Important Updates - August 11th 2026
Regular updates outlining research opportunities and special activities emailed to faculty on behalf of the Office of Research & Innovation.
For any questions or concerns, please kindly direct your response to research@trentu.ca, as this will ensure it reaches the appropriate contact.
News and Events
Safeguarding Science
Canada's research strength makes it a target for theft or unwanted knowledge transfer, and those risks can cost an institution its reputation, its patents, and its talent. Public Safety Canada's free Safeguarding Science series helps researchers and staff spot and manage those risks. All sessions are virtual and open to everyone, regardless of discipline.
- Raising Awareness of Security Risks and Mitigation Tools in the Research Ecosystem, September 11 · Register.
- Protecting Knowledge: Research Security in Social Sciences and Humanities, September 21 · Register.
- Dual-Use Technologies: Know Your Research, Know Your Partners, Assess the Risk, October 6 · Register.
- Conducting Open-Source Due-Diligence, October 22 · Register.
- Travelling Safely: Protecting Your Research While Travelling Abroad, November 5 · Register.
More sessions on immigration, export controls, and sanctions are coming later this year. Details on the Safeguarding Science page.
Funding Opportunities
New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) Exploration 2026: NOI Deadline Approaching
Submit your NOI early and connect with the ORI for support
NFRF Exploration supports high-risk, high-reward, interdisciplinary research that pushes beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries and has the potential for transformative impact. Funding Available: Up to $125,000 per year (including indirect costs). Researchers can participate in only one application to the NFRF Exploration competition at a time, either as a nominated principal investigator (NPI), co-principal investigator (co-PI), or co-applicant.
Submission of an NOI is mandatory. Once an NOI is submitted, it will be forwarded to the Research Office for review. If you need to make changes to your NOI at this stage, please contact researchsupport@trentu.ca. After the ORI has submitted the NOI to the agency, no further changes can be made.
To avoid last-minute technical issues, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their NOI to the ORI no later than 12:00 pm on August 17. NOI Deadline: August 18, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. (ET)
Full Application Deadline: October 20, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. (ET)
GROW Program Reminders
Introduction to Research Funding in the Social Sciences & Humanities (with Breanne Whitwell)
August 13, 12:00pm-1:30pm, virtual, Registration link
This session is for newly hired faculty, early-career researchers, first-time applicants and those looking to understand various internal and external sources of funding for faculty researchers in the social sciences and humanities. We will cover information about a variety of funding sources, support available through the ORI and tips for successful applications. Time will be set aside for questions.
SSHRC Connection Grant (with Breanne Whitwell)
August 19, 1:30pm-3:30pm, virtual, Registration link
This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the SSHRC Connection Grant (CG) program, including requirements of the application. We will describe individual elements such as project descriptions and budgets and discuss best practices and common pitfalls for each. We will also cover requirements related to matching contributions and letters of support from sponsoring organizations. Time will be set aside for questions.
SSHRC Insight Development Grant (IDG) (with Breanne Whitwell)
August 20, 10:00am-12:00pm, virtual, Registration link
This session is for early-career researchers who are ready to apply for external funding or established researchers looking to explore new research questions or approaches. The session will provide a comprehensive overview of the SSHRC Insight Development Grant (IDG) program, including requirements of the application. We will describe individual elements such as project descriptions and budgets and discuss best practices and common pitfalls for each. Time will be set aside for questions.
DG Evaluation: Reading Like a Reviewer to Strengthen Your Application – Panel Discussion (with Dr. Omar Alam and Dr. Wenying Feng)
August 26, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm via Zoom, Registration link
This session provides an insider look at how NSERC Discovery Grant applications are evaluated, featuring insights from Dr. Omar Alam (1507: Computer Science) and Dr. Wenying Feng (1508: Mathematics and Statistics). Drawing from their experience as DG Evaluation Group members, they will discuss how reviewers interpret the criteria, what consistently strengthens or weakens an application, and how panel discussions shape final outcomes. Participants will learn practical strategies for positioning their proposals to align with reviewer expectations and stand out in a competitive field. The session will conclude with time for questions and open discussion.
SSHRC Partnership Development Grants (PDG) (with Breanne Whitwell)
September 1, 10:00am-12:00pm, virtual, Registration link
This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the SSHRC Partnership Development Grant (PDG) program, including the requirements of the application. We will describe individual elements such as project descriptions, evidence of the partnership, and budget, and discuss best practices and common pitfalls. We will also cover the requirements of partner organizations, including the contributions and letters of support that partners must provide, as well as possible university contributions. Time will be set aside for questions
Reminders
Reminder: CIHR Project Grant Fall Competition
Registration deadline is August 12, 2026
These grants provide up to 5 years of funding for health-related research. Application instructions are available here. In addition, a list of priority announcements is available here.
The full application is due September 9, 2026 by 8:00 pm EST. The next award cycle will occur in spring 2027.
Reminder: Co-chair of the Arthropods Species Specialist Subcommittee
Call for expressions of interest has been posted by COSEWIC
Deadline is August 26, 2026, 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Reminder: CIHR Project Grant Internal Deadline is August 26th!
The deadline for internal review of upcoming CIHR Project Grants will be August 26, two weeks before the CIHR deadline of September 9. The internal deadline for final compliance checks will be September 6.
