External Funding Agencies

Please note that all applications/proposals/letters of intent for external funding grants must be approved by your department Chair and Dean using an Institutional Signature Sheet for Research Funding prior to their submission. This form can be found on the Grant Application Forms & Templates web page and must accompany a copy of the application. Applicants are strongly advised to allow sufficient lead-time for the proper consideration at each level.

Funding Sources

1. The COS Database
   Community of Science (COS) A Database of Funding Opportunities This database is for all disciplines, not just Science. They produce a weekly newsletter COS Funding for the Humanities found here. For better search results see "Rules for Searching" and Expertly Searching COS Expertise.
2. Other Databases
   1. UBC ORS Program Query
   2. University of Manitoba Sources of Research Funding
   3. Texas Research Administrators Group (TRAM) Sources of Research Funding
3. Funding by Deadlines
   University of Toronto Database: Provides information on funding opportunities with deadlines in the next three to six months.
4. Funding by Research Area
   
   • Social Science and Humanities Funding Sites
     • Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada SSHRC
       SSHRC is Canada's federal funding agency for university-based research and graduate training in the social sciences and humanities. Created as an independent body by Parliament in 1977, it reports to Parliament through the Minister of Industry. The social sciences and humanities embrace a wide range of disciplines and fields of knowledge. Some examples are economics, business and administrative studies, ethics, education, and law, as well as history, literature and philosophy, anthropology, psychology, sociology, fine arts, native, religious, environmental and women's studies.
   • Other Social Sciences and Humanities Sites
     • The Canada Council For The Arts Grants
     • Canadian Heritage
     • Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
     • Office of Learning Technologies
     • Sources for BC Communities
       
   • Science and Technology Research Sites
     • Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada NSERC
       NSERC list of application deadlines and notification dates
       NSERC (the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada) is the national instrument for making strategic investments in Canada's capability in science and technology. NSERC supports both basic university research through research grants and project research through partnerships of universities with industry, as well as the advanced training of highly qualified people in both areas.
       NSERC is a separate employer of the Government of Canada, reporting to Parliament through the Minister of Industry. It is governed by a Council of 22 members selected from the private and public sectors, and the universities.
     • NSERC Pacific Regional Office Grant
       From time to time, NSERC's Regional Offices may consider requests from organizations, individuals, student groups, etc. for sponsorship of special events, or activities. Only requests for support of recurring events/activities (e.g., PromoScience) can be accepted. Requests for support of recurring events/activities (e.g., annual conferences) will not be considered. Funds are limited and submissions will be reviewed on an "as received" basis and evaluated individually on their merits.
       See pdf document for more details: NSERC Pacific Regional Office Grant Guidelines for Submission
     • Other Science and Technology Sites
   • Climate Change Action Fund (CCAF)
   • Environment Canada
   • Agriculture Canada
   • Natural Resources Canada
   • NETWORKS of CENTRES of EXCELLENCE
   • NRC CISTI National Research Council Canada Institute for Scientific & Technical Information
     
   • Health and Social Development Sites
     • Canadian Institutes of Health Research
       • Canada's premier health research funding agency
       • Funds over 8,500 researchers in universities, teaching hospitals, and research institutes across Canada
       • Invests in high quality people, excellent science and training the next generation - the backbone of a knowledge-based economy
       • $662 million budget for 2004-2005
       • 94 cents of every dollar CIHR receives from the federal government goes directly to Canadian health researchers in every province across the country
     • Canadian Health Services Research Foundation
       The Canadian Health Services Research Foundation promotes and funds management and policy research in health services and nursing to increase the quality, relevance and usefulness of this research for health-system policy makers and managers. In addition, the foundation works with these health-system decision makers to support and enhance their use of research evidence when addressing health management and policy challenges. Any foundation project, process or activity always involves both researchers, and managers, policy makers from academia and Canada's health system.
     • Other Health and Social Science Sites
       • Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research
       • Health Canada
       • Women's Health Bureau
     • Helene Fuld Health Trust
     • Canadian Nurses Foundation
     • Healnet Health Evidence Application and Linking Network
     • National Cancer Institute of Canada
     • Centre for Behavioral Research and Program Evaluation
     • National Institutes of Health
5. Infrastructure Funding
   • Canada Foundation for Innovation

     Infrastructure Funding. "The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is an independent corporation established by the Government of Canada in 1997. The Foundation's goal is to strengthen the capability of Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals, and other not-for-profit institutions to carry out world-class research and technology development. By investing in research infrastructure projects, the CFI supports research excellence, and helps strengthen research training at institutions across Canada."