Sponsor
Banting Research Foundation (BRF)
For More Information
Please visit the Discovery Award program website.
Description
The Banting Discovery Foundation provides feasibility and pilot grants that help early career scientists establish their independence and launch their research programs. These funds support the day-to-day realities of running a research program—from hiring trainees to acquiring essential equipment—empowering researchers to pursue bold ideas that push the boundaries of health and biomedical science.
Eligibility
To apply for the Banting Discovery Award, you must:
- Be a health or biomedical researcher.
- Be within the first three years of your first academic appointment at a Canadian university or research institute as an Assistant Professor or a non-health care professional, and within 8 years (3-5) of completing a PhD.
- Have not received external research funding of over $50,000 and/or external peer-reviewed grant funding at the time of application. Support from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) does not count towards the funding limit.
Targeted Awards:
- You must meet the above criteria, in addition to the criteria required for the targeted awards.
Departmental Nomination Limit & Institutional Support
A department/division head may nominate only one applicant during each annual granting cycle. A letter of nomination from the applicant’s host department or division head is required. The letter must confirm the following:
- Be explicit about the candidate’s attributes and contributions.
- All eligibility criteria mentioned above have been met.
- Description of the space and access to the institutional infrastructure necessary to conduct the proposed research available for the candidate.
- Description of the mentorship plan that is in place for the candidate as they launch their career. The mentor who will guide the applicant must be identified.
Maximum Project Value
Up to $30,000
Indirect Costs
0%
Project Duration
The Discovery Award is a year-long grant, from July 1 to June 30.
Deadlines
If College-level review is required, your College will communicate its earlier internal deadlines.
| Type | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
External Deadline | Notice of Intent Required: Applicant to submit NOI form and additional information directly to sponsor (online submission). Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements will be invited by November 27, 2025, to submit full applications for phase two of the Discovery Award process. Refer to the Eligibility criteria – Departmental Nomination Limit. | |
Internal Deadline | Application if invited: Applicant to submit a copy of the application and department nomination letter along with a complete OR-5 form to research.services@uoguelph.ca. | |
External Deadline | Application if invited: Applicant will receive instructions on how to complete and submit the application form once the NOI has been accepted. Receipt of applications will be acknowledged by email, and applicants will be notified by email of funding decisions in June 2026. |
How to Apply
Step 1: Notice of Intent (NOI)
The NOI portal is currently open. You must complete the NOI online by November 3, 2025. The NOI form comprises:
- The title of the research proposal (125 characters or fewer). The same title must be used for the full application (step 2).
- Keywords identifying the research focus of the project (5 – 7 keywords).
- An abstract that highlights the project objectives and deliverables and shows research excellence and innovation (up to 1800 characters, approximately 300 words).
- Please ensure your department or division head is supportive of your application. Each department/division head is permitted to nominate only one applicant during each annual granting cycle. Refer to the Eligibility criteria – Departmental Nomination Limit.
Applicants must submit a NOI by November 3, 2025 (9 pm ET). Applicants will be notified via email by November 27, 2025, regarding their eligibility. Those who meet the requirements will be invited to complete a full application by January 26, 2026.
Step 2: Full Application
If you are deemed eligible after reviewing your NOI, you will be invited by email to access the online portal to complete a full application. The letter of nomination from your primary appointment department or division head must address the following:
- Be explicit about the candidate’s attributes and contributions.
- All eligibility criteria mentioned above have been met.
- Description of the space and access to the institutional infrastructure necessary to conduct the proposed research available for the candidate.
- Description of the mentorship plan that is in place for the candidate as they launch their career. The mentor who will guide the applicant must be identified.
Each application is assessed based on:
- The innovative potential of the project.
- The applicant’s research track record and environment.
- The merit of the proposal, project feasibility, and justification of the request.
- The proposal’s consideration of EDI (i.e., equality, diversity, and inclusion).
- Impact of the Banting Discovery Foundation Discovery Award on the research program.
- The letter of nomination from the department or division head.