Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)
CFI is the Canadian federal funding agency that invests in state-of-the-art infrastructure that enables world-class research. Applications for further support can be made to Innovation Saskatchewan’s Innovation and Science Fund.
This funding stream supports the research infrastructure required for the very best researchers to undertake leading-edge research. It enables institutions to remain internationally competitive in areas of research and technology development aligned with their strategic priorities.
A formal internal process for John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) identifies projects that can move forward to the external CFI application. This internal call is announced through the UofR Research email list service, as well as the ORS newsletter and website. A call for Expressions of Interest for the next allocation of CFI JELF funding will be sent out in October 2026.
Please visit the Canada Foundation for Innovation website for more information on the JELF program.
The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) supports large-scale infrastructure projects at Canadian institutions, with the goals of providing researchers with the tools they need to be world leaders in their fields and enabling researchers to respond to emerging challenges. Applications to the CFI Innovation Fund must be submitted through the researcher’s institution.
The Vice-President (Research), via the Office of Research Services (ORS), has issued a call for expressions of interest for the 2027 Innovation Fund competition. The objectives of this competition are to strengthen researchers’ ability to excel and compete internationally, build sustainable research capacity, and generate relevant and impactful benefits to Canadians.
The draft version of the CFI 2027 Innovation Fund Call for Proposals is currently available for review. The final version is expected to be released on June 3, 2026.
This call is open to individual researchers and research teams who have a project idea with large-scale infrastructure needs. Please note that $1M remains available for allocation to UofR-led projects in this call and $750K is available for partnership of UofR researchers on applications led by other institutions. Researchers are encouraged to consider this availability when preparing submissions. Researchers who have been invited to participate on a team led by another institution must also respond to this call for expressions of interest to be considered for a portion of the UofR’s funding envelope.
CFI will fund up to 40% of the total infrastructure project costs. Matching funds will be requested from Innovation Saskatchewan; however, since matching funds from Innovation Saskatchewan are not guaranteed, interested applicants should seek alternate sources of cash in the event that Innovation Saskatchewan does not approve a match. The remainder (minimum of 20%) must consist of in-kind support from suppliers and/or cash from other sources. Projects must request a minimum of $400,000 from CFI in order to be eligible.
In order to be considered, the CFI Internal Expression of Interest form (PDF) must be completed and submitted no later than Friday June 12, 2026, 4:30 pm. Please direct all questions and submissions to the Senior Research Facilitator, Office of Research Services.
Please visit the Canada Foundation for Innovation website more information on the CFI IF program.
For more information, please contact Senior Research Facilitator
Please check out past CFI recipients from the University of Regina