Core responsibility indicators
| Report year | Met | Not met | No result reported | Not yet due | Share met (of met and not met) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 67% |
| 2019-20 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 50% |
| 2020-21 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 57% |
| 2021-22 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 75% |
| 2022-23 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 85% |
| 2023-24 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| 2024-25 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 92% |
Program indicators
| Report year | Met | Not met | No result reported | Not yet due | Share met (of met and not met) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50% |
| 2019-20 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 67% |
| 2020-21 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| 2021-22 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| 2022-23 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 80% |
| 2023-24 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| 2024-25 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 80% |
Results by core responsibility
Funding Natural Sciences and Engineering Research and Training (21 indicators)
Historical: targets against results
Canada's rank among the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations on the citation score of natural sciences and engineering research publications
2024-25Target: ≤ 18 (2025)Result: 17Met
Funding allocated to support research trainees through grants
2024-25Target: ≥ 420,000,000 (2025)Result: 557,000,000Met
Non-academic partner funding for research projects
2024-25Target: ≥ $280M (2025)Result: $408MMet
Number of research trainees supported by NSERC through scholarships and fellowships
2024-25Target: ≥ 6,800 (2025)Result: 7,087Met
Percentage of funded projects reporting social and/or environmental outcomes for Canadians
2024-25Target: ≥ 60% (2025)Result: 68%Met
Percentage of funded research involving international collaborations
2024-25Target: ≥ 47% (2025)Result: 45%Not met
Percentage of newly funded recipients who self-identify as Indigenous peoples
2024-25Target: ≥ 2% (2025)Result: 3%Met
Percentage of newly funded recipients who self-identify as persons with disabilities
2024-25Target: ≥ 3.5% (2025)Result: 7.9%Met
Percentage of newly funded recipients who self-identify as visible minorities
2024-25Target: ≥ 31% (2025)Result: 33.4%Met
Percentage of newly funded recipients who self-identify as women
2024-25Target: ≥ 36% (2025)Result: 39.3%Met
Percentage of previously funded graduate students and postdoctoral fellows that list Research and Development as the main activity in their current position
2024-25Target: ≥ 80% (2025)Result: 84%Met
Number of partners on research projects
2024-25Target: ≥ 2,500 (2025)Result: 2,858Met
Percentage of funded projects reporting economic outcomes for Canadians
2024-25Target: ≥ 50% (2025)Result: 54%Met
Number of research trainees supported
2020-21Target: ≥ 33,000 (2021)Result: 33,100Met
Partner funding for research projects
2020-21Target: ≥ $225M (2021)Result: $352MMet
Percentage of previously funded research trainees that go on to work in a research position
2020-21Target: ≥ 67% (2021)Result: 82%Met
Percentage of research trainees supported gaining industrial experience
2020-21Target: ≥ 30% (2021)Result: 26%Not met
Proportion of award holders who are underrepresented individuals
2020-21Target: ≥ 30% (2021)Result: 34%Met
Current: the 2026-27 plan's targets
Canada's rank among the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations on the citation score of natural sciences and engineering research publications
2026-27Target: ≤ 18 (2027)Result: —Planned
Funding allocated to support research trainees through grants
2026-27Target: ≥ 500,000,000 (2027)Result: —Planned
Non-academic partner funding for research projects
2026-27Target: ≥ $350M (2027)Result: —Planned
Number of non-academic partners on research projects
2026-27Target: ≥ 2,500 (2027)Result: —Planned
Number of research trainees supported by NSERC through scholarships and fellowships
2026-27Target: ≥ 7,150 (2027)Result: —Planned
Percentage of funded projects reporting new or improved products, processes or services for Canadians
2026-27Target: ≥ 50% (2027)Result: —Planned
Percentage of funded projects reporting social and/or environmental outcomes for Canadians
2026-27Target: ≥ 60% (2027)Result: —Planned
Percentage of funded research involving international collaborations
2026-27Target: ≥ 44% (2027)Result: —Planned
Percentage of funds allocated to support research trainees through grants
2026-27Target: ≥ 45% (2027)Result: —Planned
Percentage of newly funded recipients who self-identify as Indigenous peoples
2026-27Target: ≥ 2.5% (2027)Result: —Planned
Percentage of newly funded recipients who self-identify as persons with disabilities
2026-27Target: ≥ 6% (2027)Result: —Planned
Percentage of newly funded recipients who self-identify as visible minorities
2026-27Target: ≥ 32% (2027)Result: —Planned
Percentage of newly funded recipients who self-identify as women
2026-27Target: ≥ 38% (2027)Result: —Planned
Percentage of previously funded graduate students and postdoctoral fellows that list Research and Development as the main activity in their current position
2026-27Target: ≥ 80% (2027)Result: —Planned
Future goals: targets due after 2026-27
No targets with a later due date.
