Sponsor
New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF)
Program
Transformation
For More Information
Consult the 2026 Transformation Competition overview.
Description
The objective of the Transformation stream is to support large-scale, Canadian-led interdisciplinary research projects that address a major challenge with the potential to realize real and lasting change. 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, when relevant.
Transformation stream grants will support projects that:
- tackle a well-defined problem or challenge;
- propose a novel world-leading approach that is different from the current state-of-the-art approaches to the issue;
- are interdisciplinary, bringing different perspectives to the defined problem; and,
- have the potential to be transformative, defined as the potential to create a significant and real change or impact — a noticeable leap or tangible breakthrough rather than an incremental advance.
Eligibility
To reflect the expertise required to deliver on the ambitious and interdisciplinary nature of the project, proposals must be submitted by teams. Teams must include a nominated principal investigator (NPI) and may include co-principal investigators, co-applicants and/or collaborators. Individuals who are not academic researchers are eligible for all roles except NPI.
The NPI must be considered an independent researcher at their primary affiliation — which is defined as the primary organization where the NPI is employed or appointed, or where they conduct research.
Funding Availability
$144,000,000 over six years
Maximum Project Value
Transformation grants are valued at between $2,000,000 and $4,000,000 per year (including indirect costs) for up to six years. The minimum budget for direct costs of research is $1,600,000 per year and the maximum budget is $3,200,000 per year.
Applicants must request a budget (value and duration) commensurate with the objectives of the project.
Indirect Costs
25%
Project Duration
Up to six years
Deadlines
If College-level review is required, your College will communicate its earlier internal deadlines.
| Type | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
External Deadline | Program Webinar for EOI stage available on competition website. | |
Internal Deadline | Expressions of Interest: Please email ailsakay@uoguelph.ca with the following information:
| |
Internal Deadline | Draft NOI due. Please submit your NOI via the Convergence Portal. (OR-5 not required at this stage). | |
External Deadline | Submit, via the Convergence portal, the complete final draft NOI by 9:00 AM. RSO will submit to the sponsor by the external deadline of 8:00 PM. | |
External Deadline | Program Webinar for LOI stage available on competition website. | |
Internal Deadline | Complete (but do not submit) online sections (a–e) on the Convergence Portal. Submit draft Research Proposal (10 pages) to ailsakay@uoguelph.ca for review. This draft may also be shared with a panel for strategic input. | |
Internal Deadline | Final Internal Deadline. Submit:
| |
External Deadline | RSO will submit LOI to sponsor. | |
External Deadline | Full application due on Convergence portal (by invitation only). |
How to Apply
For detailed timeline, process, and internal resources information, please see the New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) | Office of Research (uoguelph.ca) web page.