Welcome to the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy Researcher Funding Opportunities Index. We have included a number of relevant opportunities for our Faculty based on current research programs. This list is not exhaustive, and we recommend using the comprehensive funding opportunity resources below.

All Applicants submitting through the University of Toronto MUST have submitted their application information online via the My Research Applications (MRA) portal.

Additional comprehensive funding opportunities are available here:

Search Pivot Funding Opportunities Database

Search for various funding opportunities by entering a search term into the Pivot search widget below. Please note that this will open up a new tab and may require a login or the creation of an account.

Take full advantage of all the features Pivot has to offer.  Register for an account to make searching for new and updated funding opportunities easier. You can even setup weekly email notifications that are based on your profile to ensure you do not miss any relevant opportunities.

Internal Opportunities

LDFP BMS Small Equipment Award (Internal Only)

The purpose of the Small Equipment Award is to support the purchase and repair of necessary research equipment for the research and training of Highly Qualified Personnel.  The Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy will provide up to $5,000 for successful applications that demonstrate need and where funding for equipment is a challenge to obtain.

Deadline:
Offered 4 times per year: January 31st, April 30th, July 31st and October 31st

Value:
Up to $5,000

For more information, please review the Program Guidelines and the Application Instructions.  Contact Mike Folinas (m.folinas@utoronto.ca) or Sam D'Alfonso (sam.dalfonso@utoronto.ca) with any additional questions.

LDFP CSAP Research Award (Internal Only)

The purpose of the Clinical, Social and Administrative Pharmaceutical (CSAP) Sciences Research Award competition is to support research excellence where funding is not currently held, e.g., pilot project, expand currently funded research, explore new areas of research. The objective of the program is to increase CSAP's research impact by supporting research excellence that leads to publications and externally funded research proposals. Capacity building is encouraged, yet not required.

Deadline:
Offered twice yearly: April 30th and November 30th.

Value:
Up to $10,000

For more information, please review the Program Guidelines and the Application Instructions.  Contact Mike Folinas (m.folinas@utoronto.ca) or Sam D'Alfonso (sam.dalfonso@utoronto.ca) with any additional questions.

External Opportunities

Acceleration Consortium: 2025 Research Funding Opportunities

The Acceleration Consortium (AC) is pleased to announce the 2025 Accelerate research grants. This program helps to drive the AC’s approach to accelerating scientific discovery, not only by expanding the scope and depth of research but also through the translation of groundbreaking discoveries into real-world applications. These grants provide funding for research across physical, life, computational, and social science domains relevant to, but not limited to the following: 

  • the development of self-driving labs (SDLs) or the development of the artificial intelligence (AI) and automation tools required to build SDLs, 
  • the use of SDLs for materials or molecule discovery,
  • policy or other frameworks to support the responsible use and uptake of SDLs, or
  • the implications (economic, social, etc.) of AI and automation for accelerated discovery and the community-based use of these technologies.

End-uses of the research should support advances in sustainability or human health. Applications from all disciplines are encouraged. Indigenous science and technology and community-engaged research are focus areas for the AC.  

This year, the AC is collaborating with:

VALUE:

Seed Funding: 

  • Accelerate Seed Funding: maximum $125,000 (1 year)
  • Joint CRAFT-AC Seed Funding: maximum $100,000 (1 year)
    • Grant applications submitted to the CRAFT-AC stream will also be considered for the AC seed grant stream competition.
  • Joint IVADO-AC Seed Funding: maximum: $250,000 (2 years) 
    • Grant applications submitted to the IVADO-AC stream will also be considered for the AC seed grant stream competition. However, the AC seed grant stream will only fund year one of the application.   

Moonshot Funding: 

Accelerate Moonshot Funding: maximum $500,000 (2 years) Joint Institut Cortois-IVADO-AC Moonshot Funding: maximum $400,000 (2 years) 

  • Grant applications submitted to the Institut Cortois-IVADO-AC stream will also be considered for the AC moonshot grant stream competition.

Translation Funding: 

  • Accelerate Translation Funding: up to $500,000 (2 years) with the possible addition of $300,000 for equipment. 

SUBMISSION DEADLINES:

ELIGIBILITY:

AC Seed, Moonshot, and Translation Grants

CRAFT-AC Seed Grants 

  • The project must align with the CRAFT mission to develop novel microfluidics-based technologies including diagnostics, organ-on-a-chip and biofabrication technologies.
  • Proposed projects are required to utilize NRC in-kind resources, including Research Officers and/or Technical Officers. 

IVADO-AC Seed Grants

  • Projects must be led by at least two co-investigators, including a professor from the University of Toronto and one professor from IVADO’s five partner universities (UdeM, Polytechnique, HEC, ULaval and McGill).

Institut Courtois-IVADO-AC Moonshot Grants

  • Projects must be led by at least three co-investigators, including a regular member of Institut Courtois, and a professor from the University of Toronto, and one professor from IVADO’s five partner universities (UdeM, Polytechnique, HEC, ULaval and McGill). 

MORE INFORMATION

Acceleration Consortium Caregiver Research Support Grant – Call for Applications

The Acceleration Consortium is pleased to announce Caregiver Research Support Grants are now open for applications.  

  • Value: up to $90,000 for Associate and Assistant Faculty to provide additional support to maintain the productivity of their research group while on long-term leave.
  • Duration: One year 

Purpose: As the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted, caregiving responsibilities produce inequitable impacts on researcher productivity, especially early and mid-career researchers, threatening to widen existing gaps. Funded by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF), the AC’s caregiving grants will provide research funding support to Associate and Assistant Professors members on leave due to caregiving responsibilities. These resources aim to mitigate the impact of caregiving duties by maintaining research group productivity during caregiving leave.     

Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible for funding, applicants should be: 

  1. An Associate or Assistant professor at the University of Toronto.
  2. On a long-term (>3 months) parental, pregnancy, or caregiving leave. Training, sabbatical, or administrative leaves are not eligible.
  3. A full or affiliate member of the Acceleration Consortium (AC). The AC’s membership definitions, requirements and application can be found here: link.  
  4. Planning to support research relevant to the AC. This can include research across all research domains, but not limited to, the following:
    1. the development of self-driving labs (SDLs) or the development of the AI and automation tools required to build SDLs;
    2. the use of SDLs for materials or molecule discovery;
    3. policy or other frameworks to support the ethical use and uptake of SDLs, or
    4. the implications (environmental, economic, social, etc.) of AI and automation for accelerated discovery and the community-based use of these technologies. 

Eligible Expenditures:  Associate and Assistant Faculty can apply for up to $90,000 for one year to provide support to maintain the productivity of their research group while on long-term (>3 months) leave.  

This funding is primarily intended for compensation for lab personnel and can support but is not limited to the following: 

  • Research Associate 
  • Post-Doctoral Fellows 
  • Lab Manager 
  • Other supports that facilitate research group productivity during the absence of the principal investigator 

Application method: Application form  

Evaluation Criteria Applications will be evaluated based on the case made for utility/benefit the funding will provide, and the relevance of the PI’s research to the AC.

Deadline: Funding applications will be accepted twice a year: July 30th, 2025 and Dec 20th, 2025 

Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s (CIHR) - Free online training on patient engagement

Click here to start any module of the course.

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s (CIHR) Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA) has developed a set of online, self-directed, free modules related to Patient Engagement (PE) in research! IMHA’s patient partners identified a need for more training in patient engagement and set to work filling the gap for practical tools and resources to help people do patient engagement in research. Modules must be completed in chronological order; after completing each module, you will receive a certificate. While the modules have been developed by IMHA, they are not disease- or condition-specific and are applicable to any research where patient partners are engaged.

Course: A How-to Guide for Patient Engagement in Research

  • Module 1: What is patient engagement?
  • Module 2: The research process: (a) Understanding the research process for patient partners and (b) Supporting patient partners throughout the research process for other members of the research team
  • Module 3: Setting up a research project for a successful partnership
  • Module 4: Patient engagement for research teams: (a) Being part of a research team for patient partners, and (b) Engaging patients on your research team for other members of the research team

If you have any questions about the training or accessing the modules, please contact imha-iala@cihr-irsc.gc.ca and follow @CIHR_IMHA for related announcements!

CIHR Fall 2025 Project Grant competition

The Canadian Institutes of Health (CIHR) Project Grant program is designed to capture ideas with the greatest potential to advance health-related fundamental or applied knowledge, health research, health care, health systems, and/or health outcomes. It supports projects with a specific purpose and a defined endpoint. The best ideas may stem from new, incremental, innovative, and/or high-risk lines of inquiry or knowledge translation approaches.

Registration for the CIHR’s Fall 2025 Project Grant competition is currently open. 

Important Dates

  • Registration Deadline: August 13, 2025
    Registration is mandatory: All applicants must submit their registration before the deadline. The application stage will open as soon as the registration has been submitted. 
  • MRA Deadline: September 3, 2025
    The internal MRA requirement is for all applicants applying for this award through the University of Toronto: Your application will not be submitted to CIHR until MRA has been approved by all required institutional officials. For all other applicants, please contact the Research Office of the institution through which you are applying.
  • Application Deadline: September 10, 2025, 8pm ET
    This deadline is strictly enforced by CIHR and no exceptions will be made. CIHR will not accept updates to applications after the application deadline.

Optional Editorial Review

Research Services is offering an optional editorial review for CIHR Project Grant proposals for on-campus applications only. If you would like to receive an editorial review of your proposal, please do the following:

  • Confirm to Research Services (Deanna Pong and Shanna Pritchard ) by July 31 that you intend to take advantage of this support and are able to meet the internal editorial deadline of August 7; this information allows the editorial staff to coordinate their workload.
  • Submit a complete, near-final draft of the proposal (as a Word document) to Shanna or Deanna by August 7. The editorial reviews will be returned to you by end of day August 22.

Please note that the editorial team may not be able to accommodate proposals submitted after this deadline.

NOTE: Faculty research offices may also offer editorial review for its on-campus applicants.  For divisional grant support and deadlines, contact your divisional research office support staff.

For more information please visit the Fall 2025 Project Grant Funding Opportunities page (for University of Toronto applicants).

CIHR Research in Training

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is pleased to announce the launch of the Reviewer in Training (RiT) program for the Fall 2025 Project Grant competition.

The RiT program offers Early Career Researchers (ECRs) a learning opportunity to gain a better understanding of the elements of high-quality review and the peer review process through participation in the Project Grant competition. ECRs in the RiT program can participate in one of two roles: Mentee or ECR Reviewer. 

