Research Funding Opportunities

NSERC Discovery Grants Webinars

NSERC has launched the 2025 Discovery Grants program. Information about internal application procedures and deadlines is available here. 

NSERC is offering a series of pre-recorded videos followed by live Q&A sessions which are meant to assist the research community on how to complete an application using the Research Portal and the NSERC Canadian Common CV (CCV). You will find below the pre-recorded videos as well as the dates for these upcoming live Q&A sessions. 

Watch these pre-recorded videos prior to attending a live Q&A session, as the material presented in the videos will not be repeated.

In preparation, please also familiarize yourselves with the following documents:

• Memo to potential applicants - Notification of intent to apply for a Discovery Grant (2026 competition)
• Discovery Grants (individual) program description
• Instructions for completing the notification of intent to apply for a Discovery Grant
• How to complete NSERC’s version of the Canadian Common CV

New this year is the ability to ask questions ahead of each live Q&A session by following the ‘link to questionnaire’ below. 

How to Submit a Notification of Intent to apply for a DG:

Wednesday, June 25, 2025; Link to questionnaire
Tuesday, July 8, 2025; Link to questionnaire

Consult the Live Q&A sessions page regularly to learn about upcoming sessions. 

Please note that the UCalgary RSO’s information session will take place in early July after the NSERC Q&A sessions. More details will be shared shortly.  

Contact: Alisha Kadam

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NFRF Exploration 2025 Information Session

Please join us for the New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) Exploration Information Session hosted by Research Services. We will discuss general program information and updates for the NOI deadline (August 19, 2025) and full application deadline (October 21, 2025). We will be joined by two UCalgary researchers who have graciously agreed to share their tips for a successful NFRF Exploration application: Dr. Richa Pandey, Schulich School of Engineering and Dr. Gerald Pfeffer, Cumming School of Medicine. Presentations will be followed by a Q&A period.

Date & Time: June 26, 2026, 2:00–3:15 p.m.

The session will be delivered via Zoom. Please register here: https://lu.ma/d2mq28vi.

For information about the competition, including internal deadlines, please refer to the NFRF Exploration 2025 entry in the Research Opportunities Database.

For more information, please contact Katie Cupello.

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NSERC Alliance International Pause

NSERC is temporarily pausing the intake of applications to the Alliance International Collaboration grants program as of May 20, 2025, at 8:00 pm (ET) to review and refine objectives and optimize processes. The intake of Alliance International Collaboration grants applications is expected to re-open by winter of 2025-26. The intake of Alliance International Collaboration grants applications is expected to re-open by winter of 2025-26. Please note the new RSO internal deadline below. 

Award Amount & Duration: $100,000/year for 1-3 years

Internal RSO deadline: Noon on May 14^th, 2025

Additional resources: 

For more information about the internal process for applying to this competition, please visit the funding calendar.

Contact: Alisha Kadam

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Schedule RMS Training before your application is due

The RMS team is pleased to offer regular training sessions for RMS (Research Management System). Proactive training in RMS is encouraged, particularly in advance of the Fall grant season. Training is open to new users and existing users looking for a refresher: 

How to create an LOI/Application: 

• Every Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 am – 11:30 am
• Every Thursday, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Email rms@ucalgary.ca to schedule training for yourself or your team. 

RMS Training  

What is RMS?

RMS (Research Management System) manages the pre-award (LOI and Application) and post-award stages for research grants. Throughout the grants life-cycle, RMS interfaces with other UCalgary systems, such as IRISS and PeopleSoft, to provide a seamless process for grants and awards management, eliminate re-keying of data and heightened transparency into the status of applications at any time.

Learn more about RMS at research.ucalgary.ca/rms.

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PASSIONATE ABOUT ADVANCING ANIMAL HEALTH? APPLY TODAY AND SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE!

Morris Animal Foundation is seeking scientific experts in the animal health community to serve on our Animal Health Advisory Council (AHAC) and Scientific Advisory Boards, helping to select the best scientific projects to move veterinary medicine and wildlife health forward.

