The Institutional Programs Office provides UBC researchers with comprehensive support in applying for research infrastructure funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation.
For detailed descriptions of each CFI program or fund, visit www.innovation.ca. UBC-specific information about CFI application procedures and deadlines follows below.
Leading Edge Fund and New Initiatives Fund News
DEADLINE: An internal letter of intent (LOI) for the 2012 NIF/LEF Competition is required by August 20, 2011. Draft Proposal due November 30, 2011.
UBC researchers may access strategic resources and support on this CWL-protected page: http://research.ubc.ca/vpri/nif-lef-resources.
The CFI will launch a Leading Edge Fund/New Initiatives Fund (NIF /LEF) competition by December 2011:
“Supporting innovative and transformative infrastructure projects leads to scientific breakthroughs and produces social, economic, environmental and health benefits to Canada. Open to all disciplines, LEF/NIF competitions enhance Canada's capacity for leading-edge research and technology development.”
The CFI will invest $155 million under the LEF/NIF competition to support research infrastructure projects. The primary focus will be on ensuring that CFI-funded infrastructure remains at the leading edge.
Critical CFI dates:
| Date | Action |
| August 20, 2011 | UBC Internal Letter of Intent (LOI) deadline |
| September 15, 2011 | CFI issues "Call for Proposals" |
| November 30, 2011 | UBC Deadline for internal submission of draft proposals (see below) |
| January 10, 2012 | UBC Internal selection decisions announced |
| January 20, 2012 | CFI Deadline for submission of notices of intent |
| April 26, 2012< | CFI Deadline for submission of proposals |
| November 13, 2012 | CFI Board decisions |
For details and terms of reference for this competition, visit the CFI website: http://www.innovation.ca/en/programs/funds/leading-edge-fund-and-new-initiatives-fund.
Leaders Opportunity Fund
Universities are expected to submit proposals to the Leaders Opportunity Fund to attract or retain faculty in priority areas as identified in the university’s Strategic Research Plan. There are two categories of candidates:
- Attraction candidates are new recruits to UBC appointed within 24 months of the CFI submission deadline.
- Retention candidates are already UBC faculty members.
UBC Procedures for ATTRACTION Candidates
Complete the application form "Leaders Opportunity Fund - Funding for research infrastructure alone" on the CFI website (Click CFI Online > Online Forms for Researchers).
When you have finished, do not submit the application to CFI – do not click the Validate button on the web form and do not click the Completed button. Instead, save a copy of the application as a PDF and email it (including CV and budget justification) to cfisec@exchange.ubc.ca for internal review and feedback.
Next, arrange for a copy of the recommendation/appointment letter, from your Department Head or Director to your Dean, to be forwarded to the Institutional Programs Office for internal use.
| Internal Review Deadline | CFI Deadline |
| April 25, 2012 | June 15, 2012 |
| August 25, 2012 | October 15, 2012 |
| January 3, 2013 | February 15, 2013 |
One month following the submission to CFI, you must submit a matching funds application to the British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund (BCKDF). Normally results are released 4-5 months following submission to the CFI.
UBC Procedures for RETENTION Candidates
If you are a Canada Research Chairholder (CRC) and the LOF is being submitted as part of a CRC renewal, the CFI infrastructure application forms will be made available to you through the Office of the VP Academic. The CRC application in its entirety (CFI forms, CV, etc.) will then be submitted per CRC deadlines.
If you are a CRC and submitting an LOF that is not in conjunction with a CRC renewal, you must obtain approval from your Dean or Principal to apply for an LOF before contacting us, and follow the procedure for Non-CRC's described below.
If you are not a Canada Research Chairholder, you must obtain approval from your Dean or Principal to apply for an LOF before contacting us. If approved, submit a completed application to the CFI office no later than one month in advance of the CFI submission deadlines (below).
Complete the application form "Leaders Opportunity Fund - Funding for research infrastructure alone" on the CFI website (Click CFI Online > Online Forms for Researchers).
When you have finished, do not submit the application to CFI – do not click the Validate button on the web form and do not click the Completed button. Instead, save a copy of the application as a PDF and email it (including CV and budget justification) to cfisec@exchange.ubc.ca for internal review and feedback.
Contact ubc.crc@ubc.ca for further information on deadlines for submissions.
One month following the submission to CFI, you must submit a matching funds application to the British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund (BCKDF). Normally results are released 5-7 months following submission to the CFI.
Leading Edge Fund
The CFI will launch a Leading Edge Fund/New Initiatives Fund (NIF /LEF) competition by December 2011. “Supporting innovative and transformative infrastructure projects leads to scientific breakthroughs and produces social, economic, environmental and health benefits to Canada. Open to all disciplines, LEF/NIF competitions enhance Canada's capacity for leading-edge research and technology development.”
The CFI will invest $155 million under the LEF/NIF competition to support research infrastructure projects. The primary focus will be on ensuring that CFI-funded infrastructure remains at the leading edge. Details are at the top of this page.
New Initiatives Fund
The CFI will launch a Leading Edge Fund/New Initiatives Fund (NIF /LEF) competition by December 2011. “Supporting innovative and transformative infrastructure projects leads to scientific breakthroughs and produces social, economic, environmental and health benefits to Canada. Open to all disciplines, LEF/NIF competitions enhance Canada's capacity for leading-edge research and technology development.”
The CFI will invest $155 million under the LEF/NIF competition to support research infrastructure projects. The primary focus will be on ensuring that CFI-funded infrastructure remains at the leading edge. Details are at the top of this page.
Infrastructure Operating Fund
Please refer to UBC's Institutional Allocation Plan for more information on UBC’s allocation of the IOF. If you wish to access these funds, please contact Sharon Wu.
International Joint Ventures Program
There is no current Call for Proposals for this program.
National Platforms Fund
There is no current Call for Proposals for this program.
