Trent University Strategic Initiatives Research Grant - Office of Research & Innovation

Strategic Initiatives Research Grant

2026 Competition Theme: One Health – Integrated Approaches to Human and Environmental Well-being

Aligned with Government of Canada priorities in health-related research and Horizon Europe’s Cluster 1: Health, the 2026 Strategic Initiatives Research Grant competition invites proposals that explore the interconnected health of people and ecosystems. This theme supports Trent University’s commitment to global challenges and sustainable development.

Please note: While the theme aligns with Horizon Europe’s priorities, applying for Horizon Europe funding is not required to be eligible for this competition.

Trent University has a strategic commitment to the intensification of research activity and impact. The purpose of this call is to inspire researchers to foster new and steward existing relationships and partnerships in pursuit of solutions to challenges that are of national significance. The successful application will have the potential to lead to further research with the likelihood of significant impact and demonstrate a clear pathway to external funding (Tri-Agency, Horizon Europe, industry, non-profit partnerships) in the near future.

Preference will be given to applications that strengthen existing or foster new partnerships, especially with external partners. Interdisciplinary teams composed of researchers from varying career levels and decanal units are encouraged.

For the 2026 competition, the maximum award is $20,000 for a project of 12-18 months in duration. One grant will be awarded for 2026.

Applications for the 2026 competition are now open. The deadline to submit is December 10, 2025, by 4:30 PM EST.

Online Application Process

Applications to the Internal Research Grants Program are to be submitted via the myTrent portal: sign in to myTrent and then click "Services" and then "Learning and Research." Open the “Internal Research Grants” folder beside the eFin and Romeo logos and follow directions there to submit the application.

The online application consists of several sections:

General Information
Research Program Details
- A 250-word abstract
- Project impact and statement (no word limit)
- Need for funding (no word limit)
Supporting Documents
- 5-page proposal (including references) -Text must use a minimum 12 pt font and margins no smaller than ¾ inch.
  - Suggested structure: Rationale for the project, research question(s), description of the partner(s) as applicable, project activities and timelines, and impact.
- Budget and budget justification- Download the budget template.
- Curriculum Vitae (no page limit).

Winter 2024 Strategic Initiative Research Grant Recipients

Dr. Quazi Rahman & Dr. Kira Borden, Computer Science and School of Environment, “Machine Learning Methods for Guiding Plant-mediated Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in Diversified Agroecosystems”

Terms of Reference

Purpose

The objective of the Trent University Strategic Initiatives Research Grant is to support the development of research that addresses strategic themes, focusing on specific areas of identified need, Tri-Agency priorities or institutional areas of focus.

Each year a new theme will be announced, and the program will provide researchers with modest funding to develop proof-of-concept research projects or pilot programs that will support future funding applications.

A project proposal will include the following:

Rationale for the project
Research question(s)
Description of the partner(s) as applicable
Project activities and timelines
Impacts of the project
Budget justification

Applicants are encouraged to explain, where relevant, how equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) have been considered in their research practice and design:

EDI in research practice – the research team and environment
Feasibility – the research plan

Note: A priority for employing Trent students will be considered in the review of Strategic Initiatives Research Grant applications.

Eligibility

The applicant must be:

A tenure-stream academic faculty member or academic librarian, or professor emeritus; or
A Limited Term Appointment (LTA) provided their contract end-date falls after the grant end-date.

Applicants may submit only one application as the Primary Investigator to this internal grant competition per calendar year. Applicants may apply for this competition even if they hold another internal grant (e.g., Knowledge Mobilization Grant, Research Development Grant, or Institutional Capacity Building Grant) due to the unique nature of this funding stream.

Applicants who were successful in the previous internal grant competition may apply for the Strategic Initiative Research Grant once they have,

demonstrated submission of external funding applications following a successful internal grant and
submitted a final report for a completed internal grant.

Duration and Value

Trent University Strategic Initiatives Research projects are 12 months to 18 months in duration. The maximum award available for this grant is $20,000.

