CFI Innovation Fund

The Biotron

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is expectd to release their full Call for Proposals for the 2027 Innovation Fund in the Spring of 2026.

In an effort to maximize development time and support to potential Innovation Fund applicants, and to meet the necessary internal assessment and review processes for infrastructure proposals of this scale, Western Research will be developing an internal timeline designed to engage and prepare application teams in advance of the CFI Call for Proposals.

This will be a pre-call framework is based on current information from the CFI and is therefore subject to change as new information is provided by the CFI.  These references are from the previous 2025 round:

 

Anticipated Timeline

An updated timeline for the various stages of internal review is currently in draft.

Application Process: Western-Led Proposals

The CFI caps the maximum amount for which each institution can apply in each round of the Innovation Fund. For the 2025 Innovation Fund, the CFI envelope for Western and its affiliated hospitals was $35.9M. Internal proposals must therefore be competitively adjudicated to determine which applications will be submitted to the CFI within Western's envelope.

Notice of Intent

A mandatory Notice of Intent (NOI) must be submitted, deadline to be determined.

This short NOI collects basic information on the applicant and their research team, the proposed infrastructure, and the facility/space requirements of the proposed infrastructure. Applicants are strongly recommended to discuss their projects and infrastructure needs with the relevant Faculty(ies) early in proposal development and prior to submitting their NOI.

The NOIs are mandatory, but are not adjudicated, are not binding, and will be used only for planning purposes. To encourage collaboration and minimize equipment duplication, submitted NOIs will be shared with Associate Deans (Research) and made available to the Western community.

"Pitch Your Proposal" Events

To provide potential applicants with an opportunity to obtain constructive feedback on their internal proposals, "Pitch Your Proposal" events will be held in the spring of 2026. Applicants will be asked to provide a brief, five-minute "pitch" of their Innovation Fund proposal to a multidisciplinary panel, who will ask questions and provide suggestions and feedback to improve the proposal. These events are optional and will not impact the competitive internal review process. However, some faculties may require participation in a Pitch event to secure Faculty support of the internal proposal; applicants are encouraged to check with their Associate Dean (Research) and their faculty research office for more information. The events will be open to all applicants and members of the Western community to encourage potential collaborations and share the panel's advice and insights more broadly. Dates, times and locations are included above.

Internal Proposals

Internal proposals are mandatory. Internal proposals will include a) a completed Internal Application Form, including required attachments such as a 6-page description of the proposed project addressing CFI criteria, along with project team CVs; b) a completed Budget Template; and c) a completed Research Equipment & Space Needs Assessment Form for each space that will house the proposed equipment. Internal proposals will require signatures from the Dean (or designate) for each Faculty that will house some of the proposed equipment.

Application Process: Externally-Led Proposals

Western researchers who are participating in an Innovation Fund proposal being led by another institution where a contribution from Western's CFI envelope is being requested by the lead institution must complete and submit an Envelope Contribution Request Form and a Research Equipment & Space Needs Assessment Form for each space that will house proposed equipment.

Review Process

An internal, two-stage review process will be used to identify the projects that will be developed for submission to the CFI. The internal process, detailed in the Call for Proposals (2025) (Western ID & Password required), includes the submission of an internal Notice of Intent (not adjudicated) and an internal Proposal that will form the basis of institutional decision-making. This process is required for all Innovation Fund projects led by Western and its affiliated hospitals; inter-institutional projects not led by Western but seeking a contribution from our CFI envelope will be required to submit  a different request form (see above) that will be assessed as detailed in the Call for Proposals.

Proposals should be aligned with Western’s strengths and strategic priorities, build on past investments in people, research, and infrastructure, and demonstrate world-leading research that will increase Western’s competitive advantage in the global research landscape.

About the Innovation Fund

The Innovation Fund provides investments in infrastructure, across the full spectrum of research, from the most fundamental to applied through to technology development. Projects funded through the Innovation Fund will help Canada remain at the forefront of exploration and knowledge generation while making meaningful contributions to generating social, health, environmental and economic benefits and addressing global challenges. 

Through the Innovation Fund, the CFI seeks to support promising and innovative research or technology development in areas where Canada currently is, or has the potential to be, competitive on the global stage. The CFI supports initiatives that allow institutions and their researchers to build on established capabilities to accelerate current research and technology development or to enhance emerging strategic priority areas.

The objectives of the Innovation Fund are to enable institutions and their best researchers to:

  • Strive for global leadership by conducting world-class research or technology development activities in areas of strategic institutional priority;
  • Enhance research capacity by forging productive partnerships within and among institutions, sectors and disciplines for the effective and sustainable use of the research infrastructure and facilities; and
  • Generate social, health, environmental and/or economic benefits for Canadians, including better training and improved skills for highly qualified personnel, through appropriate pathways.

Documents and Resources

The following require your Western ID and Password to access:

Other Resources

Indigenous Research and EDID Support:
Dedicated support and resources for Indigenous research and Equity Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonization in research are available through the Inclusive Research Excellence and Impact team. You can complete a request for support form to receive more information or book a consultation. If you are unsure if your project involves Indigenous research it is recommended that you contact the team early for determination and support.

Contact 

For more information, or questions relating to the CFI Innovation Fund program, please contact Kathy Laid, Senior Institutional Research Programs Officer or the Instututional Research Programs team at irp@uwo.ca.