Research Nova Scotia
Research Nova Scotia is an independent not-for-profit corporation that administers provincial research funding in Nova Scotia, distributing grants to researchers at universities, colleges, and healthcare institutions across three priority sectors: natural resources and clean energy, life sciences and health, and construction and transportation.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersHalifax, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Research Nova Scotia does
Research Nova Scotia (RNS) is an independent not-for-profit corporation established under the Research Nova Scotia Corporation Act to support, organize, and coordinate the funding of research in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. Operating from its Halifax headquarters and reporting to the Minister of Advanced Education, RNS administers a refreshed provincial mandate (effective May 1, 2025) that focuses investment on three priority sectors: natural resources, climate change and clean energy; life sciences and health sciences; and construction and transportation. The organization published a 2025-2030 Strategic Plan in October 2025 formalizing the goal of driving economic growth and productivity through research investments with measurable economic outcomes.
RNS operates a portfolio of grant programs rather than commercial products. The two flagship mechanisms are Focused Research Investments (FRI), which provides $1M-$5M per initiative over 2-5 years for sector-building outcomes, and Ear to the Ground (E2G), which provides up to $500,000 over 6-36 months for shorter-term agile projects. Supplementary programs include the Scotia Scholars Award (undergraduate and college student funding), New Health Investigator Grant, Mental Health & Addictions Research Funding Award (up to $100,000 over two years, in partnership with the Nova Scotia Office of Addictions and Mental Health), and the Pyritic Slate Research Challenge (up to $30,000 over eight months, presented by Halifax Port Authority). RNS also runs the annual Public Impact Award and the Beyond Research Podcast. Supporting infrastructure consists of the Jura online grant management portal, built on the SmartSimple platform, which handles all applicant account creation, application submission, progress reporting, and award communication.
RNS does not generate commercial revenue. It is funded by the Province of Nova Scotia and redistributes public funds as research grants to Nova Scotia-based researchers at universities (Dalhousie, Mount Saint Vincent, St. Francis Xavier, Université Sainte-Anne), colleges (Nova Scotia Community College), and healthcare institutions (Nova Scotia Health, IWK Health). The go-to-market motion is event-driven and direct: multi-stage application processes (Expression of Interest, Full Proposal, Pitch presentation, Scientific Merit Review) promoted through webinars, the Beyond Research Podcast, monthly newsletters, and active social media on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and YouTube. The organization is staffed by approximately 10 people (CEO, COO, Director of Research Support, Partnership Development Manager, Research Support Officers, Communications Manager, Accountant, Consultant, and intern) and governed by a Board drawn from Nova Scotia universities, provincial government departments, Indigenous organizations, and industry partners including Cooke Aquaculture and SeaChange Biochemistry.
Research Nova Scotia firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Research Nova Scotia
- Legal name
- Research Nova Scotia
- Website
- https://researchns.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Research Nova Scotia is an independent not-for-profit corporation that administers provincial research funding in Nova Scotia, distributing grants to researchers at universities, colleges, and healthcare institutions across three priority sectors: natural resources and clean energy, life sciences and health, and construction and transportation.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Research Nova Scotia industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Research Funding Administration
- NAICS
- Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)
Keywords
Where Research Nova Scotia is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Halifax
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Research Nova Scotia business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Research Funding Administration: Research Nova Scotia is an independent not-for-profit corporation that administers the Research Opportunities Fund to support research consistent with its mandate. It receives public funds from the provincial government and distributes them as research funding to Nova Scotia researchers. RNS was established to enhance research capacity and align research funding with provincial priorities.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels10 records
Research Nova Scotia product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Research Nova Scotia is an independent not-for-profit corporation that administers provincial research funding in Nova Scotia. It receives public funds from the Government of Nova Scotia and distributes them through grant competitions and awards (notably Focused Research Investments and Ear to the Ground) to support research aligned with three priority sectors: natural resources/climate change/clean energy, life sciences/health sciences, and construction and transportation.
