What are the eligible expenses for a Voucher for Innovation and Productivity I (VIP I) project?

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Last updated: 19-Nov-2025

For standalone Voucher for Innovation and Productivity I (VIP I) projects, eligible expenses include:

• Costs and activities directly related to achieving the objectives for which the OCE funding was awarded. Please note, all procurement activities must conform to Broader Public Sector Accountability Act (BPSAA).
• For more information on eligible expenses for VIP I projects, please see “Eligible Expenses” document.

For Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Engage projects:

• Publications and conference travel are ineligible expenses for NSERC Engage projects
• Faculty, co-applicants and research collaborators salaries are ineligible expenses for NSERC Engage projects
• Any costs associated with publications and travel to either local or international conferences are ineligible expenses for NSERC projects
• For more information of other eligible expenses, please visit the Use of Grant Funds webpage of the NSERC website.

 For Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Engage for Colleges projects, eligible expenses include:

• Equipment/material/operating costs (up to 20 per cent of NSERC Engage for Colleges budget), institutional overhead/administration (up to 20 per cent of NSERC Engage for Colleges budget), project management (up to 10 per cent of NSERC Engage for Colleges budget), and faculty release costs (up to $9,000/course/semester)
• Travel expenses are eligible for college personnel to conduct the project
• Any costs associated with publications and travel to either local or international conferences are ineligible expenses for NSERC projects

For more information of other eligible expenses, please visit the Use of Grant Funds webpage of the NSERC website.

Please note, OCE will acknowledge expenses after the approval date for Voucher for Innovation and Productivity I (VIP I) projects. In cases where an application is not approved and activated, expenses are incurred at the risk of the applicant.

For personnel such as students or technicians receiving an annual salary, the prorated amount for the six-month term must be indicated.