Taxidermized Bobolink with a curatorial tag.

Research Grants

The Nova Scotia Museum Research Grant Program, administered by the museum's board of governors, annually contributes funding toward research projects that improve Nova Scotians' understanding of our natural and cultural history. Research that links with the Nova Scotia Museum collection is prioritized for support. Results from the research may generate artifacts and specimens for the provincial collection or work directly with the existing collection in new and innovative ways.

We thank you for your interest in the Nova Scotia Museum Research Grant Program.

The Terms of Reference and overall scope of the NSM Research Grants were updated in 2024 to make them more streamlined and reflective of current collections management priorities.

Subjects

Natural History

An original research project designed to expand our knowledge of the natural history of Nova Scotia, including Botany, Geology, Biodiversity, Ecology, Systematics, Taxonomy, Palaeo-ecology or Zoology.

Cultural History

An original research project designed to expand our knowledge of the cultural history of Nova Scotia, including history, archaeology, marine history, Mi’kmaw cultural heritage and other topics that relate to the Nova Scotia Museum collection and communities. 

Proposals are encouraged on timely and relevant topics and projects that relate to Nova Scotia Museum’s natural or cultural history. This could include research working with the existing collection and / or generating new collections with an emphasis on areas where the provincial collection is underrepresented.

FAQ

The following are a few common questions prospective applicants may have about the Nova Scotia Museum Research Grants program.

  • What are the funding streams for the research grants? The NSM research grants are based on two broad categories, Natural and/or Cultural History.
  • What is the maximum eligible amount for an individual grant? The maximum grant amount is $10,000 CAD.
  • I am interested in collaborating with NSM curatorial staff and working with the collection at one of your museum sites. Are travel costs eligible expenses? Yes, travel costs are eligible expenses.
  • Where can I find more information about the research grants? The Terms of Reference document provides an overview of the grants program.
  • What is the application procedure? The application guidelines are available online.

Terms of Reference

Grants may be awarded by the Nova Scotia Museum (NSM) Board of Governors to individuals conducting research in Nova Scotia. The focus of the grants should be linked to one or both of the following two broad themes: Natural History and Cultural History. These grants are known as the Nova Scotia Museum Research Grants. Support is also available to researchers through this program for travel to Nova Scotia and Museum sites for the purposes of working with the Nova Scotia Collection and relevant curatorial staff.

Selection will be made by the NSM Board of Governors (BOG) on the recommendation of committees made up of one or more members of the BOG whenever possible, and NSM curatorial staff from relevant discipline areas. There will be a separate committee for each theme area (Natural History; Cultural History). The committees may also include other professionals (both NSM staff and or from the community) representing the specializations being considered for an award. NSM collections staff reserve the right to determine the makeup of the committee each year based on departmental priorities and internal capacity. Applications for travel funding will be reviewed by the relevant committee as part of the overall grant proposal review process.

Eligible costs to which the research grants may apply include travel, field expenses, data collection and analysis, report preparation, photography, rental of equipment, hiring a research assistant (not to exceed 50% of the applicant’s budget), and other costs directly associated with the project. Eligible costs for travel include transportation, accommodation, and meals for trips to NSM sites, collections facilities, and/or Nova Scotia field research areas for visiting researchers.

The grant will be valued at not more than $10,000.00 (CAD) per project.  The NSM will seek to maximize the number of funded projects each year within the total funding envelope.

Research grants may be combined with other funding sources supporting the project. Priority for funding will be for graduate students or community-based researchers with a project that directly links to Nova Scotia Museum priorities and research, and departmental focus areas.

Individuals receiving grants should be associated with a recognized research institution or society, such as a museum, university, incorporated society, or recognized community organization. Unaffiliated private researchers may be eligible for grants if they are able to demonstrate a credible track record with either peer-reviewed publications or juried creative works.

If projects are judged to be of equal value, the project which most closely aligns with the research and outreach focus areas of the Nova Scotia Museum and the priorities of the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage will be favoured.

The Board of Governors and the Nova Scotia Museum reserve the right to modify grant categories and amounts based on priorities and budgets in any given year. Should suitable proposals not be received for a category, no grants will be funded. All decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

Application Guidelines

Proposed projects must meet the following criteria:

  1. All, or most, of the research must be carried out in Nova Scotia or involve specimens, artifacts, or archival records of Nova Scotia origin.
  2. Studies and research projects must be directly linked to the Nova Scotia Museum provincial collection and/or identified NSM research priorities (see section d). below)
  3. The Board of Governors encourages proposals that support the use of multi-media and digital imagery, and innovative ways of explaining Nova Scotia’s Natural and Cultural History.
  4. Proposed projects must fit within either (or both) of the broad categories of Natural History or Cultural History. These can include projects in any NSM Curatorial discipline area (Archaeology, Botany, Cultural History, Industrial History, Marine History, Mi’kmaq Cultural History, Zoology), and must clearly demonstrate their link to the Nova Scotia Museum collection and research priorities. The Nova Scotia Museum reserves the right to identify additional or more specific research topics as required, and/or not offer certain research topics temporarily.

