Research Funding

The FundOps database provides details on granting programs of all sizes, scopes, and disciplines. Research Services supports all the regular funding opportunities. The following larger, more complex granting programs are managed and supported by Institutional Strategic Awards (links will take you to the appropriate entry in the FundOps Database, where you can read about relevant internal timelines or requirements): 

• SSHRC Partnership Grant 
  Partnership Grants (PG) provide support for new and existing formal partnerships to advance research, research training, and/or knowledge mobilization in the social sciences and humanities through mutual co-operation and sharing of intellectual leadership

• New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) Transformation Stream
  The Transformation stream is designed to support large-scale, Canadian-led interdisciplinary research projects that address a major challenge with the potential to realize real and lasting change (high-reward). The challenge may be fundamental, leading to a scientific breakthrough, or applied, with a social, economic, environmental or health impact. Projects are expected to be world-leading, drawing on global research expertise where relevant.

• NSERC Collaborative Research and Training Experience Program (CREATE)
  CREATE supports the training of teams of highly qualified students (mainly graduate) and postdoctoral fellows from Canada and abroad through the development of innovative training programs. SFU provides limited support to research teams submitting proposals to this Limited Submission program.

• Horizon Europe (HE)
  Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation. Canada became an Associated Country with the European Union in July 2024, which means that Canada can apply for funding as an Associated Country under Pillar II, Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, with funding of more than €53 billion (CDN $77 billion). The entire Horizon Europe Programme for 2021-2027 provides funding of €93.5 billion. Opportunities are listed on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, with various application deadlines.

  Currently, SFU is working at building capacity to support researchers as collaborators in the HE Programme. If you are interested in applying for a Horizon Europe call, or are currently collaborating with international partners on a call, please contact Michele La Vie, mlavie@sfu.ca, to discuss your project as soon as possible. Access SFU support materials and training resources on the SFU Horizon Europe webpage.

Research Chairs

Canada Research Chairs

Since 2000, the Canada Research Chairs (CRC) Program invests approximately $265 million per year to attract and retain diverse world-class researchers, to reinforce academic research and training excellence in Canadian postsecondary institutions. Chairholders aim to achieve research excellence in engineering and the natural sciences, health sciences, humanities, and social sciences, improving our depth of knowledge and quality of life, strengthening international competitiveness, and training the next generation of highly skilled people.

CRC allocations are determined by the institution, and nominations are developed by Departments and Faculties. A complete administration guide to provide you with information about the CRC program at SFU is available at the CRC webpage.

Canada Excellence Research Chair Program

The Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) program offers eligible Canadian, degree-granting institutions an opportunity to establish highly funded research chairs in the Government of Canada’s ST&I priorities for the CERC and CFREF programs. These opportunities are held every four years, the most recent of which was in 2022.
For information on SFU’s processes for the last call, please visit the CERC webpage.