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 – Notice of Intent and Full application
Faculty Research Office (Notice of Intent): One week prior to agency deadline (for internal review allow 2-3 weeks)
Western Research (Notice of Intent): Oct 4, 2023, 2 pm ET – Submit a complete notice of intent (NOI) in the Convergence Portal for administrative review and submit a corresponding ROLA proposal for e-approvals. 
Notice of Intent: Oct 11, 2023**, 10 am ET
Faculty Research Office (Full Application): One week prior to agency deadline (for internal review allow 2-3 weeks)
Western Research (Full Application): Nov 28, 2023, 2 pm ET – Submit a complete application in the Convergence Portal for administrative review and submit a corresponding ROLA proposal for e-approvals. 
Full Application: Dec 12, 2023**, 10 am ET
**Applications at each stage must be submitted by Western Research.

Description: Exploration grants support research that pushes boundaries into exciting new areas. Researchers are encouraged to think “outside of the box” and undertake research that would defy current paradigms; brings disciplines together in unexpected ways and from bold, innovative perspectives; and has the potential to be disruptive or deliver game-changing impacts.

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: The fund encourages research proposals led from any discipline, from those in the social sciences and humanities, to health, the natural sciences and engineering. Applicants must hold an eligible academic research appointment at Western.
Individuals:

• Can participate in only one application as either a Nominated Principal Investigator (NPI), a Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) or a Co-Applicant.
• Individuals cannot participate in any of these roles if they are a grantee or co-grantee on an active exploration grant.

Teams of at least two eligible participants:

• Must include at least the NPI and a Co-PI or co-applicant.
• Cannot remove themselves from the application to join a different application to the same funding opportunity after submission.

For a proposal to be considered led by early career researchers (ECRs) both the NPI and Co-PI must qualify as ECRs

More Information (website) and applications (Convergence Portal)
Western’s NFRF Information and Resources…

Webinars: Interested applicants are encouraged to participate the upcoming NFRF-E NOI webinars:
English session
When: Tuesday, September 12, 2023 from 1-3 p.m. | Join
Webinar password: PpFZKJTx332