nserc research tools and instruments

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Applied Research Tools and Instruments grants

When NSERC receives an ARTI grant application, it first undertakes an administrative assessment to ensure the application is complete and complies with all eligibility requirements. Once the administrative assessment is satisfactorily completed, applications are assigned to a multidisciplinary review committee for the College and Community Innovation program, who will conduct a merit assessment of the application and make a funding recommendation to NSERC.

Evaluation criteria

Applications are evaluated on three evaluation criteria. The proposal must address all of the criteria and sub-criteria below to be considered for funding.

Relevance to applied research at the college (4 points)

• A demonstrated need for the proposed equipment and evidence that it will increase the college’s capacity for applied research in the area(s) of the proposal
• The fit of the proposed applied research equipment with the college’s applied research strategic plan and existing infrastructure and equipment
• The researcher(s)’ relevant experience and demonstrated ability to fully use the proposed equipment
• The impact on the applied research program of any delay in acquiring the proposed equipment

Partnerships and innovation impacts (3 points)

• The potential for the proposed equipment to foster, stimulate or enable collaborations with partners from industry, public, not-for-profit and/or health organizations
• The innovation impact of the proposed equipment on current and potential partner-focused projects
• The availability and access to similar applied research equipment within the region for the college and partner organizations

Training (3 points)

• Appropriateness of the equipment training plan to provide college students and other trainees with enriched hands-on applied research training opportunities and marketable skills
• The quality and extent of training
• Identification of at least one concrete action in the equipment training plan to promote a diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible training environment

Funding decision

NSERC’s funding decision will take into consideration the evaluation criteria ratings assigned to applications by the review committee and the budget available for ARTI grants. For more information about review process timelines, consult the Application deadlines and notification of decision page.

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Application deadline Applications can be submitted at any time.

Application deadline Before 8:00 pm (ET) on January 16, 2024 Maximum of three applications per college

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Modified: 2023-10-06

NSERC Research Tools and Instruments Grants Program

To foster and enhance the discovery, innovation and training capability of university researchers in the natural sciences and engineering by supporting the purchase of research equipment 

NSERC will only accept requests: 

• a comprehensive system is one in which each tool or instrument forms part of an integrated system of operation to support the research program(s) 
• requests that bundle unrelated tools and instruments together will not be accepted 
• for the purchase of new, used or refurbished equipment, for the repair, upgrade or rental of equipment, or for the fabrication of equipment that is not readily available off the shelf 
• for equipment that is purchased or rented after the application deadline

Researchers can submit one RTI application per competition, either as an applicant or a co-applicant, but not both. 

IMPORTANT NOTE:  

As of last competition year (i.e., competition 2023, with a deadline of October 2022) RTI grant applicants and co-applicants who were successful in the previous year’s RTI competition are ineligible to apply for one year.  Eligibility will be reinstated the following competition year.  This change is being implemented to increase access to the RTI program to the largest number of eligible researchers. This decision, as well as the changes to the selection criteria for this year, are informed by the recent evaluation of the Discovery research program and the results of the gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) of the RTI program. 

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for and to hold RTI funds, applicants and co-applicants must each: 

• Meet  NSERC’s eligibility requirements for faculty to apply for or hold grant funds  
• Alliance grant 
• Canada Excellence Research Chairs (NSERC) 
• Canada 150 Research Chairs (NSERC) 
• Canada Research Chairs (NSERC) 
• Collaborative Research and Development grant 
• Discovery Development grant 
• Discovery Grant 
• Discovery Horizons grant 
• Industrial Research Chairs grant 
• Strategic Partnership grant 

*Applicants and co-applicants may apply for any of the above grants while concurrently applying to the RTI program.  However, if any applicant or co-applicant does not hold one of the above grants by the RTI award start date or is not successful in obtaining one of these grants while concurrently applying to the RTI program, the applicant and/or co-applicant will be deemed ineligible and removed from the application.