Reminder: Trent-PRHC Community of Practice Event
First quarterly meeting Friday, August 28, 2026 at 11am-12:30pm
This unique, collaborative, cross institution community will share research expertise, spark new ideas, and build meaningful research connections. Hosted onsite at PRHC’s Learning Centre and available by teleconference via Webex, the Community of Practice is an opportunity to:
- Learn from real-world and academic research experiences
- Exchange practical tools, methods, and lessons learned
- Discover collaboration opportunities and future projects
- Be part of a growing, connected research ecosystem
You’re invited to sign up here!.
Reminder: SSHRC Insight Grant (IG)
Insight Grants support research excellence in the social sciences and humanities and are best suited for established researchers. Project budgets must be between $10,000 and $500,000. The project length can be anywhere from two to five years. All applicants are encouraged to reach out to Breanne Whitwell as early as possible to notify ORI of your intent to submit and receive details about the internal submission process.
SSHRC is offering an information webinar on August 20 from 1:00pm-3:00pm. To register go to the website.
The SSHRC deadline is October 1, 2026.
Note: there is an internal deadline three weeks prior to SSHRC’s deadline for this grant application, and all applicants are encouraged to reach out to Breanne Whitwell as early as possible to notify ORI of your intent to submit and receive details about the internal submission process.
Reminder: Stem Cell Network funding available for regenerative medicine
Key Deadlines
LOI submissions open on Monday, August 31, 2026.
LOI submission deadline is Monday, September 21, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PDT.
Full application submission will open to eligible LOI applicants on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
Full application submission deadline is Tuesday, November 24, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET (3:00 p.m. PDT).
Reminder: Canadian Race Relations Foundation - National Anti-Racism Fund (NARF) Project Grants
The CRRF is accepting applications from organizations working on anti-racism projects in Canada. Only certain project objectives are eligible, and CRRF welcomes policy-oriented projects. Projects must be implemented between April 1, 2027, and March 31, 2028. The budget can be $25,000-$125,000.
Key Deadlines
Expressions of interest are due September 2.
The internal deadline is two weeks in advance. Selected application will be invited to the full application, which is due to CRRF by December 4.
Reminder: 2026 HIROC Collaborate Safety Grants
Opportunity for PRHC Collaboration
PRHC is an eligible applicant; the grant is aimed at supporting
innovative safety initiatives in collaboration with academic partners to support a graduate student.
Applications are due by September 10th at 23:00 ET.
For questions, reach out to research@prhc.on.ca and Jdangelo@prhc.on.ca.
Reminder: Mitacs Accelerate Global Excellence Award
Mitacs is extending the deadline to apply for the Global Excellence Award until September 11, 2026
The Mitacs Accelerate Global Excellence Award aims to draw outstanding international researchers and Canadians currently studying abroad to industrial research projects in partnership with leading Canadian researchers — enabled by a competitive funding package of Can$170,000 over two years.
The application deadline has been extended until September 11, 2026.
Reminder: SSHRC Partnership Engage Grant (PEG)
SSHRC is now accepting applications to the Partnership Engagement Grants. There are four in-takes/deadlines per year. These grants provide short-term and timely support for partnered research activities that will inform decision-making at a single partner organization from the public, private or not-for-profit sector. The small-scale, stakeholder-driven partnerships supported through Partnership Engage Grants are meant to respond to immediate needs and challenges facing organizations in non-academic sectors. Projects are 12 months and have budgets up to $50,000.
Applications are due to SSHRC by September 15, 2026. The next deadline is December 15, 2026. Complete applications are due internally at least 10 business days in advance.
Reminder: Natalie Beavis Collaborative Research Grant
Applications are being accepted for the Natalie Beavis Collaborative Research Grant. This $21,525 grant supports collaborative research projects between Trent and PRHC and includes Mitacs funding to support a Trent student. See the Terms of Reference for full details.
Applications are due by September 25th at 5 pm ET.
Reminder: NSERC Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) Grants Program
Tools and Equipment Funding
ORI reminds faculty that the NSERC Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) Grants Program supports the acquisition of research equipment for natural sciences and engineering research programs. Grants of up to $150,000 are available for eligible equipment purchases.
Researchers considering an application are encouraged to connect with ORI and begin preparing materials in advance of the competition deadline.
Applications are due to SSHRC by October 26; Internal Deadline: October 6, 2026
Reminder: SSHRC Knowledge Synthesis Grant - Changing Nature of Security and Conflict
The 2026 Knowledge Synthesis Grants (KSG) competition will mobilize, examine and synthesize social sciences and humanities research on The Changing Nature of Security and Conflict. The resulting syntheses will help identify roles the academic, public, private and not-for-profit sectors could play in promoting more inclusive and equitable societies; and could inform development of effective tools and technologies, robust policies, and sustainable practices needed to support the path toward a diverse and inclusive future for all.
KSGs support researchers in producing specific outputs: "knowledge synthesis reports" and "evidence briefs". KSGs are not intended to support original research. Rather, they are intended to support the synthesis of existing research knowledge and identify knowledge gaps.
Applications are due to SSHRC by December 3, 2026. The internal deadline is November 19.
Reminder: CIHR updated learning modules to recognize and reduce peer review bias
Required for CIHR reviewers
Brianne Lisinski
Research Operations Coordinator
Office of Research & Innovation
(705)-748-1011 ext. 7050