Important Updates - December 9th 2025
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.
Funding Opportunities
Closing TOMORROW: Internal Grants Competition
The Applications for Research Development Grant, Knowledge Mobilization Research Grant, and Strategic Initiative Research Grant are accepted until December 10, 2025, by 4:30 PM EST.
- Research Development Grant (RDG)
Provides up to $7,000 for a maximum 12-month period to support the development of new research projects. - Knowledge Mobilization Research Grant (KMG)
Offers up to $3,000 for a maximum 12-month period to enhance the dissemination and impact of research findings. - Strategic Initiative Research Grant (SIRG)
One award of $20,000 for a 12–18-month project under the theme: “One Health – Integrated Approaches to Human and Environmental Well-being.”
For full eligibility criteria, program details, and application requirements, please visit the Internal Grants website.
Closing TOMORROW: 2026 Distinguished Research Award
Nominations are now open and accepted until December 10th, 2025.
As the highest honour conferred by Trent University for research and scholarly activity, the Distinguished Research Award recognizes the career of a member of the Trent University research community, presented annually at the Celebration of Faculty Excellence in Teaching and Research.
For more information and full components of the Nomination Dossier, please visit the Distinguished Research Award website.
Nominations Open - 2026 Early Career Researcher Award
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 Early Career Researcher Award!
This annual award is designed to recognize the achievements of up to two promising, early-career researchers at Trent University to help accelerate an exceptional existing and sustainable research program.
Complete applications for the $5,000 research grant awards are due by January 20, 2026.
For full details and eligibility, please visit the Early Career Researcher Award website.
2026 Science Meets Parliament Ontario
Applications for the 2026 Science Meets Parliament Ontario are now open and accepted until December 20th.
Are you a researcher, postdoc, or faculty member passionate about seeing your work make a real impact in public policy? This is your chance to step directly into the rooms where decisions are made.
The program includes:
Several Online Training sessions, on the machinery of government, science policy, meeting with former parliamentarians and more
One Full Day in Person Training Sessions: meeting with policy makers in government
Attending the Question Period and committees of the day
Meeting one-on-one with one or a few members of Provincial Parliament/legislative Assembly
Funding Opportunities
Mitacs programs aim to build cooperative partnerships that link expertise in post-secondary institutions to needs in industry and society. Mitacs supports post-secondary students, recent graduates, postdoctoral fellows, visiting students and researchers through the following Programs:
Accelerate – for research-based internships
Business Strategy Internship – for projects that address one or more business innovation components (i.e., marketing, operations, finance, intellectual property (IP), etc.)
Globalink Research Award – Trent has a limited number of travel awards available to apply for before March 31st, 2026. Awards will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Trent University will host a Mitacs info session in January. Please see the details in the ‘Webinars’ section of the bulletin.
Webinars
Mitacs 101 Session
Join Mitacs Business Development Advisor Anastasiya (Ana) Boika for an informative 30-minute online session on Mitacs program offerings.
Mitacs is a national not-for-profit organization that offers programs to support collaborative research and innovation projects with eligible partners in Canada and abroad, as well as funding for international academic collaborations. The session will cover how Mitacs funding works, what the eligibility criteria is for each program, and what to expect from the application process. Ana will also be available to answer any questions at the end of the presentation.
Particular attention will be put on the Graduate Research Award program (GRA) for which Trent allocation units must be used before the end of March 2026.
Friday, January 16th, 2026, 11:30 am-12 pm; a link to the meeting will be provided later.
Reminders
Reminder: Northern Contaminants Program Call for Proposals 2026
A reminder that the NCP Secretariat is hosting 1-hour seminars to provide applicants with essential information for developing and submitting their proposals. As part of beginning to develop your proposal, please also contact the Regional Contaminants Committees and Research Advisors.
- 3rd and final seminar (December 10, 2025) - preparing submissions to the Human Health and Environmental Monitoring and Research subprograms (Join)
This program provides funding for up to 3 years, in the areas of Human Health, Environmental Monitoring and Research – Research projects (1-year plastic pollution projects only); and Community-Based Monitoring and Research. Amount varies by area. For more information, contact plcn-ncp@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca
The deadline to apply is January 20, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST. Internal deadlines are 10 business days in advance of the external funder’s deadline.
In anticipation of the call for the SSHRC Impact Awards competition for 2026, the ORI has launched our internal call for nominations. The Impact Awards recognize exceptional SSHRC-funded researchers to celebrate their achievements in research and knowledge mobilization. The University can nominate one eligible candidate for each Impact Award.
If you are interested in nominating yourself or a colleague, please review the evaluation and eligibility details and submit an expression of interest by no later than December 8th by emailing: researchsupport@trentu.ca
The internal deadline for the submission of a complete draft nomination package is January 7th, 2026.
Complete submissions must be sent to researchsupport@trentu.ca. The ORI will work with selected nominees to refine the nomination package by SSHRC’s deadline of April 1.
For additional information see the website.
Reminder: Breast Cancer Canada, Lobular Carcinoma grant
A reminder that letters of intent are due to Breast Cancer Canada by December 12thfor their Lobular Carcinoma Grant. There are two grant tiers: targeted diagnostics and targeted treatment.
Reminder: Environmental Damages Fund
A reminder that funding is available to support projects conducted anywhere in Canada (including the Northwest Territories, British Columbia, and Quebec). The project should fall within 4 funding categories: Restoration, Environmental quality improvement, Research and development, and Education and awareness. It is open to both Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and Humanities researchers.
The deadline to apply is December 18, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. EST.
Reminder: Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF)-Internal Competition
We are pleased to announce another internal call for the CFI JELF grant applications. The CFI JELF is an institutional award that provides universities with the opportunity to acquire foundational infrastructure to support cutting-edge research.
Please see the attached file for the eligibility details and how to apply. The application package includes resources to assist you in preparing your application.
Deadline to apply: January 30, 2026
Info Session: January 6, 2026, 1-2 pm Registration link
Reminder: NSERC Alliance Catalyst Quantum Grants
A reminder that applications for the NSERC Alliance Catalyst Quantum Grants are due by 8 pm, January 8, 2026. Internal deadlines are 10 business days in advance of the external funder’s deadline. These grants are for initiating and developing research collaborations internationally.
There are 2 opportunities:
Reminder: SSHRC Insight Development Grant
A reminder that SSHRC is accepting applications for the Insight Development Grant (IDG), supporting early career researchers and early-stage research in its initial stages.
Deadline: February 2, 2026. (Internal deadline is January 12, 2026).
It is strongly encouraged that you reach out to breannewhitwell@trentu.ca as early as possible if you are interested in applying for an IDG.
SSHRC is hosting an IDG webinar on November 27th. Registration is required.
For more information, including webinar registration, refer to the website.
Reminder: SSHRC Connection Grant
A reminder that SSHRC is accepting applications for the Connection Grant. There are four in-takes/deadlines per year, with the next upcoming due to SSHRC on February 2nd, 2026. Internal deadlines are 10 business days in advance.
These grants support events and outreach activities geared toward short-term, targeted knowledge mobilization initiatives. Matching funds (cash and/or in-kind contributions) are required.
SSHRC is hosting a Connection Grant webinar on November 25th. Registration is required.
For more information, including webinar registration, refer to the website.
Reminder: Canadian Glycomics Network (GlycoNet)
A reminder that the 2025 GlycoNet funding competitions for Research and Translational Projects are currently open and accepting applications on a rolling, quarterly basis. Internal deadlines are 10 business days in advance of the external funder’s deadline.
Brianne Lisinski
Research Operations Coordinator
Office of Research & Innovation
(705)-748-1011 ext. 7050