Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) – 2023 Innovation Fund - Internal Call for Proposals
About the CFI Innovation Fund
The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) Innovation Fund (IF) provides funding for transformative research infrastructure projects, from all research disciplines, that will underpin cutting-edge globally competitive research. The CFI will support initiatives that allow institutions and their researchers to build on established capabilities to accelerate current research and technology development or to enhance emerging strategic priority areas.
The objectives of the CFI IF are to:
- Strive for global leadership by conducting world-class transformative research and technology development in areas of institutional strategic priority;
- Forge and foster productive, value-added partnerships within and among institutions, sectors and disciplines that will nurture creativity and innovation which will result in the effective and sustainable use of the research infrastructure; and
- Identify and develop plans and pathways to social, health, environmental and economic benefits for Canada, including improved training and skills for highly qualified personnel.
Institutional Envelope and Project Value
The CFI IF is a matching program, providing funding up to a maximum of 40 percent of total eligible infrastructure costs. The remainder must be provided by eligible partners. Typically this includes a combination of provincial funds (Ontario Research Fund), vendor discounts and/or non-Tri-Agency funds.
Example funding scheme:
- 40% requested from the CFI
- 40% requested from the Ontario Research Fund (ORF) Program
- 20% vendor deep discounts beyond the best educational price, industry, start-up funding, other non Tri-council funding (Note: CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC, and CRC are not eligible match)
Vendor quotes are not required for stage one of the internal process. The budget information is an estimated total project cost and list of main infrastructure (cornerstone pieces or systems) requested. Vendor quotes with CFI discounts secured will be required for applicants invited to stage two of the internal process. For those applicants who wish to secure vendor quotations at the first stage to assist in their project costing, a vendor quotation guide is provided.
CFI Envelope for proposals led by Ontario Tech researchers: $2M CFI IF proposals led by Ontario Tech researchers can request up to $2M in CFI funds ($5M total project costs). Priority will be given to one proposal that demonstrates the CFI IF objectives, assessment criteria, and a track record of high-quality, on-going research collaborations and established relationships with research end-users. Proposals that identify Principal Users from other academic institutions must secure a portion of that institution’s CFI envelope in cases where some of the infrastructure will be located at the collaborating institution. |
CFI Envelope for externally-led proposals: $800,000 The VPRI has reserved $800,000 of our CFI envelope to support the participation of Ontario Tech researcher in IF proposals that are externally-led (ie. the Project Leader resides at another CFI-eligible academic institution). Requests for a contribution from Ontario Tech’s CFI envelope will be considered for externally-led proposals where an Ontario Tech researcher is participating as a Principal User and a portion of the infrastructure is to be housed at Ontario Tech. Externally-led proposals requesting a commitment from Ontario Tech’s CFI envelope must submit an internal letter of intent for consideration by the VPRI. Refer to the attached guidelines for full details and timelines. |
Internal Process and Timeline
The next CFI IF call for proposals is expected in Fall 2021 with a deadline for proposals likely in Spring 2022. The Office of Research Services has developed an internal process to select applicants for the upcoming Innovation Fund competition.
STAGE ONE (Mandatory) |
Letter of Intent (LOI) |
Due by June 4, 2021 |
“Pitch Your Proposal” Event |
Mid-end of June 2021 |
|
Invitation to Second Stage |
LOI applicants invited to Second Stage of internal process |
July 2021 |
STAGE TWO (Invitation Only) |
Internal Proposal |
Due by August 20, 2021 |
Internal Selection of Proposals |
Second stage applicants notified of results |
September 2021 |
CFI Notice of Intent (for selected applicants only) |
Deadline anticipated by end of 2021* |
|
CFI Innovation Fund Deadline (for selected applicants only) |
Deadline anticipated in Spring 2022* |
*This framework is based on the estimated CFI timeline and previous Innovation Fund competitions, and is therefore subject to change as new information is provided by the CFI.
How to Apply
Note the following updates to the 2023 CFI Innovation Fund Internal Call for Proposals:
Applicant Eligibility: An Ontario Tech researcher may only participate in one IF application as a Project Leader but may participate in multiple applications as a Principal User. If a researcher participates in multiple proposals, there can be no overlap in funds or infrastructure requested among the applications.
Internal Process for Infrastructure Location and Major Considerations: At the LOI stage, applicants are required to identify a proposed location for the infrastructure requested. Applicants should initiate discussions with their Dean(s) early and review the ‘Major Equipment Considerations’ document (attached). If there are space considerations (e.g. renovations, or a need for alternate space) it is strongly recommended that the Dean(s) contact Brad MacIssac, Vice-President Administration, as early as possible for space options and planning. At the Second Stage, invited applicants will work with OCIS to develop an estimated cost for any renovations/space modifications.
“Pitch Your Proposal” Event – Tuesday June 29th 9:00 am – 11:00 am: Applicants of Ontario Tech led proposals must participate in the “Pitch Your Proposal” Event. To encourage collaboration and identify potential synergies among the proposals, all Project Leaders and Principal Users may attend.
Please refer to the attached resources for information on:
- CFI IF Internal Call for Proposals
- CFI IF Internal Letter of Intent
- Vendor CFI Guidelines
Questions?
Contact laura.rendl@ontariotechu.ca