Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) Innovation Fund (IF) 2025 Internal Carleton Process Launch
In anticipation of the 2025 Innovation Fund (IF) competition from CFI, the Office of the Vice-President (Research and International) (OVPRI) is launching the Carleton University internal process to develop and select proposals.
NOTE: As the full call for proposals for the CFI 2025 IF competition is still pending, this process is subject to change at any time. Please email coris@carleton.ca (subject line: CFI IF 2025) to receive regular updates.
About the Innovation Fund
The Innovation Fund (IF) provides continued investments in infrastructure, across the full spectrum of research, from the most fundamental, to applied, through to technology development. Projects funded through the IF will help Canada remain at the forefront of exploration and knowledge generation while making meaningful contributions to generating social, health, environmental, and economic benefits and addressing global challenges.
IF Objectives
- Enable internationally competitive research or technology development through the equitable participation of expert team members.
- Enhance and optimize the capacity of institutions and research communities to conduct the proposed research or technology development program(s) over the useful life of the infrastructure.
- Lead to social, health, environmental, and/or economic benefits for Canadians.
Eligibility
Aligned with CFI objectives and criteria, Carleton University will allocate its CFI IF envelope competitively based on:
- internationally-leading research or technology development;
- composition and expertise of the team, including
- integration of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) considerations, and
- track record of generating globally significant contributions to knowledge and/or generating impact beyond the academy;
- request for necessary and appropriate infrastructure, which leverages
- previous investments by Carleton University, and
- existing and/or planned funding to support direct costs of proposed research;
- well-defined plan to transfer the results of the research or technology development program(s) that will lead to benefits for Canadians.
For more information on eligibility guidelines, please refer to CFI’s Policy and program guide.
Competition Budget
While the total available fund and Carleton’s funding envelope have not yet been announced, total project costs for each proposal will likely be expected to be greater than $1 million to be considered for this competition, with CFI supporting up to 40 percent of a project’s total eligible project costs. Any included renovation and/or construction costs should be required to enable the installation/operation of the requested equipment, or be essential to the research design. Generally, renovation and/or construction costs should be limited to approximately 20% of total project costs.
For the 2023 call, CFI invested up to $400 million in research infrastructure funding. It also offered up to $120 million for associated operating and maintenance costs through the Infrastructure Operating Fund. Carleton’s funding envelope for the 2023 competition was $12.7 million.
Internal Process
OVPRI manages a robust selection process that includes opportunities for feedback and iterative improvement of ideas and proposals.* This is a 2-step process:
- Submission of an internal Expression of Interest (EOI) by December 1, 2023, for all projects (Carleton and non-Carleton-led) requesting allocations from Carleton’s envelope**
- All EOIs that are submitted will be assigned a CORIS Research Facilitator
- Submission of mandatory internal proposal due to OVPRI by April 15, 2024, for all projects (Carleton and non-Carleton-led) requesting allocations from Carleton’s envelope***
An expert panel appointed by the VPRI will review internal proposals against CFI assessment criteria and make recommendations. Final decisions will be made by the VPRI in consultation with the Deans. Feedback from the panel will be provided to all applicants (successful and unsuccessful).
OVPRI staff will host a series of virtual information sessions throughout the Fall 2023 (dates TBA) to provide potential teams with information about the anticipated 2025 CFI IF program, EDI requirements, and best practices for budgeting. All Carleton faculty planning to participate in IF proposals led by Carleton or by another institution are encouraged to join.
All teams that submit EOIs will be invited to a strategic project development meeting in early Winter 2024 (dates TBD) with an internal advisory committee to provide feedback as teams develop their internal proposals.
Information Sessions
The Carleton Office for Research Initiatives and Services (CORIS) is hosting a series of virtual information session panels on the CFI IF as part of the OVPRI’s CFI Innovation Fund Internal Carleton Process. Three informational panels with experts will be held:
- Overview Session (October 11, 2-4 p.m.): will be an overview to the CFI IF program and feature previous reviewers from the Expert Panels and Multi-disciplinary Assessment Committee levels to answer questions.
- Budget Session (October 27, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.): will focus on budgeting for the IF and include colleagues from Procurement Services and FMP, alongside CORIS experts.
- EDI Session (November 15, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.): will focus on EDI considerations for the IF and include panelists from the Department of Equity and Inclusive Communities and Office of Indigenous Teaching, Learning, and Research, among others.
If you are considering applying to the CFI IF 2025 round, CORIS strongly suggests that you attend all three sessions.
Additional Notes
* OVPRI is not able to provide space allocations for selected CFI IF projects. Potential applicants should engage directly with their associated Faculties to determine availability of appropriate research space.
**Partner organizations may have different requirements, processes and timelines, including EOI or internal application deadlines earlier than the Carleton deadline; please check specific institutional websites for more details, or have your collaborators reach out to their specific institutional offices.
***Carleton Faculties may have earlier internal deadlines to review your application and get the necessary Faculty endorsement. Please check with your Faculty Research Facilitator and/or Associate Dean Research for more information.
How to Apply
Expression of Interest Stage
- Download the internal Expression of Interest Form and complete it.
- Email your completed EOI to coris@carleton.ca (subject line: CFI IF 2025 EOI) no later than 4:30 p.m. (EDT) on December 1, 2023.
Internal Proposal Stage
- Download the Internal Proposal Instructions and complete the requirements.
- Email your completed internal proposal coris@carleton.ca (subject line: CFI IF 2025 Proposal) no later than 4:30 p.m. (EDT) on April 15, 2024.