November 21, 2025

As of today, RNS has opened its first Ear to the Ground (E2G) funding round in alignment with our new mandate and strategic plan. In this round, RNS will grant up to $1.5 million, with awards of up to $500,000 available per project.

On May 1, 2025, RNS received a new mandate from the province. RNS now supports, organizes and coordinates the funding of research to increase economic growth and productivity in three priority sectors: (1) natural resources, climate change and clean energy; (2) life sciences and health sciences; and (3) construction and transportation.

E2G supports early-stage and higher-risk research and development by providing funding needed to move ideas toward implementation. Each project must demonstrate a clear path to practical impact, ensuring research leads to measurable economic benefits for Nova Scotia. The deadline for applications is January 21, 2026.

For further information about E2G and other research funding opportunities, view our strategic plan.

Eligibility

This funding round is open to high-impact research projects that that fall within our three priority sectors, as follows:

1. Natural resources, climate change and clean energy;
2. life sciences and health sciences
3. construction and transportation

Assessing for Impact

RNS is helping build a future where research supports tangible outcomes and economic growth for Nova Scotia. To this end, every project funded through our E2G funding rounds must demonstrate a clear line of sight to impact.

Eligible projects will describe this clear path to the economic outcomes defined by the provincial government, and will be evaluated not only on scientific merit but also on how well they address the following seven key outcomes:

• Increase technology development, uptake and use
• Increase knowledge and innovation diffusion into industry
• Increase investment in tradable sectors and expansion of exports
• Enhance commercialization of research, including retention and deployment of Nova Scotia intellectual property (IP) in the province.
• Increase the number of highly qualified personnel (HQP) employed in NS
• Increase investment in research and development in key sectors
• Increase provincial GDP

Application Process

Eligible researchers can now apply to E2G through Jura, our online portal. Deadline for applications is January 21, 2026 at 1:00 pm (AST).

Short-listed projects will be invited to pitch to the RNS team beginning in mid-February 2026.