Product overview
Research Nova Scotia operates as a research funding organization with a portfolio of grant programs rather than a traditional technology product company. Their core offerings include two primary funding mechanisms: Focused Research Investments (FRI) - larger-scale, longer-term programs ($1M-$5M over 2-5 years) for sector-building outcomes, and Ear to the Ground (E2G) Research Investments - shorter-term agile projects (up to $500,000 over 6-36 months) responding to emerging opportunities. Additional funding programs include Scotia Scholars Award, New Health Investigator Grant, Mental Health & Addictions Research Funding Award, and Pyritic Slate Research Challenge. Supporting infrastructure includes Jura - an online grant management portal built on SmartSimple - and the Beyond Research Podcast for disseminating research findings. The Public Impact Award recognizes researchers delivering measurable economic benefits to Nova Scotia.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Ear to the Ground (E2G): Shorter-term, agile research investment program responsive to emerging needs and opportunities, with funding up to $500,000 over 6-36 months.
- Focused Research Investments (FRI)
- JURA
- Public Impact Award
- Beyond Research Podcast
Products and services
- Focused Research Investments (FRI) Longer-term, higher-value research funding program for sector-building outcomes, providing $1M to $5M per initiative over 2 to 5 years, targeting multi-project coordinated programs addressing sector-level challenges.
- Ear to the Ground (E2G) Research Investments Short-term, agile research funding program supporting projects responding to defined needs or emerging opportunities with clear pathways to economic impact, providing up to $500,000 per project over 6 to 36 months.
- Scotia Scholars Award
Quantifiable outcome
- Increase technology development, uptake and use in Nova Scotia priority sectors
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Research Nova Scotia
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Research Nova Scotia technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Research Nova Scotia partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Halifax Port Authority (HPA)coreThe 2026 Pyritic Slate Research Challenge is presented by the Halifax Port Authority and powered by Research Nova Scotia. Researchers are invited to examine sustainable, safe, and long-term sequestration of pyritic slate with funding up to $30,000 over 8 months.
- Nova Scotia Office of Addictions and Mental HealthcoreMental Health & Addictions Research Funding Award presented by the Nova Scotia Office of Addictions and Mental Health and powered by Research Nova Scotia. Supports Nova Scotia-based career researchers advancing knowledge on mental health and addictions with emphasis on social determinants. Up to $100,000 over 2 years.
- Government of Nova ScotiacoreRNS reports to the Minister of Advanced Education and receives its mandate from the provincial government. Research priorities are identified by the Minister. RNS is accountable for sound investment of public funds.
- Dalhousie UniversitycoreBoard member representation (Kim Brooks, President and Vice-Chancellor). Major research institution for RNS-funded projects. Host organization for multiple research initiatives including COVID-19 research.
- Université Sainte-AnneminorBoard member representation (Kenneth Deveau, President and Vice-Chancellor). Nova Scotia's French-language university.
- Mount Saint Vincent UniversityminorBoard member representation (Joël Dickinson, President and Vice-Chancellor). Home to researchers including Dr. Kyly Whitfield.
- St. Francis Xavier UniversityminorBoard Chair Andy Hakin. Home to Dr. Marcia English's food research lab. NSCC Board member representation (Andy Hakin as Chair).
- Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC)coreBoard member Andy Hakin serves as Chair. Major applied research institution with researchers including Dr. Timothy Webster (geomatics) and Dr. Jeff Taylor (applied research).
- Nova Scotia HealthcoreJordan Warford serves as Board member (Executive Director, Planning and Performance). Major healthcare research partner including Dr. Kenneth Rockwood's research.
- UlnoowegminorBoard member representation (Chris Googoo). Indigenous organization supporting research development.
- SeaChange BiochemistryminorBoard member Sabrena MacKenzie (CEO and Co-Founder). Private sector perspective on biochemistry and commercialization.
- Cooke AquacultureminorBoard member Andrew Swanson (VP, R&D). Industry partner providing end-user perspective on aquaculture research.
- Department of Growth and DevelopmentcoreVicki Elliott-Lopez (Associate Deputy Minister) serves as Minister of Advanced Education appointment. Represents government priorities.
