Federal and Provincial Research Funding

The Project Grant Program is open to individuals or teams across all areas of health research and supports research projects with strong potential to advance health-related knowledge, care, systems, or outcomes. Competitions are held twice a year, in the Spring and Fall.

Team Grants support collaborative research teams working in targeted areas aligned with specific program objectives. These grants typically offer significant funding (often $1M or more) over variable durations, depending on the program. Team composition requirements may apply, and applicants are often asked to complete a registration or letter of intent phase before submitting a full application.

Search our funding database for current "Team Grants" opportunities.

Operating Grants fund research in targeted areas aligned with specific program objectives, with awards typically ranging from $100K to over $1M. Depending on the competition, applications may be submitted by individual researchers or research teams. Some opportunities may require a registration or letter of intent phase before the full application.

Search our funding database for current "Operating Grants" opportunities.

Catalyst Grants provide approximately $100K in seed funding over one year to support the launch of new research initiatives in targeted areas. These grants are designed to help researchers explore novel ideas and generate preliminary results that can lead to larger, long-term projects.

Catalyst Grants opportunities will be posted to our funding database when available. For more information, visit the CIHR Catalyst Grants webpage.

Planning and Dissemination Grants provide $10K to $25K over one year to support pre-project planning or knowledge-sharing activities. Offered in Summer and Winter cycles, these grants are not intended to fund direct research costs. Participating CIHR Institutes or partners define the eligible research areas and may set specific application requirements.

Planning and Dissemination Grants opportunities will be posted to our funding database when available. For more information, visit the CIHR Planning and Dissemination Grants webpage.

Discovery Grants provide flexible, long-term funding, typically over five years for ongoing research programs in the natural sciences and engineering. Aimed at supporting research excellence, capacity building, and training, these grants fund broad programs rather than individual projects. Researchers have the freedom to adjust their research focus over time, as long as it remains within NSERC’s mandate and follows funding guidelines.

Discovery Horizons Grants support projects that cross disciplines to advance knowledge in natural sciences and engineering. Funding ranges from 50K to 100K per year based on team size. Eligible NSERC researchers and collaborators, including college faculty, can apply with no limits on team size. Applicants can hold only one Discovery Horizons Grant, and not simultaneously with a Discovery Grant. A tri-agency committee reviews all applications to prioritize interdisciplinary research.

Alliance Grants support collaborations between university researchers and partners from the private, public, or not-for-profit sectors. The program includes multiple streams:

• Alliance Advantage Grants are for partner-driven projects. They fund projects focused on the partners’ goals, with at least one partner sharing in the costs of research. NSERC’s contributions are calculated based on cost sharing with partner organizations (up to 2:1 leverage) and range from $20,000 to $1 million per year for one to five years.
• Alliance Society Grants are for research at the intersection of science/engineering and society, with societal impact as the main driver. NSERC’s contributions can cover 100% of the project costs and range from $20,000 to $500,000 per year for one to five years.

Applications with private-sector partners must include a risk assessment to meet national security guidelines.

Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) Grants support the purchase of specialized equipment to enhance discovery, innovation, and training in the natural sciences and engineering. These grants provide up to $150,000 for tools and instruments with a total cost between $7,001 and $250,000, helping university researchers maintain cutting-edge research capabilities.

The Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) program supports collaborative research training initiatives that enhance technical, professional, and collaborative skills for graduate students in the natural sciences and engineering, or at the intersection with health and social sciences. Programs should offer value-added mentoring, mobility, and career preparation across academic and non-academic settings. Led by a team of researchers, proposals must focus on graduate students (at least 60 per cent of trainees), though undergraduates and postdoctoral fellows may also be included. Existing training resources can be used, and interdisciplinary or employer-linked components are encouraged.

Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) provide research work experience to over 3,000 students each year, fostering interest in research careers across the health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities. Jointly administered by NSERC, CIHR, and SSHRC, these awards support students through their host institutions and encourage future graduate studies by offering hands-on research experience that complements academic learning.

Partnership Grants support large, formal collaborations between postsecondary institutions and other organizations to advance research, knowledge mobilization, and training in the social sciences and humanities. Funded for four to seven years, these grants require shared intellectual leadership and contributions from all partners, including cash or in-kind support. Strong training and mentoring plans for students and emerging scholars are essential. This is an institutional application and requires full consultation with University Research Services and the appropriate Department Head and Associate Dean (Research).

Connection Grants fund short-term events and outreach activities that promote targeted knowledge exchange and engagement on valued research topics. These grants often serve as a first step toward larger projects. Individuals may apply for one Connection Grant per year and cannot hold multiple grants for the same event or activity. Funding decisions are made through four annual review cycles with specific application deadlines.

Partnership Development Grants support one- to three-year initiatives that foster new partnerships or test innovative approaches to research, knowledge mobilization, and student involvement in the social sciences and humanities. Led by a project director, these grants fund formal collaborations between postsecondary institutions and other organizations.