How to Apply

York University researchers are reminded that all applications for external research funding, including Letters of Intent, must be reviewed and approved by the Office of Research Services before they are submitted to the granting agency.  For internal approval, the application must be accompanied by a completed ORS Checklist, which requires the Dean’s signature.  Please send the complete application, with the finalized budget and a completed  ORS checklist  to  [email protected] , five days prior to agency deadline.

ORS is accepting electronic applications – the process is outlined here .

For specific questions, please contact FSc Research Services at [email protected]

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NSERC Research Tools and Instruments

NSERC's Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) grants foster and enhance the discovery, innovation and training capability of university researchers in the natural sciences and engineering by supporting the purchase of research equipment.

The RTI grants program provides the primary avenue for university researchers in the natural sciences and engineering to obtain up to $150,000 in support for research tools and instruments with a net cost between $7,001 and $250,000.

Application Process & Eligibility

The RTI grant program follows one, single-stage application cycle each year .  Researchers can submit one RTI application per competition, either as an applicant or co-applicant but not both. There is no limit to participation as an 'other user'.

Applicants must hold an active NSERC research grant, or be in the process of applying for an NSERC grant, to be eligible as an applicant or co-applicant. Beginning in the 2023 competition year (October 2022 deadline), RTI grant applicants and co-applicants who were successful in the previous year’s RTI competition will be ineligible to apply for one year. Eligibility will be reinstated the following competition year.

NSERC will only accept requests for:

• tools and instruments that form a comprehensive system intended to support NSERC-funded research in the NSE. A comprehensive system is one in which each tool or instrument forms part of an integrated system of operation to support the research program(s). Requests that bundle unrelated tools and instruments together will not be accepted.
• the purchase of new, used or refurbished equipment, for the repair, upgrade or rental of equipment, or for the fabrication of equipment that is not readily available off the shelf. 
• equipment that is purchased or rented after the application deadline.

Equipment and items that are part of laboratory infrastructure or intended to render other equipment compliant with health and safety standards are ineligible for RTI support.

Sponsor Site

November to October

Prepare and review your application.

• Review NSERC's detailed application instructions  and frequently asked questions
• View NSERC's recorded application webinars for CY 2024 (Oct. 2023 deadline)
• Consider how you might influence your application with the guidelines in the RTI peer review manual

October 25 

Submit your application (see ors procedures).

See relevant  ORS application procedures  and internal deadlines for your campus to ensure administrative review and timely submission:  Vancouver  |  Okanagan

Support & Resources

Application guide for ubc researchers.

We have prepared a comprehensive guide for applying to the Research Tools and Instruments program, exclusive to UBC faculty. CWL is required to view.

Updated for CY2024

SPARC Sample Grant Library

Check out our comprehensive sample grant library and additional resources curated specifically for UBC faculty. CWL is required to view.

Erin Evoy Research Development Officer SPARC 604.827.5282 [email protected]

SPARC support services

Alexander Unterberger  Manager of Research Development SPARC 604.822.5386 [email protected]

Dr. Purang Abolmaesumi Sciences & Engineering Research Advisor (NSERC), UBC 604.827.4741 [email protected]

Advocacy and advice

Announcements & Events

Updated nserc research tools & instruments playbook (cwl required).

Part of the VP Research & Innovation portfolio

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NSERC Research Tools and Instruments Grants

Research & Innovation

Nserc: research tools and instruments grants program, research admin offices:, funding type:, opportunity type:.

Up to $150,000 over one year.

Disciplines:

• Faculty of Engineering
• Faculty of Science
• Health Sciences
• Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)

Internal Deadline:

Sponsor deadline:, additional dates:.

