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Source verified September 16, 2026
CFI — Innovation Fund
Funds research infrastructure at eligible institutions
Latest source updateLast Update: September 16, 2026Latest change: The Innovation Fund page added a large FAQ section with new guidance on eligibility, costs, application steps, and review expectations.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: September 16, 2026
Latest change: The Innovation Fund page added a large FAQ section with new guidance on eligibility, costs, application steps, and review expectations.
Innovation Fund FAQ expanded
The Innovation Fund page now includes a large FAQ section that clarifies who can apply, including institutional eligibility and collaborator participation, and adds new guidance on streams, assessment, and dual-use technology review considerations. It also adds detailed instructions for notices of intent, proposal-module access, team and infrastructure revisions, letters of support, CV content, and budget-table treatment, along with new cost guidance for salary expenses, contingencies, and advanced research computing. The FAQ also sets project-completion reporting periods by CFI contribution level: final financial reports are due in November 2031 for projects at or below $1 million, November 2032 for projects above $1 million and up to $4 million, and November 2034 for projects above $4 million.
Funding available
Up to 40% of project cost
Deadline
February 2, 2027
Location
Canada
Overview
The CFI Innovation Fund supports eligible Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals, research institutes, and non-profit research institutions to fund research infrastructure that increases research capacity and enables world-class research. It can cover up to 40 percent of total eligible costs and supports operating and maintenance costs, including technical personnel, maintenance and repairs, and related services.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Reduce environmental footprint
- Develop workforce skills
- Conduct research or evaluation activities
Eligible Funding
- Up to 40% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Higher Education
- Research
- Hospitals and Rehabilitation
Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
- Regional
- Provincial
- National
- International
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Activities funded
- Acquisition or development of research infrastructure to increase research capacity and enable world-class research.
Documents Needed
- Notice of intent
- Proposal
- Institutional agreement
Official resources
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Universities
- Colleges
- Research hospitals
- Research institutes
- Non-profit research institutions that carry out their activities primarily in Canada.
Who is not eligible
- For-profit organizations and agencies of for-profit entities cannot apply for or administer CFI funding.
- Federal departments, departmental corporations, Crown corporations or wholly owned subsidiaries of Crown corporations cannot apply for or administer CFI funding.
- Provincial or territorial departments, agencies or Crown corporations, except universities, colleges, research hospitals and research institutes, cannot apply for or administer CFI funding.
Eligible expenses
- Operating and maintenance costs required for the effective and optimal use of CFI-funded infrastructure.
- Technical personnel, maintenance and repairs, and services directly associated with funded infrastructure and spaces.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- In-kind contributions to the operating costs of research.
Selection criteria
- Quality of the research and the need for infrastructure.
- Contribution to strengthening the capacity for innovation.
- Potential benefits of the research to Canada.
How to apply
- Have the proposal completed by the project leader.
- Submit the proposal electronically through CAMS by the institution.
- For projects involving two or more eligible institutions sharing CFI funding, one applicant institution must submit the proposal on behalf of the group.
Processing and Agreement
- All proposals requesting CFI funding are subject to formal independent merit-review.
- For competition-based funds, the review process determines the degree to which a proposal satisfies the criterion standards relative to competing proposals.
- For each approved project, the CFI prepares an award agreement with the recipient institution, and institutions must sign it.
- Conditions raised in the CFI funding decision must be lifted before any funds are released.
- The final amount and instalment schedule are determined when the eligible recipient provides the award finalization documents.
Additional information
- Before submitting a proposal, institutions must have an institutional agreement and a strategic research plan in place.
- Determining an institution’s eligibility may take several months.
- Incomplete eligibility applications will not be reviewed.
- CFI funding is awarded to institutions, not individual researchers.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the CFI — Innovation Fund Program
What is the CFI — Innovation Fund?
The CFI Innovation Fund supports eligible Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals, research institutes, and non-profit research institutions to fund research infrastructure that increases research capacity and enables world-class research. It can cover up to 40 percent of total eligible costs and supports operating and maintenance costs, including technical personnel, maintenance and repairs, and related services.
How much funding can be received?
CFI — Innovation Fund Funds up to 40% of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program is February 2, 2027.
Who is eligible for the CFI — Innovation Fund program?
To be eligible for the CFI — Innovation Fund program, you must:
The institution must be situated in Canada and engaged in research and research training.
The institution must demonstrate its capacity to conduct and support research.
Before submitting a proposal, institutions must have an institutional agreement and a strategic research plan in place.
What expenses are eligible under CFI — Innovation Fund?
Acquisition or development of research infrastructure to increase research capacity and enable world-class research.
Who can I contact for more information about the CFI — Innovation Fund?
You can contact Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) by email at eligibility@innovation.ca.
Where is the CFI — Innovation Fund available?
The CFI — Innovation Fund program is available across Canada.