Project Operating Funding (Tier 1)

The Alliance Research Program uses the Research Management System (RMS) for receiving and adjudicating research proposals. 

RMS is available at: https://omafra2.smartsimple.ca. Please contact rescoord@uoguelph.ca if you experience any difficulties logging in.

A Word version of the Full Proposal application, as well as an Excel version of the application budget, are also available for applicants to create and edit their proposals outside of the RMS. However, this information must be entered into the fields in the RMS to be submitted.  See 'File attachments' at the bottom of this page for the program documents and additional documents such as the Value Assessment Plan, which is required for projects involving product development. Please contact rescoord@uoguelph.ca if you require these materials in an alternate format.

An intent process is employed as part of the single-stage call. The intent process requires all applicants to start a proposal and complete the 'General' and 'Peer Review' tabs and ensure that the Co-Applicant (if applicable) has accepted their team invitation in the RMS by August 6, 2025. This will support peer review and committee planning in advance of proposal submission. No formal submission is required in the system at the intent stage.

University of Guelph faculty members are eligible to be the Lead Applicant and/or a Co-Applicant on any Alliance Tier 1 Research and Innovation Program project. Adjunct faculty members may also apply if they are eligible to hold research funding at the University of Guelph and are not employed by or have a financial interest in any of the collaborating organizations or co-funders. Consult the program guide for more details.

Applicants must be fully compliant with all reporting requirements prior to a new proposal being reviewed under any Alliance Research Program. The Lead Applicant and the Co-Applicant will have 30 days from the submission deadline to complete any outstanding compliance requirements, including reporting, Data Management Plan submissions, recovery of outstanding Research Centre fees and other financial obligations. If applicants are not compliant at that time, the submitted proposal will be withdrawn from the review process and declined.

Researchers proposing to use the research centres must include the appropriate Research Centre Fees in their proposal budget. 

Research Centre access for Tier 1 projects is subsidized at a rate of 89%. External (non-Alliance) partner funding is required to cover 11% of the total annual cost of Research Centre usage for the approved project.

See our Research Centre Fees Price List for more information.

• Alliance Tier 1 Program Guide
• OMAFA Research Priorities 2025-2026
• Text-based Application for Tier 1 Research Program (Word 99KB)
• Value Assessment Plan Template (Word 210KB)
• Budget Template for Alliance Tier 1 Research Program Applications (Excel 23KB)
• Sub-Award and CRA Budget Template (Excel 31KB)
• Tip Sheet: How to Apply for Tier 1 Funding Using RMS