  • CRs that want to gain exposure to CIHR’s peer review process with the guidance of a Mentor can apply to the Mentee role. Mentees conduct practice reviews on up to three applications, attend the peer review meeting in full, present one of their practice reviews, and participate in general committee discussions.
  • ECRs who hold federal (or equivalent) funding and want to gain direct peer review experience can apply to the ECR Reviewer role. ECR Reviewers participate in the same capacity as other members on the committee but have a reduced number of applications to review (up to five) and present their reviews later in the meeting. They attend the peer review meeting in full and participate in all aspects of the committee meeting discussions including final consensus ratings, individual voting, and budget assessment.

Deadline

The application process is now open and closes on August 6, 2025.

Additional Information

Following completion of the RiT program, participants may be promoted within CIHR’s Reviewer Pathway. They will be invited to participate in peer reviews as needed, and when they are available to do so.  

Data Sciences Institute - Research Software Development Support Program – Call for Projects

The University of Toronto Data Sciences Institute (DSI) is pleased to announce a new call for Research Software Development Support.  

Purpose: The aim of the DSI Research Software Development Support Program is to help researchers to refine existing software tools to improve usability and robustness or build new tools, disseminate research software beyond the research space in which it is created, and to enhance existing functionality.

The Program provides research groups access to a professional research software developer. The research software developer will work alongside the research group on a part-time (up to a 0.5 FTE) basis for 2 to 6 months. Only open-source projects are considered for support so that we can disseminate research software beyond the research space in which it is created.  

Application Deadline: October 17, 2025, 23:59 ET

How to Apply: Access the complete application guidelines, online portal, and required templates via the DSI website.

 

About the Data Sciences Institute
The DSI is an institutional strategic initiative for data science research, training, and partnerships at the University of Toronto. Our goal is to accelerate the impact of data sciences across disciplines to address pressing societal questions and to drive positive social change.

Department of Defence (DOD) programs - Medical Research Programs (CDMRP)

The Department of Defence has recently released the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) pre-announcements programs managed by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

The Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research Program (DMDRP) released a pre-announcement for the following funding opportunities:

  • Idea Development Award
  • Clinical/Translational Research Award

To view the pre-announcement, visit https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2025/25dmdrppreann

 

The Military Burn Research Program (MBRP) released a pre-announcement for the following funding opportunities:

  • Discovery Award (New for FY25!)
  • Technology/Therapeutic Development Award
  • Patient Centered Research Award

To view the pre-announcement, visit https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2025/25mbrppreann

 

The Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) released program announcements for the following funding opportunities:

  • Breakthrough Award Levels 1 and 2
  • Breakthrough Award Level 3
  • Clinical Research Extension Award
  • Era of Hope Scholar Award

To view the program announcements and submit a pre-application visit: https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/ProgramFY.htm?programFYId=663101

 

The Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP) released program announcements for the following funding opportunities:

  • Investigator-Initiated Research Award
  • Ovarian Cancer Clinical Trial Academy – Early-Career Investigator Award
  • Pilot Award

To view the program announcements and submit a pre-application visit: https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/ProgramFY.htm?programFYId=663103

 

The Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP) re-released a pre-announcement for the following funding opportunities:

  • Idea Award
  • Impact Award
  • Clinical Trial Award
  • Career Development Award- Fellow and Resident Option
  • Career Development Award- Scholar Option

To view the pre-announcement, visit https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2025/25prcrppreann

 

The Toxic Exposures Research Program (TERP) released a pre-announcement for the following funding opportunities:

  • Clinical Trial Partnership Award
  • Investigator-Initiated Research Award
  • Translational Research Partnership Award

To view the pre-announcemen,t visit https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2025/25terppreann

Gates Foundation - Grand Challenges RFPs

The Gates Foundation announced five new Grand Challenges requests for proposals (RFPs).

Click on the link above for more information, including the dates of Foundation-led webinars on each RFP.

The internal deadline for all RFPs is 3 business days before the Gates Foundation deadline.   By then, an MRA must be completed and submitted for institutional review and approval.

GlycoNet 2025 Funding Competitions - Call for Proposals

The Canadian Glycomics Network (GlycoNet) mobilizes Canada’s glycomics expertise into transdisciplinary, focused research and development programs to deliver breakthrough solutions for human and animal health and sustainable agri-food systems.

GlycoNet funds projects along the following research innovation continuum: translational research and development, clinical engagement, technology development, and knowledge mobilization. 

Funding Programs:

Translational Grants

These grants seek to fund multidisciplinary projects with clear endpoints to advance and de-risk them to a state at which translation is possible and could attract partners. Maximum request: $150,000 for one year, 1:1.5 matching required. Rolling Call. Review will be conducted on a quarterly basis until the funds are exhausted. For more details see RFP.

Strategic Initiatives

These grants fund partner-led or initiated projects designed to meet partners’ needs. Maximum request: $150,000 for one year, with possibility of renewal, 1:1.5 matching required. Rolling Call. Review will be conducted on a quarterly basis until the funds are exhausted. For more details see RFP.

Kickstart Program

This program seeks to support the creation of new companies (NewCo) as well as existing start-ups during their initial phase of development. Proposals may request up to $100,000 in funding. Funding terms will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis. Matching funds and co-investments are preferable, but may not be required.  Rolling Call. Review will be conducted on a quarterly basis until the funds are exhausted. Note that this competition is in 3 steps, with the first step being to submit a business case (2-3 pages). For more details see RFP.

Important Information for Applying

Before applying, please refer to the following:

Please note: the applicant must also upload and submit the application through the university's My Research Application (MRA) System. Please notify the Innovations & Partnerships Office of your intent to apply at least one week prior to the Sponsor's deadline. The MRA approval process should be started well in advance in parallel to ensure a successful submission since it can take several business days to complete the approval process.

Halo Science: Various Research Funding Opportunities

Halo Science provides a platform where companies seeking scientific engagement can post their research needs and offer sponsored research opportunities to address them. Halo features a growing list of partner companies across a broad spectrum of fields. These partners contribute to a dynamic list of projects that require academic involvement.

There is no cost to academic researchers to join the mailing list or to respond to opportunities presented at Halo. U of T investigators are invited to register and propose solutions to posted challenges in their respective fields by submitting a brief, non-confidential summary. Companies may then reach out directly to engage in standard sponsored research arrangements.

Since responding to an opportunity is primarily an expression of interest and not a commitment of resources, an MRA will only be required once any subsequent discussion with the sponsoring company proceeds to the stage of budgeting and contract negotiations.

Halo Science sends out periodic lists of open projects to registered investigators and institutions. However, researchers can browse the Halo website at any time for open opportunities of interest.

As the list of opportunities offered by Halo clients is constantly evolving, researchers are encouraged to use the direct link to check their marketplace for current opportunities.

Halo hosts webinars with their partners to discuss their opportunities. By signing up on their portal (which is free), you will receive invitations to register for upcoming webinars.

Horizon Europe Partnership Development Seed Grants

The Office of the Vice-President, International (OVPI), in collaboration with the Division of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation (VPRI), are hosting a call for applications for the Horizon Europe Partnership Development Seed Grants.  

This program offers seed grants to support U of T Principal Investigators (PIs) to establish or enhance international partnerships leading to Horizon Europe Pillar II applications. These grants will support U of T PIs from all disciplines in collaborating with researchers from European member states and Horizon Europe associate countries. 

Eligibility:

All U of T faculty members who meet the University’s definition of a Principal Investigator (PI) are eligible to apply. 

Application deadlines:  

  • August 28, 2025 
  • November 27, 2025 

Value and Duration:

  • Maximum seed grant: $10,000 CAD, to be spent within two years. 
  • Can be used as matching funds for SSHRC Destination Horizon Grants (up to $15,000). 
  • Pillar II grants typically range from €4-€15 million. 

Funds from this grant must be used to support U of T PIs in building or strengthening international partnerships that are intended to build towards a Horizon Europe proposal/collaboration.   

Questions? For more information on this call, including detailed instructions on how to apply, please see the? funding opportunities page.? 

If you have questions, please get in touch with Elina Tulla, Research Officer, Office of the Vice-President, International at elina.tulla@utoronto.ca.?? 

Faculty are encouraged to review U of T’s safeguarding research resources when developing their proposals. 

Do not use MRA to submit this application.

Indigenous Capacity and Leadership in Research Connection Grants

Canada’s three federal research funding agencies—the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)— have just launched the Indigenous Capacity and Leadership in Research (ICLR) Connection Grants, the first of three funding opportunities in the context of the federal government’s Budget 2024 commitment to support and increase Indigenous participation in research. The ICLR Connection Grants will fund activities to engage with and exchange knowledge that contribute to wholistic, interdisciplinary and distinctions-based approaches.

ICLR Connection Grants are valued at up to $50,000 each over one year. Applications may be submitted by an institution or by individual applicants. All grants for this funding opportunity are reserved for the following eligible organizations or researchers affiliated with them:

  • First Nations not-for-profit organizations,
  • Métis not-for-profit organizations,
  • Indigenous not-for-profit organizations serving more than one distinction, or
  • Indigenous postsecondary institutions.

Further details, including application information, are available at the following link:

https://sshrc-crsh.canada.ca/en/funding/opportunities/joint-initiatives/2025/indigenous-capacity-leadership-research/competition.aspx

KU Leuven Global Seed Funding Opportunity

The KU Leuven Global Seed Fund is inviting U of T PIs in the sciences who are interested in initiating or deepening international research collaborations to apply. The fund supports pilot projects that lay the groundwork for future joint applications to major international funding programs such as Horizon Europe.

KU Leuven is Europe’s top recipient of Horizon Europe Pillar II funding—the EU’s €95.5 billion main research and innovation program (2021–2027).

Funding & Duration

  • Funding up to €30,000 from KU Leuven for 1 year; some additional matching funds from U of T may be available.

Eligibility:

  • Open to all scientific disciplines.
  • Applications must include at least one KU Leuven researcher and at least one researcher from U of T.
  • U of T faculty members who meet the University’s definition of a Principal Investigator (PI) may be eligible for some matching funds. PIs must hold an appointment for the full duration of the grant’s funding period plus one year. Successful status-only PIs must hold grant funds in a U of T account.

Application Process & Deadline

  • Applications must be submitted through KU Leuven’s portal by a KU Leuven PI, HERE
  • Application deadline: October 9, 2025

Faculty are encouraged to review U of T’s safeguarding research resources when developing their proposals. 

