ECR Voucher: NSERC Alliance Advantage (formerly Option 1)

Sponsor

NSERC

Program

Alliance Advantage (formerly Alliance cost-sharing Option 1)

Description

In support of early career researchers (ECRs), NSERC is launching a pilot initiative to offer 200 vouchers of $10,000 each to replace some or all of the required cash contributions from partner organizations in an Alliance Advantage grant. The $10,000 will be counted as part of cash contributions from partners in calculating NSERC’s funding toward the project. NSERC matches partner contributions in a 2:1 ratio for Alliance Advantage grants. Therefore, the $10,000 voucher will be matched with $20,000 for a total of $30,000. 

The deadline to signal interest for a voucher is February 22, 2024. If more than 200 ECRs express interest, NSERC will randomly select 200 recipients. The LOI does not require identifying a partner organization or defining a research project. 

Eligibility

Must be an ECR to apply. Early career researchers (ECR) are applicants who have held their first independent academic position within the last five years. 

To learn more about eligibility, review NSERC eligibility criteria for faculty and NSERC’s definition of an ECR.

Funding Availability

200 vouchers available. If more than 200 ECRs apply, NSERC will randomly select 200 recipients. 

How to Apply

Step 1: Letter of Intent

You must submit an LOI to NSERC using the NSERC online system at any time before February 22, 2024. NSERC eligibility criteria for faculty and NSERC’s definition of an ECR apply. The LOI does not require identifying a partner organization or defining a research project.

To submit an LOI:

1. Log in to NSERC’s online system and choose Create a new form 101. 
2. Select Research partnerships programs, then Alliance grants. 
3. For the Proposal type field, select Letter of intent. 
4. For the Type of call field, select ECR vouchers from the drop-down menu. 
5. Provide the information for the fields indicated. For the Title field, enter “ECR vouchers – 2024.”
6. Submit your completed LOI and supporting documents, including the personal data form with CCV attachment. Your CCV must contain the relevant information to verify your ECR status, i.e., date of first independent academic appointment and eligible leaves and delays

All eligible applicants will be included in the random selection process. 

Step 2: Redeeming the voucher through an Alliance application

You can submit an Alliance Advantage application, redeeming your ECR voucher, any time during the 12 months after the voucher is awarded. The ECR voucher replaces some or all of the cash contribution from any partner recognized for cost sharing. Additional cash contributions from partner organizations recognized for cost sharing can be added to the voucher’s monetary value to determine how much funding you can request from NSERC. The ECR voucher amount should be included in the table showing the partner’s contribution in the year you wish to claim the voucher.

To use your voucher when applying for an Alliance grant: 

1. Log in to NSERC's online system. 
2. Select Research partnerships programs, then Alliance grants. 
3. For the Proposal type field, select Full proposal. 
4. For the Type of call field, select Advantage from the drop-down menu. 
5. Upload a cover page for your application. Clearly indicate that you wish to use an ECR voucher and provide your voucher identification number. 
6. Following the instructions for completing an Alliance grant application, fill out the proposal template and complete the other sections of your application.
   • Under “budget justification,” clearly indicate that you are using an ECR voucher. If the partner is providing cash in addition to the voucher, please provide the breakdown of the voucher and the partner’s contribution. 
   • In the “Contribution” section, add the voucher value to the partner’s contributions to the direct costs of research in the year you wish to claim the voucher.