To learn more and apply to join, please visit our AHAC page. If you are interested in serving on a topic-specific board, please be sure to note that where prompted in the application.

Expertise needs change based on proposal topics and active grant review requirements. The Scientific Programs team continually queries the database and reaches out to members for potential roles when new opportunities arise.

LEARN MORE & APPLY

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The Research Community Digest is a quarterly communication designed to keep you, our UCalgary research community, informed about important updates and activities from the Office of the Vice-President (Research) and its portfolio of units.

Missed the first issue of the Research Community Digest? View it here.

Subscribe for frequent updates

• Subscribe to receive all research community updates

Subscribe to receive weekly e-mails on funding opportunities

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Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC)

On January 16, 2024 the Government of Canada announced its new policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC).

The policy will apply to all grant applications submitted to the federal granting agencies – the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) – that involve research advancing a sensitive technology area. 

The policy will apply to all federal granting calls announced on or after May 1, 2024.

Safeguarding your Research

If you have questions regarding the new STRAC (Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern) policy or the Risk Assessment Form required by Tri-Agencies, please visit the UCalgary Research Security SharePoint site.  The Research Security team has created reference documents to help researchers with these new requirements as well as many other resources to safeguard your research.  

Guides: 

20240528-Guide to Risk Assessment Form-v3 FINAL.pdf

20240501 - Complying with STRAC - A Guidebook for UCalgary Researchers - Final.pdf

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Research Security Services

The Research Security Division is here to help you safeguard your work from unwanted access, theft, and misuse. There are three teams to support you – Outreach & Education, Due Diligence, and Compliance & Special Investigations. 

Reach out to researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca for information about:

• Partner vetting and assessing sensitive research areas for risk
• Assistance with Risk Assessment Forms
• Personalized travel and security briefings
• Workshops and information sessions
• Guidance on controlled goods, export controls, and sanctions
• Guidance on new policy on Sensitive Technology Research & Affiliations of Concern

Visit the Research Security website for important policy updates and links to resources.

Access Research Security resources

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Research Funding Alerts from Brain Canada Foundation

In the coming months, Brain Canada will be launching their first Social Innovation research program in Traumatic Brain Injury, with opportunities for health economics analysis, process analysis, evidence-based best practices based on current evidence, and other topics requiring skills and expertise beyond neuroscience. In the future, they may be launching more social innovation programs on different brain related topics.

Join Brain Canada’s mailing list and be among the first to receive email funding alerts by clicking here.

Beef Cattle Research Council 2025 Proof of Concept and Clinical Trials Grants

The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) invites proposals focused on projects related to proof of concept research and clinical trials that support the sustainability and competitiveness of the Canadian beef industry. With increased investment in research through the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-off, the BCRC has committed to provide research funding in two key areas that have previously had limited funding:
1. Proof of Concept - proposals to help inform whether a concept is worth pursuing as a larger, more defined funding request
2. Clinical Trials - proposals to validate practices or technologies that have been discovered through research projects and/or to facilitate the adaptation of technologies utilized in other sectors, commodities, or countries

Value: up to $50,000 for six months to one year

UCVM Internal Deadline: Friday July 11, 2025 at noon

Contact: Stephanie Patrick

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2025 Funding Competitions Lotte and John Hecht Memorial Foundation 

In 2025, the Lotte & John Hecht Memorial Foundation will hold two rounds of competitions for proof-of-principle basic science/preclinical proposals in the field of cancer research. The Foundation is looking to support non-mainstream hypotheses and non-conservative projects which do not fit traditional funding mechanisms and have not received previous grants/awards. This opportunity is intended to attract emerging ideas which are high risk/-high reward and for which preliminary data is not required. Accordingly, proposal hypotheses must be based on extensive literature review and logical substantiation. 