Questions? For more information on this call, including detailed instructions on how to submit a proposal, please see the link for KU Leuven on the funding opportunities page or contact Elina Tulla, Research Officer, Office of the Vice-President International at elina.tulla@utoronto.ca.

Lotte & John Hecht Memorial Foundation

Lotte & John Hecht Memorial Foundation of Vancouver, BC would like to welcome research groups to apply for funding opportunities in the field of major illnesses with a primary focus in oncology. We specialize in providing support to research projects that are novel and innovative and/or that otherwise experience difficulties in receiving support from other sources, potentially resulting from the inability to create intellectual property or from lack of peer support – in other words, high-risk, unconventional and disruptive research.

Because of that premise, the research project must be of high quality. We welcome all spectrums of experimental design initiatives, from meta-analyses and pilots to randomized controlled double-blinded trials and operational support; both pre-clinical and clinical projects are invited, with preference being given to clinical trials.

Deadlines:

Currently, applications are reviewed three times per year, and the potential for funding starts in April, August, and December for successful applicants.

Submission Guidelines:

Applicants should telephone the Foundation to discuss their project before submitting a proposal. If appropriate, a letter of intent and supporting documents will be requested.

Additional Information:

For more information, please email anakonechnaya@hecht.org or visit our website at hecht.org.

Examples of previously funded research include:

  • Lessening organ dysfunction/injury with vitamin C (LOVIT trial) / University of Sherbrooke / ClinicalTrials ID – NCT03680274
  • Phase II randomized crossover study of the efficacy and safety of omega-3 fatty acid supplements on lung cancer-promoting inflammatory markers in heavy smokers / BC Cancer
  • Histamine receptor 2 antagonists as enhancers of anti-tumour immunity / Dalhousie University, through a collaboration with the Canadian Cancer Society
  • Fecal microbial transplantation in combination with immunotherapy in melanoma patients (MIMic trial) / Lawson Health Research Institute / ClinicalTrials ID – NCT03772899
MITACS Elevate proposals are now accepted year-round

As of today, the Mitacs Elevate program will be open all year round to provide more flexibility and unlock more opportunities for postdoc researchers across the globe!

This evolution is part of an ongoing effort to make Mitacs Elevate a more inclusive and accessible program and support academic-industry collaboration throughout the seasons. Plus, the evergreen Elevate program now offers the following benefits:

No more deadlines — apply anytime
Elevate proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis.

A more efficient and accessible application process
Proposals can now be submitted through the Registration and Application Portal (RAP) for quick and easy access.

Agile research projects, $60K/year in funding
One-year projects will now be accepted for a standard $60,000 award per year to allow more researchers to participate in training and gain valuable experience.  Two-year projects are also still available as per previous guidelines.

Open to all sectors and disciplines
To simplify requirements, the thematic award will no longer be offered. This means postdocs from any sector or academic discipline can apply anytime.

For detailed program and application information, please visit: https://research.utoronto.ca/funding-opportunities/db/mitacs-elevate

Please note:  the applicant must also upload and submit the application through the university's My Research Application (MRA) System. The MRA approval process should be started well in advance, in parallel, to ensure a successful submission, since it can take several business days to complete the approval process.

Mitacs Accelerate: Accepting New Applications

Applications to the Mitacs Accelerate program are now being accepted.  Please note the University of Toronto will need to adhere to a maximum number of Internship Units (IUs) that can be allocated in fiscal 2025/26.

Mitacs is working closely with the University to manage the allocation of internship units.  If you have a Mitacs Accelerate project in development and have not already done so, please connect with Mitacs Business Development Advisor Modupe Olufemi (molufemi@mitacs.ca) or the Mitacs Regional Director, Ontario, Laura Yu (lyu@mitacs.ca) to discuss your application.

Please note that any project may be reduced in size or deferred to next year once the institutional maximum allocation has been filled.  Priority will be given to the following applications:

  • Projects already approved under existing, multi-year Mitacs Accelerate Grants and Umbrella Grants,
  • NSERC Alliance-Mitacs joint projects.

The following Mitacs programs are NOT affected by the institutional allocation of internship units:

  • Accelerate projects in quantum research (see definition below),
  • Indigenous Pathways program (see definition below),
  • Business Strategy Internship (BSI) program.

Please note that no changes are anticipated on allocations for the Globalink Research Awards. Those interested in the program should email globalinkaward@utoronto.ca to discuss.

NEW this year: The Mitacs Elevate program will merge into the Mitacs Accelerate program, and these units will be counted within the University's maximum allocation.

If you have any questions, please contact innovations.partnerships@utoronto.ca or Mitacs directly. Also, refer to the How To Apply section on Accelerate on the Mitacs’ website:  Mitacs Accelerate Program.

Quantum Project Eligibility

“Quantum” projects refer to those in the ‘quantum’ field of science and technology which seek to predict and explain the behaviour of atoms and molecules and involve the manipulation and control of systems at the atomic and subatomic levels. Quantum science and technology projects broadly refer to projects that aim to study one or more of the following:

  • Quantum computers – a type of computer that exploits the behaviour of microscopic elements of the size of atoms to perform calculations;
  • Quantum software – software and algorithms that run on quantum computers and enable the operation and design of quantum computers and/or development and optimization of quantum applications;
  • Quantum communications – networks that utilize the laws of physics to protect and share data;
  • Quantum sensors – devices that use quantum science to perform measurements with high sensitivity and accuracy; and,
  • Quantum materials – materials with unusual magnetic and electrical properties resulting from quantum effects.

Indigenous Pathways Eligibility

To be eligible to the Indigenous Pathways offering, one of the following requirements must be met:

  • The partner organization must be a for-profit organization with self-identifying Indigenous persons (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit) who hold 50% or greater ownership shares;
  • The partner organization must be a not-for-profit organization with board membership consisting of 50% or greater self-identifying Indigenous Persons (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit);
  • The student assigned to the project must be a self-identifying Indigenous person (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit).
Mitacs Accelerate Internship Unit Allocations Limits Have Been Lifted for Ontario Universities

Allocation limits on Mitacs Accelerate Internship Units (IUs) for the University of Toronto and all universities in Ontario have been lifted. The University is no longer subject to a maximum number of IUs, and researchers may now submit applications to the Mitacs Accelerate program without restriction.

On March 25, 2025 the research community was advised of the need to adhere to a maximum number of Mitacs Accelerate internship units (IUs) allocated in 2025/26, but as a result of strong delivery performance, Mitacs has advised that the institutional allocation limitations are now lifted.

Researchers who have a Mitacs Accelerate project in development, or who are interested in submitting a new application, should connect with Mitacs Business Development Advisor Modupe Olufemi (molufemi@mitacs.ca) or the Mitacs Regional Director, Ontario, Laura Yu (lyu@mitacs.ca) to discuss your application.

If you have any questions, please contact innovations.partnerships@utoronto.ca, or Mitacs directly. Also, refer to the How To Apply section on Accelerate on the Mitacs’ website:  Mitacs Accelerate Program.

Updated NIH Policy on Foreign Subawards: Impact at UofT

The National Institutes of Health in the US updated its Policy on Foreign Subawards effective May 1st, 2025.  Further information on Foreign Subawards was released by NIH on May 7th.   Researchers who hold NIH funding at the University of Toronto, either as a subaward recipient or as a primary award holder, may be directly impacted by these new updates.

What are the updates to NIH’s Foreign Subaward policy?

There are three major changes:

  1. NIH will implement a new awards structure by September 30th, 2025 under which NIH may issue awards to foreign recipients directly as an independent subproject rather than permitting the primary institution to issue a foreign subaward. 
  2. As of May 1st, 2025 NIH will not issue Notices of Awards for new grants, renewals, or continuations (referred to as non-competing continuations) when a foreign subaward entity is included.   The Primary Institution has three options:  i) find a US-based investigator who can take over the foreign sub-awardee's work, ii) complete the work themselves, or iii) if the work cannot be completed without the foreign sub-awardee's participation, NIH will terminate the primary grant.
  3. Foreign co-applicants are no longer permitted on NIH applications until the new awards structure is in place.

Impact on NIH Subaward holders at U of T

  • If the Primary Institution issuing your subaward has submitted a Research Performance Progress Report for their grant ‘s continuation, and the Notice of Award was or will be issued after May 1, 2025, NIH will not approve your continued inclusion in the award.  This means your budget for the subsequent year(s) will be cancelled but for certainty please reach out to your collaborator at the Primary Institution to discuss the effect of the policy and their plans for the project moving forward.
  • If you received or expect to receive a subaward agreement or amendment based on a Notice of Award that NIH issued prior to May 1st, 2025, your budget for the current year will remain unaffected. We expect more clarity from NIH on the impact for future years when the new award structure is released.

Impact on Foreign-based Primary Award Holders

  • At this time, primary awards held outside of the US will continue to be funded, however, the foreign Primary Institution must comply with the same requirements regarding foreign subawards as outlined above.

    • For example, if an NIH grant is held at U of T as the Primary Institution, and the PI submits their Research Performance Progress Report in June 2025, NIH will not issue the subsequent year’s Notice of Award until the subawards to recipients in Canada or anywhere outside of the US are removed.

Next steps

  • taff in VPRI will be reaching out to PIs and their respective Chairs and Vice/Associate Deans or Vice-Principals, Research who are impacted by the updated policy to explain the impact of these changes and to answer any questions.
  • We encourage PIs to reach out to their collaborator(s) whether you are a subaward holder or the Primary award holder, to discuss any required changes to the project and funding.
  • We also encourage PIs to familiarize themselves with this change and to actively review their NIH funded programs to assess impact.
  • VPRI will continue to monitor the policy and will share any updates as they occur.
  • For those researchers who hold NIH subawards from other institutions, we encourage PIs and their project teams to ensure all expenses related to these subawards are charged/reallocated to their subaward fund (UTRAC) in a timely manner so that final financial reports/cost recovery invoices prepared by the Research Oversight & Compliance Office reflect total expenditures on your grant and to minimize the risk of loss of funding awarded

Questions

You can review the UTRAC for each NIH Subaward or NIH Primary award you hold by accessing the My Research online tool. The name of the Grant Officer in VPRI who is managing your award will be identified on the UTRAC and we encourage you to write to them directly.  

National Research Council of Canada: The Pandemic Response Challenge Program - Call for Expression of Interest

The Pandemic Response Challenge Program is currently structured around four main research areas:

  • Rapid detection and diagnosis
  • Therapeutics and vaccine development
  • Digital health

Purpose: This program will build teams to address challenges requiring further research and development for solutions to meet COVID-19 related needs. The NRC will build these teams drawing on internal-to-government capacity and academic researchers who register using the button below to indicate their interest, and related areas of expertise and capabilities.

