Project Operating Funding (Tier 1)

Call status: CLOSED

The Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance Research Program invests in research that aligns with Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) priorities that support strong rural communities, keep our food safe and develop a prosperous, environmentally sustainable agri-food sector in Ontario.

Eligible U of G researchers interested in applying for research project operating funding may do so through the Alliance Tier 1 Research Program Call for Proposals.

Please see the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance's Tier 1 Program Guide for complete details on the 2022-23 Call, including program changes and application instructions.

Research Priorities

For 2022-23 there are 11 research priorities that are aligned with the Ministry's three core businesses: Protection and Assurance, Stewardship, and Economic Development. Review the document detailing the 2022-23 OMAFRA Research Priorities for more information. Research proposals must address a specific research question identified in the priorities document.

Town Hall

A town hall information session took place Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. A copy of the presentation is available.

How to Apply

The Call is now closed.

Online Application System

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

RMS is available at: https://omafra2.smartsimple.ca. If you have not used the RMS since October 2019, select “Forgot Password” on the RMS login page and enter your uoguelph.ca email address. 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.

Single-Stage Call and Intent Process

The Alliance Tier I Research Program is administered as single-stage call. Applicants will only submit a full proposal for review. 

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 in the RMS by October 14, 2022. This will support peer review and committee planning in advance of  Proposal submission. 

Eligibility 

University of Guelph faculty members are eligible to be the Lead Applicant and/or a Co-Applicant on any Alliance Tier I Research 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. If applicants are not compliant at that time the submitted proposal will be withdrawn from the review process and declined.

Research Centre Fees

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

OMAFRA subsidizes 92 per cent of the applicable Research Station Fees for Tier 1 projects. 

See our Research Station Fees Price List for more information.