What is this funding program meant to do?
- Support research led by Northern institutions and organizations and First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities
- Augment research capacity in the North for the North
- Generate social, cultural, health, environmental or economic benefits to Northern Canada and Northern communities including the training of academic and non-academic highly qualified personnel.
What institutions are eligible to apply to this fund?
To apply to the Northern Fund, Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals and non-profit research institutions and organizations, must meet both criteria:
- Be headquartered in Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik or Nunatsiavut
- Be recognized as eligible by the CFI.
Email us at eligibility [at] innovation.ca (eligibility[at]innovation[dot]ca) for information about how to apply for eligibility.
Note that the CFI funds institutions and does not fund individual researchers.
What research infrastructure projects are eligible?
An eligible research infrastructure project involves acquiring or developing research infrastructure to augment research capacity and conduct research activities that are relevant to Northern communities.
To be considered for funding, the requested research infrastructure must be essential for the institution’s planned research activities and be located in Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik or Nunatsiavut.
How much funding can an institution request?
Eligible institutions can submit proposals with total CFI requests between $250,000 and $2.5 million to cover research infrastructure costs.
The CFI will fund up to 50 percent of the eligible costs of a research infrastructure project. The remainder of the funds (50 percent or more) must be provided by the institution and other eligible funding partners.
Over five years, the CFI will invest up to $25 million in research infrastructure including funding to operate and maintain it.
What are the deadlines?
Activity | Deadline |
The CFI issues the call for proposals | January 31, 2024 |
Deadline to submit proposals | Anytime between February 2024 and February 2028 |
Last round of funding decisions from the CFI | March 2029 |
Duration of the Northern Fund | Five years or until funds are fully committed |