External Grants and Contracts
If you intend to apply for an external grant, please notify the Research Office in advance of agency deadlines. Grants require the signature of the institution’s official signatory. A minimum of two weeks lead-time is needed to review the grant application properly, and the Associate Vice-President, Research vets the grant applications. If you require assistance constructing budgets, the Associate Vice-President, Research should be consulted as soon as an application is considered. The Research Office cannot guarantee last-minute reviews of grants. For more information on major sources of Canadian federal funding, click Tri-Council Agencies.
Tri-Council and CFI Grants Deadlines:
Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)
Funding Streams:
Unaffiliated – Every February 15, June 15, and October 15
Partnership (CRC, CERC, SSHRC and NSERC) – Infrastructure proposal should be submitted to the CFI at the same time the corresponding partnership proposal is submitted (see partner websites for deadlines).
NOTE: Should a deadline fall on a weekend or a statutory holiday (including Family Day), the deadline is pushed to the following regular business day.
Canadian Institutes of Health Research(CIHR)
A comprehensive list of CIHR funding opportunities and deadlines is located in ResearchNet
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
Current NSERC Funding Programs such as Discover, Innovate, Research Tools and Instruments and Infrastructure Programs are located here.
NSERC Discovery Grant – Notification of Intent – August 1
NSERC Research Tools and Instruments – October 25
NSERC Discovery Grant – Application – November 1
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
Connection Grants – February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1, 2025
Insight Development Grants – February 2, 2025
Partnership Grants- Stage 1 – February 10, 2025
Partnership Engage Grants – March 15, 2025