The NRC will receive $15M to form dedicated teams to address challenges in the areas of greatest research and development (R&D) need in the fight against COVID-19. The NRC Pandemic Response Challenge Program will accelerate the development of diagnostics and medical countermeasures for a rapid front-line response to protect and treat Canadians. This national vehicle will convene the best Canadian and international researchers from academia and small and medium-sized businesses to collectively accelerate R&D to address specific COVID-19 gaps and challenges as identified by Canadian health experts. 

Researchers at Canadian and international universities, government departments, colleges, and highly innovative firms with relevant expertise can now register their interest to work with NRC on these challenges by Registering via the link below.

On that linked page, you will be asked to identify your primary area of interest.  Please note that, as a 'radio button,' you can only select one Challenge area at a time.

Funding is available to help cover the costs of research for academic institutions, small and medium-sized businesses, and other eligible recipients participating in the challenge teams. Over the coming weeks, NRC will post the specific R&D challenges,  send information to registered researchers, and invite them to indicate the expertise and capabilities they can bring to a team.

https://nrc.canada.ca/en/research-development/research-collaboration/programs/expression-interest-challenge-program-collaboration

Additional Information and Submission Guide

For more information about the different research areas for the NRC Pandemic Response Challenge, please visit the program website. 

In order to manage the University's response to the COVID-19 Challenge, please confirm your registration via a courtesy email to strat.initiatives@utoronto.ca identifying the Challenge stream to which you have registered.  As with other Challenges in relation to COVID-19, this is a rapidly evolving real-world situation, so please be patient as NRC finalizes program details.

New NIH "FORMS-I" Grant Application Forms and Instructions - Due Dates on or after January 25, 2025

NIH is making changes to their application forms and peer review process affecting applications for due dates on or after January 25, 2025, and on or after May 25, 2025. Applicants must use FORMS-I application packages for due dates on or after January 25, 2025.

Required for due dates on or after January 25, 2025

Simplified Review Framework for Most Research Project Grant Applications Revisions to the NIH Fellowship Application and Review Process  Updates to Reference Letter Instructions for Referees  Updated Application Forms (FORMS-I)

Availability of FORMS-I Application Guides
Application guides for FORMS-I application packages is posted to the How to Apply - Application Guide 

Availability of FORMS-I Application Packages
FORMS-I application packages are available through NIH’s application system - ASSIST

Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support

Required for due dates on or after May 25, 2025

New Frontiers in Research Fund - Exploration 2025 competition

The 2025 NFRF Exploration grants competition has launched.

The objective of the Exploration stream is to support high-risk, high-reward and interdisciplinary research. It seeks to inspire projects that bring disciplines together beyond traditional disciplinary or common interdisciplinary approaches by research teams with the capacity to explore something new that might fail, but that has the potential for significant impact.

Exploration grants support research with a range of impacts, some of which might be social, cultural, economic, health-related or technological. This list is not exhaustive; other types of impacts are also recognized. Diversity of perspectives is important, and the fund encourages research proposals led from any discipline, from those in the social sciences and humanities, to health, the natural sciences and engineering.

Grants awarded are up to $125,000 (including indirect costs) per year for two years.

KEY DATES (for UofT led applications): 

Notice of Intent

Internal Deadline: August 18, 2025 - noon

Sponsor Deadline (RSO submits): August 19, 2025

Full Application

Optional Editorial Review - September 22, 2025 - noon

Internal Deadline: October 14, 2025 

MRA Deadline:  October 14, 2025

Sponsor Deadline (RSO submits): October 21, 2025

NOI Webinar 

Webinars will be recorded and they will be made available along with the presentation slides to the research administrators after the session.   

Additional Resources

2025 Exploration competition funding opportunity - UofT Funding Opportunities Page

Research Services Contacts

Jenny Korolik (jenny.korolik@utoronto.ca)

Sponsor Contact

Email: NFRF-FNFR@chairs-chaires.gc.ca

NIH - Research Grant Program (R01)

The Research Project Grant (R01) provides support for health-related research and development based on the mission of the NIH. R01s are most often investigator initiated in response to either the R01 Parent Announcement or a Program Announcement highlighting particular scientific areas. Requests for Applications (RFAs) may also utilize the R01 mechanism.

NIH runs three open investigator intiated competitions per year for new R01 Research Grants (February, 5, June 5 and October 5). Other deadlines apply for resubmission/renewal of Research Grants, other NIH research program announcements (PA) and for Requests for Applications (RFAs).   Applications in response to RFAs are managed through the University's Innovations & Partnerships Office. Internal deadlines: 4 business days in advance of the NIH deadline.

UT Information:

Resources for applications led by UofT Researchers:

  • University of Toronto Submission Guide found here.
  • For more information on Writing NIH applications click here.
  • NIH Tips for Preparing Your Application Using ASSIST can be found here 
  • Please note these documents are supplemental resources only and the details and instructions for applications is found in the specific Funding Opportunity Announcement

  • Applicants applying to NIH applications a should access the application by signing-in to ASSIST using their eRA Commons user name and password

Resources for UofT co-applicants on proposals led by other institutions:

  • University of Toronto Submission Guide for Faculty Applying as a Subaward found here

  • Submission Process

    The internal deadline for applications to be submitted to the Research Services Office is 4 business days prior to the NIH submission deadline.  Applications must be submitted through My Research Application (MRA) for department and faculty approval prior to the internal deadline.

Help with Application

NIH Grant Application Basics

  • NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices can be found here. Please consult the Parent Announcement, Program Announcement or RFA to confirm that non-US institutions are eligible to apply.
  • Register for NIH newsletters, funding announcements, Podcasts here.
  • NIH has created a series of Podcasts about Grant Writing, Early Stage Investigators and Jump Starting Your Research Program. Access them here.

Additional Information

Visit here to see the National Institutes of Health’s recently released requests for applications and program announcements. For more information on NIH application and the submission process, please visit the University’s Research Funding Opportunities found here.

*NIH is informing the applicant of changes to grant application forms and application guide instructions for due dates on or after January 25, 2022.  Application guides for FORMS-G application packages will be posted to the How to Apply - Application Guide page.

NIH Small Research Grant Program (R03)

The R03 grant mechanism will support small research projects that can be carried out in a short period of time with limited resources.

The common characteristic of the small grant is the provision of limited funding for a short period of time. Examples of the types of projects that ICs support with the R03 include the following:

  • Pilot or feasibility studies
  • Secondary analysis of existing data
  • Small, self-contained research projects
  • Development of research methodology
  • Development of new research technology

The current R03 Parent Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for investigator-initiated R03 applications can be found at here and articulates the policies and procedures that apply to this grant mechanism.

Resources for applications led by UofT Researchers:

Resources for UofT co-applicants on proposals led by other institutions:

  • University of Toronto Submission Guide for Faculty Applying as a Subaward found here

Submission Process

The internal deadline for applications to be submitted to the Research Services Office is 4 business days prior to the NIH submission deadline.  Applications must be submitted through My Research Application (MRA) for department and faculty approval prior to the internal deadline.

Please notify the appropriate contact in Research Services Office by e-mail if you are planning to apply to an NIH funding opportunity.

Help with Application

NIH Grant Application Basics

  • NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices can be found here. Please consult the Parent Announcement, Program Announcement or RFA to confirm that non-US institutions are eligible to apply.
  • Register for NIH newsletters, funding announcements, Podcasts here.
  • NIH has created a series of Podcasts about Grant Writing, Early Stage Investigators and Jump Starting Your Research Program. Access them here.

Additional Information

Visit here to see the National Institutes of Health’s recently released requests for applications and program announcements. For more information on NIH application and the submission process, please visit the University’s Research Funding Opportunities found here.

*NIH is informing the applicant of changes to grant application forms and application guide instructions for due dates on or after January 25, 2022.  Application guides for FORMS-G application packages will be posted to the How to Apply - Application Guide page..

NIH Developmental Research Grants (R21)

The R21 grant mechanism is intended to encourage exploratory/developmental research by providing support for the early and conceptual stages of project development. The NIH has standardized the Exploratory/Developmental Grant (R21) application characteristics, requirements, preparation, and review procedures in order to accommodate investigator-initiated (unsolicited) grant applications.

The R21 Parent Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for investigator-initiated R21 applications can be found at the Program Home Page and articulates the policies and procedures that apply to this grant mechanism.

Resources for applications led by UofT Researchers:

Resources for UofT co-applicants on proposals led by other institutions:

  • University of Toronto Submission Guide for Faculty Applying as a Subaward found here

Submission Process

The internal deadline for applications to be submitted to the Research Services Office is 4 business days prior to the NIH submission deadline.  Applications must be submitted through My Research Application (MRA) for department and faculty approval prior to the internal deadline.

Help with Application

NIH Grant Application Basics

  • NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices can be found here. Please consult the Parent Announcement, Program Announcement or RFA to confirm that non-US institutions are eligible to apply.
  • Register for NIH newsletters, funding announcements, Podcasts here.
  • NIH has created a series of Podcasts about Grant Writing, Early Stage Investigators and Jump Starting Your Research Program. Access them here

Additional Information

Visit here to see the National Institutes of Health’s recently released requests for applications and program announcements. For more information on NIH application and the submission process, please visit the University’s Research Funding Opportunities found here.

*NIH is informing the applicant of changes to grant application forms and application guide instructions for due dates on or after January 25, 2022.  Application guides for FORMS-G application packages will be posted to the How to Apply - Application Guide page..

NSERC Alliance Advantage - Updates on extensions with additional funds

Alliance Advantage grants support research projects conducted in collaboration with partner organizations to address organizational challenges and accelerate the application of research results.  

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) has observed unprecedented demand for Alliance Advantage grants and is seeking to maximize opportunities to support new applications for partnered research.  

NSERC is pausing the intake of requests for extensions with additional funds, as of February 27, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. (ET).  Until further notice, NSERC will not consider requests for additional one-year funding for existing Alliance Advantage grants beyond this deadline.   

Requests received before 8:00 p.m. (ET) on February 27, 2025, will be processed, and decisions will be subject to the availability of funds.  

To request an extension with additional funding by this date, please contact your NSERC File Manager.  

The Alliance Advantage literature has been updated to reflect this change. Other extension opportunities with no additional funding remain available. 

