NSERC 2030: Discovery. Innovation. Inclusion.
NSERC’s next long-term strategic plan will guide the execution of our mandate as the main natural sciences and engineering research funder in Canada. The plan is anchored in a vision that will transform Canada into a global sustainability leader with a robust innovation economy and a dynamic research culture. We envision a diverse and inclusive research ecosystem, one that expands the existing talent pool and research practices, finds common space for mutually respectful exploration, and serves to advance Indigenous research priorities.
Our mission going forward is to nurture the discoveries and innovations that advance knowledge, improve the lives of the entire Canadian population, and help the world find solutions to today’s challenges.
Strategic planning process
This strategic plan was shaped by the feedback, perspectives and information collected from the research community and beyond over the course of an 18-month development process. Starting in February 2021, NSERC began to reach out to the community through surveys and targeted interviews. A report by the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA), titled Powering Discovery, was commissioned to explore international best practices and opportunities for funding in natural sciences and engineering research.
The What We Heard report summarizes the input received during the second phase of the consultation process, which was framed around a series of 12 discussion papers on key issues for the natural sciences and engineering research community. This process facilitated the participation of diverse groups with interests related to NSERC’s mandate.
An equity, diversity and inclusion lens was applied throughout the development of the strategic plan to create opportunities for a broad range of voices to be heard.
We would like to thank everyone who provided valuable insight and thoughtful comments throughout this exercise.
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