NSERC PromoScience 2026

Eligibility

Eligibility to the PromoScience program is tied to the organization and the programming, not an individual. The principal applicant, as identified on the application, is the primary individual who leads the direction of the proposed activities, as well as coordinates the financial and administrative aspects of the application as the recipient, on behalf of the organization.

PromoScience encourages a wide variety of organizations to help young Canadians in elementary school and high school (including the equivalent first year of college in Quebec), and their educators, develop skills and interests in science and engineering. Organizations that encourage Indigenous undergraduate students to pursue graduate studies in natural sciences and engineering (NSE) are also eligible.

To be eligible, you must:

• be a Canadian registered non-profit organization, post-secondary institution or a non-federal museum or science centre
• deliver ongoing programming in the promotion of NSE to young Canadians

Examples of ineligible organizations include:

• federal departments and agencies

• federal museums and 'friends of a federal museum' societies

• provincial, territorial, regional and municipal government departments

• organizations running one-time, project-specific activities

• elementary schools, high schools and school boards

• for-profit organizations

• foreign institutions

Summary

NSERC's PromoScience program offers financial support for organizations working with young Canadians to promote an understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). PromoScience grants support hands-on informal STEM learning experiences for young Canadians and their educators in Canada.

NSERC invites applications for initiatives that promote natural sciences and engineering (NSE) to Canada's young people, particularly to underrepresented groups in NSE careers. In the context of PromoScience, underrepresented groups include, but are not limited to, girls; Indigenous youth (First Nations, Inuit and Métis); youth with disabilities; members of visible minorities/racialized groups; and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Recognizing the need to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in the NSE, NSERC may support additional meritorious applications with targeted programming for underrepresented groups if sufficient funds become available.

Application process: 

Step 1: Internal notice of Intent via an iNOI form

PromoScience applications are limited to one application per department. To avoid multiple applications from one department, the RSO is requesting that internal Notices of Intent (iNOIs) be submitted to the RSO by Aug 24th, 2026 at 4:30 PM. This iNOI form should be filled out and emailed to rsogrants@ucalgary.ca. An RMS record is not required for the iNOI stage, but will be required for the full application stage. 

Step 2: RMS Submission

This application will be run via Research Management System (RMS).

Complete the Pre-Award record in RMS (login at https://research.ucalgary.ca/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 Research Services deadline. A copy of the completed application and signature page must be attached to the RMS record. Consult your department and faculty for more information on their approval processes and timelines. Ensure you receive all required approvals in advance of noon on September 10, 2026.

• As an optional service, if you would like a detailed review, Research Services must receive your complete RMS approvals record by 4 pm on August 31, 2026.
• The detailed review includes a detailed review of the application, checking for eligibility and UofC commitments and risk, compliance with program guidelines, completeness of application, and the opportunity for feedback to improve the application.
• The basic administrative review involves a minimal check of the application for eligibility and any UofC commitment or risk.

Overhead

Pre-application deadlines

RSO internal 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