Open
Source verified August 10, 2026
Canada Foundation for Innovation - Northern Fund
Research infrastructure for Northern Canada
Offered by
Latest source updateLast Update: April 10, 2026Latest change: The eligible institution list appears to have changed, including additional Alberta colleges and polytechnics, which may affect who can apply through covered institutions.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: April 10, 2026
Latest change: The eligible institution list appears to have changed, including additional Alberta colleges and polytechnics, which may affect who can apply through covered institutions.
Eligible institutions updated
The eligible institution list for the Northern Fund appears to have been updated, with additional Alberta colleges and polytechnics now shown. This may affect eligibility and the range of institutions that can apply through covered institutions.
Funding available
$ 250,000 - $ 2,500,000
Deadline
February 29, 2028
Location
Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon, Canada
Overview
The Northern Fund provides up to $25 million in research infrastructure funding for eligible institutions and organizations in Northern Canada. It supports projects that strengthen research capacity in Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Nunavut, Nunavik and Nunatsiavut through acquiring or developing research infrastructure, including equipment, upgrades and essential renovation.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Increase social or community impact
- Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 2,500,000 $
- Minimum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon
Legal structures
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Acquiring or developing research infrastructure to augment research capacity and conduct research activities that are relevant to Northern communities
- Research that clearly demonstrates how it directly engages with and serves the needs of Northern communities, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities in the North
- Proposals in all research disciplines
Documents Needed
- Letter signed by the institution’s president requesting institutional eligibility
- Copy of application submitted to the tri-agency with the decision letter confirming eligibility at one of the three federal research funding agencies, if applicable
- Confirmation from the institution’s president that if granted institutional eligibility, the institution will comply with the requirements, policies and procedures specified in the CFI’s institutional agreement
- Official institutional policy on research and research training or Research and research training mission statement
- Representative sample of the research activities conducted by the institution and Strategic research plan, if applicable
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian universities
- Colleges
- Research hospitals
- Non-profit research institutions and organizations
Who is not eligible
- Individual researchers
Eligible expenses
- Research equipment and specialized instruments.
- Upgrading or replacing research infrastructure.
- Shipping, transportation, and installation of infrastructure.
- Salaries for professional or technical personnel to design or install the infrastructure.
- Renovation needed to house or use the infrastructure.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Proposals focused mainly on shared advanced research computing infrastructure
- Travel and hospitality costs under the Infrastructure Operating Fund
Eligible geographic areas
- Yukon
- Northwest Territories
- Inuvialuit Settlement Region
- Nunavut
- Nunavik
- Nunatsiavut
Selection criteria
- Research in the North for the North: the research activities are of high relevance to Northern communities, are feasible and have been co-created, co-developed or co-managed with First Nations, Métis or Inuit communities, as appropriate
- Team: the team has the relevant knowledge and experience to conduct the research activities, and First Nations, Métis or Inuit team members play meaningful and leadership roles in the research activities
- Infrastructure: the research infrastructure is necessary and appropriate and will augment research capacity in the North
- Sustainability: the research infrastructure will be well managed and efficiently used
- Benefits to Northern communities: there are clear pathways to transfer research results and/or to mobilize knowledge to residents of Northern communities including First Nations, Métis or Inuit communities and potential partners, and the results are likely to lead to social, cultural, health, environmental or economic benefits to Northern Canada including the training of highly qualified personnel
How to apply
- Step 1: Confirm institutional eligibility
- Verify that the institution is eligible to apply for CFI funding.
- Ensure the institution has signed an institutional agreement.
- Create or use an account in the CFI Awards Management System (CAMS).
- Step 2: Prepare the proposal
- Consult the Northern Fund call for proposals for submission instructions.
- Prepare the proposal and supporting material in CAMS.
- Step 3: Submit the application
- Submit the proposal through CAMS.
- For proposal development support, email the request to northern.fund@innovation.ca.
Processing and Agreement
- Proposals are reviewed by a Proposal Review Committee.
- The committee assesses proposals against five review criteria.
- A virtual meeting is held with the applicant team and partner community organizations.
- The committee makes funding recommendations to the CFI Board of Directors.
- The Board makes final funding decisions and institutions are notified afterward.
Additional information
- Proposal development support is optional and is not required to submit a Northern Fund proposal.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Canada Foundation for Innovation - Northern Fund Program
What is the Canada Foundation for Innovation - Northern Fund?
The Northern Fund provides up to $25 million in research infrastructure funding for eligible institutions and organizations in Northern Canada. It supports projects that strengthen research capacity in Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Nunavut, Nunavik and Nunatsiavut through acquiring or developing research infrastructure, including equipment, upgrades and essential renovation.
How much funding can be received?
Canada Foundation for Innovation - Northern Fund Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $2,500,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Canada Foundation for Innovation - Northern Fund program?
To be eligible for the Canada Foundation for Innovation - Northern Fund program, you must:
Headquartered in Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Nunavut, Nunavik or Nunatsiavut
Recognized as eligible by the CFI
The requested research infrastructure must be essential for the institution’s planned research activities and located in the North
What expenses are eligible under Canada Foundation for Innovation - Northern Fund?
Acquiring or developing research infrastructure to augment research capacity and conduct research activities that are relevant to Northern communities
Research that clearly demonstrates how it directly engages with and serves the needs of Northern communities, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities in the North
Proposals in all research disciplines
Who can I contact for more information about the Canada Foundation for Innovation - Northern Fund?
You can contact Leaders Opportunity Fund (LOF) by email at northern.fund@innovation.ca.
Where is the Canada Foundation for Innovation - Northern Fund available?
The Canada Foundation for Innovation - Northern Fund program is available the province of Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon.
Is the Canada Foundation for Innovation - Northern Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Canada Foundation for Innovation - Northern Fund is a Grant and Funding