How it works

The Ontario Research Fund – Research Infrastructure provides research institutions with funding to help support infrastructure needs, such as modern facilities and equipment.

Both the Ontario government and the Canada Foundation for Innovation provide funding.

You need to apply to both programs at the same time.

Programs

The Ontario Research Fund – Research Infrastructure is divided into three funds:

Large Infrastructure

  • helps cover the costs of building/renovating and equipping facilities to conduct collaborative academic research
  • co-funds with the Innovation Fund through the Canada Foundation for Innovation

Small Infrastructure

  • helps cover the costs of acquiring/renewing research equipment (e.g., specimens, scientific collections, computer software, information databases)
  • co-funds with the John R. Evans Leaders Fund through the Canada Foundation for Innovation

College Fund

  • helps cover the costs of building, renovating and equipping research facilities to promote college partnerships with industry, eligible public or not-for-profit partners
  • co-funds with Canada Foundation for Innovation’s College Fund
  • participation from private-sector or not-for-profit partners is essential

Who is eligible

Eligible institutions include:

  • universities and colleges
  • research hospitals
  • non-profit research institutes

Funding amount

This funding comes from two places: the Ontario government and the Canada Foundation for Innovation.

Each provides up to 40% of eligible costs.

The remaining 20% needs to come from private-sector, public or not-for-profit funding partners and/or your own research institution.

How to apply

Step 1: Notify your institution’s research office that you plan to apply.

Step 2: Prepare the documents for your application package according to program guidelines and application instructions.

Step 3: Your research office submits the complete application package to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

Application forms and guidelines

Large Infrastructure Fund

Download program guidelines and application form for the Large Infrastructure Fund.

Applicants will be required to complete a Mitigating Economic and Geopolitical Risk Checklist for the Large Infrastructure Fund, as applicable, as part of the application.

Download the Mitigating Geopolitical Risk Checklist. Please attach the completed checklist to your application.

Small Infrastructure Fund

Download program guidelines and application form for the Small Infrastructure Fund.

Applicants will be required to complete the Mitigating Economic and Geopolitical Risk Checklist for the Small Infrastructure Fund, as applicable, as part of the application.

Download the Mitigating Geopolitical Risk Checklist. Please attach the completed checklist to your application.

College Fund

Download program guidelines and application form for the College Fund.

Important dates

Large Infrastructure Fund deadlines

Submit your applications by:

  • August 15, 2022

Small Infrastructure Fund deadlines

Submit your applications by: 

  • June 3, 2022
  • November 4, 2022
  • March 3, 2023

College Fund deadline

Submit your applications for Round 10 by:

  • June 17, 2022

The new program guidelines and a new application form will be posted on or before May 20, 2022.

Evaluation criteria

The ministry reviews both the Ontario Research Fund and corresponding Canada Foundation for Innovation application and looks for the:

  • quality of the research and the researchers
  • need for the infrastructure
  • ability to attract highly qualified personnel and give them new high-level skills
  • potential benefits to Ontario (economy, health, environment, quality of life, public policy, visibility in the global scientific community)

Projects funded

Information about projects supported through the Ontario Research Fund – Research Infrastructure program can be found on the Ontario Open data website.

Questions

For more information, please contact ORFInfrastructure.Mailbox@ontario.ca