The federal government recently announced the results of the first competition of the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF).

While Queen’s didn’t receive funding in this round, the university intends to submit proposals for the second round of competition, expected to be announced later this fall.

“We would like to congratulate the institutions that received funding,” says Steven Liss, Queen’s Vice-Principal (Research). “This inaugural competition attracted a significant number of high-quality proposals – including two from Queen’s – vying for a small proportion of the federal government’s investment to support world-class research initiatives.”

As more in-depth feedback arrives over the coming months, we will move forward with proposals that have the potential to advance collaboration between Queen’s researchers and their colleagues as well as strengthen industry partnerships.
– Steven Liss, Queen's Vice-Principal (Research)

The Office of the Vice-Principal (Research) has invited faculties to submit proposals for the second round of the inaugural competition. Application deadlines have not yet been announced, but the second competition is expected to unfold over a longer period than the first.

“The initial comments we received about our proposals have been positive,” Dr. Liss says. “As more in-depth feedback arrives over the coming months, we will move forward with proposals that have the potential to advance collaboration between Queen’s researchers and their colleagues as well as strengthen industry partnerships.”

The federal government launched CFREF in December 2014. The funding program will invest $1.5 billion over seven years to help universities attract and retain some of the world’s brightest researchers who will advance scientific understanding in fields that create long-term economic advantages for Canada.

Visit the CFREF website for complete details or email the Office of the Vice-Principal (Research) if you have any questions.