External Funders, Awards, and Deadlines
Submission Information and Deadlines
The research grant opportunities and links included below are from a selection of national and provincial agencies. Researchers are encouraged to contact the Office of Research Services (ORS) to discuss these and other granting opportunities that may be of interest. Communications on upcoming grant opportunities and deadlines are circulated frequently via email.
The BU Internal Deadline to receive completed applications, contracts, letters of intent, etc. is NO LESS THAN TWO WEEKS prior to the external deadline. This deadline is firm.
The complete external submission requirements can be found here.
INSTITUTIONAL GRANTS AND PARTNERSHIP GRANTS
Institutional grants are those awarded directly to Brandon University, i.e., in the name of the institution or President, and not to an individual principal investigator. Institutional grants include awards such as Canada Research Chairs, Canada Foundation for Innovation infrastructure grants, and SSHRC Partnership Grants.
***Approval to move forward with an institutional application must be given by the institution, by way of the Vice-President (Research & Graduate Studies). A request to move forward with an institutional application must be submitted well in advance of the external deadline and approval is a requirement before proceeding with a formal application. It is recommended to start the internal request at least six months, and ideally a year, in advance of the external deadline. Please contact the ORS to discuss the requirements and timeline of a request. Note that institutional applications have much earlier internal deadlines than PI-led grants, at least one month in advance of the external deadline.
Larger partnership/industry-based grants such as NSERC Alliance Grant applications normally have earlier internal deadlines to enable coordination of the application and the partners involved.
Please check with the ORS to confirm dates and timelines.
Major Granting Agencies and Opportunities
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) is the federal agency that makes strategic investments in Canadian science and technology. NSERC supports basic university research, university-industry partnerships, and advanced training of highly qualified people.
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) is a federal agency that promotes and supports university-based research and training in the social sciences and humanities.
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the federal agency responsible for funding health research in Canada. It aims to excel in the creation of new health knowledge, and to translate that knowledge from the research setting into real world applications.
Research Manitoba
Research Manitoba promotes, supports, and coordinates the funding of research excellence and innovation in health, natural and social sciences, engineering and the humanities in Manitoba. Research Manitoba supports local talent development by providing research support to early career researchers and graduate students, along with fostering strategic partnerships to strengthen research and innovation in Manitoba.
Research Manitoba Opportunities
Manitoba Heritage
The Province of Manitoba’s Heritage Grant Program is administered through the Historic Resources Branch. The program offers a wide range of funding opportunities to small urban and rural communities and groups, focused on activities like planning, research, promotion, education, exhibits, archives and special initiatives.
Manitoba Heritage Opportunities
Manitoba Arts Council
The Manitoba Arts Council is an arm’s-length agency of the Province of Manitoba, established in 1965 “to promote the study, enjoyment, production and performance of works in the arts.” MAC makes awards to professional arts organizations and individuals in all art forms including theatre, literature, dance, music, painting, sculpture, architecture or the graphic arts, and includes other similar creative or interpretative activity, including arts education. MAC uses a peer assessment process in making awards. Historically, the main criterion used to assess applications is artistic merit.
Manitoba Arts Council Opportunities
Mitacs
Mitacs is a key link between industry and post-secondary institutions, driving collaborations at home and abroad to develop projects which solve business challenges, and develop the nation’s innovation capacity. Mitacs has funded cutting-edge research, created job opportunities for graduate students and helped companies reach their business goals, achieving results that have bolstered the Canadian economy. Mitacs provides up to 55% funding for projects and connects highly trained researchers with the businesses that need them and helps guide researchers through the process. Please visit their website to learn more about their funding opportunities.
Canada Council for the Arts
The Canada Council for the Arts is Canada’s national, arm’s-length arts funding agency. It supports, promotes and celebrates Canadian artists and art organizations. Please visit their website to learn more about their funding opportunities.