Open
Source verified July 10, 2026
Canada Foundation for Innovation - College Fund
Funding for college research infrastructure partnerships
Offered by
Funding available
$ 60,000 - $ 3,000,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
The College Fund supports Canadian colleges in applied research and technology development partnerships. It funds research infrastructure for projects that address social, business, health or environmental needs, with CFI requests between $60,000 and $2 million.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 3,000,000 $
- Minimum amount : 60,000 $
- Up to 40% of project cost
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Research
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Acquiring or developing research infrastructure to enhance existing applied research or technology development capacity.
Documents Needed
- Proposal materials submitted in CAMS
- Institutional agreement
- Required supporting documents from the call for proposals
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian colleges eligible to receive CFI funding
Who is not eligible
- Individuals applying on their own
- Organizations that are not Canadian colleges eligible for CFI funding
Eligible expenses
- Eligible infrastructure costs.
- Operating and maintenance costs through the Infrastructure Operating Fund.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Projects that duplicate existing services or facilities in the region
- Projects that compete with private-sector businesses
Selection criteria
- Applied research or technology development activities respond to clearly identified needs of an industry or community and are developed in collaboration with partners.
- The institution has demonstrated its ability to build and maintain productive partnerships, identified partners for the planned activities, and a plan to stimulate new partnerships.
- The requested infrastructure is necessary and appropriate to conduct the proposed activities and enhances and integrates with the college’s existing applied research capacity.
- Team expertise and experience, and expected benefits including training of highly qualified personnel.
- Proposals are rated on a five-point scale: EX, SA, SW, PS, NS, and only proposals that meet the threshold of excellence across the five assessment criteria advance; three or more ratings of Satisfies the criterion standard with minor weaknesses, or one rating of Partially satisfies the criterion standard or Does not satisfy the criterion standard, do not meet the threshold.
How to apply
- Step 1: Confirm institutional eligibility
- Make sure the institution is eligible to apply.
- Ensure the institutional agreement with CFI is in place.
- Step 2: Prepare in CAMS
- Complete the proposal in the CFI Awards Management System.
- Consult the call for proposals for submission instructions.
- Step 3: Submit the proposal
- Submit the proposal through CAMS.
- Respect the annual September 17 deadline.
Processing and Agreement
- Proposals are reviewed in a two-stage process.
- Expert reviewers assess strengths and weaknesses against the assessment criteria.
- The Multidisciplinary Assessment Committee reviews proposals that meet the threshold of excellence.
- The CFI Board of Directors makes the final funding decisions.
Additional information
- The requirement for a notice of intent has been removed.
- Proposals are reviewed in two stages: expert review and Multidisciplinary Assessment Committee review.
- The final funding decision is made by the CFI Board of Directors.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Canada Foundation for Innovation - College Fund Program
What is the Canada Foundation for Innovation - College Fund?
The College Fund supports Canadian colleges in applied research and technology development partnerships. It funds research infrastructure for projects that address social, business, health or environmental needs, with CFI requests between $60,000 and $2 million.
How much funding can be received?
Canada Foundation for Innovation - College Fund Funds up to 40% of admissible expenses, capped at $3,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Canada Foundation for Innovation - College Fund program?
To be eligible for the Canada Foundation for Innovation - College Fund program, you must:
The applicant must be a Canadian college recognized as CFI-eligible.
The institution must have an institutional agreement with CFI.
The project must involve acquiring or developing research infrastructure to enhance existing applied research or technology development capacity.
What expenses are eligible under Canada Foundation for Innovation - College Fund?
Acquiring or developing research infrastructure to enhance existing applied research or technology development capacity.
Who can I contact for more information about the Canada Foundation for Innovation - College Fund?
You can contact Leaders Opportunity Fund (LOF).
Where is the Canada Foundation for Innovation - College Fund available?
The Canada Foundation for Innovation - College Fund program is available across Canada.
Is the Canada Foundation for Innovation - College Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Canada Foundation for Innovation - College Fund is a Grant and Funding