High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) is a Canadian government division that provides grants for research in the natural sciences and in engineering. In 2007-2008, it will invest CAD $958 million in university-based research and training. NSERC was created on May 1, 1978 with the passing of Bill C-26 and Gordon MacNabb was appointed the first president. It is a separate employer of the Government of Canada and reports to Parliament through the Minister of Industry. It is governed by a Council composed of 21 members chosen from the private and public sectors, and universities.