Innovation Fund
The 2027 competition is expected to launch in January 2026.
Program Overview
The Innovation Fund supports a broad range of research programs including those in natural sciences and engineering, health, social sciences, humanities and the arts, as well as interdisciplinary research. Projects funded through the Innovation Fund will help Canada remain at the forefront of exploration and knowledge generation while making meaningful contributions to generating social, health, environmental and economic benefits and addressing global challenges.
An eligible infrastructure project involves acquiring or developing research infrastructure to increase research capacity and support world-class research.
The 2027 competition is anticipated to be divided into three streams:
- Stream 1: Leading edge of exploration and knowledge generation (open to all disciplines);
- Stream 2: Leading edge of exploration and knowledge generation in the social sciences, humanities and arts;
- Stream 3: Renewal and upgrade of core facilities.
For more information, see the 2025 competition info at Innovation Fund | CFI [1]
Every institution is provided an envelope which is the upper limit of funding it can apply for. Envelope size is based on the share of tri-agency funding the institution received over the past three years. The 2027 U of G envelope is expected to be $12.5M.
For each project, the CFI funds 40% of total project costs. The Ontario Research Fund (ORF) funds 40%. The remaining 20% must be found in vendor discounts and/or other contributions. The ORF requires a separate application to the ORF Research Infrastructure Large Infrastructure Fund (ORF RI LIF).
Aligned with CFI objectives and criteria, the University will allocate CFI allocation competitively based on:
- internationally competitive research or technology development;
- composition and expertise of the team;
- benefits for Canadians.
The following institutional considerations will also be taken into account:
- alignment with institutional priority and prior investments
- sustainability
- financial risk (especially where construction and renovation budgets are significant)
The Office of Research will:
- Lead a transparent and timely allocation process.
- Partner with colleges to invest in the grant development process.
- Work with Research Financial Services and external reviewers to provide grant-development resources and advice on applications in development.
- Facilitate connections with other administrative units at University of Guelph (e.g., Physical Resources) and other universities.
- Review the 2025 call for proposals for an overview of the competition at Innovation Fund | CFI [1].
- Contact your Associate Dean Research and/or College Research Manager to discuss your ideas and explore department and/or college-level support for the project.
- Connect with colleagues at and beyond the University of Guelph to identify research projects with potential to be internationally competitive.
- Connect with sector partners to identify collaborations and pathways to broader impact.
- Contact the Manager, Strategic Research Programs [2] for a preliminary consultation.
- If you do not require access to the University’s CFI Innovation Fund allocation, simply notify Manager, Strategic Research Programs [2]
- If you would like to request allocation, submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for Co-Applicants by the internal deadline for co-applicants.
Detailed Timeline and Requirements
| Aug 29, 2025 | Launch internal competition. |
| Sept 15, 2025 | Notify Manager, Strategic Research Programs [2] of your intent to apply. |
| Consultations with RSO and RFS. | |
| Nov 30, 2025 |
CFI delivers decisions on 2025 competition. Eligibility date for costs/contributions to CFI IF 2027. |
| Jan 26, 2025 | Anticipated CFI IF 2027 competition launch. |
| Jan 6, 2026 |
EOIs from new applicants due to Strategic Programs. See EOI requirements [3] for details. Applicants to the last competition are asked to inform Manager, Strategic Research Programs [2] if they are interested in being considered for resubmission. |
| Jan 30, 2026 |
CFI IF Committee reviews EOIs, selects proposals to advance, and allocates envelope. Resubmissions from the last competition will be considered if the proposal received a favourable review from the Multidisciplinary Assessment Committee. For more information, see Committee Guidelines and EOI evaluation rubric. |
| Mar 2, 2026 | Equipment list with Needs Assessment Form (NAF) [4] due to Strategic Programs for PR review to initiate capital planning process. |
| Consultation with PR, RSO, RFS, PI(s), and ADR | |
| Aug 3, 2026 |
DRAFT 1 application due for scientific review (external), RSO, RFS, and CFI IF committee, and multi-sector panel review. Draft 1 comprises:
Scientific review and multi-sector panel review will be provided to the CFI IF Committee. |
| Sept 2026 |
Physical Resources submits project materials and capital planning project report to University Secretariat.
|
| Sept 2026 |
CFI IF Review Committee Meeting. The CFI IF Committee will review the first draft proposal, with expert and multi-sectoral reviews of that proposal, and will determine at that time whether to confirm or change the original allocation. A draft application deemed to be inadequately developed may lose its allocation. |
| Fall 2026 | NOI due to CFI. Institutional partners should be confirmed at this stage. |
| Dec 1, 2026 |
Draft 2 CFI IF Application due for RSO and RFS review:
|
| Jan 2025 |
Final draft due to Manager, Strategic Research Programs [5] and research.services@uoguelph.ca [6]
|
| Jan 2027 | CFI Deadline |
| Feb 2025 (ANTICIPATED) |
Draft 1 ORF-RI LIF due for RSO review:
|
| Mar 2025 (ANTICIPATED) | ORF-RI LIF external deadline |
| Aug 1, 2026 | EOIs due to Manager, Strategic Research Programs. [2] See EOI Requirements for Co-Applicants [7]. If construction and renovation required, submit NAF. |
| Sept 2026 | Allocation decisions communicated. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Needs Assessment Form due (if equipment will be installed at the University of Guelph). Submit to ailsakay@uoguelph.ca [8]. |
| Jan 2027 | Draft application and U of G institutional budget, including construction and renovation as relevant, along with authorization and account # for institutional contributions. |
| Jan 2027 | Copy of complete application and OR-5 submitted to Manager, Strategic Research Programs [2] and research.services@uoguelph.ca [6]. |
| Nov 2027 | Decision by the CFI Board of Directors |
| Jun 2027 | ORF decisions are expected. Connect with RFS to commence Award Finalization Process |
Internal Resources
- EOI Requirements for applicants [9]
- CFI Cost Requirements [10] (University policies related to taxes, exchange rates, construction/renovation estimates, personnel costs)
- CFI Quote Guideline [11]
- Safeguarding Research [12]
- University of Guelph online self-directed course: IEDI for Researchers [13]
External Resources
- 2025 Call for Proposals at Innovation Fund | CFI [1] (Instructions and requirements)
- CFI Analysis of IF 2023 strengths and weaknesses [14]
- CFI Awards Management System (CAMS [15]) (Online application portal)
- Research Security | Canada Foundation for Innovation [16]
- Getting started with the CFI Awards Management System | An overview document for researchers [17]
- CFI-CCV Guidelines [18]
- CFI Policy and Program Guide [19] (Details about eligible expenditures and partners, etc.)
- ORF RI LIF - Guidelines and Application Form
- MCU ORF Large Infrastructure Fund (LIF) Application Guidelines (Full instructions from MCU for completing LIF application)
Additional Resources
- The Government of Canada’s Best Practices in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research [20] guide
- UK ESRC Logic Model Guidance [21]
Contacts
Ailsa Kay, Manager, Strategic Programs
Research Services Office, UC 437
ailsakay@uoguelph.ca [8]