Value: up to $450,000 over three years

UCVM Internal Deadline for EOI Fall Competition: August 7, 2025 at noon

UCVM Internal Deadline for Full Application, Fall Competition: September 22, 2025 at noon

Contact: Stephanie Patrick 

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Transdisciplinary Connector Grants

This new program is designed to promote initiatives that enable UCalgary teams to explore questions, challenges and opportunities that demand a transdisciplinary approach. Connector funding s distinguished from other forms of support such as start-up or bridge funding by its focus on fostering new connections among scholars, trainees, and external partners.

Transdisciplinary Connector Grants are offered in two streams – Initiating and Consolidating.

Value:   Initiating stream: up to $10,000 Consolidating stream: up to $20,000

Duration:  Initiating stream: 6 months Consolidating stream: 12 months

see terms of reference for more information

Deadlines    

Recurring annually on:

• October 1 (UCVM Internal Deadline: noon on September 26, 2025)
• February 1
• June 1

**NOTE: UCVM deadline is 3 business days prior to the above RSO deadlines.**

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VPR Catalyst Grants

UCalgary's internal VPR Catalyst Grants program asks researchers to think boldly and strategically to maximize the impact of downstream funding.

VPR Catalyst Grants will prioritize those who present a winning research context, including aspects such as mentorship, strong collaborators, and knowledge engagement partnerships.

• Designed to catalyze research initiatives that will lead to substantial external funding
• Intended to support early-stage research activities
• Value: $1,000 - $15,000
• Duration: Catalyst funds should be used within 6 months
• Deadlines: 3 intake dates per year (NOTE: UCVM internal deadline is 3 Business Days before the RSO intake deadline dates)

Recurring annually on: 

• October 1 (UCVM Deadline: noon on September 26, 2025)
• February 1
• June 1

Apply Now

For questions and more information about Catalyst Grants, please contact vpr.catalyst@ucalgary.ca

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Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) — Accelerating Agricultural Innovations (AAI) 2.0

Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) is delivering Accelerating Agricultural Innovations (AAI) 2.0 under a Program Administrator Agreement with the Alberta Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (AGI). Sustainable CAP is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by Canada’s federal, provincial, and territorial governments that supports Canada’s agri-food and agri-products sectors. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.

RDAR invites eligible applicants to submit Letters of Intent (LOIs) that support research projects that demonstrate and accelerate the farm-gate adoption of agricultural innovations and processes for the livestock and crop industries in Alberta. All AAI 2.0 research projects must: (i) contain a ‘Final Mile’ Plan, a clear research extension plan to show how research outcomes will reach Alberta’s producers on-farm, either directly or through ancillary service providers (e.g. veterinarians); and (ii) clearly demonstrate how results of the project will benefit producers and/or value-chain partners.

RDAR will accept Letters of Intent (LOIs) on a continual basis.

• Amount: There is no stated maximum; however, there are certain cost-sharing parameters.
• UCVM Internal Deadline: at least 6 business days (by noon) ahead of submission to RDAR
• RSO funding opportunity information

For more information, please contact Katie Cupello.

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Grant applications are now being accepted by the Government of Alberta for the Resiliency and Public Trust Program (Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation) which enables stakeholders to gain resiliency and build public trust in Alberta’s agriculture and agri-food sectors. Priority areas to increase resiliency and public trust include: animal health, animal welfare, biosecurity, food safety, livestock traceability, and more. Details can be found on their website Resiliency and Public Trust Program | Alberta.ca 

UCVM internal deadline: at least 6 business days prior to submission to GoA.

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Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) 2024 Open Competition

This program supports collaborative activities that will bridge the gap between the development of new innovations in agriculture and their adoption in the commercial space. CAAIN is seeking applications for research and innovation projects that: advance the development, use, and value of automation and robotics in agri-food production and primary processing; support the creation of data-based decision-making tools that can be applied to improve knowledge, reduce risk or optimize production; and/or contribute to the implementation of a smart farm platform or smart farm networks. All proposals must Be developing a digital technology or operating a Canadian smart farm focused on the production of a recognized agri-food product or addressing a specific Canadian agricultural challenge.

