Research & Grants
Advancing the steel industry through rigorous research,
grants, and student engagement.
Industry Research
Funding Canada’s steel research
In partnership with the steel industry, the CISC is committed to developing progressive educational programs and supporting innovative, industry-leading research advancements.
The University Research Grants program supports research at Canadian universities and technical colleges on topics of interest and importance to the steel industry. Over 120 research grants have been awarded since 1995 to full-time members of engineering faculties at Canadian universities.
Research & Grants
Every year, the CISC awards up to $100,000 in research grants, including the H.A. Krentz Research Award.
Current Projects
Explore ongoing research initiatives funded by the CISC and its partners across Canada.
Support Innovation
Your donations help fund critical research and support the next generation of steel professionals.
CISC is a registered non-profit organization.
For Students
Student Competitions & Scholarships
Architectural Student
Design Competition
Challenging students to design innovative structures using steel. Open to all architecture students in Canada.
Steel Bridge Competition
A hands-on engineering challenge for university students. Design, fabricate, and build a scale- model bridge.
$50K+
Scholarships
Several scholarships for students pursuing studies in engineering and architecture — over $50,000 awarded annually.
University Research Grants Program
Research Grants & Award Winners
The Research Grants program was created to support research at Canadian universities and technical colleges on topics considered to be of interest and importance to the steel industry.
Over 120 research grants have been awarded since 1995 to full time members of engineering faculties. As of 2016, the program was opened to qualified technical colleges. Every year, the CISC awards up to $100,000 in research grants, including the H.A. Krentz Research Award.
H.A. Krentz Research Award — Recent Winners
2025
Most Recent
Dr. Kyle Tousignant
Dalhousie University, Halifax NS
Research in steel structures: member, connection and system behaviour — hollow section connections, concrete-filled members, and fillet welds incorporated into Canadian and American national steel design standards.
2024
Dr. Ali Imanpour & Dr. Yuxiang Chen
University of Alberta, Civil & Environmental Engineering
“Towards Carbon-Neutral Steel Buildings: Framework for Sustainable System Selection in Commercial and Residential Construction”
External Resources
Where steel research is published and shared
CISC-funded research and the broader structural steel community publish in leading peer-reviewed journals. These publications advance design knowledge and inform the standards that shape Canadian steel construction.
Journals & Publications
Get Involved
Suggest a Future
Research Project
Have an idea for research that could advance the Canadian steel construction industry? We welcome suggestions from engineers, academics, fabricators, and industry professionals.
- Submissions are reviewed annually by the ERC
- Approved projects may be eligible for CISC research grant funding
- You will be contacted if your suggestion moves forward
Questions? Emailresearch@cisc-icca.caSubmit Your Idea
All fields are required
Established 2014
Education & Research Council (ERC)
The CISC Education and Research Council (ERC) was created in 2014 to oversee and strengthen the combined education and research efforts of the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC) and the Steel Structures Education Foundation (SSEF).
The ERC consists of the former SSEF Board of Governors and other individuals who are equally dedicated to furthering education and research activities in steel construction. In addition, a fund was created so that past and future corporate contributions can be made directly to education and research activities related to steel construction.
It is this fund that makes it possible to develop and support programs like the Educators Forum, the G.J. Jackson Fellowship, the architecture design competition, lectures and scholarships, the student steel bridge competitions, short course development and the Research Grant program.
ERC-Funded Programs
Educators ForumCouncil Members
Craig Martin CHAIR
CWB Group / Le Groupe CWB
Amir Jamshidi
NiiK Steel
Bradlee (Brad) Fletcher
Atlas Tube Canada ULC
Mike Holleran
Canam
Kyle Tousignant
Dalhousie University
Michael Gray
Cast Connex Corporation
Hellen Christodoulou
Canadian Galvanizing Institute
Jeffrey Norris
Iron Workers International
Sylvie Boulanger
MTB / McGill University
Andrew Voth
RJC Engineers
Steve Benson
Benson Steel
Greg Parlardg
Bailey Metal Products
Terry Wilk
Stantec Consulting Ltd.
Terri Meyer Boake
University of Waterloo
Rae Limerick
Nucor
Lucia Tirca
Concordia University
CISC Project Manager
Logan Callele
Director, Engineering
Research Grants Project Manager
Michael Masi
Manager, Engineering
Thank You
for your commitment to making the steel industry so successful!
Founder Level
Corporate Level
Starter Level
