NSERC - ECCC Call for Proposals on Plastics Science and Innovation for a Cleaner and More Sustainable Future
Sponsor/agency: NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada) and ECCC (Environment and Climate Change Canada)
Program: Plastics Science and Innovation for a Cleaner and More Sustainable Future
Description
NSERC and ECCC are collaborating to advance scientific knowledge to achieve Canada’s zero plastic waste targets and inform the advancement of plastics science policy and regulatory measures. The NSERC – ECCC Call for proposals on Plastics Science and Innovation for a Cleaner and More Sustainable Future aligns with Canada’s Plastics Science Agenda and the Government of Canada’s Science assessment of plastic pollution. This is an important element of Canada’s comprehensive Zero Plastic Waste agenda.
This call focuses on research that advances the science around plastic designs and alternatives, the sustainable use of plastics, and plastic waste diversion and recovery. It builds on a previous collaboration to support research to detect and characterize plastics in the environment and the exposure and effects of plastics on wildlife and human health.
- Theme 1: Detection, quantification and characterization of plastics in the environment
- Theme 2: Impacts on Wildlife, Human Health and the Environment
- Theme 3: Plastic Design and Alternatives
- Theme 4: Sustainable Use of Plastics
- Theme 5: Waste Diversion and Recovery
Program Summary
Deadlines: May 1, 2025: ORS internal Administrative Review and Research Grants Authorization (RGA) Form deadline
May 15, 2025: NSERC deadline 8 p.m. (ET)
September 18, 2025 (if invited): NSERC deadline 8 p.m. (ET). For those invited to submit a full application, a timeline for a comprehensive review will be provided.
Value: $50,000 to $200,000 per year
Indirect Costs: N/A
Duration: 1 – 3 years
How to Apply:
- Notify your grants officer of your intent to apply as soon as possible.
- Submit your letter of intent (LOI) created via the NSERC’s online system and Research Grants Authorization (RGA) Form signed by your Dean to joanne.hui@ontariotechu.ca for an Administrative Review by May 1, 2025.
- Note: you must use the provided LOI template. The LOI template (5 pages maximum, excluding references) must be uploaded as the Proposal attachment in the Form 101. Applicants and co-applicants must also provide their personal data form with CCV attachment (NSERC – Form 100A)
- The principal applicant must submit your letter of intent (LOI) to NSERC via NSERC’s online system by May 15, 2025, before 8 p.m. (ET)
Contact: ORS Grants Officer: joanne.hui@ontariotechu.ca
NSERC Program Contact: RP-Initiatives-PR@nserc-crsng.gc.ca
Program information:
Call for Proposals on Plastics Science and Innovation for a Cleaner and More Sustainable Future
Eligibility
Subject Matter
The proposed research project must address at least one of the following Canada’s Plastics Science Agenda (CaPSA) themes:
- Theme 1: Detection, quantification and characterization of plastics in the environment
Studies that generate new or build on the existing body of scientific research from Theme 1:
Where research was previously undertaken to strengthen the science concerning Theme 1, focused research that complements and furthers this knowledge is encouraged. For example, alignment of methodologies and comparability of data for identifying and assessing the toxicity of plastics; enhanced methods to monitor and detect different types of macroplastics, microplastics and nanoplastics.
- Theme 2: Impacts on Wildlife, Human Health and the Environment
Advancing scientific knowledge of the current research under Theme 2:
Research that complements and furthers knowledge about the impacts of plastics on wildlife, human health and/or the environment in various ecosystems (e.g., terrestrial) and/or compartments (e.g., air); risk assessment frameworks on the impacts of plastics and plastic additives on key indictor/receptor species; risks from plastic particles and chemicals, etc.
- Theme 3: Plastic Design and Alternatives
- Investigating plastic designs and alternatives from sustainably sourced materials that are also less harmful/toxic to the environment and humans:
Research that aims to better understand the potential environmental impacts of alternatives to conventional plastics. For example, improving our understanding of biodegradation and developing appropriate testing methods; exploring and assessing the entire life cycle of a broader range of bio-based materials, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal; and assessing potential scenarios and suitability of applications of bioplastics in various sectors, including the innovation and use of second and third generation feedstocks. - Improving end-of-life options, including greater value retention (e.g., reuse, repair, remanufacturing, recycling and composting) to lessen environmental impacts, reduce waste and enable circularity:
Research that aims to better understand and improve end-of-life value retention prospects of plastics and alternatives through design. For example, improving value retention (remanufacture, refurbishment) outcomes for plastics; establishing a plastics classification system that improves retention prospects.
- Theme 4: Sustainable Use of Plastics
Contributing knowledge to inter-disciplinary sustainability science on the interactions affecting the use, needs and behaviours concerning plastics and the impacts on humans and the environment:
Research that aims to generate knowledge about the inter-disciplinary impacts of plastics, behavioural insights, as well as the challenge of sustainability, to meet the needs of present and future generations to maximize societal benefits, including the social, economic, health, and environmental factors, while minimizing harm. For example, behavioural insights research on the use of plastics, plastic alternatives, or reducing plastic use, etc.; research that spans multiple, integrated disciplines such as, but not limited to, behavioural science, food science, human health, and plastics science, to investigate the impacts of plastic packaging on bacteria growth and foodborne illnesses.
- Theme 5: Waste Diversion and Recovery
- Examining the supplementary or cumulative impacts of recycled/reusable plastics:
Research that addresses the effects/impacts of recycled and reusable plastics and the potential harms via exposure to these plastics. For example, studies about the toxicity/harms of recycled plastics and the risks from microplastics, additives, or contaminants under varying conditions (e.g., hot, cold, acidic, etc.). - Generating new knowledge and improving techniques on the removal of plastics from various environmental compartments:
Research that aims to understand, assess and improve the removal of nanoplastics and microplastics from the environment (soil, water, air). For example, microplastic removal during wastewater treatment; improving our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of microplastics biodegradation in the environment.
Applicant/Co-Applicant
- Canadian university researchers working as a team or in partnership with private, not-for-profit or public-sector collaborators;
- College faculty can participate as co-applicants.
- Researchers can only be on ONE application as an applicant or co-applicant.
- Academic researchers in fields other than the NSE can co-applicants for this call if they meet NSERC’s eligibility criteria for faculty. Research costs for these collaborations can represent up to 30% of the total project costs and must be specifically identified in the project budget justification.
Partner Organization
You may involve partnering organizations in your project. Your partner organizations can be from the private, public or not-for-profit sectors. However, for the purposes of this funding call, foreign companies will not be accepted. Cash contributions are not required. However, each partner organization must actively play a role in the project and support it through in-kind contributions.
The National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships apply to NSERC grant applications involving one or more partner organizations from the private sector, including when they participate alongside other partner organizations from the public and/or not-for-profit sectors. For such partnerships, you and your post-secondary institution are required to complete a risk assessment form for your research project and submit it as an integral part of your Alliance application.
Additional Information
Please note that funding recipients could be asked to participate in ECCC’s Plastics Science Symposium in Ottawa, ON, and should build travel costs into their proposal.
Instructions for submitting your LOI documents and information to NSERC:
- Log in to NSERC’s online system and select Form 101 - Grant from the drop-down menu
- Select Research partnerships programs, then Alliance grants
- For the Proposal type field, select Letter of Intent
- For the Type of call field, select [ECCC - Plastics] from the drop-down menu
- Complete the sections of Form 101 for the letter of intent (LOI)