Institutional Funding
Our Institutional Programs team manages major federal, provincial and regional research awards, including the Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) and Canada Research Chairs (CRC) programs, Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund (BCKDF) and PacifiCan.
Canada Research Excellence Chairs
The Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) program supports Canadian universities in attracting world-renowned researchers to establish ambitious research programs. With awards of either $8 million or $4 million over eight years, CERC helps position Canada as a global leader in research and innovation. Launched in 2008, it is one of the most prestigious and generous research funding programs worldwide.
A tri-agency initiative, CERC is administered by the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat (TIPS) within the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), in collaboration with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
Canada Research Chairs
The federal government established the Canada Research Chairs (CRC) program in 2000 to promote excellence and innovation in Canadian research. Chairholders are some of the world’s most accomplished and promising minds, improving our depth of knowledge and quality of life, strengthening Canada’s international competitiveness and helping train the next generation of researchers.
UBC Okanagan is recruiting three climate-themed CRCs to join our thriving research enterprise. These Chairs will develop and lead world-renowned research programs and help guide Canada’s response to the challenges caused by climate change.
Canada Foundation for Innovation
The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) plays a vital role in equipping researchers with state-of-the-art facilities, laboratories, and equipment to drive discovery and innovation across all disciplines. Through programs such as the John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) and the Innovation Fund, CFI investments empower Canada’s researchers to push the boundaries of knowledge, address global challenges, and enhance the country’s social, economic, and environmental well-being.
John R. Evans Leaders Fund
The John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) program, helps attract top researchers by providing critical infrastructure and research support. It enables faculty to pursue cutting-edge research in priority areas outlined in institutional strategic plans.
Innovation Fund
The Innovation Fund supports large-scale, team-based research projects that require cutting-edge infrastructure. With a minimum funding request of $1 million, this program invests in research across all disciplines, from fundamental to applied research, including technology development.