Waterloo researchers awarded more than $7.1 million in funding

From advancing artificial intelligence and quantum technologies to strengthening climate resilience and health-care innovation, more than 100 University of Waterloo researchers are receiving more than $7.1 million through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s (NSERC) Discovery Grants program.

“Congratulations to this year’s Discovery Grant recipients, whose highly original and impactful research is advancing knowledge while helping train the next generation of research talent,” says Dr. Charmaine Dean, Vice-President, Research and International at Waterloo. “We are grateful to NSERC for supporting this work through a funding program that provides the flexibility and stability needed to pursue high-risk research with the potential for transformative breakthroughs.”

The funding awarded to Waterloo researchers is part of a broader $630 million Government of Canada investment in discovery research, training and talent development across Canada, supporting pioneering work with the potential to shape industries, technologies and communities.

The federal investment reflects the breadth of Waterloo’s research environment, supporting everything from curiosity-driven discovery and early-career researchers to specialized research laboratory infrastructure and subatomic physics.

$5,232,000 —  Multi-year funding for 108 Waterloo researchers through NSERC’s Discovery Research Grants for investigator-led research projects
$237,500 — 19 Waterloo researchers will receive an additional one-time Discovery Launch Supplements valued at $12,500 each, helping researchers in the first five years of their academic appointments establish and grow their research programs
$1,525,911 — 12 Waterloo researchers will receive funding through NSERC’s Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) grants for investments in specialized research equipment and research infrastructure
$165,000 — Multi-year funding for two Waterloo researchers through the Subatomic Physics Discovery Grants — Individual program

At the centre of this investment is NSERC’s Discovery Grants program, one of Canada’s most prestigious and competitive sources of research funding.

Unlike project-specific funding, Discovery Grants give researchers the flexibility to follow promising discoveries wherever they lead, creating space for breakthrough ideas that may not fit within traditional research boundaries. This long-term support helps drive breakthroughs across a wide range of fields, including defence and dual-use technologies, Arctic research, AI, quantum science, biotechnology and clean technologies.

Researchers in the early stages of their academic careers can also receive additional support through the Discovery Launch Supplements program, helping them build research teams, attract students and establish momentum in their fields. RTI funding ensures researchers have access to the advanced tools, equipment and lab infrastructure needed to strengthen research capacity, accelerate discovery and transform ideas into solutions.

Meanwhile, the Subatomic Physics Discovery Grants program fuels research that reinforces Canada’s leadership in particle physics, nuclear physics and related areas of quantum science. Together, these investments empower both the researchers and the infrastructure behind world-leading discovery, enabling Waterloo scholars to tackle complex challenges, pursue bold new ideas, develop innovative technologies and train the next generation of scientific talent.

The recent Government of Canada announcement was made by the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, along with Karim Bardeesy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry, and Domonique O’Rourke, Member of Parliament for Guelph.

Waterloo’s multi-disciplinary approach to research, supported by more than 1,160 partnerships, helps ensure discoveries deliver real-world impact. By connecting researchers with students, industry, government and community partners, the University transforms ideas into solutions that improves lives, strengthen communities and create economic opportunities.

Federal investments through agencies such as NSERC play a vital role in Canada’s research environment by laying the foundation for discoveries that cannot always be predicted but often prove transformative. By investing in researchers and their ideas today, Canada is helping unlock the innovations, talent and knowledge that will shape a better future for generations to come.