NSERC discovery grant competitions: arguing over crumbs?(Commentary)(Column)

Publication: Geoscience Canada

Publication Date: 01-JUN-05

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COPYRIGHT 2005 Geological Association of Canada

To many geoscientists, especially those new to Canada, or new to academic positions within Canada, the NSERC 'system' may appear somewhat reminiscent of the impenetrable black obelisk in the classic film "2001, A Space Odyssey". The general function of the obelisk, and the language resounding from out of it, can, at times, seem obscure. Applicants are, for example, sometimes baffled (as has been the experience of this author)--when they receive unanimously positive comments from external reviewers with a notice that funding was reduced or not even granted at all. How can this be?

As a member of the Solid Earth Grant Selection Committee (GSC08) over the past three years, and chair of the committee in the last year, I will make an effort here to expose several growing issues for geoscientists across Canada, who access NSERC for their research funds. This commentary highlights problems evident to me as a reader of NSERC proposals, and attempts to disseminate information to the greater community, to remove some of the mystery behind decisions that come out of NSERC competitions. Furthermore, I wish to make the point that the NSERC system is not sustainable in light of changing demographics in the scientific community, ongoing budgetary constraints and new funding for Canadian science, such as the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and Canada Research Chair (CRC) programs. The centerpiece of the commentary is the Discovery Grants program (previously known as Research or Operating Grants), which I view as the "meat and potatoes" and most cherished money of many researchers. NSERC DG grants seem the most difficult to increment, but they are the backbone of our curiosity driven research efforts. Other perhaps less publicized aspects of this and other programs are also mentioned.

A FAIR COMPETITION

First and foremost, new researchers should be aware, and older ones occasionally reminded, that DG funds are distributed in a competition. No matter how meritorious applicants or their proposals are, they are in the running with many others (typically more than 100) that may be equally meritorious or better. So for established researchers with a track record renewing their proposal, the competition is not just a "rubber stamp", confirming progress and...

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