New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) - Exploration competition . The goal of the Exploration stream is to inspire high-risk, high-reward and interdisciplinary research.
Exploration grants support research that pushes boundaries into exciting new areas. Researchers are encouraged to think “outside of the box,” undertake research that would defy current paradigms, and bring disciplines together in unexpected ways and from bold, innovative perspectives. With the Exploration stream, there is recognition that innovation often carries risk; proposals for high-risk research projects that have the potential to deliver game-changing impacts are strongly encouraged.
Updates
- There are no notable changes from the previous competitions. The 2023 competition will continue with two stages: Notice of intent to apply (NOI) and full application. The Tri-Agency Guide on Financial Administration serves as the general guideline for eligibility of expenses and use of funds related to the direct costs of research. Exceptions to those policies for Exploration grants are noted in the competition overview.
- Applicants and research administrators are encouraged to attend the Exploration webinars to learn more about the Exploration stream and the overall application process. Registration is not required.
Queen's Webinar
On Thursday, June 15, 2023, the Vice-Principal Research Portfolio held an information webinar, panel discussion and Q&A session with guest panellists about the NFRF Exploration Grant.
Session Materials
(Queen's NetID required for video and session materials):
Panellists:
2018 and 2022 NFRF Awardee and 2020 Multidisciplinary Panel Reviewer:
- Dr. Chantelle Capicciotti (Assistant Professor Biological & Organic Chemistry)
2021 NFRF Awardees:
- Dr. Jason Gallivan (Assistant Professor Psychology, DBMS)
- Dr. Beata Batorowics (Assistant Professor, Rehabilitation Therapy)
- Dr. Sidney Givigi (Associate Professor, Computing)
Moderators:
- Dr. Aleksandra Bergier (Research Advisor, EDII)
- Adrian Kelly (Research Projects Advisor - Social Sciences and Humanities)
- Dora Baczyk (Research Projects Advisor - Life and Health Sciences)
Past Agency Webinars
NFRFE-2023 - Full Application Webinar (English) - Tuesday, October 31, 2023
- Watch the webinar: https://youtu.be/EaF61ACVE7Q
- View the English slide deck (PDF 1.29 MB)
NFRFE-2023 - Full Application Webinar (French) - Tuesday, October 31, 2023
The following table is a summary of key agency / Queen's deadlines. Please see the note on Research Services' internal processes below.
|
Event |
Date |
|---|---|
| Notice of Intent to apply deadline (MANDATORY) |
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 9:00 AM (Eastern) |
| EDII Review |
Tuesday, October 31, 2023** |
| TRAQ deadline (hospital-based research) |
Friday, November 24, 2023 |
| Application Review deadline (optional but recommended) |
Monday, November 27, 2023 (Queen's internal process) |
| TRAQ deadline (research that is not hospital-based) |
Friday, December 1, 2023 |
| Application Deadline (MANDATORY) |
Monday, December 11, 2023, at 9:00 AM (Eastern) (Queen's internal submission deadline***) |
| Results Announced | March 31, 2024 |
| Funding Start Date | March 31, 2024 |
|
* Email application documents to Dora Baczyk (d.baczyk@queensu.ca) for review. ** If you don’t have a clear EDII plan in place, please reach out to Aleks Bergier (a.bergier@queensu.ca) as soon as possible to initiate the conversation and the planning process. If you haven’t already, we also strongly recommend that you take the EDI in Research Training Modules. *** Applications are forwarded to the agency by Research Services. Strict adherence to internal deadlines is required to ensure applications are submitted on time. |
|
Notice of Intent (NOI):
The deadline to receive a NOTICE OF INTENT REVIEW (not mandatory but is strongly recommended) from a Research Projects Advisor (RPA) is Monday, September 25, 2023. NOIs will be used, by the agency, for administrative purposes (identifying external reviewers and composing the multidisciplinary review panel). The NOI is not adjudicated; however, your proposed project must be clearly defined and must show that it fits the requirements of the NFRF Exploration Call (i.e., high-risk, high-reward, interdisciplinary).
If you would like to have your NOI reviewed by an RPA, please email your document to Dora Baczyk (d.baczyk@queensu.ca) by Monday, September 25, 2023.
Full Application:
The deadline to receive a FULL APPLICATION REVIEW from a Queen’s RPA is Monday, November 27, 2023. Please note that this is not a scientific review (i.e., a review by a researcher in your discipline). The review will be performed by an RPA. The advisor will:
- Perform a detailed reading and content review of your full application (including editing suggestions)
- Perform a budget review
- Provide detailed comments/feedback
If you would like to have your application reviewed, please email your application to an assigned RPA no later than Monday, November 27, 2023. Please remember that the more complete the application, the more useful the review process will be. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis.
-
Your application must be submitted using the agency's Convergence Portal . When you click submit your application will be electronically directed to the Research Services for review and approval. Then, administrators at Research Services will forward your application to the funding agency on your behalf. Please note the deadlines for Queen's are shown in the "Important Dates" tab above.