Allowable Expenses

The Trent University Strategic Initiatives Research Grant provides support for the direct costs of research for proof-of-concept research projects or pilot projects that will lead to a Tri-Agency application within one year of the end of the grant. The program has been designed to be flexible and support a wide range of activities, provided these activities are in line with the objectives of the program:

To develop research projects or pilot programs aligned with the identified research theme; and
To develop and submit a research proposal to an external funder (including Tri-Agency, Horizon Europe, industry, non-profit partnerships).

Support is provided for the direct costs of research. Direct costs can include, but are not limited to:

The hiring and training of research assistants;
The hiring of technical personnel;
Actual costs of use of specialized research equipment;
Costs of developing new, or stewarding existing, partnerships
Research related travel (e.g., field work, meetings with co-investigators, travel to libraries and archives); and
Supplies not normally provided to researchers by the University.

The program does not provide funding for:

Conference travel (apply to the Trent University Knowledge Mobilization grant also available within the internal research grants program);
Purchasing of specialized research equipment;
Equipment servicing;
Publication or page charges;
Visiting professorships/lectureships;
Travel costs for leaves, including research and study leaves.

All student hires must follow university employment procedures and be paid in accordance with the Handbook for Hiring Research Project Personnel. Please refer to the Hiring Personnel website for more information.

Please use this template for all internal research grant applications: Internal Research Grant Budget Template.

All items must be essential to the conduct of the proposed research and must be carefully justified. Expenses incurred or committed prior to the award date, or expenses committed for costs to be incurred after the end date, are not eligible and are not to be included in the proposal budget.

Budget items must comply with the research expenses eligibility guidelines as set out in the Tri-Agency Guide on Financial Administration, or any related document as may be amended by the Tri-Agency, as well as Trent University’s financial policies and procedures, including but not limited to the following:

Evaluation Process

The evaluation criteria for each year will be established in the annual call for applications circulated. The evaluation grid for this year's Strategic Initiatives Research Grant can be accessed from this link. Applications for research support are reviewed and adjudicated by members of the Trent University Strategic Initiatives Research Grant Committee. This Committee is comprised of the Vice-President Research and Innovation (Chair), two Deans, and the Senior Director, Office of Research and Innovation (Consultant, non-voting).

Conditions of the Award

The maximum duration of a Trent University Strategic Initiatives Research Grant is 12 to 18 months. Successful applicants may hold a Strategic Initiatives Research Grant concurrently with an active Research Development Grant, Knowledge Mobilization Research Grant, or Institutional Capacity Building Grant. However, larger projects should not receive simultaneous funding through multiple small grants from the internal grants program.

The Strategic Initiatives Research Grant funds can only be used for the approved project and purposes described in the application, taking into consideration any suggestions or restrictions provided in the award letter. Any variance to the approved budget must be approved in advance by the ORI. Please send your request to researchsupport@trentu.ca.

Research supported by the Trent University Strategic Initiatives Research Grant must comply with all relevant Trent University policies as they relate to the conduct of research, specifically research involving animals, human participants, or biohazardous materials or agents. Researchers are responsible for submitting applications for the appropriate approvals prior to beginning the work, and funds will only be released once the ethics compliance has been confirmed.

All student training funded through this program should incorporate the appropriate dimensions of the Guidelines for Effective Research Training and Trent University student hiring policies and procedures.

The award recipient is responsible for the use of the funds and for any over-expenditure of research accounts. Expenditures must comply with the Tri-Agency Guide on Financial Administration regulations concerning the use of research funds and must be made in accordance with standard University financial procedures, including those related to travel, employment, and hospitality (where applicable).

Following completion of the research project, the successful applicant must submit an end of grant report to the ORI. The report is due no later than three (3) months following the end of the grant date. Please submit the report to researchsupport@trentu.ca.

It is expected that the projects supported by a Strategic Initiatives Research Grant will result in the submission of a research proposal to an external funder within 12 months of project completion.

Books, equipment, and other materials purchased with funding from the Strategic Initiatives Research Grant must be available for general research use, as feasible, following the completion of the Grant. All materials purchased from this funding remain the property of Trent University.

Following completion of the research project, or at the termination date of the award, any remaining funds will be returned for the next competition. An extension may be granted by the ORI should justification detailing reasons for the delay be submitted at least one month before the end date. Please send your request to researchsupport@trentu.ca.

Appeals

The Trent University Strategic Initiatives Research Grant Committee will not consider appeals of its decision.