CAAIN will reimburse projects up to 40% of the Total Eligible Supported Expenses. Projects must include cash contributions from at least two small or medium enterprises (SMEs) incorporated in Canada. Financial contributions from governmental sources (including post-secondary institutions) and in-kind contributions are not eligible to match the CAAIN contribution.

The competition consists of three stages: (i) Project Application Form (PAF); (ii) Expression of Interest (EOI); and (iii) Full Project Proposal (FPP). Only the Full Project Proposal requires internal approvals collected via RMS and Research Services review.

CAAIN will accept early submissions of the PAF until August 9, 2024. Subsequent submissions will be accepted on a continuous basis thereafter.

• Amount: up to $3M per project; 1 year
• UCVM Internal Deadline for Full Project Proposal: at least 6 business days ahead of submission to CAAIN (at 12:00 pm)
• RSO funding opportunity posting

For more information, please contact Katie Cupello.

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Alberta Innovates Campus Alberta Small Business Engagement (CASBE) Grants

The Campus Alberta Small Business Engagement (CASBE) program leverages the research industry partnerships programs offered by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC). Stream II is for applicants from Alberta Universities who are applying to, or have already been awarded, an NSERC Alliance Advantage grant or NSERC Alliance Quantum grant (in response to Call for proposals: Advancing the industrial readiness of quantum sensing technologies). CASBE aims to facilitate Alberta small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to adopt emerging technologies in Alberta’s research and commercialization priorities to diversify their technological services and/or products with the support of post-secondary institutions.

Individual proposals can request at up to $150,000 per year from Alberta Innovates, depending on the amount requested from NSERC. The maximum length of the CASBE funds will be 2 years regardless of the original length of the project supported by NSERC, which could be 1-5 years. There must be at least one Alberta SME included as a partner, and industry partner(s) are expected to provide cash and in-kind contributions.

This is a continuous intake program. We recommend that you apply first to NSERC Alliance and then, if successful, to AI CASBE; however, the option remains to apply first to AI and then NSERC.

• Amount: max. $150,000 per year (Alberta Innovates portion); max. 2 years
• UCVM Internal Deadline (full application): at least 6 business days before submission to Alberta Innovates
• RSO funding opportunity posting

For more information, please contact Katie Cupello.

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Alberta Innovates Advance Program Stream II (General – NSERC Alliance)

The Advance Program Stream II (General - NSERC Alliance) is a partnership between Alberta Innovates and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Project funding is intended to help bridge the gap between academic research and technology validation (within TRLs 2-4). Projects will advance an idea toward developing a technological solution with an envisioned future market opportunity. 

PIs must hold an NSERC peer-reviewed grant when they apply and meet NSERC eligibility criteria when applying and when funding is released. PIs cannot hold more than one Advance Stream II (General) grant simultaneously, and only one application per PI is permitted per fiscal year. The 2024-2025 call targets the following four emerging technology areas: internet of things (IoT)/machine-to-machine systems; advanced data management and analytics; cybersecurity; and quantum computing. Partner organizations are not permitted in this program.

Advance Stream II is a joint funding opportunity between AI Advance and NSERC Alliance grants. The maximum amount is $150,000 per year for up to 2 years. AI will contribute a maximum of $100,000 per year. NSERC will match the AI contribution at a ratio of 50% to a maximum of $50,000 per year.

Stream II application inquiries (pre-intake stage) will be received on a continuous intake basis until application capacity for the current fiscal year has been reached.

• Amount: up to $150,000 per year; max. 2 years
• UCVM Internal Deadline for Intake Stage/LOI: at least 6 business days ahead of submission to Alberta Innovates (at 12:00 pm)
• RSO funding opportunity posting

For more information, please contact Katie Cupello.

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NSERC Alliance Advantage

Alliance Advantage grants (formerly Alliance cost-sharing option 1) are for partner-driven projects. They fund projects focused on the partners’ goals, with at least one partner sharing in the costs of research

Award amount and duration: $20,000 to $1 million per year for 1-5 years

Deadline: Rolling Intake

Applicant Eligibility: General NSERC eligibility requirements. 