Internal Services (0 indicators)
No indicators reported for this core responsibility.
Programs
| Program | Core responsibility | Status | Latest plan, first year | Last actual | Indicators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery Research · BNR01 | Funding Natural Sciences and Engineering Research and Training | New since an earlier plan | $876M 2026-27 | $790M 2024-25 | 1 |
| Research and Technology Partnerships · BNR03 | Funding Natural Sciences and Engineering Research and Training | New since an earlier plan | $470M 2026-27 | $453M 2024-25 | 4 |
| Research Training and Talent Development · BNR02 | Funding Natural Sciences and Engineering Research and Training | New since an earlier plan | $246M 2026-27 | $201M 2024-25 | 2 |
| Information Technology Services · ISS07 | Internal Services | New since an earlier plan | $6.8M 2026-27 | $7.7M 2024-25 | 0 |
| Management and Oversight Services · ISS01 | Internal Services | New since an earlier plan | $5.4M 2026-27 | $5.2M 2024-25 | 0 |
| Human Resources Management Services · ISS04 | Internal Services | New since an earlier plan | $3.6M 2026-27 | $3.5M 2024-25 | 0 |
| Financial Management Services · ISS05 | Internal Services | New since an earlier plan | $3M 2026-27 | $1.9M 2024-25 | 0 |
| Information Management Services · ISS06 | Internal Services | New since an earlier plan | $2.2M 2026-27 | $2.4M 2024-25 | 0 |
| Real Property Management Services · ISS08 | Internal Services | New since an earlier plan | $1.2M 2026-27 | $1.6M 2024-25 | 0 |
| Communications Services · ISS02 | Internal Services | New since an earlier plan | $1.1M 2026-27 | $1.1M 2024-25 | 0 |
| Legal Services · ISS03 | Internal Services | New since an earlier plan | $702K 2026-27 | $797K 2024-25 | 0 |
| Acquisition Management Services · ISS0Z | Internal Services | New since an earlier plan | $453K 2026-27 | $478K 2024-25 | 0 |
| Materiel Management Services · ISS09 | Internal Services | New since an earlier plan | $19K 2026-27 | -$6K 2024-25 | 0 |
| Discovery - Advancement of Knowledge · CBB00 | Canada is a world leader in advancing, connecting and applying new knowledge in the natural sciences and engineering. | Not in a Departmental Plan | — | $547M 2017-18 | 0 |
| Innovation - Research Partnerships · CBC00 | Canada is a world leader in advancing, connecting and applying new knowledge in the natural sciences and engineering. | Not in a Departmental Plan | — | $378M 2017-18 | 0 |
| Fund Basic Research · APQ00 | Discovery: High quality Canadian-based competitive research in the natural sciences and engineering. | Not in a Departmental Plan | — | $370M 2012-13 | 0 |
| People - Research Talent · CBA00 | Canada is a world leader in advancing, connecting and applying new knowledge in the natural sciences and engineering. | Not in a Departmental Plan | — | $273M 2017-18 | 0 |
| Fund University-Industry-Government Partnerships · APS00 | Innovation: Knowledge and skills in the natural sciences and engineering are transferred to and used productively by the user sector in Canada. | Not in a Departmental Plan | — | $185M 2012-13 | 0 |
| Support Students and Fellows · APW00 | People: Highly skilled science and engineering professionals in Canada. | Not in a Departmental Plan | — | $140M 2012-13 | 0 |
| Attract and Retain Faculty · APP00 | People: Highly skilled science and engineering professionals in Canada. | Not in a Departmental Plan | — | $135M 2012-13 | 0 |
| Fund Research in Strategic Areas · APR00 | — | Not in a Departmental Plan | — | $101M 2012-13 | 0 |
| Support for Research Equipment and Major Resources · APO00 | Discovery: High quality Canadian-based competitive research in the natural sciences and engineering. | Not in a Departmental Plan | — | $60.7M 2012-13 | 0 |
| Support Commercialization · APV00 | Innovation: Knowledge and skills in the natural sciences and engineering are transferred to and used productively by the user sector in Canada. | Not in a Departmental Plan | — | $50.9M 2012-13 | 0 |
| Internal Services · ISC00 | Internal Services | Not in a Departmental Plan | — | $20.8M 2017-18 | 0 |
| Promote Science and Engineering · APU00 | People: Highly skilled science and engineering professionals in Canada. | Not in a Departmental Plan | — | $5.1M 2012-13 | 0 |
