Closed
Source verified May 15, 2026
Ontario Research Fund - Research Excellence
Funding for strategic Ontario research projects
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Funding available
$ 300,000 - $ 2,000,000
Deadline
Closed
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
Supports strategic research projects in Ontario through two funding streams. Provides up to $2,000,000 for basic/applied research or experimental research with commercialization potential.
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 2,000,000 $
- Minimum amount : 300,000 $
- Up to 33% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Research
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Basic and applied research projects
- Experimental research projects with commercialization potential
- Projects focused on priority Ontario research areas
- Research collaborations with Ontario-based companies for Stream 2
Documents Needed
- Completed electronic application form
- Mitigating Economic and Geopolitical Risk Checklist
- Single PDF package with all attachments
- Signature page signed by an authorized institutional officer, if needed
- Letters of support from the lead and collaborating institutions, and from required partners where applicable
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Publicly assisted universities
- Colleges of applied arts and technology
- Hospital research institutes
- Ontario not-for-profit research institutes
- Consortia of eligible institutions
Who is not eligible
- For-profit organizations
- Agencies of for-profit entities
- Federal departments and Crown corporations
- Provincial or territorial departments, agencies, and Crown corporations
- Non-profit corporations established by the above entities
Eligible expenses
- Salaries and benefits for project staff
- Research equipment, software, supplies, and related operating costs
- Fieldwork, travel, workshops, dissemination, and open-access costs
- Technology transfer, IP protection, commercialization, and market validation costs
- Project management and administration costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Clinical trials
- Contract research or fee-for-service research
- Endowed research chairs and other endowments
- Proposal development costs and litigation costs
- Alcohol, opportunity costs, and unrelated items or services
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- Research excellence and scientific merit
- Commercialization potential and market opportunity
- Strategic value and expected impact for Ontario
- Plan to achieve impacts, including partner engagement
- Project management, governance, and team capacity
How to apply
- Step 1: Prepare the application
- Complete the Ministry application form.
- Prepare the required attachments and letters of support.
- Complete the Mitigating Economic and Geopolitical Risk Checklist.
- Step 2: Compile submission package
- Combine all application materials into a single PDF package.
- Ensure the signature page is included and signed by an authorized officer, if required.
- Step 3: Submit by email
- Send the application link/package to ORF.Excellence@ontario.ca.
- Submit before 5:00 PM on September 27, 2023.
- Step 4: Await review and decision
- The application is reviewed through the program’s assessment process.
- Decisions are communicated by letter to the institution.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed through peer review panels, research security review, and advisory board review.
- Final funding decisions are made by the Minister.
- Successful applicants receive a grant agreement with required terms, reporting, and governance conditions.
- The Ministry may request site visits and scientific reviews during the project.
- Decisions are sent by letter to the institution’s research lead contact.
Additional information
- A member of the research team must complete a foundational IP course during the project.
- The Ministry may conduct site visits and scientific reviews after approval.
- Applications must be submitted as a single PDF package with all attachments.
- Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Ontario Research Fund - Research Excellence Program
What is the Ontario Research Fund - Research Excellence?
Supports strategic research projects in Ontario through two funding streams. Provides up to $2,000,000 for basic/applied research or experimental research with commercialization potential.
How much funding can be received?
Ontario Research Fund - Research Excellence Funds up to 33% of admissible expenses, capped at $2,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Ontario Research Fund - Research Excellence program?
To be eligible for the Ontario Research Fund - Research Excellence program, you must:
Eligible Ontario research institution
Strategic research project
Stream 2 requires Ontario company collaboration
What expenses are eligible under Ontario Research Fund - Research Excellence?
Basic and applied research projects
Experimental research projects with commercialization potential
Projects focused on priority Ontario research areas
Research collaborations with Ontario-based companies for Stream 2
Where is the Ontario Research Fund - Research Excellence available?
The Ontario Research Fund - Research Excellence program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Ontario Research Fund - Research Excellence a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Ontario Research Fund - Research Excellence is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Ontario Research Fund - Research Excellence?
Ontario Research Fund - Research Excellence is funded by Government of Ontario, Ministry of Colleges and Universities