Partner Organization Eligibility: Check Partner organization self-assessment tool; Partner organizations can be private, public or not-for-profit. Cash and in-kind contributions from Partner Organization(s) required. 

RSO Guide for applying: Guide available at this link. 

Recent update: 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.   

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NSERC Alliance Society

In addition to the requirements to the above Advantage stream, applications submitted under the Society steam must address a societal challenge that will result in new natural sciences and engineering knowledge and societal impact.

Award amount and duration: $20,000 to $1 million per year for 1-5 years

Deadline: Rolling Intake

Applicant Eligibility: General NSERC eligibility requirements.

Partner Organization Eligibility: Check Partner organization self-assessment tool; Partner organizations can be private, public or not-for-profit. In-kind contributions from Partner Organization(s) required.

RSO Guide for applying: Guide available at this link.

For more information, please reach out to Alisha Kadam.

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Agriculture & Environment Program - Continuous Intake 

The Alberta Innovates Agriculture and Environment Program aims to support the development and advancement of technologies and knowledge to reduce costs, increase productivity, enhance competitiveness, boost the value of agriculture and forestry commodities, and reduce the environmental footprint (including GHGs) associated with natural resource development. 

Focus areas within the scope of this program include (1) Agriculture & Food Innovation; (2) Bioindustrial & Circular Innovation; and (3) Environmental Innovation.

• 50% of total project costs up to a max. of $750,000; max. 4 years
• This is a two-stage competition with a rolling deadline. RSO approval is only needed for stage two (full application). The UCVM internal deadline is 6 business days ahead of the intended submission to Alberta Innovates.
• RSO funding opportunity posting

For more information, please contact Haley Leavitt.

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Alberta Innovates Campus Alberta Small Business Engagement (CASBE) Grants

The Campus Alberta Small Business Engagement (CASBE) program leverages the research industry partnerships programs offered by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC). Stream II is for applicants from Alberta Universities who are applying to, or have already been awarded, NSERC Alliance or NSERC Alliance Quantum grants. CASBE aims to facilitate Alberta small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to adopt emerging technologies in Alberta’s research and commercialization priorities to diversify their technological services and/or products with the support of post-secondary institutions.

Individual proposals can request at least $20,000 and up to $150,000 per year from Alberta Innovates and at least $20,000 per year from NSERC. The maximum length of the CASBE funds will be 2 years regardless of the original length of the project supported by NSERC, which could be 1-5 years. There must be at least one Alberta SME included as a partner, and industry partner(s) are expected to provide cash and in-kind contributions.

This is a continuous intake program. Alberta Innovates and NSERC recommend that the applicant applies first to the CASBE program and then, if recommended, submit the completed AI CASBE–NSERC joint application to NSERC for funding consideration. Researchers who have received Alliance or Alliance Quantum awards in the previous 12 months are eligible to apply to the CASBE program.

• Amount: $20,000-$150,000 per year (Alberta Innovates portion); max. 2 years
• UCVM Internal Deadline (full application): at least 6 business days before submission to Alberta Innovates
• RSO funding opportunity information

For more information, please contact Katie Cupello.

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Alberta Innovates Advance Program Stream II (General - NSERC Alliance)

The Advance Stream II (General - NSERC Alliance) program is a partnership between Alberta Innovates and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Project funding is intended to help bridge the gap between academic research and technology validation (within TRLs 2-4). Projects will advance an idea toward developing a technological solution with an envisioned future market opportunity.

PIs must hold an NSERC peer-reviewed grant when they apply and meet NSERC eligibility criteria when applying and when funding is released. PIs cannot hold more than one Advance Stream II (General) grant simultaneously, and only one application per PI is permitted per fiscal year. The 2023-2024 call targets the following four emerging technology areas: internet of things (IoT)/machine-to-machine systems; advanced data management and analytics; cybersecurity; and quantum computing.