- A TRAQ DSS is required at the full application stage for this funding opportunity. The TRAQ DSS deadline for research that is hospital-based (i.e., projects that will use hospital resources, space, staff, and/or require access to hospital patients, patient samples, and/or data) is Friday, November 24, 2023. The TRAQ deadline for research that is not hospital-based is Friday, December 1, 2023.
The TRAQs must include:- a DRAFT of the research proposal;
- a DRAFT of the budget/budget justification, and;
- a copy of the hospital-impact form (if the research would be considered hospital-based)
See the TRAQ Resources section in the "Information & Resources" tab below for more information.
Research Summaries from previously successful NFRF applications from Queen's.
Note: these sample applications are intended for internal use at Queen’s only. You must enter your Queen's NetID and password to access the files.
It is prohibited to circulate the sample applications outside of Queen’s or to host the example applications elsewhere online. Similarly, it is strictly prohibited to duplicate any of the text provided.
NFRF Exploration 2021 (Queen's NetID and password are required to view)
- Cao Thang Dinh: Electro-bio hybrid systems for converting carbon dioxide to bioplastic
- Jason Gallivan: Understanding the neurobiology of social distancing and the impact of staying digitally connected ‘online’
- Anna Panchenko: Unraveling the landscape of oncohistone mutations
- Zongchao Jia: Developing a new class of P. aeruginosa antivirulence drug using a novel microsensor and electrokinetics technology
NFRF Exploration 2020 (Queen's NetID and password are required to view)
- R David Andrew: The early molecular events setting up acute brain injury
- Neil Renwick: Advancing knowledge of highly heterogeneous neuroendocrine neoplasms through graph neural network modeling of post-transcriptional gene regulatory networks
- Bas Vriens: A 10,000-ton Algal Liver: Genetic Engineering for Improved Wastewater Treatment
- Christine Sypnowich: Toppling Monuments: Colonial Trauma, Justice, Heritage, and Restorative Healing
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion:
- NFRF Best Practices in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research - An NFRF guide that describes best practices for EDI in Research, and includes a list of question questions applicants should consider.
- Guide to EDI Resource (PDF 230 KB) (Net ID & password required) - An overview of EDI guidelines, best practices and resources available to researchers at Queen’s.
- Integrating Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigenization (EDII) in Research - a “toolkit” created by Research Services of useful EDII resources to help our research and innovation community implement EDII policies and practices into their respective research programs, projects and research environments.
- Natural Sciences & Engineering Council (NSERC) – Guide on integrating equity, diversity and inclusion considerations in research - This guide provides the research communities served by NSERC with information and resources to help include EDI considerations in their research.
- Queen’s Faculty of Health Sciences Style Guide: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: The FHS EDI Style Guide is to be used by FHS learners, staff, and faculty to make communication with diverse audiences more equitable and inclusive. The guide provides advice on how to engage with issues concerning race, gender, and sexual orientation, among other intersecting identities.
- A list of Further Reading and EDI Concepts and Terms (PDF 416 KB)
- Sex- and Gender-based analysis - CIHR website that provides an overview of key terms, online training, and key resources for researchers
- Appropriate integration of sex & gender in research - CIHR website outlining key considerations for the appropriate integration of sex and gender in research
- SGBA online training - short training videos on SGBA from CIHR
- Women and Gender Equality Canada – Services, information, and resources towards advancing equality with respect to sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression through the inclusion of people of all genders
- Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) – Learn about GBA+ and strategies to apply GBA+ to your work
- GBA+ training – Women and Gender Equality Canada training course on GBA+
Completing the TRAQ DSS for Hospital-Based Research
- Hospital-Based Research - Tips for Completing the TRAQ DSS FORM (PDF 866 KB) - Step-by-step explanation for how to complete the TRAQ DSS Form for hospital-based research
- Hospital Departmental Impact & Information Form (PDF 329 KB) - Mandatory form for all hospital-based research conducted at KGH, HDH, and Providence Care
- Hospital Departmental Impact & Information Form Tips (PDF 214 KB) - Explanation of how to complete the Hospital Impact form
- Hospital-Based Research Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (PDF 223 KB) - FAQ for hospital-based research, including the definition of hospital-based research
Completing the TRAQ DSS for Research that is not Hospital-Based
- TRAQ Checklist for Research that is not Hospital-Based (PDF 823 KB) - Step-by-step instructions for how to complete the TRAQ DSS Form for research that is not hospital-based
Contact Information
Research Services Contacts
All Research Projects Advisors (RPA) are working collaboratively to support this program. Please contact your discipline-specific RPA if you have any questions about the program.
|
Health Sciences |
Natural Sciences and Engineering |
Social Sciences, Humanities and Creative Arts |
EDII & Indigenous Initiatives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jennifer Robinson j.robinson@queensu.ca Faculty of Health Sciences Dora Baczyk |
Bei Cai Adam Jeziorski Merline Fonkwe |
Diane Davies diane.davies@queensu.ca All faculties Adrian Kelly |
Aleksandra Bergier a.bergier@queensu.ca All faculties |