Skip to main content

NSERC-CNSC Small Modular Reactors Research Grant Initiative (Phase II)

Sponsor/agency: NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada)

Program: NSERC-CNSC Small Modular Reactors Research Grant Initiative

Description 

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) are collaborating to enhance research and knowledge, strengthening the science needed for regulatory decisions regarding the safe and secure deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs). Phase I (2022) provided funding to support effective and efficient regulation and regulatory oversight of SMRs. Phase II (2025) aims to build upon the foundational research established in Phase I. This phase will focus on extending existing projects and funding new research endeavours to address critical challenges in the deployment of SMRs. Phase II will support innovative research over a two-year period, emphasizing advancements in reactor safety, efficiency and environmental impact. 

Research proposals must address one or more of the following specific research challenges and knowledge gaps:

Chemistry and materials

  1. Effects of high temperature on reactor components
  2. Chemistry control for various materials and fuel types

Environmental and radiological protection

3. Source term characterization
4. Geotechnical and effect of the environment on SMR design and operation 
5. Emergency planning

Human and organizational factors

6. Interface design – Opportunity costs and benefits of analog, digital and mixed-display suites for use in the control and monitoring of complex environments
7. Impact of digital control rooms on situational awareness and the use of decision-aiding systems
8. Impact of digital control rooms on operator workload and vigilance
9. Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML)/Automation and its use in advanced control systems – Human factors implications

Safeguards and security

10. Cyber security
11. Effects of SMR deployment in unconventional locations on conventional safeguards inspection and verification methods
12. Security of SMRs

Novel fuel compositions

13. Safeguards, nuclear material accountancy and non-proliferation impacts from the introduction of new fuel and associated fuel manufacturing techniques

Thermal fluids - performance of passive safety systems

14. Thermal hydraulics, neutronics and reliability engineering associated with natural circulation systems

15. Passive containment cooling system performance

 

Program Summary 

Deadlines:

  • July 3, 2025: Mandatory LOI internal administrative review deadline 
  • July 17, 2025: Agency LOI deadline at 8:00 p.m. (ET) 
  • TBD: Mandatory full application administrative review 
  • November 6, 2025: Agency full application deadline (if invited by NSERC and CNSC)

Value: up to $120,000 per year

Indirect Costs: 35% on cash contributions from public or not-for-profit partners (if applicable). 

Duration: 2 years

How to Apply:

  1. Notify Joanne Hui of your intent to apply as soon as possible.
  2. Mandatory Administrative Review: Submit your complete LOI package and your RGA form signed by your Dean to Joanne Hui by July 3, 2025. The LOI is to be created via the NSERC online system. The LOI package includes:
    1. The grant application form (Form 101). You must use the LOI template and it must not exceed five pages, excluding references. The LOI template must be attached under the Proposal section of the Form 101 and must describe the following:
      1. The main research objectives and expected outcomes
      2. How the research fits within the program and research objectives
      3. The novelty of the project and the main concepts and approaches
      4. Members of the team, their expertise and expected contributions
      5. An approximate budget request, by project year
      6. Key elements of a proposed knowledge mobilization plan
      7. Relevance to advancing research areas of CNSC’s mandate
      8. Relevance of the project to Canada and any project partners
  1. NSERC Form 100A (personal data form with CCV attachment) for the applicant and each co-applicant.
3. Submit your LOI in the NSERC online system by July 17, 2025. 
4. If invited to the full application stage, further instructions and timelines will be provided. 

Contact: Grants Officer: Joanne Hui

Agency Program Contact: RP-Initiatives-PR@nserc-crsng.gc.ca  

Program information:

NSERC-CNSC Small Modular Reactors Research Grant Initiative (Phase II)

Eligibility 

Subject Matter

The NSERC-CNSC Small Modular Reactors Research Grant Initiative is intended to support activities that will:

  • Increase the scientific information available to support regulatory decision-making and oversight
  • Increase capacity to regulate SMRs
  • Enhance the capabilities of Canadian universities to undertake research related to SMRs
  • Increase training and help produce a new generation of nuclear scientists, engineers and policy makers

Research proposals must address one or more of the following specified research challenges and knowledge gaps listed in the Description section above (for more detail on the research challenges and knowledge gaps, please see here)

Applicant/Co-Applicant 

If you are a Canadian university researcher who is eligible to receive NSERC funds, you can apply on your own or as a team with co-applicants who are also eligible academic researchers. However, please note that a maximum of three LOIs per researcher will be accepted under the call (as either applicant or co-applicant). College faculty can participate as co-applicants.

Collaborators

Collaborators from federal, provincial or municipal government organizations or laboratories may take part in the research, but they must bring their own resources to the collaboration. They will not have access to grant funds. In order to avoid the perception of a conflict of interest, or preference for a particular SMR technology, private sector partners (i.e., utilities and reactor vendors) are excluded from the current call.

Partner Organization 

If required, you may involve partnering organizations in your project. Your partner organizations can be from the public or not-for-profit sectors. Private sector partners are excluded from the current call. 

You may involve whichever partner organizations you need to achieve your research goals and successfully mobilize your research results to achieve the desired impact and benefits for Canada. Cash contributions are not required. However, each partner organization must actively play a role in the project and support it through in-kind contributions. Such involvement must be achieved by doing at least one of the following:

  • Playing an active role in the project’s research activities
  • Using the project’s research results to help achieve its desired outcomes
  • Playing an active role in translating or mobilizing knowledge to ensure that the research results have an impact and benefit for Canada

At the Full application stage, the applicant will need to ask partners to participate in the application by completing a partner organization form (see the instructions). In addition, at NSERC’s request, a partner organization may be asked to provide supplemental information that describes the organization and enables NSERC to determine whether the partner organization is eligible. 

Additional Information 

Budget notes (see here for more information): 

  • Please note that funding recipients could be asked to participate in the CNSC workshop in Ottawa, Ontario, which is planned for spring 2028 and should build travel costs into their proposal. 
  • If your total expected equipment cost (including operation and maintenance) exceeds $200,000 over your project’s duration, then you should apply for an alternate source of funding, such as the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund.
  • For projects involving multiple partner organizations and/or universities, you may also include project management costs, up to 10% of the total direct research costs (see Guidelines for research partnerships programs project management expenses).

Resources