• ROADS Intent to Apply Due Date - August 14, 2023
• ROADS Internal Peer Review Due Date - August 31, 2023
• Live Q & A Sessions Program Date: September 5 & September 28, 2023 -
• ROADS Draft Application Due Date - October 4, 2023
• ROADS Final Application Due Date - October 18, 2023

Description:

Research Tools and Instruments grants foster and enhance the discovery, innovation, and training capability of university researchers in the natural sciences and engineering by supporting the purchase of research equipment with a net cost of between $7,001 and $250,000.

Additional Details.

ROADS contact: Christine Cluney

NSERC Research Tools and Instruments 2023 Competition

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)

Research Tools and Instruments (RTI)

For More Information

• Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) program information
• Instructions for completing an application
• Frequently asked questions  
• Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) peer review manual  
• NSERC guide on integrating equity, diversity and inclusion considerations in research

Description

Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) grants foster and enhance the discovery, innovation and training capability of university researchers in the natural sciences and engineering by supporting the purchase of research equipment.

The RTI grants program provides the primary avenue for university researchers in the natural sciences and engineering to obtain up to $150,000 in support for research tools and instruments with a  net  cost between $7,001 and $250,000. Net cost is defined as the purchase cost of the equipment after any discount from the vendor and before taxes, customs and importation fees, transportation and shipping charges, and assembly and installation costs. The vendor discount must be free of conditions, restrictions or limitations (e.g., cannot be offered in exchange for services from users benefiting the vendor company). The research community is also encouraged to explore other avenues for funding research tools and instruments, including NSERC’s other programs that allow the purchase of equipment as eligible expenses.

Eligibility

New for the 2023 competition : Beginning this year, grants applicants and co-applicants who were successful in the previous year’s  RTI  competition (i.e. currently hold an RTI for the award period of April 1, 2022 - March 31, 2023) will be  ineligible  to apply for one year. Eligibility will be reinstated the following competition year. 

All eligible Canadian university researchers will be able to participate on one application per competition, either as an applicant or a co‑applicant, but not both.

In addition to NSERC’s  eligibility criteria for faculty , applicants and co-applicants must:

• Hold a minimum three-year appointment (fulltime, contract or adjunct) in an academic position with a firm offer in writing at the time of application; and
• Discovery Grant
• Discovery Development Grant
• Alliance Grant
• Strategic Partnerships Grant
• Collaborative Research and Development grant
• Industrial Research Chairs grant
• Canada Research Chairs
• Canada Excellence Research Chairs
• Canada 150 Research Chairs

*Applicants and co-applicants may apply for any of the above grants while concurrently applying to the RTI program. However, if any applicant or co-applicant does not hold one of the above grants by the RTI award start date, or is not successful in obtaining one of these grants while concurrently applying to the RTI program, the applicant and/or co-applicant will be deemed ineligible and removed from the application.  

Maximum Project Value

$150,000 in support for research tools and instruments with a net cost between $7,001 and $250,000 (excluding taxes, customs and importation fees, transportation and shipping charges, and assembly and installation costs). Net cost represents the cost of the equipment after any discount from the vendor. Vendor discount must be free of conditions, restrictions, or limitations (e.g., cannot be offered in exchange for services from users benefiting the vendor company).

NSERC will only accept requests:

• For tools and instruments that form a comprehensive system intended to support NSERC funded research in the natural sciences and engineering. A comprehensive system is one in which each tool or instrument forms part of an integrated system of operation to support the research program(s). Requests that bundle unrelated tools and instruments together will not be accepted.
• For the purchase of new, used or refurbished equipment, the repair, upgrade or rental of equipment, or for the fabrication of equipment that is not readily available off the shelf.
• For equipment that is purchased or rented after the application deadline.

Note: Equipment and items that are part of laboratory infrastructure or intended to render other equipment compliant with health and safety standards are ineligible for RTI support.

For more information on eligible expenses under the RTI program, see the  instructions for completing an application .

