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Canada Foundation for Innovation - Exceptional Opportunities Fund

Q: Who is eligible for the Canada Foundation for Innovation - Exceptional Opportunities Fund program?

To be eligible for the Canada Foundation for Innovation - Exceptional Opportunities Fund program, you must: Innovative, urgent research opportunities requiring infrastructure support.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Canada Foundation for Innovation - Exceptional Opportunities Fund?

You can contact Leaders Opportunity Fund (LOF).

Q: Where is the Canada Foundation for Innovation - Exceptional Opportunities Fund available?

The Canada Foundation for Innovation - Exceptional Opportunities Fund program is available across Canada.

Last Update: March 9, 2026

Canada

Supports urgent, time-sensitive research opportunities requiring essential infrastructure.

Grant and Funding

Leaders Opportunity Fund

Canada Foundation for Innovation

Overview

The Exceptional Opportunities Fund provides targeted funding to support urgent and unique research projects requiring infrastructure development. It covers up to 40% of eligible costs and aims to help institutions seize fleeting research opportunities that cannot follow the regular competitive review process.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals

Develop strategic partnerships

Research and experimental development

Conduct research

Eligible Funding

No Condition

Timeline

Unspecified

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

Local

Activities funded

Developing critical research infrastructure for specific time-sensitive projects.

Coordinating rapid deployment of equipment and operational support.

Seizing emerging research opportunities that require immediate action.

Examples of admissible projects:

Enhancing biomedical research infrastructure for clinical advancements

Documents Needed

Institutional proposal outline, partnership details, justification for urgency, and infrastructure description.

Eligibility

Projects must utilize an exceptional, time-sensitive opportunity requiring urgent funding and infrastructure support, with a strong partnership component and essential infrastructure.

Who is eligible?

Research institutions and universities
Public sector research organizations

Who is not eligible

Private businesses not involved in research collaboration
Organizations without a partnership or collaborative framework

Eligible expenses

Costs related to infrastructure essential for the project, including equipment, setup, and operational expenses directly supporting the exceptional opportunity.

Eligible geographic areas

Canada

Selection criteria

Presence of an exceptional and time-sensitive opportunity.

Strength and relevance of partnership collaborations.

Essential nature of infrastructure for project success.

Justification of urgency and rapid impact potential.

How to apply

Institutions should first contact the funding agency to discuss project eligibility.Prepare a Notice of Intent detailing the exceptional opportunity and partnership.Submit the Notice of Intent for review and recommendation.Receive invitation to submit a detailed project proposal.Complete and submit the formal proposal upon invitation, including all required documentation.

Additional information

The funding is targeted at exceptional and time-sensitive research opportunities that require urgent support outside the regular review process.

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Canada Foundation for Innovation - Exceptional Opportunities Fund Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Canada Foundation for Innovation - Exceptional Opportunities Fund. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.