Finding Funding for Research

To identify funding opportunities for your research work, we suggest the following resources and information:

University of Toronto Research Services (UTRS)

Research Funding information may be easily found through the UTRS web page Finding Funding. This page links to two databases, reports funding and other relevant news:

• Funding Opportunities, available via Finding Funding, highlights major and minor funding sources with deadlines in the upcoming months.
• A searchable database of funding sources is provided by Community of Science; COS includes funding sources for all research disciplines, not only health or life sciences; it provides international information as well as local funding sources. User name and password may be obtained from Phuong Nguyen (Research Information Helpdesk Analyst, COS Liaison - UTRS) at 978-7474 or p.nguyen@utoronto.ca
• Faculty located off-campus may register for the Community of Science database if they are unable to access it through the Research and International Relations Webpage. Go to the COS homepage and click on the link at the "Join Now" section (top left of screen). Your application for registration will be reviewed by Phuong Nguyen, the University's Research Information Helpdesk Analyst, to ensure you have an appointment at the University before access to COS is granted. If you require assistance in gaining access to COS, please contact Phuong.

Engineering Research Office



In addition, the Engineering Research Office maintains a Funding Opportunities webpage, which provides information on opportunities that have either a short turn-around time or are highly specialized for members of the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. This information is supplemental to the UTRS Funding Opportunities (described above). It provides information on research funding that may or may not yet be posted on the University's Finding Funding or the Community of Science (COS) research funding database.



The VDRG Opportunities Bulletin will, after you register, allow you to receive updates of research funding information (plus other useful services).

Our office provides a range of services to faculty seeking research funding. Contact us directly for further assistance.

Information on selecting the appropriate Federal Funding Agency

NSERC

NSERC funds life sciences research including molecular and developmental genetics, cell biology, psychology (perception, cognition, learning, motivation; underlying neural mechanisms), evolution and ecology, plant biology, animal biology, and physiology; physical sciences, computational sciences, engineering;

CIHR

CIHR funds basic, applied, clinical or health research; health research includes health services, population health, determinants of health, health economics, environmental health, psychosocial and behavioural research, health policy, health promotion, and health ethics;



SSHRC

SSHRC funds psychology and educational psychology research, including experimental social psychology, interpersonal communication, social processes, social issues, personality, developmental psychology; computer and applied sciences, nursing (sociological, psychological or management) research; archaeology, arts, geography;





NSERC and SSHRC requires research funding to be administered by the University.

Questions to Consider

1. Does your research fit the mandate of the agency to which you are applying?

2. Who will review your application (peer review or lay audience)? 



3. Have you shown that ...

• it's a GOOD IDEA? (the aims should be focused and clear; the scope of the proposed work should be achievable in the proposed time;)
• it's GOOD SCIENCE? (it should proceed in a step-by-step, logically organized way; there should be enough detail to convince reviewers that the research will achieve valid results; there should be a critical assessment of the proposed work; identify possible problems and planned solutions; the precision and accuracy of the proposed methods must be defined clearly and accurately;)
• it's a GOOD APPLICATION? (read and follow all instructions; the budget should be appropriate for achieving the goals of the research (JUSTIFY!); ethical consideration and any special requirements should be addressed; a clear message of confidence must be delivered to the reviewers;)

Consult your University Department Chair regarding requirements for an internal peer review. Experience has demonstrated that internally peer reviewed applications have a better chance of being funded.

Note: All proposals for funding must be submitted to the Engineering Research Office prior to submission to Research Services.  Our internal deadline is at least 1 day prior to the Research Services deadline.