Advance Stream II is a joint funding opportunity between AI Advance and NSERC Alliance grants. The maximum amount is $150,000 per year for up to 2 years. AI will contribute a maximum of $100,000 per year. NSERC will match the AI contribution at a ratio of 50% to a maximum of $50,000 per year.

This is a continuous intake program. Applications are reviewed and evaluated until the annual budget is allocated.

RSO has created a flowchart for the application submission process. This resource is available online using the following link:  https://research.ucalgary.ca/conduct-research/funding/apply-grants/external-grants/alberta-innovate.

• Amount: up to $150,000 per year; max. 2 years
• UCVM Internal Deadline (full application): at least 6 business days before submission to Alberta Innovates

For more information, please contact Katie Cupello.

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Genome Canada is launching a targeted genomic initiative, Genomic Monitoring of Pathogens in Water (GeMPaW) to strengthen, complement and add value to existing pathogen monitoring efforts in Canada. There is $10M available from Genome Canada to support three GeMPaW funding opportunities including the Community Coordination and Collaboration Hub (C3 Hub), regional monitoring projects, and Indigenous-led monitoring in northern, remote or isolated communities. More information can be found here.

NOTE: UCVM internal deadline is 6 business days prior to agency deadlines.

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ASPCA Open-Access Publishing Fund (OAPF)

The ASPCA is pleased to announce a new funding opportunity to support research that advances animal welfare. The ASPCA Open-Access Publishing Fund (OAPF) is designed to support the dissemination of results of innovative and impactful animal welfare research. The program will subsidize article processing charges for selected articles, up to $5,000 per article. OAPF funds apply to publication and processing fees for open-access, scholarly, peer-reviewed articles.

The ASPCA invites applications from any field, as long as the research has direct and compelling relevance to animal welfare, with application in the United States (USA). Applicants must be citizens or residents of the United States or Canada.

Applicants may be independent researchers or a part of any of the following:

• Public or private academic institutions
• Other research institutions whether public or private
• Animal welfare organizations, human service organizations, etc.
• Government agencies

Applicants may hold any role in their institutions/organizations--including, but not limited to, academic faculty, research scientists, research scholars, and graduate or undergraduate students working on mentored research projects.

Applicants may be successfully funded by the program only once per calendar year as the primary author with funds being directly dispersed to the publisher.

• Amount: Up to $5,000 per article
• RSO Internal Deadline (full application): Ongoing Submissions

For more information, please contact Chantal Lemire.

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Alberta Innovates Campus Alberta Small Business Engagement (CASBE) Grants

The Campus Alberta Small Business Engagement (CASBE) program leverages the research industry partnerships programs offered by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC). Stream II is for applicants from Alberta Universities who are applying to, or have already been awarded, NSERC Alliance or NSERC Alliance Quantum grants. CASBE aims to facilitate Alberta small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to adopt emerging technologies in Alberta’s research and commercialization priorities to diversify their technological services and/or products with the support of post-secondary institutions.

Individual proposals can request at least $20,000 and up to $150,000 per year from Alberta Innovates and at least $20,000 per year from NSERC. The maximum length of the CASBE funds will be 2 years regardless of the original length of the project supported by NSERC, which could be 1-5 years. There must be at least one Alberta SME included as a partner, and industry partner(s) are expected to provide cash and in-kind contributions.

This is a continuous intake program. Alberta Innovates and NSERC recommend that the applicant applies first to the CASBE program and then, if recommended, submit the completed AI CASBE NSERC joint application to NSERC for funding consideration. Researchers who have received Alliance or Alliance Quantum awards in the previous 12 months are eligible to eligible to apply to the CASBE program.

RSO has created flowcharts for the application submission process, a list of required attachments for CASBE, and a sample CASBE budget. These resources are available online using the following link: https://research.ucalgary.ca/conduct-research/funding/apply-grants/external-grants/alberta-innovate.

• Amount: $20,000-$150,000 per year (Alberta Innovates portion); max. 2 years
• UCVM Internal Deadline (full application): at least 6 business days before submission to Alberta Innovates

For more information, please contact Katie Cupello.

