2025 Call for Applications

Since 2018, the Lakehead University Agricultural Research Station (LUARS) has been committed to the establishment, operation, promotion, and transfer of agricultural research in pursuit of the development and diversification of the agricultural sector in Thunder Bay and throughout Northwestern Ontario. Research at LUARS, while broad in scope, has largely focused on forage crops and northern based agriculture. With support from Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO), an agency of the Government of Ontario, Lakehead University is positioned to significantly increase research programming in strategic areas of agricultural research.

The Vice-President, Research and Innovation (VPRI) is pleased to announce a call for proposals through the LUARS Agricultural Research Capacity Development Program. 

Specific priority areas have been identified for the 2025 LUARS Agricultural Research Capacity Development Program. While applications from outside these areas will be accepted, priority will be given to proposals that address one or more of the following topics:

• Best management practices (BMPs) in Northern Ontario Agriculture
• Greenhouse gas emissions, climate change, and the circular economy
• Increase of farmlands and farm viability
• Agricultural research and knowledge transfer co-developed with Indigenous communities
• Northern environmental sustainability
• Soil health
• Agri-business

Research projects that are based at LUARS and address the emerging regional research needs of the economy of Northwestern Ontario will receive priority.

Eligibility: The LUARS Agricultural Research Capacity Development Program is open to all full-time, tenure-track and tenured Lakehead University faculty members. Projects with Indigenous partners and/or other groups such as industry, non-profit, and other organizations will be given priority. 

Grants Available: Up to $40,000 total per project will be available for projects ranging from 1-2 years. Projects that leverage matching funds from industry and community organizations are highly encouraged. Both cash and in-kind contributions will be considered eligible for matching.

Funds may be used to support the following:

1. Research expenses, including supplies, materials, equipment and travel;
2. Stipends or salary support for the training of students; and 
3. Organization of workshops and conferences involving community partners with the goal of expanding LUARS-relevant research.

For two-year projects, the total funding awarded will be distributed in equal annual installments. Release of funds for subsequent years will be subject to the submission of satisfactory progress reports. 

Deadline: Friday, January 9, 2026

Application requirements: All applications must be submitted through the Romeo Research Portal.

The following information will be required:

1. A description of the proposed research and training activities, demonstrating how activities will contribute to supporting the mission of LUARS or advancing agricultural research in Northwestern Ontario;
2. Current CCVs of the applicant(s) and co-applicant(s);
3. Letter(s) of support indicating cash and in-kind contributions from partner institutions and/or industry (if applicable); and
4. Specific details on the use of land and facility at LUARS (if applicable).

Approval procedure: The VPRI will establish an internal peer review committee to rank and recommend projects for funding based on the following criteria:

1. The merit of the proposed research project and the degree to which its activities will advance agricultural research and activities in Northwestern Ontario, and/or increase research capacity at LUARS (priority given to projects that address the identified research topics of interest listed above);
2. The impact of the project on the training of undergraduate and/or graduate students;
3. Potential impact of the project’s expected outcomes;
4. Appropriateness of proposed expenditures and budget justification;
5. The academic excellence and research background of all researchers involved in the project (priority given to collaborative or interdisciplinary projects);
6. Ability to leverage or attract external research funding or funding from community/industry partners; and
7. Demonstrated commitment from partner organizations through financial or in-kind support of the collaboration (applications that include matching cash or in-kind contribution will be priorities).

Researchers will be required to submit quarterly and annual reports. All publications and communications related to each project are subject to approval as per ARIO’s Communication Protocol. A final report outlining evidence of the project deliverables and projected research outcomes must be submitted through the Romeo Research Portal within two months of project completion. Researchers will be ineligible to submit future funding applications until the final report has been submitted. 

This program is funded in part by the governments of Canada and Ontario under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year, federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

For additional information, please contact Dr. Langis Roy, Vice-President, Research and Innovation (VPRI) at vpresearch@lakeheadu.ca.

Revised November 2025