NSERC Alliance Society - Funding Update

Alliance Society grants support research projects that address challenges at the intersection of natural sciences, engineering and society. These grants have supported over 80 projects, delivered in partnership with more than 600 non-academic organizations. At this time, NSERC is experiencing unprecedented interest and demand for Alliance Grants and is reviewing and refining funding opportunities in a competitive context.

NSERC is reducing the maximum annual request for Alliance Society grants to $500,000 per year as of December 1,2025 at 8:00 pm (ET).

In this context, the role of the Public Value Impact Proposition (PIVP) Selection Committee will be expanded. Along with assessing applications for their fit to the objectives of Alliance Society, the Committee will also provide funding recommendations to NSERC following the merit assessment of each proposal. This change will come into effect for proposals submitted after December 1, 2025 at 8:00pm (ET).

Please note that the maximum annual request for Alliance Advantage grants remains at $1,000,000 per year.

For detailed information about NSERC Alliance Society : https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Innovate-Innover/Alliance_society-Alliance_societe/index_eng.asp

NSERC Discovery Grants & Subatomic Physics DG: NOI and Q&A Sessions

Notification of Intent (NOI)

We would like to inform you that the mandatory NOI forms for the 2026 NSERC Discovery Grant and Subatomic Physics (SAP) DG (individual) competitions are available through the NSERC Research Portal.  In order to apply for a Discovery Grant or SAP-DG in November 2025, an applicant MUST complete and submit the NOI by August 1, 2025, by 8PM (ET).

NSERC will not accept NOI submissions after the deadline.

Please note, an MRA is not required at the NOI stage and is only required at the full application stage.

Funding Opportunity

Please see this competition's Funding Opportunity for all deadlines, application details, and links and registration details for NSERC's upcoming live Q&A sessions.

NSERC PromoScience: Call for Applications and Webinars

We would like to inform you of the call for applications and upcoming NSERC-hosted webinars (on MS Teams) for the NSERC PromoScience program.  

Overview

Duration: Up to 3 years 

Value: Up to $200,000 per year

MRA Deadline: September 8, 2025, 9AM (ET). MRAs must include the completed Application Summary Form. The RSO will then obtain the institutional signature for the Application Summary Form and will email the Form back to the applicant. 

Full Application Deadline: September 15, 2025, before 8PM (ET). Submit full application package (single PDF) via NSERC’s ICSP secure submission site. Late applications will not be accepted.

See the Funding Opportunity for details

Resources

OBIO® Women in Health Initiative (WiHI) Seed Program: Call for Applications

The OBIO® Women in Health Initiative (WiHI) Seed Program is a 6-month program designed to support early-stage, women-led health science companies. Participants will receive comprehensive advisory, coaching and networking opportunities to accelerate their growth. As a crucial boost to their development, each selected company will also receive up to $10,000 CAD in grant funding. Towards the end of the program, selected companies will be invited to pitch for an equity investment.

Applications will be accepted until Friday, August 29.

Learn more and apply now: https://www.obio.ca/wihi-seed-program

Ontario Centre of Innovation: Collaborate 2 Commercialize - Call for Applications

The Ontario Centre for Innovation’s Collaborate 2 Commercialize program (C2C, formerly VIP) supports Industry/Academia collaboration solving an industry-based problem and driving the commercialization of Intellectual Property [IP]. The institution leverages the unique skills and specialized infrastructure instrumental in streamlining internal innovations and commercialization needs. Benefits include targeted training of individuals and direct engagement with Industry to work on commercially viable solutions.

Grant Program: Collaborate 2 Commercialize (C2C, formerly VIP)

C2C has two variants/options:

1:  C2C R&D Standalone Grant

2:  C2C grant combined with NSERC Alliance Grant

  • OCI cash contribution $20K-$30K (Industry Direct Cash $10K-$15K + in-kind, cash matched 2:1 by OCI, and also matched 2:1 by NSERC for an additional $20K-$30K Project duration 6-12 months
  • Companies must be Ontario SMEs (global headcount <500 employees)
  • More info: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Innovate-Innover/VIP-BIP_eng.asp  (NSERC website may still refer to VIP rather than C2C)

For full application information and guidelines, please visit: https://research.utoronto.ca/funding-opportunities/db/ontario-centre-innovation-collaborate-2-commercializ.e

Please note: the applicant must upload and submit the application through the university's My Research Application (MRA) System.  MRA is the internal University approval system that confirms support for your application from your department/faculty.

Ontario Pork Call for Letters of Intent - 2026

Ontario Pork is pleased to announce a call for Letters of Intent (LOI) for research projects that focus on the
Ontario swine industry and meet the overarching research objectives of:

  •  Testing potential improvements to swine industry practices
  • Innovation of manure pit cleaning/disinfection methods and infected manure management to mitigate African swine fever *
  • Comparison analysis of disinfection efficacy and safety of lime vs. accelerated hydrogen peroxide (Prevail®) in loading chutes under commercial conditions *
  • Analyzing the economic impacts of increased dedication of livestock trailers to U.S. loads only for increased biosecurity

*Note: Consultation with Swine Health Ontario preferred on this topic. Please reach out to Jessica Fox at jessica.fox@swinehealthontario.ca for further information.

All research projects that align with these objectives will be considered, including, but not limited to, swine health, swine welfare, swine nutrition, swine husbandry, swine reproduction, barn design and management, employee health and safety, meat quality and safety, marketing and consumer trends and environmental and economic sustainability. Highest priority is given to projects that demonstrate scientific merit as well as a strong identification of the benefit of project results to Ontario pork producers and an indication of input or support of a project from swine industry members outside of academia. Specific details on what is expected can be found in the Outline for completion of the Ontario Pork LOI.

Letters of intent should be completed electronically through the Livestock Research and Innovation Corporation’s website. Prior to applying, applicants should review Ontario Pork’s conditions of funding approval. These conditions and the outline for completing the LOI can be found at the application site and on the Ontario Pork website: http://www.livestockresearch.ca 

Timelines for the 2026 call for research:
July 21, 2025 – Researchers notified of the OP call for research and the LOIs become accessible on the LRIC system.
October 14, 2025 – LOI due by 12:00 pm (noon)
Week of December 15th, 2025 – Researchers notified of LOI outcome
January 23, 2026 – Full proposal due by 4:30 pm on this date for selected LOIs
February 2026 – Short presentations to the Committee for selected proposals
Week of March 16th, 2026 – Researcher notified of full proposal outcome

Please direct any questions pertaining to the research funding process of Ontario Pork to Reid Buchanan by
email at reid.buchanan@ontariopork.on.ca or by phone at (226) 240-4496. Questions regarding the LRIC
application system should be directed to Jean Howden at jhowden@livestockresearch.ca.

PKD Foundation

The PKD Foundation’s principal mission is to support basic, translational, and clinical research that will benefit patients with autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD and ARPKD).

Under this RFA, the PKD Foundation solicits research grant applications in the following areas:

  • Basic research to enhance understanding of molecular basis of PKD and its pathobiology
  • Translational research to accelerate development of predictive and therapeutic strategies for PKD
  • Clinical research such as small pilot studies
  • Epidemiology/data analysis research to conduct secondary data analyses utilizing existing database resources, or to develop new statistical methodologies or test hypotheses using existing data

The PKD Foundation encourages proposals in the following topic areas:

  • Autosomal Recessive PKD (ARPKD)
  • ADPKD in children
  • Innovative approaches to machine learning
  • Lifestyle interventions (e.g., in dietary habits)
  • Epidemiology/ data analysis (e.g., using existing datasets)
  • Extra-renal manifestations of PKD, including but not limited to, congenital hepatic fibrosis, polycystic liver disease, and intracranial aneurysms
  • Clinical care disparities (e.g., race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, rural versus urban)
  • Drug delivery mechanisms

Deadlines

Pre-Application Deadline: August 11, 2025 @5pm CST
Invitation to submit Full Applications: October 2025
Full Applicaiton Deadline: January 12, 2026 @5pm CST

Funding 

Award amounts will equal $120,000 direct costs per year for two years, for a total grant award of $240,000 (or $360,000 for a three-year Young Investigator Award see: Young Investigator Award.)

Future-year funding is dependent upon the availability and interim research progress. Awarded funds must be used solely for the purposes specified in the proposal submitted to and approved by the PKD Foundation as executed by the investigator and institution in strict compliance with the budget attached to the application.

Additional Information

Additional information on the program and the application process can be found here. 

SSHRC Aid to Scholarly Journals - Application now open and new guidelines

SSHRC has now updated the Aid to Scholarly Journals guidelines for the 2025 competition. The grants support Canadian scholarly research and dissemination by offering a contribution to enable journals to defray the costs associated with publishing open access scholarly articles and digital journal dissemination. Aid to Scholarly Journals grants are valued at:

  • up to $42,400 per year over three years for emerging journals and
  • up to $52,000 per year over three years for established journals

In addition, as part of the total grant value for both emerging and established journals, the applicant may request up to $10,000 per year to contribute to the costs related to the development and implementation of publishing best practices. Please see the “Value and Duration” section of the SSHRC ASJ webpage for more.

Duration: 3 funded years (+ an additional one-year, no-cost automatic extension year)

Results announced: March 2026

Deadlines for UofT Applicants:

Internal deadline for approved MRA – noon, Wednesday, September 3, 2025

  • Approved MRA must be received by Research Services (MRA may take several days for divisional approval, please submit well in advance). The MRA should include a draft proposal and finalized budget amount. For instructions on how to submit an MRA, you can look on our website here.

Internal deadline to submit online application – 9am, Monday, September 8, 2025:

  • Applicant must submit completed SSHRC application via SSHRC Portal.

For applications submitted on the SSHRC site by September 8, for which an MRA has been submitted as above, Research Services will give the application an administrative review, and if the application receives institutional approval, will forward it electronically to SSHRC by the sponsor's deadline of September 10, 2025. 

For more information, please visit the SSHRC Aid to Scholarly Journals  website and the UofT Funding Opportunities website.

SSHRC - Indigenous Capacity and Leadership in Research Connection Grants and Indigenous Innovation and Leadership in Research Network Grants – Stage 1

SSHRC has updates on the recently announced Indigenous research funding opportunities from Canada’s Tri-Agencies: NSERC, SSHRC, and CIHR. As announced in Budget 2024, the federal government committed $30 million to support and increase Indigenous participation in research. In response, and following extensive engagement with Indigenous research partners, the Tri-Agencies have introduced a suite of new programs to strengthen Indigenous leadership and capacity in the research ecosystem.  For First Nations and Métis as well as Indigenous post-secondary institutions and not-for-profit research organizations serving more than one distinction, these include:

Indigenous Capacity and Leadership in Research Connection Grants – Now open. These grants aim to contribute to growing the capacity and leadership of First Nations and Métis communities to conduct research and partner with the broader research community.  Webinars for the ICLR Connections Grants were presented at the end of June. To receive a copy of the webinar information, please contact SSHRC. 

