CFI Innovation Fund (IF)

An eligible project involves acquiring or developing research infrastructure to both increase research capacity and support world–class research. As these are institutional funding applications, the eligible recipient is defined as the eligible institution that receives and administers CFI funding as part of a proposal for an infrastructure project. The CFI IF competitions require submission of non-adjudicated Notices of Intent (NOIs) prior to application stage. Team leader(s) and team members must have a CAMS account and accept to participate in the project before Research Services can submit the NOI.  You may identify up to 10 team members, including up to two team leader(s); however, only the CVs of these 10 team members will be appended to the proposal.

If the infrastructure will be located at a national or international research facility, Queen’s University must:

• Consult with the host facility
• Comply with the facility’s established planning and project approval processes
• Obtain the approval of the host facility before submitting a Notice of Intent

The researchers listed on the proposal must be:

• A diverse team comprising the breadth of world-leading expertise needed to conduct the proposed program(s)
• People who are at different stages of their career, with different backgrounds and from underrepresented groups, as appropriate for the proposed program(s)
• Able to articulate a well–defined plan to transfer the results of the research or technology development program(s) wherein the results are likely to lead to social, health, environmental, and/or economic benefits for Canadians
• May include individuals from organizations (national or international) not eligible to receive CFI funding as team members or leader
  

Eligible costs are defined as the costs of acquiring or developing research infrastructure. The institution must report the full cost of each item. The taxes net of credits received may be included. Taxes must not be calculated on an in-kind portion. Examples are below:

Eligible costs (more details available within CFI Policy and Program Guide)

• Research equipment and components
• Shipping, transportation and installation of research infrastructure, including brokerage fees, excise taxes and duties
• Warranties and/or service contracts
• Software subscriptions and licences
• Laboratory furniture
• Communications infrastructure essential for the research activities described in the proposal
• Travel to a manufacturer, dealer or supplier to select research infrastructure
• Initial training for the main operator(s) of the research infrastructure. It is expected that the main operator(s) will train other users. Alternatively, an initial group training session may be provided by the vendor at the institution.
• Salaries (including benefits) of professional, technical and managerial personnel, consultants and contractors directly involved in the design, engineering, manufacturing, installation, construction or renovation of the infrastructure
• Construction or renovation of space essential to house and use the infrastructure or to conduct the research activities described in the proposal
• Acquisition of a database or the time-limited design and development of a database to the point that it is ready for exploitation by a designated research community
• The costs of retaining professional, technical and managerial personnel, consultants and contractors directly involved in the design, engineering, manufacturing, installation, construction or renovation of the infrastructure are eligible
• Infrastructure projects may involve the construction of a new building or the development of new space in an existing building (e.g. new floors, reconfiguration of existing space) when space is essential to house and use the infrastructure or to conduct the research activities described in the proposal (includes purpose-built collaborative space essential for the proposed research and primarily used for research activities)
• Either the acquisition of a database or the time-limited design and development of a database to the point that it is ready for use by a designated research community
• Advanced Research Computing (ARC) in consultation with Compute Canada may be eligible wherein the cost encompasses both the software and environment needed for a given discipline to effectively use these types of infrastructure, and needs such as high levels of data security and integrity as may be required by specific disciplines or researchers (typically, such systems cost more than $100,000) NOTE: This cannot be a major component of the proposal.

• CFI IF Call for Proposals 2020
• CFI List of NOIs IF 2020
• CFI IF 2020 Information Session Slides