Direct Deposit - Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a direct deposit payment?
2. What are the advantages of direct deposit?
3. If I enrol for direct deposit, how can I be sure that my banking information will be protected?
4. How do I enrol for direct deposit?
5. Is direct deposit available in other countries?
6. What should I write in the Name field?
7. What should I write in the Reference or Award Number field?
8. On my personal cheque, how do I determine my bank account number?
9. I do not have a chequing account. How do I determine my bank account number?
10. When will I receive my first payment?
11. Can I ask to deposit a payment into different accounts?
12. How does due diligence work?
13. Will I receive a Notice of Deposit?
14. What happens if I don't receive my direct deposit payment?
15. I plan to change my bank account. How do I make sure my payments will be deposited in my new bank account?

1. What is a direct deposit payment?

A direct deposit payment is an electronic transfer of funds that are deposited into your bank account rather than through the use of a cheque.

2. What are the advantages of direct deposit?

Secure—There is virtually no risk that your payments will be lost, stolen or damaged.

Reliable—If you are sick, on vacation or travelling, you will still receive your payment on time.

Cost Efficient—In addition to being environmentally friendly, it will save money for Canadian taxpayers.

Convenient—You will have faster access to your money.

3. If I enrol for direct deposit, how can I be sure that my banking information will be protected?

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) consider privacy and security of utmost importance when issuing payments. Any information you provide to NSERC and/or SSHRC in support of direct deposit is protected under the Government of Canada’s  Privacy Act. Access to your account is governed by your account agreement with your financial institution. Please consult with your financial institution for more information regarding security measures for accessing your bank account.

4. How do I enrol for direct deposit?

NSERC issues direct deposit payments to:

• Institutions (universities and colleges)
• Awardees paid directly
• Committee members
• Suppliers
• Companies

You will need to complete an Payee and Direct Deposit Enrolment Form and return it to us either by fax at 613-996-0458 or by mail at the following address:

NSERC/SSHRC
Accounting Services (direct deposit)
125 Zaida Eddy Private, 2nd floor
Ottawa, ON  K1R 0E3

If you have any other questions about direct deposit or need help completing the form, please contact the finance department of the concerned organisation by email at payables@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca or payables@nserc-crsng.gc.ca.

5. Is direct deposit available in other countries?

Yes, however, the direct deposit must be made in the currency of the country where you are living (except countries that are part of the European Union using Euros). Direct deposit is available in the following countries:

Australia, Australian dollar (AUD)            
Czech Republic, Czech Kkoruna (CZK) 
Denmark, Danish krone (DKK)  
European Union, Euro (EUR)     
Hong Kong, Hong Kong dollar (HKD)               
India, Rupee (INR) 
New Zealand, New Zealand dollar (NZD)                    
Norway, Norwegian krone (NOK)                      
Philippines, Philippine peso (PHP)
Sweden, Swedish krona (SEK)                         
Switzerland, Swiss franc (CHF)             
United Kingdom, Pound sterling (GBP)
United States of America, US dollar (USD)

6. What should I write in the Name field?

If you are an awardee or a committee member, you will write your name in this field.

If you represent an institution or a supplier, you will write the name of your institution or company and then you will write the name of the authorized representative in the space provided.

7. What should I write in the Reference Number field?

If you are an awardee, you will write your award number.

If you are a committee member, you will write your travel reference number.

If you are a supplier, you will write your contract number.

8. On my personal cheque, how do I determine my bank account number?

The branch number, the financial institution number and the account number are found along the bottom of the cheque as shown in the diagram below. You can take the Payee and Direct Deposit Enrolment Form to your bank branch and a bank employee will assist you in determining your bank account information.

9. I do not have a chequing account. How do I determine my bank account number?

You can take the Payee and Direct Deposit Enrolment Form to your bank branch where a bank employee will assist you in determining your bank account information and assist you with the completion of your enrolment form.

10. When will I receive my first payment?

You should receive your first payment by direct deposit generally within 20 business days following the receipt of your Payee and Direct Deposit Enrolment Form.

11. Can I ask to deposit a payment into different accounts?

Unfortunately, NSERC and SSHRC cannot split your payment between two accounts.

12. How does due diligence work?

For any direct deposit in a bank account that is in a foreign country or over $5,000, the Receiver General of Canada requires NSERC and SSHRC to perform a due diligence process. This process requires that NSERC and SSHRC send a test payment in the amount of $5 into your bank account. You will receive an email advising you that there will be a deposit in your bank account within the following 72 hours.

As soon as you receive the $5 payment, you will need to send an email to payables@nserc-crsng.gc.ca or payables@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca with your name, reference or award number, and your administering organization.

Once we receive a confirmation that you received the $5, we will set up the remainder of your current instalment and future instalments for payment via direct deposit.

13. Will I receive a Notice of Deposit?

Since the amount is deposited directly into your account, you will not receive a cheque stub. The information that is usually found on a cheque stub will be included in the email you will receive advising you that there will be a deposit in your bank account within the following 72 hours.

14. What happens if I don't receive my payment?

If you do not receive a payment, please contact your financial institution. If your financial institution is unable to assist you, contact NSERC or SSHRC at payables@nserc-crsng.gc.ca or payables@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca.

15. I currently receive my payments by direct deposit and plan to change my bank account. How do I make sure my payments will be deposited in my new bank account?

To change your bank information, please complete a new Payee and Direct Deposit Enrolment Form and select the Change box. In addition, make sure you do not close the old bank account before the payment is deposited in the new bank account.