Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

NSERC is launching a pilot funding opportunity to support investigator-initiated individual and team projects that broadly integrate or transcend disciplines to advance knowledge in the natural sciences and engineering (NSE). Full applications submitted to this NSERC program will be reviewed by a tri-agency interdisciplinary peer review committee.

The Discovery Horizons program provides NSERC's entry-point to the tri-agency interdisciplinary peer review mechanism. It supports Discovery research projects that would significantly benefit from being assessed by a tri-agency interdisciplinary peer review committee, and aims to: 

1. answer NSE research questions that are best addressed through interdisciplinary approaches
2. advance NSE disciplines through cross fertilization and new ways of thinking about research questions, ideas and frameworks; approaches and methods; platforms, tools and infrastructure; people, partners and trainees
3. provide leading-edge NSE training for highly qualified personnel (HQP) in interdisciplinary research environments

Discovery Horizons grants are expected to be between $50,000 and $100,000 per year.  

Eligibility: Both individuals and teams may apply to the Discovery Horizons program. The applicant and any co-applicants must all be eligible to hold NSERC funding. One person must be designated to administer the grant. This person is the “applicant” and is responsible for completing and submitting the full application on behalf of the team. There are no requirements with respect to team size or composition. However, individuals are only allowed to participate in one Discovery Horizons application, as either applicant or co-applicant, per competition cycle. Additionally, individuals participating in a Discovery Horizons grants as an applicant or co-applicant cannot hold both a Discovery Grant and Discovery Horizons grant. 

Duration: up to five years 

Amount: from $50K to $100K per year 

Deadlines: 

June 16, 2023 - Letter of intent due 

October 18, 2023- full application deadline

Website: NSERC – Discovery Horizons (pilot) (nserc-crsng.gc.ca)