NSERC aims to make Canada a country of discoverers and innovators for the benefit of all Canadians. The agency supports university students in their advanced studies, promotes and supports discovery research, and fosters innovation by encouraging Canadian companies to participate and invest in postsecondary research projects. NSERC researchers are on the vanguard of science, building on Canada's long tradition of scientific excellence.

Vision
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) helps make Canada a country of discoverers and innovators for the benefit of all Canadians.

Role
They are the focal point for discovery and innovation in natural sciences and engineering for Canada.

They back bold, high-impact ideas. Supported by a robust system of quality assurance, they give researchers the freedom to aim high and explore the frontiers of science and engineering to produce world-firsts in knowledge.

They invest in the future. They invest in people. They provide students at all levels the chance to gain valuable hands-on research experience as they build the foundation for science-based careers.

They connect communities. They establish relationships between sectors and across borders, they build consensus, and they deliver informed opinion that responds to economic and societal needs.

Values
Excellence, leadership, research results.

They are committed to global excellence and leadership in discovery and innovation.
Canadian researchers and innovators can be the best in the world. In keeping with that potential, they will ensure that their investments are consistent with the highest standards of excellence, based on rigorous, transparent, and competitive merit review.

They are committed to research results for Canadians.
They believe in the critically important role that science, technology, and innovation will play in Canada's future prosperity. They invest in researchers and innovators to generate socio-economic results that will be of benefit to Canadians today and in the future.

They are committed to organizational excellence.
They strive to be an agile, adaptive, and service-oriented agency. They are committed to streamlined program delivery through open communications and partnerships with researchers, institutions, and industry. They value and respect diversity and the contributions of others. They conduct their work with transparency.

Goals
- Foster a science and engineering culture in Canada
Make science and engineering mainstream. Increase interest, awareness, and appreciation of science as a way of experiencing, understanding, and enriching the world.
- Launch the new generation
Mobilize Canada's future brain trust. Enable early-career scientists to launch independent research careers.
- Build a diversified and competitive research base
Stimulate breakthrough research and research excellence. Build, mobilize, and connect expertise across populations, institutions, disciplines, regions, and sectors.
- Strengthen the dynamic between discovery and innovation
Transform the dynamic between discovery and innovation. Deepen the interactions between colleges and universities, the private sector, governments, and civil society.
- Go global
Secure Canada's access to global scientific and engineering knowledge and expertise and increase participation in international research endeavours.