Partnership Engage Grants provide short-term support for small-scale, timely research collaborations between postsecondary researchers and a single partner organization in the public, private, or not-for-profit sector. These grants address specific needs or opportunities faced by the partner and foster mutual knowledge exchange. Individuals may apply for one Partnership Engage Grant per calendar year. An applicant may not apply for or hold more than one Partnership Engage Grant for the same activity. Funding decisions are made through four review cycles annually, each with its own deadline.

Insight Development Grants support early-stage research by individuals or teams in the social sciences and humanities. Funded for up to two years, these grants help develop new questions, methods, or ideas and are suited for small-scale projects such as case studies, pilot initiatives, or critical reviews. The program supports both emerging scholars building on their graduate work and established scholars pursuing new directions distinct from their ongoing research. Projects may include national or international collaboration and aim to explore innovative ways of generating and mobilizing knowledge.

Insight Grants support long-term research in the social sciences and humanities, providing funding over two to five years for both individual researchers and teams. Open to emerging and established scholars, these grants enable in-depth exploration of complex issues to advance knowledge and understanding. Applicants choose between two funding streams based on budget needs, with both streams undergoing the same rigorous merit review.

The Exploration competition supports high-risk, high-reward interdisciplinary research that pushes boundaries and challenges current thinking. These grants encourage bold, innovative ideas that bring together diverse disciplines in unexpected ways. Proposals should aim for game-changing impacts and embrace the risk that often accompanies groundbreaking innovation.

The Transformation stream supports large-scale, interdisciplinary projects led by Canadian researchers that aim to address major challenges with the potential for real and lasting change. Projects may be fundamental or applied and must be beyond the scope of a single federal research agency. Proposals may include international collaborators. Funding ranges from $2M to $4M per year over six years, with a total of six to eight projects expected to be funded in each competition.

The International stream supports global collaborations that position Canada and its researchers as strategic international partners. It includes joint funding calls with international agencies on globally relevant topics and a dedicated fund for Canadian participation in international teams applying to major global research platforms.

Search our funding database for current NFRF International opportunities.

The Accelerate program connects top university students, recent grads, and postdocs with businesses and organizations to solve real-world problems though research. This paid internship offers $15,000 for a four- to six-month term, giving interns hands-on experience while collaborating with experts to solve challenges and drive innovation.

See also: NSERC Alliance - Mitacs Accelerate Grants.

The Accelerate Entrepreneur program helps student and postdoctoral entrepreneurs grow their start-ups by funding research projects that bring new ideas to market. With support from a business incubator, participants receive funding to develop, test, improve and launch their innovations. This flexible program helps early career researchers turn big ideas into real products.

The Accelerate Fellowship provides long-term funding and internship opportunities for graduate students engaged in advanced research projects. In addition to funding, fellows gain access to professional development training, ensuring project success and helping them build in-demand career skills. Applications are accepted year-round.

The Globalink Research Award (GRA) helps senior undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students from Canadian universities gain international research experience. Through joint supervision by professors from both Canada and another country, interns work on exciting research projects. The program offers $6,000 for one internship unit (12–24 weeks) or $12,000 for two internship units (up to 48 weeks) to assist with research costs, travel, and accommodation. The program also includes a special stream for projects in quantum science and technology.

The RISE-Globalink Research Internship is a competitive program that gives Canadian undergraduate students the chance to spend three months doing research in Germany, supervised by a doctoral student. Students in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, earth science, and physics can apply for this unique opportunity, which includes $6,000 from Mitacs to help cover travel and living expenses. Along with this, the German Academic Exchange Service provides health insurance, accommodation support, and help with visas and work permits. Applications are usually open from October to November each year.

The Business Strategy Internship (BSI) gives post-secondary students the chance to work on innovation projects with Canadian organizations that improve business strategies, products, or services. Over four months, interns receive $10,000 or $15,000 in funding, gain valuable experience and complete professional development training. This program also promotes teamwork and helps students enhance their skills in creating innovative solutions, all while working towards a more inclusive future.

Please note, BSI has limited availability. Contact your local Mitacs advisor before drafting your application.

The Early Researcher Awards (ERA) is a highly competitive grant program that helps exceptional early career researchers build their research teams. Applicants must demonstrate strategic value to Ontario (i.e., economic, social, cultural benefits, knowledge transfer, and/or ability to enhance Ontario’s profile in the global academic community). All research supported by ERA funds must be conducted in Ontario at an eligible institution.

ERA funds are to be used over a period of five years to fund eligible expenses for a research team of undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research assistants, associates, and technicians. Each award to a leading researcher is a maximum of $100,000 and must be matched by an additional $50,000 from the researcher’s institution and/or a partner organization. In addition, up to $40,000 will be provided by the Ministry to the institution for indirect costs.

Please note, Early Researcher Award (ERA) is not alternative funding, but complementary to existing funding.

The Ontario Research Fund - Research Excellence (ORF-RE) program provides research institutions with funding to support the operational costs of major projects of strategic value to the province. The fund provides up to one-third of the total value of a project, with the remaining two-thirds coming from a combination of eligible private sector and institutional contributions.

ORF-RE opportunities will be posted to our funding database when available. For more information, visit the Ontario Research Fund - Research Excellence webpage.