NSERC Discovery Horizons Grants 2026

Eligibility

Canadian university researchers who are eligible to receive NSERC funds can apply on their own or as a team with co-applicants who are also eligible academic researchers. Consult NSERC’s eligibility requirements for Individual eligibility (for university faculty) to ensure that you can participate in this grant program as an applicant or a co-applicant. If you are an adjunct professor, see the Access to funds by adjunct professors’ section. Refer also to the Discovery Grants applicant categories.

Applicants or co-applicants for the Discovery Horizons program cannot simultaneously hold a Discovery Grant and a Discovery Horizons grant. Individuals who submit a Discovery Horizons LOI (as applicant or co-applicant) may also submit a Discovery Grants NOI; however, they will need to choose which program they wish to pursue before proceeding to the full application stage.

Summary

The Discovery Horizons program provides support for interdisciplinary research activities that advance at least two intertwined research disciplines with at least one of them outside the natural sciences and engineering (NSE). The program supports innovative research that bridges disciplines, fosters collaboration across academic fields and provides training opportunities for highly qualified personnel (HQP).

Please consult the Discovery Horizons program page for the full set of guidelines, eligibility criteria, and instructions for completing the LOI and full application.

Webinars

Discovery Horizons Webinar Slides (May 20, 2026)

Submission Process

The Discovery Horizons application process has two stages: Letter of Intent (LOI) and full application.

This competition uses the tri-agency Convergence Portal and requires the new narrative Tri-agency CV. You are strongly encouraged to invite participants to the application and have them complete their TCVs early in the application process to avoid unnecessary delays.

Note: NSERC will update the full application instructions in August 2026.

Letter of Intent (LOI)

Step 1A: NSERC LOI Submission

1. Complete the LOI in the Convergence Portal according to the LOI instructions.

**Do not submit your LOI in the Convergence Portal until you have completed Step 1B and have a fully approved RMS record (approvals from department head, ADR, and Research Services). Clicking Submit in Convergence will forward your LOI directly to NSERC.**

Step 1B: RMS record

1. LOIs must be submitted to Research Services (RSO) for institutional approval through the Research Management System (RMS) by June 10, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
2. Complete a Pre-Award/Letters of Intent record in RMS and “Submit for academic approvals” (Under Save & Progress) in good time to allow for approvals from your Department Head and/or ADR prior to the RSO internal deadline.

Full Application (by invitation)

As an optional service, Research Services (RSO) offers detailed application reviews. If you would like a detailed review, the RSO must receive the RMS record (faculty-level approvals complete) and application submission in the Convergence Portal by October 5, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.

Step 2A: NSERC Application Submission

1. Complete your application in the Convergence Portal.
2. Once the application is complete (including all participant info), go to the “Finalize Application” section and follow the prompts to submit your application. Your application will be sent to Research Services (RSO), and the status will change to Received by Administrator. Please ensure your application is final and complete. The RSO will not review drafts, and, once received, your application may be submitted to NSERC without further notice. The final internal deadline for submission is October 14, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

Step 2B: RMS Record

1. Applications must be submitted to Research Services (RSO) for institutional approval and mandatory administrative review through the Research Management System (RMS) by October 14, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
2. There is no need to create an entirely new Pre-Award/Application record in RMS. Continue with the same RMS number by updating the status of the Pre-Award/Letter of Intent record from Step 1B to 'Invited for full application' (under Save & Progress). The system will generate a Pre-Award/Application record.
3. Complete the Pre-Award/Application record in RMS and “Submit for academic approvals” (Under Save & Progress) in good time to allow for approvals from your Department Head and/or ADR prior to the RSO internal deadline.
4. Upon review and approval, the RSO will submit the application to NSERC.

NOTE:

• Your application will not be considered submitted and will not be reviewed until both the application is submitted in Convergence and the RMS Approvals have been received.
• The final deadline of 12:00 p.m. on October 14 is a hard deadline. The three-day deadline ensures that Research Services is able to complete a basic review of the application and secure institutional signature in a timely fashion.

Overhead

Overhead is not an eligible expense.

Pre-application deadlines

RSO internal deadline

Pre-application program deadline

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

RESOURCES

Reminder: The sooner the researcher engages with Research Services, the more help we can be!

Contact the following Research Service units for support with:

Projects Involving Indigenous Research:

Support with incorporating wise practices in Indigenous research, community engagement, and Indigenous data management is available through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST).

Applicants can reach out by email to IRST at IRST@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information about IRST, please visit the IRST webpage.

Knowledge Mobilization, Research Impact Assessment, DORA:

Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation, community partnerships, research impact, responsible research assessment (DORA), and open science, is available through the Knowledge to Impact team.

Applicants can reach out by email to the KI team at knowledge.impact@ucalgary.ca.

For more information and access to resource archives, please visit the KI team webpage.

Research Data Management:

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@ucalgary.ca.

EDI in Research:

RSO can provide resources and support to research teams on the integration of equitable and inclusive practices in research design and research practice.

Contact edi.rso@ucalgary.ca for more information.

Research Security:

The Research Security Division is available to ensure researchers adhere to research security guidelines and policies, including the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) and the policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC).

Visit the Research Security website to learn more or contact researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca.

Pre-Award Submissions:

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award LOI
RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application