Individuals receiving Nova Scotia Research Grants agree to:

  1. Give the Nova Scotia Museum right of first refusal to any collections or research data generated during the course of the project, unless otherwise negotiated in advance.
  2. Acknowledge support by noting the name of the grant in full in all publications or press releases resulting from grant-supported research.
  3. Provide a final summary report outlining research activities carried out and any significant findings, and a budget outlining how funds were used within one year of receiving grant funds. If a project requires additional time, an interim report may be submitted at the one year mark, followed by a final report no later than 2 years after receiving funds.
  4. Provide the following deliverables (as appropriate based on the project): a single reprint of any publications, articles, digital media, technical or popular papers, books, or monographs reporting research supported by the grant and, in the case of students, a single copy of the final thesis or research project. Other deliverables such as conservation plans, exhibit plans, virtual exhibits, or interpretative products are also acceptable.
  5. Give the NSM permission to use materials generated in the report in interpretive products or museum exhibit materials.

The successful applicant will receive 70% of the award at the beginning of the project, with the balance withheld pending receipt of a satisfactory final report by the Executive Director of Archives, Museums and Libraries. Final reports should be sent to [email protected].

Any person who has received an NSM research grant in the past and has outstanding deliverables (e.g., interim, or final reports, etc.) will be ineligible for NSM Research Grant funding until they have fulfilled their previous research grant obligations.

Recipients of Nova Scotia Museum Research Grants may apply to other granting agencies for support for the same project, and this is encouraged.

The Nova Scotia Museum reserves the right to publicize the awarding of grants and the results of research.

Grant recipients may choose to have their funding paid to and administered by an affiliated organization or institution.

Note: If paid directly to individuals, Nova Scotia Museum Research Grants are considered by the Canada Revenue Agency to be taxable income for the individual recipient. For up-to-date taxation information, contact the Canada Revenue Agency.

 

Project Submission Format

Please read the Project Application Format carefully and include all requested components in the application. Project proposals should be submitted electronically to [email protected].

Incomplete or late submissions will not be processed or returned.

Include all the following information in your proposal:

A. Project Abstract (one page maximum):

1. Project name

2. Proposed start and end dates

3. Research grant category to which you are applying: Natural History; Cultural History; or both (if applicable)

4. Amount of funding requested (CAD)

5. Name of the applicant. (The grant for each project will be awarded to only one individual.)

6. Contact details: Home address (in order to process cheques for the successful applicant); telephone number; email address

7. Name of contact person for associated institution (if grant is to be paid to and administered by the institution)

8. Contact details of associated institution: address; telephone number; email address

9. Synopsis of research project: (3 to 4 sentences)

B. Project Details:

1. Description (500 words max) – Describe your proposed research project and related activities. Provide details on who will be involved in the research, including any partners or collaborators.

2. Objectives and Anticipated Outcomes (500 words max) – Describe how your research objectives link to the Nova Scotia Museum and the provincial collection. Include an overview of the existing state of knowledge and references to existing literature if appropriate, as well as relevant sections regarding interpretive theme priorities from the Nova Scotia Museum’s Interpretive Master Plan, including specific sections which identify areas of improvement for museum interpretation by site. Priority will be given to research projects with community engagement components and elements of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

3. Methodology (500 words max) – Describe the methodology to be used for the research.

4. Proposed Schedule (250 words max) – Specify research project start and end dates. Provide details on any key milestones for the project. This schedule should outline relevant activities such as field work, data analysis, and reporting.

5. Deliverable(s) (250 words max) – Briefly outline the final deliverable of this project. This could be a research paper, report, multi-media digital product, exhibit plan, virtual exhibit, or performance piece.

6. Budget (500 words max) – Provide a detailed project budget and identify any other source(s) of support (financial or in-kind) and amount(s) received and/or applied for. The budget should detail the proposed use of funds provided by the Nova Scotia Museum Research Grant.

7. Additional Materials:

  1. The Curriculum Vitae of the applicant is required. If the applicant is a student, the CV of the supervisor and a letter in support of the submission are also required.
  2. Applicants must provide names of two references. In the case of students, one of these should be an academic supervisor.
  3. A list of related publications of the applicant and/or supervisor, if appropriate. Do not send copies of the publications unless requested to do so.
  4. Any other documentation to demonstrate the applicant’s credentials to carry out the research project.

All grant applications must be submitted electronically in PDF format to: [email protected].

Completed application packages must be received for consideration by March 13, 2026 at 5 pm AST. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered or returned. Successful candidates will be advised by email of the Board of Governors' decision by April 24, 2026.

 

Contact

If you would like to receive direct notice of the grants next year please send your email address(s) to [email protected].

Research Grant Program 

Nova Scotia Museum 
1747 Summer Street 
Halifax, NS B3H 3A6 
902-424-7370