CFI’s Innovation Fund provides funding for large research infrastructure projects enabling Canada to remain at the forefront of exploration and knowledge generation while making substantial and meaningful contributions to generating social, health, environmental and economic benefits and addressing global challenges.
Notice of Intent (Due March 27, 2018) The internal Notice of Intent form is now available on the Research Western Innovation Fund site. Completed forms, including signatures from Deans (or Dean’s designate) of Faculties which will house some or all of the proposed equipment, must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27, 2018.
As a reminder, the NOI is mandatory but not binding. All applicants at Western and affiliated research institutes and hospitals planning to submit a proposal to the Innovation Fund must go through Western’s internal selection process and submit an NOI, but the proposed infrastructure, team, scope of the project, etc. can be changed prior to the submission of a full internal application. The NOI is intended for Research Western and Faculties to get a sense of groups intending to apply for the Innovation Fund and will not be competitively assessed or used in the adjudication process.
“Pitch Your Proposal” Event (mid-April) Due to scheduling conflicts, the planned “Pitch Your Proposal” Event will now be held in mid-April. Dates and further details will be forthcoming as soon as they are finalized.
2018 Budget: As you may be aware, the 2018 Federal Budget included an investment of $763 million over five years for the CFI. While the allocation of this funding within CFI’s suite of programs is unknown (aside from $160 million earmarked for the Major Science Initiatives Fund), we anticipate that this investment will include funding for the next round of the Innovation Fund and that the level of funding available will be comparable to the last round. A new Innovation Fund competition will have to undergo CFI’s internal approval process, including their Board of Directors, prior to any public announcement or call for proposals.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the CFI Innovation Fund or Western’s process, please contact Carolyn Paterson, carolyn.paterson@uwo.ca, ext. 82262
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