Announced December 5th, 2023, NSERC has launched a pilot initiative to offer 200 vouchers of $10,000 each to early career researchers (ECRs) to replace some or all of the required cash contributions from partner organizations towards an Alliance Advantage (former Alliance Option 1) grant application. NSERC will match the voucher at a 2:1 ratio, providing $20,000, for a total of $30,000, towards an eligible Alliance project. If the partner organization contributes funds on top of the voucher, NSERC will also match those at a 2:1 ratio. This pilot program is intended to make it easier for ECRs to participate in partnered research via the NSERC Alliance program. Please circulate the announcement widely to ECRs.
The deadline to signal interest to NSERC for a voucher is February 22, 2024. If more than 200 ECRs express interest, NSERC will select 200 recipients via random draw. ECRs must submit a Letter of intent through the NSERC online system (see Alliance Advantage — Letter of intent and redemption: voucher for early career researchers). The Letter of intent involves providing affiliation information and attaching a personal data form (Form 100A) with CCV attachment. A partner and/or project do NOT need to be identified at this time. ECRs that receive a voucher can submit an Alliance application, redeeming the voucher, any time during the 12 months after the voucher is awarded.
If you have questions about this program, please contact Erin Evoy (erin.evoy@ubc.ca) at SPARC.