NBIF — Research Assistantships Initiative (RAI)

Q: How much funding can be received?

NBIF — Research Assistantships Initiative (RAI) Funds up to 45000% of admissible expenses.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Q: Is the NBIF — Research Assistantships Initiative (RAI) a grant, loan, or tax credit?

NBIF — Research Assistantships Initiative (RAI) is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the NBIF — Research Assistantships Initiative (RAI)?

NBIF — Research Assistantships Initiative (RAI) is funded by New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF)

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the NBIF — Research Assistantships Initiative (RAI)?

You can contact New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF).

Q: Where is the NBIF — Research Assistantships Initiative (RAI) available?

The NBIF — Research Assistantships Initiative (RAI) program is available the province of New Brunswick.

Q: Are youth (under 40) eligible for the NBIF — Research Assistantships Initiative (RAI) program?

Yes, youth under 40 are eligible to apply for the NBIF — Research Assistantships Initiative (RAI) program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

NB, Canada

Funding for hiring student research assistants in New Brunswick

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $45,000

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Wage Subsidies And Interns

Eligible Industries

Educational services

Funds Providers

New Brunswick Innovation Foundation

Program status

Open

Overview

The Research Assistantships Initiative (RAI) is a joint program by NBIF and the New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labor (PETL), offering a maximum of $45,000 per application for applied researchers to hire undergraduate and graduate student research assistants. Eligible activities include student stipends of up to $7,500 for undergraduate or college students, and up to $15,000 for graduate students.

Activities funded

This grant supports applied researchers in hiring student research assistants to advance their academic projects. The funding helps subsidize the costs directly associated with engaging students in research-related activities.

Hiring undergraduate students for research assistant roles.
Employing graduate students for research activities.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 12,000

Install solar panels to power a community center sustainably

Eligibility

Eligibility for the Research Assistantships Initiative (RAI) grant is determined by the following requirements for principal investigators (PIs):

Applicants must be principal investigators who currently do not hold an active RAI award.
PIs intending to apply to the Early Career Researchers (ECR) stream must have held their first independent academic position within the last five years.
Applicants can extend the five-year eligibility period due to career interruptions such as parental leave, maternity leave, compassionate leave, sick leave, or other interruptions.
All other eligible principal investigators should apply to the main stream of applications.

Who is eligible?

The Research Assistantships Initiative (RAI) is designed to assist eligible Principal Investigators seeking to engage student research assistants for their projects. Ideal candidates for this grant are individuals who meet particular criteria regarding their academic positions and past RAI awards.

Eligible expenses

Eligible expenses for this grant are related to student stipends.

Student stipends up to $7,500 per undergraduate or college student.
Student stipends up to $15,000 per graduate student.

Eligible geographic areas

This initiative is focused on supporting researchers in New Brunswick, Canada. The funding is provided by organizations specific to this province.

Researchers based in New Brunswick, Canada.

How to apply

Confirm Eligibility

Ensure you are an eligible Principal Investigator who does not currently hold an active RAI award.

Prepare Application

Decide whether to apply for the early career stream or the main stream of applications.
Prepare a project proposal detailing the research, objectives, and need for research assistants.
Determine the appropriate number and type of student research assistants required (undergraduate, college, or graduate).
Calculate the funding needed (up to $7,500 per undergraduate and up to $15,000 per graduate student, maximum $45,000).

Access NBIF Application Portal

Log into the NBIF Application portal.

Complete Online Application

Fill out the application form with your personal details, project information, and requested budget.
Upload all necessary documents supporting your proposal.
Review the application for completeness and accuracy.

Submit Application

Submit the completed application via the NBIF Application portal before the deadline.

Receive Confirmation

Receive a confirmation notice from the NBIF application portal.
Keep a record of the confirmation and any reference numbers provided.

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The notice of decision will be communicated both to the institution’s research administration office and the applicant.
Annual budgeting for the program is subject to change, indicating that funding may fluctuate each year.
The timeline for funding applications opens from October and typically closes in February.
The final report for a 1-year grant must be submitted within 3 months of the project end date.
A 2-year grant requires an interim report after 1 year and a final report within 3 months of the project end date.

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the NBIF — Research Assistantships Initiative (RAI) Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the NBIF — Research Assistantships Initiative (RAI). 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.

What is the NBIF — Research Assistantships Initiative (RAI)?

How much funding can be received?

What expenses are eligible under NBIF — Research Assistantships Initiative (RAI)?

What is the deadline to apply?

Is the NBIF — Research Assistantships Initiative (RAI) a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Who are the financial supporters of the NBIF — Research Assistantships Initiative (RAI)?

Who is eligible for the NBIF — Research Assistantships Initiative (RAI) program?

To be eligible for the NBIF — Research Assistantships Initiative (RAI) program, you must: All eligible Principal Investigators who do not currently have an active RAI award can apply. PIs applying to the Early Career Researcher (ECR) stream must have secured their first independent academic position within the last five years. The time frame can be extended for career interruptions, including parental, maternity, compassionate leave, sick leave, or other disruptions.