Digital Research Alliance of Canada – Research Software Maintenance Fund
Sponsor’s Website
Digital Research Alliance of Canada – Research Software Maintenance Fund
Internal Contacts
Potential applicants are encouraged to consult with their Faculty Research Facilitator and Andrew Schoenrock.
Additional Submission Instructions
Please send a Letter of Interest to Andrew Schoenrock by Wednesday, June 24.
Deadlines
| Deadline | Date |
|---|---|
| Faculty Deadline | Consult your Faculty Research Facilitator |
| Letter of Interest sent to Andrew Schoenrock | June 24, 2026 |
| Letter of Intent Deadline | June 26, 2026 |
| OVPRII Approval Form Deadline | July 3, 2026 |
| Full Proposal | September 2026 |
Description
Software is embedded in nearly every aspect of modern research, yet finding dedicated resources to maintain, secure, and sustain it remains one of the biggest challenges facing research teams across Canada. The Research Software Maintenance Fund (RSMF) addresses this gap. It provides targeted funding to help teams keep the research software that Canadian researchers depend on every day reliable, secure, and sustainable for the long term.
Funding Value
Small Maintenance Grants provide an Alliance contribution of up to $150,000 for projects lasting up to 12 months. Large Sustaining Grants provide an Alliance contribution of up to $500,000 for projects lasting up to 24 months.
Eligibility Criteria
The lead applicant must be based at an eligible Canadian institution (university, research hospital, or not-for-profit organization). The software must be existing, actively used, and have users beyond the originating team. The team must include at least one software developer with experience in code quality practices. International collaborators may participate, but the project must demonstrate clear benefit to the Canadian research community
Submitting Your Application
- Log in to cuResearch and submit an internal Carleton Approval Form. Consult the cuResearch user’s manual for guidance.
- Submit an external application to the Digital Research Alliance of Canada – Research Software Maintenance Fund by following their submission guidelines.