New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) Exploration 2026

Eligibility

• Proposals must be submitted by research teams with at least two individuals. In addition to a nominated principal investigator (NPI), the team must include either a co-principal investigator (co-PI) or a co-applicant. Teams may include one co-PI and any number of co-applicants and/or collaborators.
• Limit of one application of the NFRF Exploration grants stream at a time, as either an NPI, co-PI, or co-applicant.
  • If an NPI, co-PI, or co-applicant previously held an Exploration grant, their final report for the previous project must be submitted and approved at least one month before the full application deadline for the present Exploration competition.
• A proposal is considered to be led by early career researchers (ECRs) if both the NPI and co-PI (if applicable) are ECRs. 

Summary

The goal of the Exploration stream is to inspire high-risk, high-reward and interdisciplinary research. Exploration grants support research that pushes boundaries into exciting new areas. Researchers are encouraged to think “outside of the box” and undertake research that defies current paradigms; brings disciplines together in unexpected ways and from bold, innovative perspectives; and has the potential to be disruptive or deliver game-changing impacts. Exploration grants support research with a range of impacts—economic, scientific, artistic, cultural, social, technological, environmental or health-related. This list is not exhaustive; other types of impacts are also recognized. Diversity of perspectives is important, and the fund encourages research proposals led from any discipline, from those in the social sciences and humanities, to health, the natural sciences and engineering.

Please refer to the NFRF Exploration 2026 program page for guidelines, full eligibility requirements, instructions for applying, evaluation matrices, etc.

If conducting Indigenous research, you are strongly encouraged to consult with the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST) prior to NOI submission. To book a consultation with IRST, please go to their Booking Page. You can also contact IRST by email at irst@ucalgary.ca. 

Resources

• Research Services NFRF Exploration 2025 Information Session - link provides access to the recording and slide deck
• EDI Plans for NFRF, presented by the UCalgary EDI in Research Team (May 2025) - link provides access to the recording and slide deck

Webinars

NOI Webinar
Recordings

• English : https://youtu.be/4xRwJ-vOwGk
• French : https://youtu.be/6-Ijbtqfx9A

Slides

• English : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Uh_DTvmhUiBZvQwnLC8EUJDc-6XAyFgC/view?usp=sharing
• French : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nINN6nXDqer42rbfEXoQhS4EL-ZRQACg/view?usp=sharing

Submission Process

Note: Research Services may institute additional internal deadlines to facilitate the review and approval process.

This is a two-stage process consisting of Notice of Intent (NOI) and full application. Both stages will be part of the Research Management System (RMS), and approvals will be obtained electronically.

Notice of Intent (NOI)

Step 1A: NFRF NOI Submission

The NOI is mandatory and unadjudicated. Most of the NOI content cannot be revised following submission to NFRF. It is important that the NOI accurately reflects the project intent and alignment with competition criteria.

1. Complete the NOI in the Convergence Portal.
2. Once the NOI is completed (including all Participant info), go to the “Finalize Application” section and follow the prompts to submit your application by the Research Services (RSO) internal deadline of August 11, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. (status will change to Received by Administrator)

Step 1B: RMS Record

1. NOIs must be submitted to Research Services (RSO) for institutional approval and mandatory administrative review through the Research Management System (RMS) by August 11, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
2. Complete a Pre-Award/Letters of Intent 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 RSO internal deadline.
3. Upon review and approval, the RSO will submit the NOI to NFRF.

Full Application

As an optional service, Research Services (RSO) offers detailed application reviews. If you would like a detailed review, the RSO must receive the RMS record (faculty-level approvals complete) and application submission in the Convergence Portal by October 1, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.

Step 2A: NFRF Application Submission

1. Complete your application in the Convergence Portal.
2. Once the application is complete (including all participant info), go to the “Finalize Application” section and follow the prompts to submit your application. Your application will be sent to Research Services (RSO), and the status will change to Received by Administrator. Please ensure your application is final and complete. The RSO will not review drafts, and, once received, your application may be submitted to NFRF without further notice. The final internal deadline for submission is October 13, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

Step 2B: RMS Record

1. Applications must be submitted to Research Services (RSO) for institutional approval and mandatory administrative review through the Research Management System (RMS) by October 13, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
2. There is no need to create an entirely new Pre-Award/Application record in RMS. Continue with the same RMS number by updating the status of the Pre-Award/Letter of Intent record from Step 1B to 'Invited for full application' (under Save & Progress). The system will generate a Pre-Award/Application record.
3. 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 RSO internal deadline.
4. Upon review and approval, the RSO will submit the application to NFRF.

NOTE:

• Your application will not be considered submitted and will not be reviewed until both the application is submitted in Convergence (a paper copy is not required) and the RMS Approvals have been received.
• The final deadline of 12:00 p.m. on October 13 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.

Overhead

25%
NFRF Exploration permits 25% of the value of the direct costs of research to be allocated to indirect costs. Indirect costs funding must be used only to pay for eligible expenses as outlined on the Research Support Fund website. The indirect costs component of each NFRF award is included in the award value; it is not in addition to it. That is, the maximum grant amount is $125,000 per year

• maximum direct costs = $100,000 per year
• maximum indirect costs = $25,000 per year

Pre-application deadlines

RSO internal deadline

Pre-application program deadline

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.

RESOURCES

Reminder: The sooner the researcher engages with Research Services, the more help we can be!

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 LOI
RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application