Indigenous Innovation and Leadership in Research Network Grants – Stage 1  – Now open. These institutional grants will support will fund networks for Indigenous-led research that support Indigenous research methodologies and knowledge systems.

The webinars for "Indigenous Innovation and Leadership in Research Network Grants - stage 1 will be held via Teams at the following dates and times (eastern standard time):

 

Date

Time

Subject

Language

Link

Mon. July 28, 2025

1pm-3pm (EST)

Indigenous Innovation and Leadership in Research Network Grants

English

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NTE1MmJlODUtZTMxNC00MGI5LTk3ZWItYWY0ZDhiMDM2NDQ5%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22fbef0798-20e3-4be7-bdc8-372032610f65%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22bc532408-c556-4505-a741-2c3fe5790229%22%7d

Tues. July 29, 2025

1pm-3pm (EST)

Indigenous Innovation and Leadership in Research Network Grants

French

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_Y2NkZjAxOWYtNzNhYS00M2UxLWFiMTItMTRjYzI2ZTNmMDRm%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22fbef0798-20e3-4be7-bdc8-372032610f65%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22bc532408-c556-4505-a741-2c3fe5790229%22%7d

Important note: These grant funds can only be administered by a Canadian, Indigenous postsecondary institution or Indigenous not-for-profit organization that holds SSHRC institutional eligibility, so these grants cannot be applied for or administered through the University of Toronto, but this funding opportunity is being shared with the University of Toronto research community for informational purposes only in case there are researchers who would like to connect with other, eligible institutions that may be interested in applying. 

2025 SSHRC Insight Grant competition - Application now open and Info sessions

SSHRC has now updated the Insight Grant competition guidelines for the 2025 competition. Insight Grants support long-term research initiatives in the social sciences and humanities. They offer awards from $10,000 to $500,000 over 2 to 5 years, with a maximum annual budget of $125,000. Funding is available to emerging and established scholars for projects conducted by an individual researcher or team of researchers.

For full IG guidelines, please visit the SSHRC website here (which also has the link to the online application form through the SSHRC site and the IG application instructions). 

Deadlines:

  • Thursday, September 25, 2025 (noon) - receipt of approved MRA
    • Approved MRA must be received by Research Services (MRA may take several days for divisional approval, please submit well in advance). The MRA should include at least a draft proposal and finalized budget amount (but check with your department/administrative unit if more is required, or if they have an earlier internal deadline). For instructions on how to submit an MRA, please see this webpage, and for technical assistance, please contact raise@utoronto.ca. 
  • Monday, September 29, 2025 (9 am) - online submission of final SSHRC application via the SSHRC site
    • Applicant must submit completed SSHRC application via SSHRC site (please note, submitting after this time may reduce our ability to submit your application to SSHRC by their deadline of Oct 1st, as Research Services must complete an administrative review of all applications before forwarding them to SSHRC through the SSHRC site.

For details on the submission process and institutional approval, and for links to other resources, please see the UofT Research & Innovation Funding Opportunity webpage for the SSHRC IG: https://research.utoronto.ca/funding-opportunities/db/insight-grants.

Information sessions 

SSHRC will host its own webinars for applicants and research administrators to provide information concerning the upcoming IG October 2025 competition, including a question answer session. Advance registration is required. Detailed information of the webinars is below:

Date

Time (ET)

Language

Webinar connection information

August 21st, 2025

10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.

French

Registration and Meeting Link

August 21st, 2025

1:00 p.m. -3:00 p.m.

English

Registration and Meeting Link

If you have technical questions, please contact the SSHRC helpdesk at 613-995-4273, or webgrant@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca  

For any questions about the IG, please contact SSHRC by email at: insightgrants@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca or call 1-855-275-2861 option 5 . For this and any other upcoming webinars hosted by SSHRC, please go to the SSHRC webinar webpage.

The above details and other resources (including links to register for the UofT-hosted IG sessions) are available on the UofT Research and Innovation IG webpage.

For full guidelines for this funding opportunity, please see SSHRC's IG webpage.

SSHRC Knowledge Synthesis Grants: The Arts Transformed

SSHRC has released the guidelines and opened the application form for a new Knowledge Synthesis Grant competition, the intention of which is to mobilize, examine and synthesize social sciences and humanities research on The Arts Transformed, which (broadly) looks at the ways new and emerging technologies are impacting and transforming the arts sector. The resulting syntheses will identify roles the academic, public, private and not-for-profit sectors could play in promoting more inclusive and equitable societies, and could inform development of effective tools and technologies, robust policies and sustainable practices needed to support the path toward a diverse and inclusive future for all.

Knowledge Synthesis Grants support researchers in producing knowledge synthesis reports and evidence briefs that:

  • support the use of evidence in decision making and the application of best practices; and
  • assist in developing future research agendas.

Applicants must address the following three objectives in their proposals:

  • State of knowledge, strengths and gaps
  • Research data (ie, quality, accuracy and rigour or current work in the field, and identifying strengths and gaps in the data)
  • Knowledge mobilization (ie, engaging cross-sectoral stakeholders and/or First Nations, Inuit and Métis rights holders throughout the project to mobilize knowledge and facilitate sharing of research findings).

This Knowledge Synthesis Grants funding opportunity is guided by the following questions:

  1. Drawing on domestic, international and/or cross-sectoral evidence, what can researchers tell us about these issues?
  2. How might the findings guide public policy, practice and research agendas for Canada and the world in the immediate and long term?

Expected outcomes

Knowledge syntheses are comprehensive analyses of literature and other forms of knowledge on a particular question or issue. All types of knowledge synthesis approaches, tools and protocols, such as scoping reviews, systematic reviews and narrative syntheses, are encouraged under this funding opportunity. Synthesized results can include qualitative, quantitative or multimethod research.

Knowledge Synthesis Grants are not intended to support original research. Rather, they are intended to support the synthesis of existing research knowledge and identify knowledge gaps. This call is particularly focused on the state of research produced over the past 10 years.

Successful applicants will (among other things) be required to complete a synthesis report (max 40 pages) and 2-page evidence brief within 10 months of receiving the grant.

The competition guidelines have a number of example thematic questions concerning relevant topics/issues, but note that this is not an exhaustive list, and other topics/issues relevant to this future challenge area are welcomed by SSHRC.

Value and Duration

Knowledge Synthesis Grants are valued at $30,000 for one year.

Knowledge mobilization activities (i.e., conference presentations and outreach activities) can take place throughout the year. All synthesis reports and evidence briefs must be completed before a virtual forum, tentatively scheduled for Spring 2027.

By applying for this funding opportunity, successful applicants consent to SSHRC sharing the resulting synthesis reports and evidence briefs with other interested organizations and individuals. This does not in any way limit how researchers may otherwise publish or use the results of their research.

A maximum of 28 grants of up to $30,000 each may be awarded.

Deadlines

SSHRC's final deadline to receive applications from the University is December 2, 2025, so the following internal deadlines for University of Toronto applicants are a response to SSHRC's final deadline:

Friday, November 21, 2025 - MRA deadline

  • Approved MRA must be received by Research Services as of this date (MRA may take several days for dept or divisional approval, please submit well in advance). The MRA should include a draft proposal and finalized budget amount.

9 am on Friday, November 28, 2025 - final internal deadline for submissions on SSHRC's application site

  • Applicant must submit completed SSHRC application via SSHRC site.

For applications submitted on the SSHRC site by Nov 28, for which an MRA has been submitted as above, Research Services will give the application an administrative review and, if the application receives institutional approval, will forward it electronically to SSHRC by the sponsor deadline.

Please note:  Submitting your online application means you are ready for Research Services to give it institutional approval and forward your proposal to SSHRC. Research Services will not review the content of your application but will verify that all mandatory sections of your application are present and in good order, and that the requisite MRA is in place and approved. 

Resources

SSHRC webinar: SSHRC will be holding a webinar for this KSG competition on Oct 2, 2025, from 11 am - 12 pm. The registration link will eventually be added to SSHRC's funding opportunity page for this grant.

For more information, including the application instructions, please see the complete KSG competition guidelines on SSHRC's website. Questions for SSHRC about this competition may be sent to KSG-SSC@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca. 

Tri-Agency and CFI launch new STRAC Policy

As of May 1 2024, the Tri-Agency federal granting agencies (NSERC, CIHR, SSHRC) as well as the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) implemented the Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) policy which was announced earlier this year.  All applications to these agencies and programs must adhere to the STRAC Policy, as outlined on the Tri-Agency Guidance on the STRAC Policy webpage.   

 To be eligible to receive new research funding in any Sensitive Technology Research Area (STRA) from the CIHR, SSHRC, NSERC and the CFI, each investigator named in the application must provide an individual Attestation that they do not have any affiliation nor are in receipt of funding or in-kind support from any entity on the Named Research Organizations.  

?Additionally, the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) currently implemented in the NSERC Alliance program will be expanded to multiple Tri-Agency and CFI applications that have a corporate partner. 

As always, applicants are strongly encouraged to consult the federal Safeguarding Your Research portal as requirements and information may be updated. 

Questions or comments directed to NSERC, CIHR, SSHRC and the CFI may be addressed to researchsecurity@nserc-crsng.gc.ca. 

The CFI has launched a new webpage on research security for its programs. 

For U of T specific resources and questions, please consult the internal Research Security website?and email address: 

https://research.utoronto.ca/safeguarding-research/safeguarding-research 

researchsecurity@utoronto.ca. 

U of T Public Policy Reports Collection: Call for Submissions

The Division of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation (VPRI) and the University of Toronto Libraries (UTL) are calling for submissions to the U of T Public Policy Reports Collection.

This collection assembles public policy-related research reports produced by University of Toronto units. It is a collection of grey literature (research not published through traditional means such as in an academic journal). It is housed in TSpace, a free and secure research repository established by the University of Toronto Libraries to disseminate and preserve the scholarly record of U of T. The collection aims to improve discoverability of U of T contributions in a variety of areas including local, provincial, national, and global public policy.