RTI awards must be used only for the specific type of equipment for which the grant was awarded through the peer review process. Grantees who wish to purchase equipment different from that specified in the application must obtain written permission from  NSERC Finance  prior to its purchase. Grantees may, however, buy a model different from that requested in the application without prior NSERC approval (e.g. newer or upgraded model).

Indirect Costs

Project duration, special notes.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

NSERC is acting on the evidence that achieving a more equitable, diverse and inclusive Canadian research enterprise is essential to creating the excellent, innovative and impactful research necessary to advance knowledge and understanding, and to respond to local, national and global challenges. This principle informs the commitments described in the  Tri-agency statement on equity, diversity and inclusion  (EDI).

Applicants are encouraged to increase the inclusion and advancement of under-represented groups in the natural sciences and engineering as one way to enhance excellence in research and training. Where applicable, consideration of sex, gender and diversity in the research design should be addressed in the proposal. Equity, diversity and inclusion considerations should be developed into the rationale of the composition of research teams and trainees.

For more information, refer to the  NSERC guide on integrating equity, diversity and inclusion considerations in research .

NSERC RTI Webinar Sessions

Due to COVID-19, NSERC is replacing live webinars with pre-recorded videos followed by live Q&A sessions. NSERC encourages participants to view the pre-recorded videos prior to attending a live Q&A session as the material presented in the video will not be repeated. For more information, please visit the  NSERC Webinars web-page. 

Webinar sessions on how to complete an RTI application:

If College-level review is required, your College will communicate its earlier internal deadlines.

How to Apply

Researchers can submit one RTI application per competition, either as an applicant or a co‑applicant, but not as both. Also, beginning this year, grants applicants and co-applicants who were successful in the previous year’s  RTI  competition will be  ineligible  to apply for one year. 

Step 1: Internal NOI​ To apply, all interested applicants must complete the NOI process through the Office of Research based on the requirements outlined in the "Deadlines" section above. 

Step 2: Full Application

Applicants moving to a Full Application must complete and submit an Application for Research Tools and Instruments through the  Research Portal . Each applicant and co-applicant must also complete a Canadian Common CV (CCV) and link it to the Application. The application and linked CCV(s) must be submitted to the Office of Research by the internal deadline date.

Applicants should include the following in their application:

• Proposal – limit of four pages.
• Budget Justification – limit of three pages.
• Quotations - You must provide two recent quotations for any individual item(s) over $25,000 net or for any system(s) to be purchased from a single supplier and costing over $25,000 net. If the required number of quotations cannot reasonably be submitted, you must provide a clear justification in the Budget Justification section. The application will be rejected if the quotations or the justification are not submitted with the application.

Letters or other attachments that do not adhere to the above guidelines should not be included and may be removed.

Teams should strive for a diverse group of co-applicants and major users, including balanced gender representation. Equity, diversity and inclusion considerations should be reflected in the rationale of the team composition and, where applicable, in the designated roles within the team.  For more information, refer to the  NSERC guide on integrating equity, diversity and inclusion considerations in research .

Information For Co-applicants

If you need to meet a deadline set by the lead institution for this opportunity, please ensure that you provide the Office of Research with at least five days in advance of the lead institution’s deadline to review the application, or your proposed component of the project. Please be in touch with the Office of Research (contact information below) ahead of the deadline if it looks like it will be difficult for you to submit all the required documentation on time (i.e. budget, proposal, OR-5 Form).

Attachment(s)

Research Tools and Instruments:  [email protected]

Office of Research

Vanessa Knox, Awards and Agreements Officer Research Services Office 519-824-4120 x53429 [email protected]

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Language selection - Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada / Sélection de la langue - Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada

Natural sciences and engineering research council of canada.

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Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada

• Conditions régissant l'utilisation

NSERC Research Tools and Instruments

Overview:  NSERC Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) grants foster and enhance the discovery, innovation and training capability of university researchers in the natural sciences and engineering by supporting the purchase of research equipment.

