Canada Invests $1.3 Billion to Support Over 9,700 Researchers and Projects Nationwide (2025)
Good news for researchers: if your are a researcher, PhD student, or institution interested in Canada’s research and innovation landscape? The Government of Canada has announced an unprecedented investment of over $1.3 billion to support more than 9,700 leading researchers and innovative projects across the country. This funding continous Canada’s position as a global leader in science, technology, health, and social research innovation.
What Is This Funding About?
The Government of Canada, plans through its three major research funding agencies—the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)—has committed to:
Empowering researchers across disciplines
Enhancing graduate and postdoctoral training opportunities
Driving innovation and real-world impact in health, AI, clean energy, environment, and social sciences
The funding covers:
Scholarships & Fellowships
Research Grants
Interdisciplinary and High-Risk Innovation Programs
Scholarships and Fellowships: Investing in Tomorrow’s Leaders
A total of $365.6 million will fund 4,761 scholars and fellows, helping Canada’s brightest minds pursue critical research. Famous programs with funding details include:
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships – $24.9M to 166 outstanding doctoral students
Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships – $9.8M to 70 top-tier postdoctoral researchers
These awards also provide along with financial support a national recognition and training resources to help scholars become global research leaders.
Research Grants: Fueling Discovery & Innovation
The largest portion of the investment, estimating $589 million, designated for NSERC’s Discovery Research Program. It supports more than 3,400 researchers related to natural sciences and engineering. Highlights include:
NSERC Discovery Grants: Enabling transformative research in STEM fields
NSERC CREATE Program: $26.4M to train highly qualified personnel through collaborative research
NSERC College and Community Innovation Program: $29.8M to foster applied research in Canadian colleges and communities
These grants will cover only power innovation area but also ensure inclusive, sustainable solutions to global challenges.
SSHRC Funding: Building Inclusive & Informed Societies
The SSHRC programs will received significant investment designed to support groundbreaking research in humanities and social sciences:
Insight Grants: $127M for 693 research projects
Insight Development Grants: $55M for 897 early-stage researchers
Partnership Grants: $42M for large-scale collaborative efforts
Partnership Development Grants: $18M to foster research-community connections
SSHRC-funded projects explore culture, policy, equity, mental health, reconciliation, and more, helping shape Canada’s and world inclusive future.
New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF): Encouraging Bold Ideas
The NFRF 2024 Exploration Stream is awarding $25.1 million to 586 researchers. This includes 101 interdisciplinary, high-risk projects designed to push the boundaries of conventional research. The fund encourages bold, forward-thinking ideas that span multiple disciplines and promote global problem-solving.
Why This Matters
According to Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Mélanie Joly:
“These researchers aren’t just imagining the future—they’re building it. From developing clean technologies to improving mental health care, Canadian researchers are tackling the biggest issues of our time.”
The Government also noted that these investments align with Canada’s priorities on:
Health innovation and public well-being
Artificial intelligence and digital trust
Environmental sustainability
Inclusive education and social development
Who Can Benefit from This Funding?
PhD students and postdocs seeking research scholarships or fellowships
Professors and researchers at universities and colleges across Canada
Research institutions and collaborative community-based projects
People working in health, AI, climate, education, or humanities, this funding can elevate their research impact.
Global Collaboration & Leadership
Canada’s science strategy also emphasizes continuous international collaboration and the ability to attract foreign talent and use their expertise in research. Through this, researchers have an opportunity to become members of global networks, develop institutional collaboration, and be a Canadian representative abroad through these efforts.
Additional Investments Since 2016
This new funding builds upon previous investments:
Over $22 billion since 2016 for science and research
$825 million in Budget 2024 for graduate student support
$1.8 billion in Budget 2024 for core research agency funding
Timeline and Application
Many of these awards and grants are active or open for applications now. Researchers, students, and institutions should visit the respective agencies or scholarship pages for specific deadlines and application guidance.
FAQs
Q1: Can international students apply for these fellowships or scholarships?
Yes, some programs like Vanier and Banting are open to international students studying at Canadian institutions.
Q2: Is this funding only for science and technology fields?
No, SSHRC grants cover arts, social sciences, humanities, equity, and more.
Q3: How can I find which grant or scholarship fits my research area?
Visit the official websites of NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR, or the New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) for detailed descriptions, eligibility, and deadlines.
Official Source & Application Links
To explore the full announcement, funding breakdowns, and program details, visit the official Government of Canada press release:
🔗 Official Announcement on Canada.ca
Or stay updated through global scholarship updates on WeMakeYouScholar.com – your trusted source for study-abroad opportunities.