Eligibility:

We invite submissions to the Public Policy Reports Collection that meet the following criteria:

  • At least one report author was a faculty, fellow, student or staff at U of T when the report was issued.
  • Authored by U of T academic units with explicit U of T branding and affiliation of the author.
  • Not published in an academic journal in an identical form. 

Benefits to Researchers:

The U of T Public Policy Reports Collection provides permanent URLs on a high-traffic repository, enabling timely research to be available sooner than through traditional scholarly publication channels. Many U of T faculty produce public policy reports outside of traditional publishing and dissemination channels. These reports are not easily found through standard bibliometric searches or through search engines and can be lost when department or personal websites are redesigned.

For more information and instructions on submitting public policy reports to the collection, please visit: https://research.utoronto.ca/reports-publications-metrics/public-policy-reports-collection  

UofT Research Security Self-Assessment Tool

The Division of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation is pleased to announce the launch of the Research Security Self-Assessment tool. 

Before applying for federal or provincial research funding, researchers are strongly encouraged to use this tool to help them identify research security policies that may be applicable to their project.  

Researchers applying for research funding or requesting non-funded agreements may access this tool directly from the Research Security web page or via a new page in My Research Applications & Agreements (MRA). The new page in MRA provides helpful resources and does not collect new information for your application/agreement. 

If you have questions, U of T’s Research Security Team is here to help you navigate research security requirements for funding applications and non-funded agreements. For assistance, please contact them early in your application process at researchsecurity@utoronto.ca. 

United States Department of Defense (DOD) - Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs - Funding Opportunities

US Department of Defense (DOD) Office of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) has released pre-funding announcements for the following programs:

Hearing Restoration Research Program (HRRP)

Focused Research Award

Neurotoxin Exposure Treatment Parkinson’s (NETP)

Early Investigator Research Award
Investigator-Initiated Research Award
Synergistic Idea Award (NEW!)

Prostate Cancer Research Program (PCRP)

Prostate Cancer Pathology Resource Network Award
*Descriptions of each of the funding opportunities, eligibility, key mechanism elements, and funding can be found in the respective Program pre-announcement at http://cdmrp.army.mil

Application Information:
UofT campus based applicants should select Toronto, University of for the institution and indicate the appropriate Research Services Office contact (see below) as the Business Official in their pre-application in the eBRAP System.  

Contact Information:
Krista Montgomery (krista.montgomery@utoronto.ca): for UofT Faculty appointed within Dalla Lana, Applied Sci & Eng, Dentistry, Forestry, Kinesiology & PE, Nursing, Pharmacy, UTM, and Medicine (last names A-M only).

Deadlines: Individual deadlines available at http://cdmrp.army.mil

Veterans Affairs Canada - Health Needs of the 2SLGBTQI+ Community in the CAF

Funding opportunity

Researchers are invited to apply for a new grant funding opportunity sponsored by Canadian Forces Health Services (CFHS) Women and Diversity Health program (WDH) to conduct a research study exploring the health care needs of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members identifying with the two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and people who identify as part of sexual and gender diverse communities, who use additional terminologies (2SLGBTQI+) community. Historically, the unique needs of this community within the CAF may not have been fully addressed by CFHS.

This study provides an opportunity to drive health care system improvement and fulsome engagement between CFHS and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community. Goals include optimising health promotion and prevention, improved health risk management, and shared decision-making. This project will address historical knowledge gaps by identifying the unique health needs of CAF members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, investigating their health care utilisation and health outcomes, as well as health experiences and any perceived barriers when accessing health care through CFHS.

Anticipated timeline and budget

Application Deadline: 4 August 2025 11:59 PM (PDT)

Estimated Project End Date: 23 April 2027 11:59 PM (PDT)

Grant funding available: $175,000

Applicant qualifications and requirements

  • Principal investigator on the project must have a PhD, MD or equivalent in a relevant field.
  • All appropriate academic research guidelines must be followed, including a research ethics board approval from Defence Research Development Canada (DRDC) or an accredited academic institution in Canada prior to funding being issued if applicable to the method(s) selected.
  • Approval from the Surgeon General Health Research Board is required. A CFHS point of contact will be provided to facilitate this process once the research proposals are selected.
  • All reports, publications, and presentations resulting from this funding opportunity are required to acknowledge that the research was conducted in response to a Funding Opportunity developed and funded by the CFHS WDH.

Application deadline

Please download and submit the Research Funding Application form.

Applicants are advised to include eight weeks of administrative lead-time in their timelines. This will allow for ethics board submission and approval, and the drafting and signing of the funding agreement.

Enquiries

Questions about this funding opportunity can be sent to the VAC Research office.

https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/about-vac/research/joint-federal-research-funding-program-military-personnel-and-veterans/health-needs-2slgbtqi-community-caf

MRA submission is required for this competition at least one week before sponsor deadline.

Enquiries for Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Arts and Science please contact Deanna Pong, all other faculties please contact Shanna Pritchard.

Awards

Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowships - Call for Nominations

The University of Toronto is pleased to announce the fourth call for applications for the Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship, a program of Schmidt Sciences, which brings together the brightest minds who have completed a PhD in the natural sciences or engineering and who aim to pursue a research project that includes the application of artificial intelligence (AI) to their domain. The program will fund cutting-edge applications of AI in the natural sciences and engineering and creates a community of interdisciplinary leaders.

OVERVIEW 

Value: $85,000 CDN/year in salary, plus an additional fixed amount of $11,000 CDN/year towards the standard benefit rate and postdoctoral levy costs incurred by the supervisor/awarded unit.

Applicants must demonstrate clear expertise and promise within their field of study. Experience with AI is not a requirement, but applicants must have a desire to learn new AI methodologies that stand to accelerate discoveries in their domain. These Fellowships will fund research and provide training in AI and related computational skills to support new directions in the application of AI.

Award Start Date: Between May 1, 2026 and January 1, 2027

Duration: 2 years of funding through the University of Toronto’s Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship program.

Note: there is a possibility for a 3rd year global research exchange, industry internship, and/or teaching-focused postdoctoral experience, pending the availability of funding from the host supervisor(s), Mitacs, and/or an alternate source of funding.

Application Deadline: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 (5PM EST)

Adjudication Meeting: November 2025

Notifications: January 2026

Further Information: https://schmidtfellows.utoronto.ca

Questions? Please contact Amanda Mohabeer  at schmidtfutures@utoronto.ca

Materials Research Society Impact Medal 

The MRS Impact Award honours outstanding individuals who have displayed excellence in areas of science communication, education, advancing diversity, mentoring, or community engagement, which reflect the Society's pursuit to advance materials science and technology to improve the quality of life.

Prize: $5,000 USD

Career Stage: Early, Mid, and Established careers.

Nomination Deadline: August 1, 2025

Award Webpage: MRS Medal.

Contact: Please contact Sam D'Alfonso for more information or if interested in being nomination for this award. 

Marie Sklodowska-Curie (MSC) Global Fellowship

The Marie Sklodowska-Curie (MSC) Global Fellowship opportunity is offered by the European Commission and is designed to facilitate long-term collaborations and knowledge transfer between European Member States (MS), Associated Countries (AC), and countries outside Europe (Third Countries), such as Canada.

These fellowships enable experienced European researchers (PhD or with 4 years of full-time research experience) who are national or long term residents of a MS or AC to be trained and to acquire new knowledge in a Third Country (TC) research partner organization (e.g. U of T) during an Outgoing Phase for a total duration of 12-24 months. Fellows must return to the European Host Organization for a mandatory 12-month period following their Outgoing Phase.

Submission Process

By the internal deadline, the applicant's proposed UofT Supervisor must upload & submit the following documents through the University's My Research (MR) System:

Applicant's application, editable draft letter of commitment

 

For further details on this funding opportunity, please click here

Internal Deadline: Thurs. September 4, 2025

Sponsor Deadline: Wed. September 10, 2025

Robbins-Ollivier Award for Excellence in Equity: Call for Nominations

The Division of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, invites internal nominations for the 2025 Robbins-Ollivier Award for Excellence in Equity. This award is intended to: 

  • fund bold and potentially game-changing institutional-level initiatives that will address persistent systemic barriers and help create a more equitable and inclusive research ecosystem; 
  • recognize faculty members who contribute their time, expertise, and lived experience to address inequities; and
  • provide opportunities for students and trainees to contribute to this work.

Awards are valued at $100,000 over one year; there will be up to three awards nationally.  

Eligibility 

Nominations are open to faculty members/teams of faculty members who:  

  • are eligible to receive grant funding from the tri-agencies;
  • hold a full-time academic appointment at the time of nomination and for the duration of the award; and
  • are in good standing with the tri-agencies.    

Please note that the objective of the award is not to fund research in EDI-related disciplines, but rather to fund initiatives that will be implemented within the institution to identify and/or address systemic barriers.

Nomination Process 

Eligible faculty members/teams of faculty members must be nominated by their institution. Each institution may submit only one nomination per year. The University of Toronto and its affiliated hospitals will select our institutional nominee through an internal peer review process.   

The internal nomination involves two steps:

  1. Complete an online Expression of Interest by September 2, 2025
  2. Submit an internal nomination package comprising these elements of the Robbins-Ollivier Award nomination package (see link for detailed instructions):
  • Part A: Description of the proposed project (4 pages maximum)
  • Part B: Award budget (1 page maximum) plus a description of divisional/departmental supports for the project, including financial supports, if applicable (1 page maximum)
  • Part C: Institutional nomination letter and rationale (3 pages maximum; a signature is not required at this stage)

Please submit the package as a single PDF to crc.edi@utoronto.ca by September 22, 2025.

Nominators are asked to review the selection criteria carefully and ensure that nominated projects are well-aligned with the program objectives. 

The Division of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, will work with the selected candidate(s) and supporting staff to facilitate the development of the full nomination and ensure its submission to the sponsor by the November 5, 2025, deadline. 

For more information, please see the Robbins-Ollivier Award 2025 competition website. 

Steacie Prize for Natural Sciences

The Steacie Prize is presented annually to a scientist or engineer of 40 years of age or less for outstanding scientific research in the natural sciences carried out in Canada. 

Extensions beyond the 40-year age requirement are permitted for official leaves, including parental and sick leave, and must be specified in the nomination letter. 

Sponsor Deadline:

August 31, 2025

Value:

$10,000

Program Homepage:

https://steacieprize.ca/how-to-apply/

If you are interested in pursuing a Steacie Prize nomination please contact Sam D'Alfonso. 

Education Awards

Access Programs University Fund (APUF)

The Access Strategy & Partnerships Office (ASPO) defines “Access Programs” as initiatives that support traditionally underrepresented groups with pathways and opportunities for post-secondary education. Currently, there are over 100 access and outreach programs at U of T.  Please see our Access Programs Database for more information.

