John R. Evans Leaders Fund

The John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) provides funding support for the acquisition of research infrastructure that enables innovative work by researchers. It allows institutions to attract and retain top research talent by investing in their infrastructure needs and to remain competitive in areas of strategic research priority.

Visit the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) website for more information on the John R. Evans Leaders Fund.

Value and Duration

CFI funding will support a maximum of 40% of the eligible costs of a JELF project. The CFI allocation can be:  

• Less than or equal to $75,000 for proposals from the social sciences, humanities and arts
• More than or equal to $75,001 for proposals from all disciplines

The start date for a project can be up to six months prior to submission. The project end date is the date when all infrastructure funded by CFI and the Ontario Research Fund (ORF) has been purchased, installed and is ready to be used.

Eligibility

Up to three researchers who currently hold, or are in the process of being recruited to, full-time academic appointments at the administering institution may be listed on the proposal. Proposals involving two or three researchers may propose to either work collaboratively or independently while sharing the requested infrastructure.

Deadlines

CFI accepts applications for the JELF three times per year according to the following deadlines:

• February 15
• June 15
• October 15

Special Requirements

Applications for CFI JELF funding must be followed by an application to the Ontario Research Fund: Small Infrastructure Fund (ORF SIF) for co-funding. The remaining 20% or more must come from discounts beyond normal academic prices (in-kind), cash or a combination of cash and in-kind.

How to Apply

All CFI JELF and ORF SIF applications require faculty endorsement. Interested researchers should first contact their Faculty Research Facilitator (FRF).

To submit a JELF proposal, applicants must complete an application form through the online CFI Awards Management System (CAMS). 

Internal Process

1. Internal nomination form, signed by the Associate Dean of Research and submitted by the Faculty Research Office to the Carleton Office for Research Initiatives and Services (CORIS).
2. Introductory meeting between the FRF, the Institutional Research Facilitator (IRF), the Project Award Officer (PAO) and the applicant(s).
3. The FRF and IRF will conduct up to three comprehensive draft application reviews. CORIS will conduct a final, high-level review of the application package prior to submission.
4. With vendor quotes submitted by the applicant(s), the PAO will draft and finalize the Infrastructure and the Operations and Maintenance budgets.
5. CORIS will submit the proposal to CFI on the applicant’s behalf after securing the required institutional approval. 
6. Following final submission, CORIS will contact applicants to provide program information and internal deadlines associated with the required ORF SIF application. 

Timeline for the Internal Process

Please note that CFI accepts applications three times per year.

E.g., The internal nomination form deadline for CFI’s Feb. 15th deadline would be Nov. 1st of the previous year.

External Submission Steps

The completed application package must include:

• Online CAMS modules
• Proposal (10 or 15 pages)
• Infrastructure, and Operations and Maintenance budgets
• Signed Commitment Form to support any cash contributions
• CAMS CV for each researcher listed on the proposal

The Principal Investigator (PI) must finalize quotes and selection of budget items at least three weeks before the deadline. All application components must be completed in the CAMS portal at least four business days before the deadline.

Prior to submission, the lead applicant must submit a cuResearch Approval Form. CORIS will coordinate the required institutional approval, as well as submission to CFI, using the institutional side of the CAMS portal.

Contact Us

Maureen Mahoney: maureen.mahoney@carleton.ca