- Department of Advanced EducationcoreLindsay Wadden (Senior Executive Director) serves as Board member. RNS reports to Minister of Advanced Education.
- Department of Health and WellnesscoreJordan Warford (Executive Director, Planning and Performance) serves as Board member. Key partner for health research funding.
- MitacsminorE2G investment holders may use a portion of funding to leverage additional funds from Mitacs programs for students or postdocs working with project partners.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Research Nova Scotia competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Alberta Innovates: Alberta's provincial research and innovation corporation, administering multiple grant programs across health, energy, and technology sectors. Directly comparable as a provincially mandated research funding body with sector-based priorities and a similar mandate to drive economic outcomes from research investments.
- Mitacs: Canadian national not-for-profit research funding organization connecting academia with industry through grants and fellowships. Directly comparable as a not-for-profit research funder, and an explicit RNS partner where E2G recipients can leverage additional Mitacs funding.
- Michael Smith Health Research BC: British Columbia's health research funding agency, supporting researchers and trainees across BC's health research ecosystem. Directly comparable as a provincially mandated, non-profit research funder with grant programs, trainee awards, and a focus on building provincial research capacity.
- Research Manitoba: Manitoba's provincial research funding body supporting health research, biomedical research, and other priority areas. Directly comparable as a smaller-province research funder with similar programs for new investigators, scholars, and project grants aimed at provincial research capacity building.
- Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF): Saskatchewan's health research funding agency with programs for researchers, trainees, and research connections. Comparable as a small-province research funder with similar funding mechanisms including establishment grants, research fellowships, and impact-focused award programs.
- New Brunswick Health Research Foundation (NBHRF): New Brunswick's provincial health research funder supporting researchers and trainees across the province. Comparable as a small-province, Atlantic-region research funding body with similar operating scale and mandate to build provincial research capacity.
Broad incumbents
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC): Canada's federal research funding agency for social sciences and humanities research. Comparable as a Canadian research funder, providing context for how RNS's broader social and economic research investments sit within the national funding landscape.
- Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI): Canada's federal research infrastructure funding agency supporting major research equipment and facilities across the country. Comparable as a federally mandated research funding body, though focused specifically on research infrastructure investments rather than operating grants.
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR): Canada's federal health research funding agency supporting researchers and trainees across all provinces. Comparable as a research funding body operating at much broader scale, and the dominant federal-level counterpart for RNS's health sciences priority sector.
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC): Canada's federal research funding agency for natural sciences and engineering. Comparable as the federal-level funder operating in RNS's natural resources/clean energy and construction/transportation priority areas, with substantially larger funding envelopes.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Research Nova Scotia social profiles
Digital presenceResearch Nova Scotia financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Research Nova Scotia leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Research Nova Scotia funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Research Nova Scotia M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Research Nova Scotia
What does Research Nova Scotia do?
Research Nova Scotia is an independent not-for-profit corporation that administers provincial research funding in Nova Scotia. It receives public funds from the Government of Nova Scotia and distributes them through grant competitions and awards (notably Focused Research Investments and Ear to the Ground) to support research aligned with three priority sectors: natural resources/climate change/clean energy, life sciences/health sciences, and construction and transportation.
Is Research Nova Scotia a public or private company?
Research Nova Scotia is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Research Nova Scotia founded?
Research Nova Scotia was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Research Nova Scotia based?
Research Nova Scotia is headquartered in Halifax, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Research Nova Scotia make money?
One revenue line is on record: research Funding Administration.
Who are Research Nova Scotia's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Alberta Innovates, Mitacs, Michael Smith Health Research BC, Research Manitoba, Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) and New Brunswick Health Research Foundation (NBHRF). Broad incumbents are Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
Does Research Nova Scotia have an API?
No public API is recorded for Research Nova Scotia.
What industry is Research Nova Scotia in?
Research Nova Scotia's product category is Research Funding Administration. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAI, Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAL, Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations. Its NAICS code is 5417 and its SIC code is 8700.