Many non-profits and community organizations face real-world problems that need strong research support. Data, testing, and technical expertise can be expensive and hard to access. NSERC Alliance Society Grants provide funding for research partnerships between Canadian universities and public sector or not-for-profit organizations.
These grants are part of NSERC’s broader Alliance program and focus on research in the natural sciences and engineering that delivers clear societal benefits.
The NSERC Alliance Society Grants program supports collaborative research projects led by university researchers and partnered with non-profit, community, or public sector organizations. The goal is to apply scientific and engineering expertise to social, environmental, and community challenges.
Key features of the program include:
Unlike industry-focused Alliance grants, Society Grants are designed for organizations that serve the public good, such as charities, municipalities, Indigenous organizations, and NGOs.
Understanding roles is critical. Many strong projects fail because partners misunderstand who applies and who manages the funds.
Eligible applicants
Eligible partner organizations
Non-profit and community partners can include:
Partners do not apply directly, but they must play an active role in shaping the research questions, providing data or expertise, and using the results.
GrantHub’s program search makes it easy to filter partnership-friendly research grants by sector and region.
NSERC Alliance Society Grants fund research that uses science or engineering to address social needs. Examples include:
The research must go beyond basic studies and show how results will be used in real-world community or policy settings.
NSERC does not publish a fixed maximum funding amount for Alliance Society Grants. For details, see NSERC’s Alliance funding guidelines. Funding levels depend on:
Grants are usually multi-year and cover eligible research costs such as student stipends, research staff, equipment, and knowledge mobilization.
Grant amounts vary. It is important to talk early with your university partner. These early discussions help align expectations and budget needs.
The Alliance program uses an open or rolling intake, instead of a single annual deadline. Teams can apply when their project is ready.
The typical process looks like this:
Planning can take several months, especially for first-time partners.
Treating the grant as program funding
Alliance Society Grants fund research, not service delivery or advocacy. Your project must generate new knowledge or applied findings.
Applying without a committed researcher
Non-profits cannot apply alone. You need a confirmed university partner before moving forward.
Weak partner role descriptions
NSERC expects partners to be actively involved, not just providing a letter of support.
Ignoring NSERC’s disciplinary scope
Projects must fit within natural sciences or engineering. Social science-only projects are not eligible.
Building a successful research partnership takes time and clear communication. Here are a few tips:
If you’re not sure where to start, GrantHub’s resources can help you find researchers and programs that match your mission.
Q: Do non-profit organizations apply directly for NSERC Alliance Society Grants?
No. Applications are submitted by eligible Canadian university researchers. Non-profits participate as formal partners and help guide the research.
Q: Are cash contributions required from non-profits?
Cash contributions may be required depending on the project design, but in-kind support such as data, staff time, or access to sites is often acceptable. Requirements are assessed case by case.
Q: Are NSERC Alliance Society Grants taxable for non-profits?
Grant funds are held and managed by the university, not paid directly to the non-profit. This usually avoids tax issues for partner organizations, but you should confirm with your finance advisor.
Q: How long do projects usually last?
Most projects run for multiple years, depending on scope and research goals. Timelines are defined in the application and approved by NSERC.
Q: Can Indigenous organizations participate as partners?
Yes. Indigenous governments and organizations are eligible partners when the research aligns with NSERC’s mandate and respects Indigenous research principles.
If your organization has a community challenge that could benefit from applied science or engineering research, NSERC Alliance Society Grants are worth exploring. The key is finding the right university partner and shaping a project with clear societal impact.
GrantHub tracks active research partnership grants across Canada. You can check which programs match your organization’s mission, location, and research needs.
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