Value:  Up to $150,000

NSERC Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) Grants Program Match

Duration:  1 year

Deadlines:  

• UTM MRA deadline:  TBA
• U of T RSO MRA deadline:  TBA
• Sponsor deadline (proposal):  late October (TBA)

*Submit MRAs by October 16 so RSO can receive them by October 18.

• Read more about the Research Tools & Instruments program on the sponsor website
• NSERC RTI Research Services Office page (U of T-specific application instructions - TBA)
• Application portal
• Peer review manual
• NSERC-hosted Q&A sessions
• NSERC Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) Grant: Strategies for Success 
• Addressing EDI Considerations in Your NSERC Discovery/RTI Application

NSERC Grants

• CREATE Grants
• Discovery Grants
• Alliance Advantage Grants  
• Alliance Society Grants
• Alliance International Grants

Research Tools and Instruments and Infrastructure

• Research Tools and Instruments Grants

Language selection - Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada / Sélection de la langue - Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada

Natural sciences and engineering research council of canada.

• Terms and conditions of use

Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada

• Conditions régissant l'utilisation

NSERC RTI – Research Tools and Instruments Grants program

Arctic and northern regions, environment, energy and natural resources, information and communication technology, oceans, fisheries and aquaculture, well-being, health and biomedical discovery.

Academic Unit: inquire with unit

Memorial Deadline: No RIS review required.

External Deadline: Tuesday 1st, November 2022

Description

Extension to november 1st available for atlantic canada researchers: should rti applicants need an extension, please send an email with the applicant cc’d to [email protected]., the portal can remain open until november 1 st at 5:00 pm (et), however nserc needs to be advised of the extension requirement before october 25 th .  we would encourage applicants to (at the minimum) create the application in the research portal, so that it will be easier to extend., there may be researchers from your institution who are co-applicants on rti applications with a principal applicant outside of the atlantic provinces. if an extension is required, the co-applicant must contact [email protected] , and cc the principal applicant and rgo at the administering institution., please note, applications that have already been submitted will not be reopened..

A process was established beginning September 2013 whereby Academic Units will be assuming the responsibility for institutional review and electronic submission of applications for the CIHR Project, CIHR Foundation, SSHRC Insight, SSHRC Insight Development, and NSERC Discovery and RTI Grants competitions.  Research Initiatives & Services will no longer be completing the electronic submission for these grants, but will be supporting Academic Units in their review of applications as they may require. If you are intending on applying to any of these competitions,   please contact your Grants Facilitation Officer, Associate Dean (Research) or equivalent unit signatory to obtain information on deadlines and processes for institutional review and electronic submission for your unit .

The RTI grants program provides the primary avenue for university researchers in the natural sciences and engineering to obtain up to $150,000 in support for research tools and instruments with a  net  cost between $7,001 and $250,000. Net cost is defined as the purchase cost of the equipment after any discount from the vendor and before taxes, customs and importation fees, transportation and shipping charges, and assembly and installation costs. The vendor discount must be free of conditions, restrictions or limitations (e.g., cannot be offered in exchange for services from users benefiting the vendor company). The research community is also encouraged to explore other avenues for funding research tools and instruments, including NSERC’s other programs that allow the purchase of equipment as eligible expenses.

NSERC will only accept the following requests:

• a comprehensive system is one in which each tool or instrument forms part of an integrated system of operation to support the research program(s)
• requests that bundle unrelated tools and instruments together will not be accepted
• for the purchase of new, used or refurbished equipment, for the repair, upgrade or rental of equipment or for the fabrication of equipment that is not readily available off the shelf
• for equipment that is purchased or rented after the application deadline

Note : Equipment and items that are part of laboratory infrastructure or intended to render other equipment compliant with health and safety standards are ineligible for RTI support.

Additional information can be found on the NSERC Website .

Funding Sources

Natural sciences and engineering research council (nserc).

