Canada-France call for proposals on artificial intelligence

Eligibility

The Canada-based Principal Applicant must be:

• A Canadian university researcher eligible to receive NSERC or SSHRC funds

OR

• An independent researcher appointed at a CIHR eligible institution (see Institutional Eligibility Requirements for the eligibility process and associated timelines). In this case, at least one co-applicant on the Canadian team must meet NSERC’s eligibility criteria.

For administrative purposes only, the Canada-based PA must be the Canadian investigator co-leading the team in the ANR application.

Canada-based researchers can participate on only one proposal as a PA but may be a co-applicant or collaborator on multiple proposals. To be an applicant or co-applicant, you must work in a research area supported by NSERC, SSHRC or CIHR. Researchers from colleges who meet NSERC’s eligibility requirements may participate as co-applicants or collaborators.

Canada-based researchers must collaborate with at least one France-based academic researcher who meets ANR’s eligibility requirements. They will act as the France-based PI on the ANR proposal. ANR will review the eligibility of the France-based researchers, and NSERC, SSHRC and CIHR will internally review the eligibility of Canada-based researchers. Each agency decides on the eligibility of a project per its own rules.

Important note:

Your team must include a France-based academic researcher who meets ANR’s eligibility requirements. They will assume the role of France-based coordinator (PI) and are responsible for registering their intention to submit an International Collaborative Research Project (PRCI) on ANR’s submission website by October 15, 2024, as well as submitting the joint scientific proposal to ANR on behalf of the Canadian and French research teams.

The France-based coordinator is subject to ANR’s rules to which all national scientific coordinators of the 2025 Generic call for proposals must comply (see AAPG 2025 Guidelines, § B.5.2. Eligibility of full proposals)(only in French).

Summary

NSERC webinar slides

In support of priority areas identified by the Canada-France Joint Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation, NSERC, in partnership with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), in collaboration with IVADO, is partnering with the French National Research Agency (ANR) to fund collaborative research projects on artificial intelligence (AI).

This call for research proposals aims to foster scientific collaborations and knowledge exchange between leading-edge researchers in Canada and France, driving advancements in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence. Specifically, this call will support collaborative multi- and interdisciplinary research projects that address generative AI and the security and safety of embedded AI. Through these joint projects, the funding partners aim to leverage the unique expertise and resources of both Canadian and French academic research excellence.

Multi- and interdisciplinary projects based on new methods and innovative concepts that incorporate both theoretical and practical approaches are strongly encouraged. These projects should span across the fields of natural sciences, engineering, humanities, social sciences, and health while also addressing ethical considerations. The Generic call for proposals 2025 (AAPG 2025) research theme open to the bilateral collaboration with Canada is E.2: Artificial intelligence and data science.

The project proposal must correspond to the scientific research theme E.2 of the Generic call for 2025 (AAPG 2025), and the research areas identified by the Canadian funding partners. Please refer to Research Topics for additional information.

NSERC will fund research primarily in the natural sciences and engineering fields; SSHRC will fund research primarily in the social sciences and humanities fields; and CIHR will fund research primarily in the health fields relevant to CIHR research areas noted below. IVADO may provide additional support to research activities aligned with its mandate to develop and implement a robust, reasoning and responsible artificial intelligence (R³AI).

Note: CIHR funding will be reserved for project proposals related to cancer and project proposals related to improving preparedness for and/or response to pandemics and infectious health emergencies through AI-based approaches to (a) surveillance, (b) predictive modeling and/or (c) genomic tools to help guide the development of interventions, including pathogen genomics and/or genomic characterization of host response.

Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern

The STRAC Policy addresses risks related to sensitive technology research areas performed with research organizations and institutions that pose the highest risk to Canada’s national security. The STRAC Policy applies to this funding opportunity.

Applicants must identify whether the grant application aims to advance a sensitive technology research area. If so, the submission of attestation forms will be required from researchers with named roles (applicants, co-applicants, and collaborators) to certify that they are not currently affiliated with, nor are in receipt of funding or in-kind support from, a Named Research Organization (NRO).

Please reach out directly to researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca for additional information and help. 

Overhead

No overhead is applicable.

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

NSERC Webinar slides

RSO submission process:

1. Complete your application in NSERC’s online system. Once the application is complete (including required attachments and Form 100A with CCV), verify each section, and then press "Submit." Your application will be sent to the Research Services Office. Please ensure your application is final and complete; Research Services will not review drafts, and, once received, your application may be submitted to NSERC without further notice.

2. Complete the Pre-Award/Application record in RMS and “Submit for academic approvals” (Under Save & Progress) in good time to allow for approvals from your Department Head and/or ADR prior to the Research Services deadline. Consult your department and faculty for more information on their approval processes and timelines. Ensure you receive all required approvals in advance of the final internal deadline mentioned above. 

   Note that your application will not be considered submitted and will not be reviewed until the application is both submitted in the NSERC Online System and the RMS approvals have been received. The internal deadline is a hard deadline. The three-day deadline ensures that Research Services is able to complete a basic review of the application and secure institutional signature in a timely fashion.

3. As an optional service, you may choose a detailed review. Research Services must receive your complete and application and approved RMS record by 4pm two weeks prior to the sponsor deadline. 
   • The detailed review includes checking for eligibility and UofC commitments and risk, compliance with program guidelines, completeness of application, and the opportunity for feedback to improve the application.
   • The basic administrative review performed at the 3-day internal deadline involves a minimal check of the application for eligibility and any UofC commitment or risk.

Contact the following Research Service units for support with: 

Projects Involving Indigenous Research: 

Support with incorporating wise practices in Indigenous research, community engagement, and Indigenous data management is available through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST). 

Applicants can reach out by email to IRST at IRST@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information about IRST, please visit the IRST webpage. 

Knowledge Mobilization, Research Impact Assessment, DORA:  
Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation, community partnerships, research impact, responsible research assessment (DORA), and open science, is available through the Knowledge to Impact team.  

Applicants can reach out by email to the KI team at knowledge.impact@ucalgary.ca.  
For more information and access to resource archives, please visit the KI team webpage. 

Research Data Management: 

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@ucalgary.ca.    

EDI in Research: 

RSO can provide resources and support to research teams on the integration of equitable and inclusive practices in research design and research practice.  

Contact edi.rso@ucalgary.ca for more information. 

Research Security: 

The Research Security Division is available to ensure researchers adhere to research security guidelines and policies, including the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) and the policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC). 

Visit the Research Security website to learn more or contact researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca.  

Pre-Award Submissions: 

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application