How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 500000% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who are the financial supporters of the New Frontiers in Research Fund — Exploration Stream?

New Frontiers in Research Fund — Exploration Stream is funded by Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

What are New Frontiers in Research Fund — Exploration Stream's eligibility criterias?

Applicants are responsible for providing complete and sufficient information that adheres to the guidelines. Eligibility decisions are managed by the New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) program staff.

New Frontiers in Research Fund — Exploration Stream

Last Update: July 22, 2025

Canada

High-risk, interdisciplinary research fostering groundbreaking innovation

New Frontiers in Research Fund — Exploration Stream at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $500,000

Timeline

Open Date : February 17, 2025
Closing date : February 26, 2025

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

All industries

Grant Providers

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Program status

Closed

Overview of the New Frontiers in Research Fund — Exploration Stream program

The NFRF 2024 Exploration competition seeks to support high-risk, high-reward, interdisciplinary research that challenges current paradigms and explores new areas. Eligible activities include innovative projects that bring together diverse disciplines in novel ways to achieve groundbreaking impacts. Researchers from any discipline within social sciences, humanities, health, natural sciences, and engineering are encouraged to apply.

Eligible projects & activities

The New Frontiers in Research Fund — Exploration Stream supports high-risk, high-reward and interdisciplinary research projects. These activities are encouraged to push boundaries and explore exciting new areas by defying current paradigms and innovating at the intersection of various disciplines.

High-risk research projects with potential for game-changing impacts.
Interdisciplinary collaboration bringing together unexpected combinations of disciplines.
Research initiatives aimed at challenging current research perspectives or paradigms.
Projects that explore novel approaches to solve existing problems using unfamiliar interdisciplinary perspectives.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 500,000

Explore innovative treatments for Alzheimer's using bioengineering and cognitive psychology

$ 500,000

Integrate urban planning and environmental science to create sustainable urban ecosystems

$ 500,000

Develop a new AI model to predict mental health crises using interdisciplinary data analysis

$ 500,000

Examine the impact of digital currencies on local economies by combining financial and social sciences

$ 500,000

Investigate the effects of climate change on Arctic ecosystems through an interdisciplinary study

$ 500,000

Design a community-based renewable energy project combining engineering and social sciences

Eligibility criteria of the New Frontiers in Research Fund — Exploration Stream program

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific criteria that applicants must meet as described in the competition overview.

Who is eligible?

This competition encourages high-risk, high-reward interdisciplinary research that pushes boundaries and involves collaboration across diverse fields in social sciences, humanities, health, natural sciences, and engineering.

Eligible expenses

Eligible projects for this grant focus on high-risk, high-reward, and interdisciplinary research initiatives. These projects are encouraged to challenge existing paradigms and integrate diverse disciplines to achieve innovative outcomes.

Research that challenges current paradigms and pushes boundaries into new areas.
Projects that involve combining disciplines in unexpected ways to innovate.
High-risk research proposals with potential for game-changing impacts.
Interdisciplinary projects involving perspectives from social sciences, humanities, health, and natural sciences and engineering.

Eligibility criteria of the New Frontiers in Research Fund — Exploration Stream program

The evaluation and selection of projects for the NFRF 2024 Exploration competition are based on several critical criteria, each contributing a specific percentage towards the overall score.

High risk: 40% of overall score
High reward: 40% of overall score
Feasibility: 20% of overall score
Interdisciplinarity/fit to program: pass/fail
EDI in research practice: pass/fail

How to apply to the New Frontiers in Research Fund — Exploration Stream program

Notice of Intent to Apply (NOI)

Access the Convergence Portal to submit a notice of intent to apply.
Provide basic project information and details about the research team.
Ensure adherence to the NOI instructions outlined in the competition overview.

Preparing the Full Application

Gather necessary documents such as research proposal, budget justification (although budget isn't a selection criterion), and any other supporting documents.
Ensure the research proposal aligns with high-risk, high-reward criteria and clearly demonstrates interdisciplinarity and EDI in research practice.

Submitting the Application

Log into the Convergence Portal to access the full application form.
Submit all required documents and complete the online application form.
Double-check all information for accuracy and completeness before the submission deadline of November 5, 2024, 8:00 p.m. (eastern).

Confirmation of Submission

Receive confirmation of submission through the Convergence Portal.
Make a note of your application number for future reference.

Additional information

The New Frontiers in Research Fund 2024 Exploration competition aims to support high-risk, high-reward, interdisciplinary research. This fund encourages proposals that push boundaries and may not conform to current paradigms.

Diversity of perspectives is encouraged, with no restrictions on research led from any discipline.
The competition includes specific guidelines for Indigenous research and emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in research practice.
Applications are reviewed by a multidisciplinary panel, which considers a mix of criteria including high risk, high reward, and feasibility.
Confidentiality and conflict of interest policies are strictly enforced throughout the review process.
Applications that do not meet guidelines or are incomplete may be rejected by NFRF staff.
Review panel co-chairs are responsible for ensuring objective and fair assessments and moderating discussions.
Funding recommendations are made by the review panel, but final decisions are subject to approval by the NFRF steering committee.
Early career researchers (ECR) are given particular consideration, with the program committing to fund a proportion of ECR-led projects.

Apply to this program