
CFI — Innovation Fund
Canada
CFI Innovation Fund supports research infrastructure development
grant_single|update January 24, 2025
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
grant_single|grantors
- Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) provides funding to support the acquisition and development of state-of-the-art research infrastructure at Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals, and non-profit research institutions. The program aims to bolster economic growth, job creation, and environmental quality through supporting world-class research and technology development. Eligible activities for funding include the acquisition of research equipment, construction and renovation of research facilities, and the provision of advanced research computing resources.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
The CFI — Innovation Fund provides financial support for infrastructure projects, focusing on enhancing research capabilities across Canada. The funding terms are designed to encourage collaboration and ensure effective management of resources.
- CFI funding typically covers up to 40% of the total eligible costs of infrastructure projects.
- Financing requires the remaining project costs to be covered by the institution or eligible partners.
- Eligible partner contributions can include cash or in-kind contributions recognized at fair market value.
- All partner contributions must be secured within nine months following a CFI decision.
- The Infrastructure Operating Fund (IOF) supports up to 30% of the maximum CFI-funded portion for operational and maintenance costs.
- Payments are made in instalments and are subject to project progress and financial reporting requirements.
- The CFI holds back 10% of funding instalments as a safeguard, released upon satisfactory financial reporting and project completion.
grant_single_labels|projects
The CFI — Innovation Fund supports projects that are focused on developing and acquiring research infrastructure to enhance research capacity. These projects are intended to foster world-class research, promote collaboration, and contribute to innovation across various disciplines.
- Acquisition or development of research infrastructure to increase research capacity.
- Projects that facilitate the pursuit of world-class research.
- Development of infrastructure that promotes productive networks and collaboration among researchers and institutions.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 1,200,000
Development of a new computational biology lab at a research hospital
$ 2,500,000
Construction and equipping of a new clean room for nanotechnology research
$ 2,100,000
Acquisition of a particle accelerator for advanced physics research
$ 1,400,000
Acquisition of a high-throughput genomic sequencer for agricultural research
$ 1,200,000
Acquisition of advanced microscopes to further cancer research at a university laboratory
$ 1,200,000
Renovation and equipping of a research lab for renewable energy studies
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for the CFI — Innovation Fund is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant institution's profile and its capacity to conduct and support research.
- The applicant must be an institution situated in Canada.
- The institution must be engaged in research and research training.
- The applicant institution must meet the eligibility requirements specific to universities, colleges, research hospitals, research institutes, or non-profit research institutions as detailed in the CFI guidelines.
- For universities, colleges, research hospitals, and research institutes, the institution must provide a letter requesting CFI eligibility, demonstrate tri-agency eligibility, and confirm the ability to administer CFI funding according to the CFI's guidelines.
- Non-profit research institutions must demonstrate non-profit status for a minimum of five years, be not affiliated or federated with a CFI-eligible institution, and have an independent Board of Directors.
- The institution must have no constraints on the publication of research results.
- Institutions must demonstrate their capacity to support and conduct research, including having current research facilities, infrastructure, and a track record of researchers qualified to carry out independent research.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible institutions for the CFI Innovation Fund include universities, colleges, research hospitals, research institutes, and non-profit research institutions located in Canada. These institutions must be engaged in research and research training and demonstrate their capacity to conduct and support research. Individual researchers are not eligible to apply directly; proposals must be submitted by eligible institutions.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant is restricted to certain entities based on their organizational status or affiliation. Ineligible entities are identified to maintain alignment with the strategic objectives of the grant.
- For-profit organizations and agencies of for-profit entities.
- Federal departments, departmental corporations, Crown corporations, or wholly-owned subsidiaries of Crown corporations.
- Provincial or territorial departments, agencies, or Crown corporations (except universities, colleges, research hospitals, and research institutes).
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The grant covers expenses for acquiring or developing research infrastructure essential for the project.
- Research equipment and components.
- Shipping, transportation, and installation of research infrastructure, including brokerage fees, excise taxes, and duties.
- Warranties and/or service contracts.
- Software subscriptions and licences.
- Laboratory furniture.
- Communications infrastructure essential for research activities.
- Travel to a manufacturer, dealer, or supplier to select research infrastructure, including carbon offset costs for travel.
- Initial training for the main operators of the research infrastructure.
- Salaries (including benefits) of professional, technical, and managerial personnel involved in the design, engineering, manufacturing, installation, construction, or renovation of the infrastructure.
- Construction or renovation of space essential to house and use the infrastructure or to conduct research activities.
- Acquisition of a database or time-limited design and development of a database ready for exploitation by a designated research community.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is eligible for institutions that are situated within Canada. Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals, and certain non-profit research institutions can apply for and administer this grant.
- Institutions located within Canada.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for the CFI Innovation Fund are governed by specific criteria to ensure the alignment of proposals with the fund's objectives and standards of excellence.
- Quality of the research and the need for infrastructure.
- Contribution to strengthening the capacity for innovation.
- Potential benefits of the research to Canada.
grant_single_labels|apply
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The grant includes various procedural and reporting requirements meant to ensure proper use and management of funds.
- Submission deadlines for financial and progress reports must be adhered to, and extensions may be granted under specific conditions.
- Institutions must maintain accurate financial records and supporting documentation for all expenditures and contributions related to the funded projects.
- Changes to projects, especially those impacting costs or project objectives, require CFI pre-approval.
- Institutions are expected to monitor and report on the implementation and progress of funded projects using specified tools like the project progress report (PPR).
- The CFI may conduct monitoring visits and contribution audits to ensure compliance with guidelines and proper management of funds.
- Institutions must acknowledge CFI support in public communications and may be asked to host joint funding announcements with the Government of Canada.
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