The Ontario Research Fund – Research Excellence (ORF-RE) provides research institutions with funding to support the operational costs of major projects of strategic value to the province. The fund provides up to one third of the total value of a project. The remaining two thirds of funding comes from a combination of private sector and institutional contributions.
See the ORF-RE website for Round 11 Program Guidelines and Application Forms.
Program Overview
Priority areas and funding streams
The Ministry of Colleges and Universities is prioritizing applications that support the Government of Ontario initiatives included in the 2021 Ontario Budget such as Ontario’s First-Ever Critical Minerals Strategy and Ontario’s Vehicle Innovation Network. Applications that support research and development activities that lead to the commercialization of ‘Ontario Made’ products, technologies and solutions will be prioritized for funding.
Specifically, the Ministry will give priority to applications focused on:
- connected, autonomous, electric vehicles (including battery and powertrain technology);
- industrial/mining technologies related to electric vehicles, spanning the entire value chain from minerals to manufacturing to recovering resources from vehicles or their component parts at end-of-life.
Stream 1: General – Basic and Applied Research
- is open to all research disciplines
- funds projects from $500,000 to $2,000,000
- funds projects up to a maximum of 5 years
Stream 2: Targeted - Experimental Research
- funds projects that demonstrate strong commercialization potential, where the innovation is at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 3 or higher
- Targets projects in the following sectors:
- information communications technologies
- life sciences and medical devices
- industrial technologies
- requires collaboration with an Ontario-based company
- funds projects from $300,000 to $1,000,000
- funds projects up to a maximum of 4 years
Stream 2 applicants must work with the Research Innovation Office to develop a commercialization implementation plan.
Evaluation criteria and review process
Applications are assessed on the following criteria:
- Research Excellence
- Commercialization Potential (Stream 2 only)
- Strategic Value to Ontario
- Plan for Achieving Impact
- Development of Research Talent (HQP)
- Project Management and Governance
There are four stages of review and adjudication.
- Written expert review by local and international subject matter specialists.
- Peer Review Panels. Disciplinary panels review all aspects of the proposal, with an emphasis on Research Excellence, Commercialization Potential, as relevant, and Strategic Value to Ontario.
- Ontario Research Fund Advisory Board (ORFAB) reviews the recommendations of the panels and makes recommendations to the Minister of Colleges and Universities on the portfolio of projects to fund based on the overall impact on Ontario.
- Minister Decision. The final funding decision rests with the Minister of Colleges and Universities. The Minister may approve applications, approve subject to terms and conditions, or decline applications at their sole discretion
Partnerships
Private sector partnerships and contributions are required.
Private sector partners can come from outside of Ontario; however, the lead institution must demonstrate that the project will make a positive impact on Ontario's research and commercialization capabilities. International partners are eligible; however, the applicant must demonstrate how their involvement benefits Ontario.
Applicants to Stream 2 must demonstrate collaboration with at least one Ontario-based company. Private sector partners should demonstrate that they have the financial, managerial, and strategic business capability to exploit research results.
Contributions can be cash or in-kind. An indirect cost rate of 40% applies to private sector partner cash contributions. See Indirect Costs of Research at the University of Guelph.
Workshops and Webinars
Workshop 1: Introduction to ORF-RE. Is this the right program for you?
Tuesday October 12th, 2021 - 2:00 – 3:00pm. Attend at Teams Link.
Refer to Internal Resources (below) for workshop recordings and slides.
MCU information sessions
- November 23, 2021, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. ET (1 hour)
Register for November 23 (all participants)
- December 2, 2021, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. ET (1 hour)
Register for December 2 (all participants)
Application timeline and requirements for applicants
Date |
Item |
---|---|
October 12th, 2021 2-3pm |
Workshop 1 – General Information Session Teams Link. |
November 8th, 2021 |
University of Guelph Applicants: Notice of Intent (NOI) due to stratprg@uoguelph.ca. A NOI consists of:
|
November 22nd, 2021 |
Optional: Major Proposal Development Grant application due to stratprg@uoguelph.ca If approved, ORS will contribute matching funds of up to $3,000. |
End of November, 2021 |
Stream 2 applicants reach out to the Research Innovation Office (re: Commercialization Implementation Plan). |
January 24th, 2022 |
Submit sections 2-4 (Stream 1) or sections 2-5 (Stream 2) in of UG Word Application Template for Scientific and Strategic Review to stratprg@uoguelph.ca.
|
February 14th, 2022 |
Submit the following to stratprg@uoguelph.ca:
|
February 28th, 2022 |
Submit Draft Budget and Supporting Documents to stratprg@uoguelph.ca:
|
April 7th, 2022 |
FINAL INTERNAL DEADLINE: Submit OR-5 and all final application documents to stratprg@uoguelph.ca and research.services@uoguelph.ca. |
April 14th, 2022 |
External deadline: ORS will submit to MCU. |
Application timeline and requirements for co-applicants
Date |
Item |
---|---|
October 12th, 2021 2-3pm |
Workshop 1 – General Information Session Teams Link. |
February 7th, 2022 |
Email stratprg@uoguelph.ca if involved in an application led by another institution. Identify:
|
February 28th, 2022 |
Submit to stratprg@uoguelph.ca:
|
April 7th, 2022 |
FINAL INTERNAL DEADLINE: Submit OR-5 and all final application documents to stratprg@uoguelph.ca and research.services@uoguelph.ca. |
April 14th, 2022 |
Please submit a copy of the lead institution’s full application to stratprg@uoguelph.ca. External deadline: Lead institution to submit to MCU. |
Previous projects funded
View information about past supported projects.
Post-Award Expectations
Quarterly financial reports are required and written annual reports provide updates on project milestones and deliverables. A cumulative final report is required.
Internal Resources and Links
- Stream 1 UG Word Application Template
- Stream 2 UG Word Application Template
- Budget Spreadsheet – Applicants
- Demo Spreadsheet (sample for reference)
- Template for UG Institutional Letter of Support
- Template for Other Institution(s) Letter of Support
- Template for Private Sector Partner Letter of Support
- Template for End User Letters of Support
- Template Email from College for UG Institutional Contributions
- OR-5 Form
- University of Guelph Workshop 1 – Introduction to ORF-RE - slides and recording
- Major Proposal Development Grant – funds to support proposal development
- Completing the Mitigating Economic and Geopolitical Risk Checklist
- University of Guelph IP policy
- University of Guelph Indirect Cost policy
External Resources and Links
- Ontario Research Fund: Research Excellence
- Stream 1 Program Guidelines and Application Form
- Stream 2 Program Guidelines and Application Form
- RE Round 10 Program Guidelines (for reference)
- Mitigating Economic and/or Geopolitical Risks in Senstive Research Projects – A tool for University Researchers
- Ontario government’s Intellectual Property (IP) Action Plan
Office of Research Services Contacts
Ailsa Kay
Manager, Strategic Programs
ailsakay@uoguelph.ca
Patricia Van Asten
Awards and Agreements Officer, Strategic Programs
stratprg@uoguelph.ca
Research Financial Services Contacts
Jennifer Fletcher
Senior Manager, Collaboration and Partnerships
jfletc08@uoguelph.ca
Shaun Wilson
Manager, Special Research Projects
swilson@uoguelph.ca
Research Innovation Office Contact:
Steve De Brabandere
Director, Technology Transfer and Industry Liaison
sdebrab@uoguelph.ca