2026 NFRF Transformation Competition

Program Description

The New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) Transformation stream supports large-scale, Canadian-led interdisciplinary research projects that address a well-defined, major challenge with the potential to realize real and lasting change. The minimum budget for the direct costs of the research project is $1,600,000 per year, and the maximum budget is $3,200,000. Applicants must request a budget (value and duration) in line with the objectives of the project. Applicants may, in addition, request up to 25% of the value of the direct costs of research to cover indirect costs and include this in their total funding request. The competition budget is $144,000,000 over six years (approximately 6-8 applications funded nationally).

Important UBCO deadlines:

• April 7, noon: RPIF deadline (estimate of budget is sufficient – the intent is to ensure Department and ADR awareness of applications)
• April 14, noon: NOI e-submission (April 15 agency deadline)
• May 20, noon: Administrative pre-review questions due to AVPRI (see below)
• June 10, noon: Revised RPIF (if changes to budget), co-applicant and research security forms due to ORS
• June 16, noon: LOI e-submission deadline
• Full applications are by invitation only, and are due March 3, 2026

Draft of VPRI’s administrative pre-review questions (due to AVPRI May 20)

• Please describe the space available for the activities described in the proposal.
  • Include whether the space is assigned to the team (if part of the faculty space envelope) or has received sign-off from the Strategic Space Committee if the space or building is not managed by the home faculty.
• Are there infrastructure costs or implications? If so, please describe.
• Are any renovation costs involved, and if so, have you already discussed this with your faculty?
• Are there any commitments from faculties or departments for administrative or financial personnel to support the project?  If so, please have the relevant faculty or department confirm via email to the AVPRI including the details (monetary and non-monetary contributions, provision of space, course releases for the project leader(s), etc.). If not, have these considerations been included in the budget submitted at the LOI stage?
• Have conflicts of interests been identified and managed where necessary?
• Are there cash or in-kind commitments from collaborators? If so, please include confirmation of this commitment (an email thread is sufficient)
• Please provide a list of external partners/contributors named in application

The UBCO Research Development Team is available to support reviews at the LOI stage, and answer questions at the non-competitive NOI stage. Given the size of the application, VPRI will implement an in-depth administrative review process before the LOI submission. Questions about facilitation can be directed to Denise Maines. Questions about infrastructure can be directed to Pierre Rondier.

NFRF is hosting Webinars on March 11 for the NOI stage, and May 6 for the LOI stage (1pm EST/10am PST).

Full Program Terms

Proposal Development Support

For support in preparing a UBCO-led application, please get in touch with the contact below:

How to Apply

UBC Okanagan submission guidelines

RPIFs must be received at least 5 business days ahead of the deadline.