The JELF is an institutional program which provides the University with access to a three-year allocation of JELF funding for acquisition of research infrastructure.

An eligible JELF project involves the acquisition or development of research infrastructure to increase research capacity and enable innovative research activities. This includes the acquisition of workhorses (high usage equipment that routinely and dependably perform over a long period of time), and the upgrade or replacement of aging infrastructure.

Because it is an institutional allocation program with a funding cap, the selection of applications is coordinated by colleges. Contact your Associate Dean (Research) to learn more.

CFI JELF Funding Framework

40% CFI. CFI will fund up to 40% of total infrastructure costs.
40% ORF. Ontario Research Fund (ORF; managed by the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence, and Security) will match CFI’s funding.
20% Other.  The remaining costs must be covered by other sources such as vendor discounts and institutional/partner cash contributions.

Detailed Timeline and Requirements

There are three submission cycles each year, aligned with the CFI application deadlines: February 15, June 15, and October 15. The table below outlines the key milestones and corresponding timelines for each cycle.

Milestone Feb CFI Deadline Jun CFI Deadline Oct CFI Deadline
Research Services Office (RSO) introductory meeting Sep 15 Jan 15 May 15
Needs Assessment Form due for Physical Resources (PR) and Computing & Communications Services (CCS) review (PR requires 8 weeks to produce an estimate) Oct 15 Feb 15 Jun 15
PR quote provided to PI Dec 15 Apr 15 Aug 15
Meet with Research Financial Services (RFS) to review quotes and draft budget spreadsheet (as needed) Jan 5 May 1 Sep 1
Budget spreadsheet and CFI-compliant quotes (including Physical Resources estimate) due to RFS  Jan 15 May 15 Sep 15

Application due to RSO

Submit to kkariyap@uoguelph.ca: 

  1. Assessment Criteria (please use the UG JELF Assessment Criteria template and the UG JELF Assessment Criteria Guide)
  2. CFI JELF Budget Spreadsheet
  3. Vendor quotes
  4. Floor plans, if applicable
  5. Copy of communication with Digital Research Alliance Canada (if applicable)

Complete in CAMS:

  1. CV (accessible from Research Dashboard)
  2. Project information; Project summary; and Financial resources for operations and maintenance (in project module)
  3. Suggested reviewers
  4. Research security
Jan 15 May 15 Sep 15
Mitigating Economic and Geopolitical Risk Checklist (MEGRC) and Application Attestation Form due to RSO Jan 22 May 22 Sep 22
Budget spreadsheet approved by RFS and submitted by RFS to RSO  Jan 30 May 30 Sep 30
Draft 2 Application due to RSO As required As required As required
Final submission with signed OR-5 due to RSO Feb 12 Jun 12 Oct 12
Final CFI application submitted     Feb 15 Jun 15 Oct 15
Draft ORF application (for provincial matching funds) Mar 31 Jul 31 Nov 30
Final draft ORF application Apr 15 Aug 15 Dec 15

Steps for Completing a JELF Application

This guide should be used in conjunction with the CFI-published Guidelines for completing a proposal.

  1. Create your JELF Application in the CFI Award Management System (CAMS).
    • Create an account in CAMS, the online application system. To learn how to navigate the online portal, see Getting Started with CAMS.
    • Select "Create New Proposal" and from the list provided, select "John R. Evans Leaders Fund – Funding for Research Infrastructure – Unaffiliated" (or Partnered if submitted with a CRC nomination).
  2. Submit a Needs Assessment Form (NAF) for collaboration with Physical Resources and/or CCS. See: Needs Assessment Form.
    • Obtain infrastructure datasheets/specifications from vendors or websites
    • Confirm the location (building and room) for the proposed infrastructure
  3. Obtain quotes for requested infrastructure.
  4. Create a budget using the CFI JELF Budget Spreadsheet.
    • Research Financial Services will review this budget and use it to complete the Finance Module
  5. Complete Research Security Requirements for both CFI and ORF. For University of Guelph guidance and resources, see Safeguarding Research| Office of Research.
  6. Complete:
  7. Complete and submit OR-5.
  8. Complete submission in CAMS (Validate and confirm completion).
  9. Complete the Application for Provincial Matching Funds.

Internal Resources

External Resources

Contacts

Kumudinie Kariyapperuma (Program-related)

Strategic Programs Specialist - Research Services Office
kkariyap@uoguelph.ca 

Marisa Ghomeshi (Finance-related)

Financial Officer - Research Financial Services
cfi.rfs@uoguelph.ca