NSERC Discovery Grants for Western researchers: $19M
Western science and engineering researchers received $19 million in NSERC Discovery Grants for 81 projects, announced in Ottawa alongside six equipment grants worth nearly $4 million.
Western researchers will pursue 81 projects with $19 million in new Discovery Grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. The grants were announced on a Tuesday in Ottawa and are typically five years long. Western will receive $3.8 million per year.
The funded work includes protecting species under climate stress, mapping how cells process signals to engineer biosensors, safe hydrogen extraction and storage, better batteries, buildings that withstand severe weather, and AI systems that reduce bias and protect sensitive data.
Penny Pexman, Western’s vice-president (research), said the funding also trains the next generation of researchers. Nationally, Discovery Grants make up $546.4 million of the $630 million NSERC awarded.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, who toured the future Pathogen Research Centre at Western Research Parks on July 7, 2026, said investing in researchers helps turn discoveries into technologies and jobs. Western also received six Research Tools and Instruments grants worth nearly $4 million over five years.
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