Discovery Development Grants for Small Universities in Canada

The Discovery Development Grants (DDG) program by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) aims to enhance high-quality research in small universities across Canada. This program provides crucial resources to researchers who were not funded in the Discovery Grants (DG) competition despite having high-quality applications. The DDG program aids in creating a stimulating research environment within these institutions. The Discovery Development Grants are designed to support researchers from small Canadian universities whose Discovery Grants applications were of sufficient quality but did not receive funding. This initiative aims to diversify and maintain high-quality research by providing resources to expand research groups, acquire specialized equipment, and access additional funding. The DDG program is crucial for maintaining a diverse and high-quality research environment in smaller Canadian universities. By supporting researchers who narrowly missed out on DG funding, the program ensures continued research development and training opportunities, thereby strengthening the overall research capacity of these institutions. What is the funding duration for the DDG? The Discovery Development Grants are awarded for a period of two years. Who can apply for the DDG? Only researchers at small Canadian universities who participated in the most recent DG competition are eligible. Is there an application deadline for the DDG? No separate application is required, so there is no specific deadline for the DDG. Can researchers hold both a DDG and a DG simultaneously? No, researchers cannot concurrently hold a Discovery Development Grant and a Discovery Grant. When are the results of the DDG announced? Results are typically announced in mid-April each year. Eligible researchers should ensure their Discovery Grants applications are strong and align with NSERC’s criteria. For more detailed information, refer to the NSERC Discovery Development Grants page and consult your university’s support resources.