The goal of the NFRF Exploration stream is to inspire high-risk, high-reward and interdisciplinary research.

Amount: Up to $100,000 per year (+ up to $25,000 indirect costs/year) for up to 2 years

Deadlines: There are 2 stages of application to the program
Faculty Research Office (Notice of Intent): One week prior to agency deadline (for internal review allow 2-3 weeks)
Western Research: June 21, 2022, 5 pm ET – for administrative review.
Notice of Intent: June 28, 2022**, 2:00 pm ET
Faculty Research Office (Full Application): One week prior to agency deadline (for internal review allow 2-3 weeks)
Western Research (Full Application): Aug 30, 2022, 2 pm ET – for administrative review/approval. ROLA required.
Full Application: Sep 13, 2022**, 2:00 pm ET
**Applications at each stage must be submitted by Western Research.

Description: NFRF Exploration grants support research that pushes boundaries into exciting new areas. Researchers are encouraged to think “outside of the box,” undertake research that would defy current paradigms, and bring disciplines together in unexpected ways and from bold, innovative perspectives. With the Exploration stream, there is recognition that innovation often carries risk; proposals for high-risk research projects that have the potential to deliver game-changing impacts are strongly encouraged.

Exploration stream grants support projects that:

• bring disciplines together beyond traditional disciplinary or common interdisciplinary approaches;
• propose to explore something new, which might fail; and
• have the potential for significant impact.

Eligibility: Applicants must hold an eligible academic research appointment at Western. (See additional eligibility requirements for the project on the Western and the NFRF website.)

More Information (website) and applications (Convergence Portal)
Western’s Internal Deadlines and Information… (Webinar information and links to recording available as well)