Update: October 9, 2025 – RNS’s new strategy is live. Find out more here.
In keeping with changes to the legislation under which RNS operates, the Minister of Advanced Education has identified new priorities for RNS, effective May 1, 2025.
Research supported by RNS must contribute to measurable changes in provincial economic growth or productivity within one of the priority sectors:
- Natural resources, climate change, and clean energy
- Life sciences and health sciences
- Construction and transportation
All RNS’s activities, including funding commitments to research, must now align with these priorities.
The connection between research supported and economic benefit will need to be tangible and demonstrable: “Researchers and Research NS will need to show how the research they are conducting and funding is contributing to measurable changes in these [economic] outcomes in their reporting.”
NEXT STEPS
These changes are effective immediately. RNS will honour all grant commitments made to date, according to the terms of existing agreements. We have suspended consideration of existing applications and will not invite new applications until we determine the best way to deliver on this new direction.
The revised Act requires RNS to develop a new strategic plan and evaluation/selection criteria for research funding. The strategic plan will be shared publicly when it’s completed.