APUF funds new and enhanced programs, including transition to university, bridging programs for adults with diverse educational backgrounds, and exposure to career paths for underrepresented youth. Access also involves service-based planning and programming within university divisions, departments, learning approaches, technologies, and student services.  

APUF priorities include expanding existing programs, developing new initiatives, improving current programs, fostering community partnerships, and providing experiential learning opportunities for U of T students. 

Eligibility

Submissions will be accepted from University of Toronto faculty and staff with continuing appointments.  

The primary beneficiary of the proposal must be domestic or permanent resident status learners from Ontario who are underrepresented at universities and who might not access or thrive in post-secondary education without the provision of supports, pathways, structured programs and/or opportunities to continue learning at the post-secondary level. 

Application Timeline

Anticipated Spring 2026

Additional information

Please visit the APUF website for more information about this program.  Please also visit the APUF Funded Initiatives to learn more about the past projects.

Graduate Education Innovation Fund

The Graduate Education Innovation Fund (GEIF) contributes to the mission of School of Graduate Studies, by fostering excellence in graduate education, including an exceptional student experience. The purpose the GEIF is to enrich the learning experience of graduate students in both our research-based and professional degree programmes, by supporting projects within and across academic divisions and units, that create positive, innovative changes in the design and delivery of graduate education at the University of Toronto.

Goals of the Graduate Education Innovation Fund

The goal of the GEIF program is to advance excellence and innovation in graduate education through greater exposure to innovative educational practices within and across programs and curricula, including both the classroom, practica, and field settings. Proposals that accomplish at least one of the following themes are invited. Proposals in areas outside the ones listed are encouraged to liaise with SGS to discuss suitability.

  • Experiential Learning: Support and enhance the transfer of learning through active learning opportunities, within and beyond traditional educational settings and methods.
  • Interdisciplinary Learning: Encourage collaborations among instructors across academic disciplines, units and divisions with the purpose of creating exceptional interdisciplinary learning experiences for graduate students.
  •  Technological Innovation: Use of technology to enhance the educational experience.
  • Indigenous Ways of Knowing: Renewal of graduate education with specific attention to representation of Indigenous ways of knowing.
  • Diverse Cultural Perspectives: Renewal of graduate education with specific attention to representation of racialized perspectives, other minoritized voices, as well as intercultural experiences and civic engagement. Strengthen opportunities to learn abroad, international work, and bringing global and international experiences into our local environment.
  • Decolonization, Anti-oppression, and Anti-racism: Enhancing educational practices, such as teaching and curriculum renewal, to build a more just and equitable learning environment.
  • Professional Development: Create, strengthen and assess professional development opportunities for graduate students. 
  • Public Scholarship: Focusing on engaging the public through a scholarly agenda. Strengthen opportunities for public dissemination of scholarly work (e.g., personal blog post, podcast interview, or op-ed) and for partnerships with a school, community organization, or cultural institution (e.g. museum, theatre, archive) in an ongoing two-way exchange of knowledge and practices.

Research Component

The GEIF is a grant for curricular, teaching, and professional development innovation; it is not a research grant. While a research component to a project may be appropriate, the sole purpose of a proposal should not be the production and dissemination of new research. The fund is for ‘creating’ something innovative that enhances the education, teaching, and curricular capabilities of the University.

If a component of a project proposal involves the production of new research through the engagement of human participants, please ensure that Research Services has been consulted for ethics guidance.

Eligibility 

University of Toronto faculty members with continuing appointments are eligible to apply (i.e., assistant professor, associate professor, and professor for both the tenure and teaching streams; part-time assistant, associate, and professor that have undergone continuing review). Typically, applicants will hold Graduate Faculty Membership with SGS. Collaborators can include librarians, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows etc., as appropriate to the project.

Funding Amounts 

Ten seed grants of a maximum of $5,000 each will be available on an annual basis. Applicants are encouraged to seek out contributions from their unit or division and document it in their budget.

Application Information

For details on applying, please take a look at the summary of our September 2023 GEIF information session (PDF).

Please refer to our list of previously funded applications. We encourage applicants to re-submit to a subsequent adjudication cycle if unsuccessful.

The deadline for applications is November 6, 2025, and April 2, 2026.

Apply for the Graduation Education Innovation Fund

Contact

Vina Goghari, PhD
Vice-Dean Research and Program Innovation, SGS
sgs.vdeanprograms@utoronto.ca

Angelique Plata
Executive Assistant to the Vice-Deans, SGS
sgs.vdeanea@utoronto.ca

International Student Experience Fund (ISEF)

The goal of the International Student Experience Fund (ISEF) is to foster a supportive environment on U of T’s campuses by funding initiatives that enhance the experience of the university’s international students, in alignment with the U of T’s international strategy. The ISEF supports two streams of activities; Seed ($5,000-$15,000 per year) and Impact ($15,000-$75,000 per year). This two-tiered system is intended to provide opportunities for projects that explore, implement, and scale up promising practices at different stages of their development and implementation, and create a pathway for projects from their initial inception to their full potential. ISEF grants are awarded for a maximum of 2 years.

Thematic Areas

All proposals should address one or more of the following themes:

Programs, Services, and Policies

 

Identification and leveraging of existing forums and channels for dialogue. Addressing barriers to participation.

Intergroup interaction across biographies (multilingual speakers/unilingual speakers of English, Canadian/international, interaction amongst communities from various regions of the world, etc.).

Listening to and encouraging the voices of international students

Shift from deficit mindset/approach (international students as a problem to solve) to one of global inclusion (international students as valuable members) among faculty, staff, and students.

Interactional Diversity – Required in a learning environment at a global university

Serving all students well through institutional and operational competence. Consideration of existing programs, policies, and practices from the lens of international students (1/3 of the university’s student population) at all points of the student journey, from pre-arrival to preparing for life after U of T.

Changing Mindset – Building inclusive community and fostering belonging

Eligibility

Submissions will be accepted from U of T faculty and staff with continuing appointments only. The primary beneficiaries of the proposal must be U of T international undergraduate and/or graduate students. Projects must engage each of the U of T’s student, faculty, and staff communities, even if only in an advisory capacity.  Projects must also include collaboration with other divisions, either from the start of the project, or as a means of expanding the project in its final year of funding.

Funding Streams

The International Student Experience Fund (ISEF) supports two levels of grant activities:

Seed ($5,000-$15,000) x 2 years maximum Impact ($15,000-$75,000) x 2 years maximum

 

Impact grants are designed to support large-scale projects with the potential to significantly enhance core elements of international student experience within or across units and divisions at the University. This can range from projects designed to scale, sustain and institutionalize high-impact initiatives that have already experienced successful experimentation in their local contexts, to the development of new mechanisms and tools for proliferating innovative practices.

These two funding streams are intended to provide opportunities for projects that explore, implement, and scale up promising practices at different stages of their development and implementation, and create a pathway from initial inception to a project’s full implementation.

Seed grants are intended to encourage experimentation, as a means of fostering small-scale innovations or pilots with the potential for future scalability. These projects should hold significant promise for scalability within their home unit/division or transferability into other University of Toronto contexts.

 

2025-2026 Application Deadlines

Applications for the two funding streams will be accepted according to the following timelines:

  • Seed grants ($5,000-$15,000 per year) will be accepted on a rolling basis.
  • Impact grants ($15,000-$75,000 per year). Letters of Intent due Tuesday, November 11, 2025. Only select candidates will be invited to submit full proposals, due Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
  • Details on the application can be found here.

 

Contact

The International Student Experience Fund is sponsored by the Office of the Vice-President International. For additional information regarding the Fund, please contact international@utoronto.ca.

Learning Education Advancement Fund (LEAF)

The Learning & Education Advancement Fund (LEAF) program aims to support the President’s Three Priorities:

Leverage our urban location(s) more fully, for the mutual benefit of University and City; Strengthen and deepen key international partnerships by means of a well-defined strategic focus; Reimagine and reinvent undergraduate education.

Funding:

A two-tiered system of funding, LEAF provides funding opportunities for teaching and learning projects that explore, implement and scale up promising practices at different stages of their development and implementation. Focused on projects connected to the academic curriculum, LEAF creates a pathway for projects from their initial inception to their full potential. 

Seed grants are intended to encourage experimentation at the local level, either within a course or a set of courses, as a means of fostering small-scale enhancements or pilots with the potential for future scalability. These projects should have the potential for either scalability within their home unit or transferability into other undergraduate learning contexts. Grants in this category range from $5,000 to $10,000 per year for up to 3 years.

Impact grants are designed to support large-scale projects with the potential to significantly enhance core elements of undergraduate education within or across academic units and divisions at the University. This can range from scaling high-impact teaching practices that have already experienced successful experimentation in their local contexts, to the development of new pedagogical or curricular approaches and practices. Grants in this category range from $10,000 to $100,000 per year for up to 3 years.

Deadlines

Fall Cycle (Seed and Impact Grants)
Expressions of Interest due September 17, 2025​
Full Application due November 25, 2025​

Winter Cycle (Seed Grants only)
Expression of Interest due February 23, 2026​
Full Application due April 28, 2026​

Workshops

  1. Workshop: Building an Effective LEAF Application: Assessment Strategies for a Meaningful Project 
    This workshop explores how you measure the effectiveness of a LEAF project. In this session, we examined building a meaningful and integrated assessment strategy from thinking about what sort of assessment tools work for your project to when and how you are assessing your project.

    Participants in this session gained an introductory overview of different assessment tools and techniques and clear next steps for how to build an assessment strategy in the context of a teaching grant.
    Access the Recording

  2. Workshop: Building an Effective LEAF Application: From Idea to Submission 
    This workshop is designed for instructors and staff interested in applying for the LEAF program. Our workshop explored everything from designing a research question for the Expression of Interest to the basics of building an effective, integrated assessment strategy.

    Participants gained insights into strategies and suggestions for successful applications, collaborating with peers on proposals and learned from a panel of former LEAF recipients.
    Access the Recording

  3. Workshop: Strategies for Writing an Effective Teaching & Learning Grant
    In support of instructors and staff interested in the LEAF program as well as the Graduate Education Innovation Fund, the Instructional Technology and Innovation Fund (ITIF) and other teaching and learning funding opportunities, this workshop was jointly hosted by our office, the Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation and Academic & Collaborative Technologies.
    Access the Recording

Additional Information

Additional information can be found here.