Canada First Research Excellence Fund: Internal Call for Expressions of Interest

Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF)

Internal Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI)

The Government of Canada recently announced a major new funding opportunity known as the Canada First Research Excellence Fund. The purpose of this program is to enable Canadian postsecondary institutions to excel globally in strategic research areas that have the potential to create long-term economic advantages for Canada.  Under this program, researchers cannot apply to the Fund directly, but applications must be submitted by the Universities. Each university can only submit one application as the lead. 

The next deadline for the submission of letters of intent to the Fund is August 31, 2015.  Lakehead University research teams that are interested in being part of a Lakehead University submission to the Fund are invited to submit expressions of interest that will identify a research proposal that would help Lakehead ". . . to achieve global excellence and leadership in research, in areas of strategic relevance for Canada."

Please note proposed research strategy and areas must align with Lakehead's research strengths as outlined in our Academic/Research Plan as well as the Government of Canada’s science, technology and innovation priority research areas.

When preparing an expression of interest, researchers should consider the following information taken from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund guidelines: 

Each proposal may focus on one or more highly strategic research areas. Proposals for lower-value awards are expected to be for initiatives that will advance a single area of research excellence at an institution. Proposals for large awards could advance more than one area of research excellence at the institution. The institution must make the case for the choice of research area(s), and must describe how advancing this/these would serve the institution’s overall strategy for global excellence.

Finally, faculty members should also keep in mind the Fund's selection criteria when preparing their EOIs.

EOIs are due March 30, 2015 to Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Interim Vice-President Research, Economic Development and Innovation; EOIs must be no longer than three pages and must include the following:

  • A description of the research proposal and how the proposal would help Lakehead achieve research excellence on a global scale.
  • A list of Lakehead University researchers or researchers at other Universities (Canadian and international) who would be part of achieving the proposed research strategy.
  • A list of potential partners who would be a part of achieving the proposed research strategy.
  • A draft high-level budget.

While LU can be the lead institution on only one proposal, we may participate as partners on other Universities’ proposals.  Please identify by March 30 if you have been invited to be part of another University’s CFREF submission or if you know of Universities that Lakehead should approach to partner with.

Please do not hesitate to contact Anne Klymenko by e-mail:  Anne.Klymenko@lakeheadu.ca  or by phone (ext. 8223) if you have further questions about the CFREF.

 Dr. Andrew P. Dean

Interim Vice-President (Research, Economic Development and Innovation)