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Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership

Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation officials are preparing for a smooth transition between the current Canadian Agricultural Partnership and the new Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership with programs now accepting applications.

Programs under Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership will continue to be available to farmers, ranchers, agri-processors, agri-businesses, industry associations and groups, post-secondary institutions, research organizations and agricultural municipalities.

S-CAP funds are available through RDAR's Accelerating Agricultural Innovations program.

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Found Animals offers Michelson Grants of up to $750,000 USD for research in pursuit of a single-dose, permanent, nonsurgical sterilization method for dogs and cats. To qualify for a Michelson Grant, a proposed project must pursue a technology, mechanism, or pathway representing an innovative approach to nonsurgical spay/neuter. The first step to apply for a Michelson Grant is submission of a brief letter of intent.

The Michelson Prize is an incentivized prize challenge that will award $25 million to the first entity to provide Found Animals with a low-cost, permanent, nonsurgical sterilant for companion animals. 

Download Flyer

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Applications are submitted through the Research Management System (RMS).  A link to RMS can be found here which includes training resources.  Please note, when the RMS record is submitted to Research Services by the internal deadline, it should contain all the relevant Department and Faculty approvals.  If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you will need to secure additional late approvals from your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) and the Executive Director, Research Services.

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Schedule RMS Training before your application is due

The RMS team is pleased to offer regular training sessions for RMS (Research Management System). Proactive training in RMS is encouraged, particularly in advance of the Fall grant season. Training is open to new users and existing users looking for a refresher: 

How to create an LOI/Application:

•  
  • Every Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 am – 11:30 am
  • Every Thursday, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Approver training:

•  
  • By request

Email rms@ucalgary.ca to schedule training for yourself or your team. 

RMS Training 

What is RMS?

RMS (Research Management System) manages the pre-award (LOI and Application) and post-award stages for research grants. Throughout the grants life-cycle, RMS interfaces with other UCalgary systems, such as IRISS and PeopleSoft, to provide a seamless process for grants and awards management, eliminate re-keying of data and heightened transparency into the status of applications at any time.

Learn more about RMS at research.ucalgary.ca/rms.

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For more information on these and other Funding Opportunities, please visit our Research Opportunities Database.

Canada Postdoctoral Research Award (CPRA) – Launching Summer 2025

Starting this year, Canada’s three federal research funding agencies – CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC – are harmonizing their postdoctoral fellowship programs under a new initiative: the Canada Research Training Awards Suite (CRTAS). The harmonized postdoctoral funding will now be known as the Canada Postdoctoral Research Award (CPRA) and this streamlined funding program will officially launch in summer 2025.

For preliminary information about the harmonized CPRA, please refer to the webpage.

START PREPARING NOW

For prospective supervisors

Please be aware that while international applicants will be eligible, they must be “currently enrolled in or have completed a doctorate or health professional degree at a Canadian institution; or...conducting postdoctoral research at a Canadian institution.” For UCalgary, an applicant will be considered as conducting postdoctoral research only if they have an active postdoctoral appointment contract with a start date on or before the submission deadline for the agency to which they are applying.

For NSERC and SSHRC applicants, the agencies have confirmed they will still be using the legacy submission portals this year. This means that the Postdoctoral Office cannot access applications unless the applicant follows the review process described below, and provides a copy to us outside of the portal. Please be sure to inform any applicants with whom you may be corresponding about this process well in advance. We strongly encourage all NSERC and SSHRC applicants to utilize the detailed review option, and any applicants who may have questions or concerns about eligibility should contact our team as soon as possible.

Applicants to CIHR use a different legacy portal, which does allow us to access draft applications that have correctly selected UCalgary as the institution.

