Research Excellence
The Research Excellence program provides research institutions with funding to support the operational costs of major projects of strategic value to the province. The fund will provide up to one-third of the total project value, with the remaining two-thirds coming from a combination of eligible private sector and institutional contributions.
In Round 12, the most recent round, there were two funding streams:
- Basic and Applied Research
- Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 1 or 2
- Experimental Research
- Projects that demonstrate strong commercialization potential; TRL of 3 or higher
- Requires collaboration with an Ontario-based company
Both streams were open to applications from all research areas, with priority given to areas that support government initiatives. These initiatives were:
- Artificial intelligence
- Automotive (includes electric vehicles)
- Critical minerals (includes research that supports Ontario’s Ring of Fire)
- Genomics
- Life sciences
- Medical devices
- Quantum technology
Visit the Government of Ontario website for more information on the Ontario Research Fund: Research Excellence (ORF RE).
This program is currently closed. Updates will be posted as soon as the next round is announced.
Value and Duration
- Stream 1: $500,000 to $2,00,000 for up to five years (max)
- Stream 2: $300,000 to $2,00,000 for up to four years (max)
Deadlines
TBD
Special Requirements
The program will contribute towards eligible operating costs of an approved research project to a maximum of one-half of the total project costs, with one-third of the remainder coming from the applicant institution and one-third from other eligible sources (such as the private sector).
Information Sessions
TBD
How to Apply
Internal Process
These are large, partnership-driven institutional grants that require a team effort between the Faculty Research Office (FRO), the Carleton Office for Research Initiatives and Services (CORIS), Research Financial Services (RFS) and/or Industry Partnership Services (IPS). Interested applicants for Carleton-led and externally-led applications will be asked to submit an online Expression of Interest (EOI).
Expression of Interest
Internal Evaluation
The EOI requirements will be based on the application requirements, and it will be reviewed internally but not adjudicated. Internal support will be determined using the EOI.
If you are invited to join an application after the EOI deadline, please get in touch with your FRO as soon as possible.
External Submission Steps
With support from the FRO, CORIS, RFS and/or IPS, the lead Principal Investigator (PI) will develop an application package comprised of:
- Application Form
- Proposal (approx. 30 pages)
- Project Budget
- CVs for team members
- Letters of Support – Industry
- Letters of Support – Institutional
- Mitigating Economic and Geopolitical Risk checklist
- Attestation Forms
Prior to submission, the lead applicant must submit a cuResearch Approval Form. CORIS will coordinate the required institutional signatures, as well as submission, to the ORF. Application packages are submitted by the designated institutional contact using a file sharing platform.
Contact Us
Maureen Mahoney: maureen.mahoney@carleton.ca