$19.4M in federal funding supports over 100 McMaster research projects

"These researchers aren't just imagining the future - they're building it." The NSERC and SSHRC funding demonstrates federal recognition of and support for groundbreaking research work.

July 10, 2025

Exterior of a McMaster building in the spring, with green lawns and blossoming trees.
Over 100 McMaster research projects have received $19.4 million in federal funding through NSERC and SSHRC. “These researchers aren’t just imagining the future – they’re building it.”

The federal government has awarded $19.4 million to more than 100 McMaster research projects advancing discoveries across the disciplines.

The funding comes from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

The Government of Canada announced the awards on July 9 as part of a broader investment in Canada’s research ecosystem.

“These researchers aren’t just imagining the future – they’re building it,” said Industry Minister Mélanie Joly.

“Their work covers topics such as pandemic readiness and cutting-edge technology, and it reflects the Government of Canada’s commitment to driving innovation, strengthening the economy and tackling the challenges that matter most to Canadians.

“With this support, we’re empowering the talent that will shape a more resilient, inclusive and globally competitive Canada.”

The investments show the federal government’s recognition of and support for groundbreaking research work, said Gianni Parise, McMaster’s vice-president, Research.

“Congratulations to our research community,” Parise said. “Their projects are helping solve complex problems for Canadians and society at large, advancing Canada’s position as a global research leader.”

Click here for the full list of grant recipients.


New Frontiers in Research Fund – Exploration

Three researchers were awarded a total of $750,000 through the New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) Exploration Competition.

The NFRF supports world-leading interdisciplinary, international, high-risk, high-reward, transformative and rapid-response Canadian-led research.

SSHRC Insight Grants

Sixteen McMaster researchers were awarded a total of over $1.9 million in Insight Grants.

Insight Grants support both emerging and established scholars as they conduct research that addresses complex issues about individuals and societies, informing the search for solutions to societal challenges.

SSHRC Insight Development Grants

Sixteen researchers were awarded a total of $975,000 in Insight Development Grants.

Insight Development Grants are designed to support research in its initial stages, or the work of those who wish to explore new research questions, methods or approaches.

SSHRC Partnership Development Grants

Three researchers were awarded a total of $598,000 in Partnership Development Grants.

These grants support the development of partnered research and related activities in the social sciences and humanities.

NSERC Discovery Grants and Subatomic Physics Grants

58 researchers were awarded Discovery Grants and one researcher received a Subatomic Physics Discovery Grant, for a total investment of over $14.1 million.

Both grants promote a diversified base of high-quality research capability in the natural sciences and engineering in Canadian universities and foster research excellence and training.

In addition, 13 researchers will receive a one-year supplement of $12,500 as part of NSERC’s Discovery Launch Supplement initiative, supporting early career researchers in the first year of their Discovery Grant.

NSERC Research Tools and Instruments

Five researchers were awarded a total of $729,000 through NSERC’s Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) grants program.

RTI grants foster and enhance the discovery, innovation and training capability of university researchers in the natural sciences and engineering by supporting the purchase of research equipment.

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