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 3 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 (for example, 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 2 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

Review the program guidelines before you apply for the Ontario Research Fund – Large Infrastructure Fund program.

To apply, please download, complete and submit the following 3 items:

  1. Application form for the 2025 Ontario Research Fund – Large Infrastructure Program
  2. Mitigating Economic and Geopolitical Risk Checklist for Ontario Research Fund Applications
  3. Application Attestation Form for Researchers Applying to the Ontario Research Funding Programs

Optional resource for applicants:

For additional guidance, you may also want to download the Research Security Guidelines for Ontario Research Funding Programs.

Small Infrastructure Fund

Before you apply for the Ontario Research Fund – Small Infrastructure Fund program, ensure you review the program guidelines.

To apply, please download, complete and submit the following 3 items:

  1. Application form for the Ontario Research Fund for Small Infrastructure Funds
  2. Mitigating Economic and Geopolitical Risk Checklist for Ontario Research Fund Applications
  3. Application Attestation Form for Researchers Applying to the Ontario Research Funding Programs

See the deadlines below for upcoming rounds of funding.

Optional resource for applicants:

For additional guidance, you may also want to download the Research Security Guidelines for Ontario Research Funding Programs.

College Fund

The 2024 College Fund Round 12 competition is closed.

Important dates

Large Infrastructure Fund deadlines

The deadline for application submission is:

  • Monday, March 24, 2025.

Small Infrastructure Fund deadlines

Submit your applications by:

  • June 7, 2024
  • November 1, 2024
  • March 7, 2025

College Fund deadline

The 2024 College Fund Round 12 competition is closed. We are no longer accepting applications.

Please continue to visit this web page for updates in Spring 2025 on future rounds of this program.

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