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 (LEF) and New Initiatives Fund (NIF) News:

November 22, 2012 - The 2012 decisions have been announced.  Full details will be announced here soon. 

No new NIF/LEF competitions have been announced.

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.

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. Contact ubc.crc@ubc.ca for further information on deadlines for submissions.

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.

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

There is no current Call for Proposals for this program.

New Initiatives Fund

There is no current Call for Proposals for this program.

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.