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) [1] 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 [2] 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 [3] (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 [4]:  Assessment Criteria (please use the UG JELF Assessment Criteria template [5] and the UG JELF Assessment Criteria Guide [6]) CFI JELF Budget Spreadsheet [3] Vendor quotes [7] Floor plans, if applicable Copy of communication with Digital Research Alliance Canada (if applicable) Complete in CAMS: CV (accessible from Research Dashboard) Project information; Project summary; and Financial resources for operations and maintenance (in project module) Suggested reviewers Research security	Jan 15	May 15	Sep 15
Mitigating Economic and Geopolitical Risk Checklist (MEGRC [8]) and Application Attestation Form [9] due to RSO [4]	Jan 22	May 22	Sep 22
Budget spreadsheet approved by RFS and submitted by RFS to RSO [4]	Jan 30	May 30	Sep 30
Draft 2 Application due to RSO [4]	As required	As required	As required
Final submission with signed OR-5 due to RSO [4]	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. [10]

1. Create your JELF Application in the CFI Award Management System (CAMS).
   • Create an account in CAMS [11], the online application system. To learn how to navigate the online portal, see Getting Started with CAMS [12].
   • 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 [2].
   • Obtain infrastructure datasheets/specifications from vendors or websites
   • Confirm the location (building and room) for the proposed infrastructure
3. Obtain quotes for requested infrastructure.
   • Use the CFI Quote Guideline [7] when requesting quotes
   • Refer to the Procurement Restriction Policy [13] for purchases involving US suppliers
4. Create a budget using the CFI JELF Budget Spreadsheet [3].
   • 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 [14].
6. Complete:
   • Project Module, including the proposal or “Assessment Criteria.”  Use the UG JELF Assessment Criteria Template [5] and  UG JELF Assessment Criteria Guide [6]
   • CV module
   • Suggested reviewers
7. Complete and submit OR-5.
8. Complete submission in CAMS (Validate and confirm completion).
9. Complete the Application for Provincial Matching Funds.
   • Use UGuelph Guide for ORF Small Infrastructure Fund [15] OR UGuelph Guide for CRC-partnered ORF Small Infrastructure Fund [16]
   • Submit the completed application to RSO

Internal Resources

• Needs Assessment Form [2]
• CFI Quote Guideline [7]
• CFI JELF Budget Spreadsheet [3]
• UG JELF Assessment Criteria Template [5]
• UG JELF Assessment Criteria Guide [6]
• Common comments from reviewers [17]
• UGuelph Guide for ORF Small Infrastructure Fund [18]
• Early Set Up of Research Account [19]
• CFI Cost Requirements [20] (University policies related to taxes, exchange rates, construction/renovation estimates, personnel costs)
• Procedures for Management of CFI JELF Allocation Distribution 2026-2029 [21]
• U of G Procurement Policies [22]

External Resources

• CFI Awards Management System (CAMS [23]) (Online application portal)
• Getting started with the CFI Awards Management System| An overview document for researchers [12]
• JELF Program Guide [24] (Full instructions from CFI for completing JELF application)
• CFI Policy and Program Guide [25] (Details about eligible expenditures and partners, etc.)
• ORF Small Infrastructure Fund Application and Guidelines [26] (Full instructions from MCU for completing SIF application)
• Mitigating Economic and Geopolitical Risk Checklist [8] for ORF Applications
• Application Attestation Form [9] for ORF Applications
• Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) Attestation [27]
• National Security Guidelines for Research Partnership (NSGRP) Risk Assessment Form (RAF) [28]

Contacts

Kumudinie Kariyapperuma (Program-related)

Strategic Programs Specialist - Research Services Office
kkariyap@uoguelph.ca [4] 

Marisa Ghomeshi (Finance-related)

Financial Officer - Research Financial Services
cfi.rfs@uoguelph.ca [29]