Funder’s website
The funder’s website can be found HERE.
Funding Value and Duration
Individual: Up to five years
Project: Up to three years
Overview
The SAP Discovery Grants program supports ongoing programs of research (with long-term goals) rather than a single short-term project or a collection of unrelated projects that do not contribute to a cohesive program of research. These grants recognize the creativity and innovation that are at the heart of all research advances, whether made individually or in teams. Researchers are free to work in the mode most appropriate for the research area.
Eligibility Criteria
Individual grants
- Researchers can apply for only one Individual Discovery Grant (in subatomic physics or not) at a time.
- Recipients of SAP Individual Discovery Grants are not restricted to the specific activities described in the application, but may pursue new research interests, provided they are within NSERC’s mandate and adhere to the principles and directives governing the appropriate use of grant funds as outlined in the Tri-agency Guide on Financial Administration.
- Researchers who hold an Individual Discovery Grant cannot reapply for another Individual Discovery Grant until the last year of their current award.
- SAP Individual Discovery Grants are awarded for one to five years, the normal duration being five years. Applicants requesting a shorter duration for other reasons must provide a strong justification. NSERC may award a grant of the normal duration, even if a shorter period is requested.
Project grants
- Researchers can hold or apply for a SAP Project Discovery Grant, as an applicant or co-applicant, at the same time as they hold or apply for an Individual Discovery Grant.
- Also, researchers can concurrently hold or apply for more than one SAP Project Discovery Grant, as an applicant or co-applicant.
- SAP Collaborations that hold a Project Discovery Grant cannot reapply for another Project Discovery Grant that relates to the same research program until the last year of their current award.
- Members of a SAP Collaboration, which is applying for a SAP Project Grant, cannot normally apply for another SAP Discovery Grant to support research activities that are part of the Collaboration’s program of research. If you wish to submit such a concurrent application, please consult NSERC.
- When joining a SAP Collaboration that is supported by an ongoing SAP Project Grant, researchers can apply for bridging funds through a SAP Project Grant for a duration that would allow their participation in the Collaboration’s subsequent application.
- It is mandatory to have at least one co-applicant on a SAP Project Grant application.
- SAP Project Grants are awarded for one to three years, the normal duration being three years. Applicants requesting a shorter duration must provide a strong justification.
Internal Contacts
Potential applicants are encouraged to discuss this funding opportunity with their Faculty Research Facilitator.
Deadlines
*Note that dates are currently anticipated and are subject to change.
| Faculty Deadline | Consult your Faculty Research Facilitator. |
| OVPRI Deadline (Approval Form and Application) | October 25, 2025 |
| Submission to Sponsor | August 1, 2025 (NOI)
October 1, 2025 (SAP applications requesting more than $500,000 per year) November 1, 2025 (Full Application) |
Submitting Your Application
- Step 1) Submit an internal Carleton Approval Form
Submit an internal Approval Form through our central awards management database CUResearch:
https://ovpri.research.carleton.ca/Romeo.Researcher/Administrator/Default.aspx
For a user’s guide on submitting an Approval Form, click HERE. - Step 2) Submit an external application to the granting agency
Submit an external application to the corresponding grant or award agency. To navigate to the funder’s website, click HERE