For applicants

Although agency-specific application instructions and links are expected to become available in July, interested applicants can begin to prepare now by taking the following steps:

1. Confirm your eligibility

To be eligible, you must:

• Hold (or expect to hold) a doctorate or health professional degree before the award start date.
• Not hold or be on leave from a tenure-track or tenured faculty position.
• Have completed all degree requirements no more than three years before September 1, 2025.
  • Extensions up to thirty-six additional months may be granted for career interruptions due to caregiving, illness, conflict, socioeconomic barriers, clinical training, or relevant non-academic work.).
• If you are an international applicant, you must either:
  • Be enrolled in or have completed your doctoral/health professional degree at a Canadian institution, or
  • Be currently conducting postdoctoral research at a Canadian institution. We anticipate that an active postdoc appointment at UCalgary by the agency application deadline date will satisfy this.

2. Select the appropriate agency

Select the agency whose research mandate most closely aligns to the research subject matter in your application to ensure it will be reviewed by experts in disciplines closest to your field(s) of study. Applications submitted to the incorrect agency may be removed from the competition. For more information, see Selecting the Appropriate Federal Granting Agency.

• If you are applying to CIHR, consider the information on CIHR’s website.
• If you are applying to NSERC, see the Addendum to the guidelines for the eligibility of applications related to health, which has additional information and specific examples relating to subject matter.
• If you are applying to SSHRC, see the information on SSHRC’s Subject Matter Eligibility webpage.

Still unsure? Contact fellowships@ucalgary.ca for guidance.

3. Know your deadlines and internal review process

To participate in the internal review process, please submit the following by the internal deadline to fellowships@ucalgary.ca:

• PDF preview of the complete application, or the complete application itself (if you'd like to request a review before the agency portals open)
• Completed RFAA Form, signed by:
  • Applicant (Postdoc)
  • Supervisor
  • Department Head (if applicable)
  • Dean/Associate Dean (Research)

Please check with the UCVM Research Office at ucvmpds@ucalgary.ca for the internal deadlines for your application.

Full application instructions and updated links from the Tri-Agency are expected to become available in July 2025.

Tip: Reach out to your referees well in advance to ensure they have sufficient time to submit their references before the agency deadline. 

For any questions, contact fellowships@ucalgary.ca

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2025 Mitacs Accelerate Rolling Deadline

• Amount: $60,000/year of matched funding for up to 3 years
• Internal Deadline: rolling

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Health System Impact Fellowship Information Webinar 

Are you a postdoctoral researcher in health services or policy research? Do you want to make a tangible, real-world impact on health systems through your research? The Health System Impact (HSI) Fellowship, led by CIHR’s Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (IHSPR) in collaboration with several other CIHR Institutes, offers a unique opportunity to engage in embedded research that directly addresses pressing challenges faced by health system organizations.

Award value: The maximum amount per post-doctoral award is $155,000 total for 2 years ($70,000 stipend per year, plus $7,500 professional development training and research allowance per year) Application Deadline: Summer 2025 Fellowship Start Date: Spring 2026

Application Deadline: Summer 2025
Fellowship Start Date: Spring 2026

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2025 Cancer Research Institute (CRI) - Immuno-Informatics Postdoctoral Fellowship

• Amount: $74,000 with increases up to 78,000 (over 3 years) & $5,000 Research Allowance (yearly)
• Internal Deadline: August 21, 2025 

Eligibility:  Project must be hypothesis-driven in basic or translational cancer immunology or immunology. The applicant should make every effort to demonstrate the potential of the proposed study to directly impact our understanding of the immune system’s role in cancer by leveraging the use of innovative technologies and/or computational methods including high throughput “omic” methods and data analyses. A successful proposal will include how the project intends to address the current gaps in cancer immunology.

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2025 Cancer Research Institute (CRI) - Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship

• Amount: $74,000 with increases up to 78,000 (over 3 years) & $5,000 Research Allowance (yearly)
• Internal Deadline:  August 21, 2025
• Eligibility:  Applicants for the CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship Program must be working in areas directly related to immunology or cancer immunology. An eligible project must fall into the broad field of immunology with relevance to solving the cancer problem.

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For more information on these and other Funding Opportunities, please visit UCalgary’s Research Opportunities Database.

NO OPEN CALLS AT THIS TIME