• Office of Research Services
• Proposal Development + Submission /
• Agency Application Requirements & Procedures /
• NSERC Research Tools & Instruments (Research Portal)

NSERC Research Tools & Instruments (Research Portal)

All applications to the Research Tools & Instruments (RTI) competition must be electronically submitted via NSERC's  Research Portal .

Please follow the procedures described in NSERC’s RTI program outline . 

• Research Project Information Form (RPIF)

SPARC Support

Thursday, October 19, 2023, 8:30 a.m. PT

UBC internal application deadline See procedure #3 below. You may continue to work on your online application after you have submitted the required paperwork to ORS.

Tuesday, October 24, 2023, 12:00 p.m. PT

Applicant's e-submission deadline See procedure #4 below. Your final application should be submitted via the Research Portal.

Wednesday, October 25, 2023, 4:30 p.m. PT

Sponsor deadline While ORS makes every effort to submit all applications on time and to facilitate support for our research community, applications submitted after the UBC internal deadline are not guaranteed to receive an administrative review from ORS, which includes confirmation of the application's completeness.

Useful resources: RTI Instructions ,  Research Portal – Frequently Asked Questions and the UBC SPARC Office’s RTI information page .​

E-SUBMISSION PROCEDURES

1. application preparation.

Your application must be prepared and submitted using the Research Portal and NSERC CCV.  Instructions  can be found on the NSERC web site. Select “The University of British Columbia” as the Administering Institution (do not select “Technical University of British Columbia”).

2. Understand and comply with faculty-specific requirements and/or deadlines

Use the  UBC Research Project Information Form (RPIF)  and follow  UBC Signatures requirement .

For co-applicants, electronic acceptance of the PI’s invitation to participate in the application meets NSERC requirements, so physical signatures are not required. External authorized institution signature is required for co-apps outside of UBC. Please use ORS signature page .

If you are a co-applicant on a grant application initiated by a PI at another institution, you must still submit a copy of the application with required UBC signatures for ORS review and approval per NSERC policy.

Please check with your  grant facilitator  regarding faculty-specific requirements and/or deadlines.

3. Submit required pages to the appropriate ORS contact by the internal deadline

You can e-mail the pages to the appropriate  ORS location . Ensure you have collected ALL required signatures prior to submitting to ORS, and that the documents submitted to ORS are identical to your Research portal submission.

• A signed  UBC Research Project Information Form (RPIF) . Also submit an ORS signature page if you have any external co-applicants. External authorized institution signature is required for co-apps outside of UBC.
• Identification page (page 1 of the application)
• Co-applicants page
• Summary of Proposal Page
• Proposed Expenditures and budget justification pages
• Quotations if applicable (per RTI guidelines, provide two (2) recent quotations for any items or any systems costing more than $25,000 before taxes. If the required number of quotations cannot be submitted, you must provide a justification in the Budget Justification section.)
• If there are other organizations providing financial contributions, written confirmation of these must be submitted to ORS. An email from the organization providing the funds will suffice. 

4. Submit your ONLINE application by 12:00pm one working day before the sponsor deadline

Submit your full application online using the Research Portal and NSERC CCV by the e-Submission Deadline stated above. To do this, the applicant must complete and link all the forms as described in the NSERC instructions. First “Verify” to ensure the application is complete. Then click “Submit” to submit your application to ORS for online approval. 

5. ORS reviews your application

If all requirements are met, ORS will approve your application on the Research Portal by NSERC’s deadline. ORS has read-only access to your application and cannot make changes. If the application is not approved, ORS will return it to you for changes. ORS is no longer required to physically sign applications submitted through NSERC Research Portal.

6. ORS approves and submits your application

Once ORS has approved your application, the status on the NSERC Research Portal will change from "Received by Administrator" to “Received by Agency” (see  Definition of Application Status ). Material or revisions received under separate cover (before or after the deadline date) will not be accepted by NSERC.

• Research Tools and Instruments Grant application instructions
• Research Portal FAQs