Cluster Project Proposals

Eligibility

To facilitate project submissions and to avoid unnecessary time and effort being spent on proposals that are unlikely to be funded, the BCRC requires that a letter of intent (LOI) first be submitted. 

Timelines September 28, 2026 - deadline for submitting letters of intent 

Late November 2026 - researchers will be notified if they have been invited to submit a full proposal 

February 1, 2027 - deadline for submitting invited full proposals 

Late May 2027 - researchers will be notified of the BCRC's decision

Summary

The  Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) developed the first four Beef Cattle Industry Science Clusters in partnership with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The Clusters have brought together Canada's largest public and industry funders of applied beef research including AAFC, BCRC, provincial governments, provincial cattle associations, and other industry funders, focusing dollars and priorities on a comprehensive outcome-based research program directly aligned with industry's vision and priorities. The BCRC is planning for the fifth Beef Cattle Industry Science Cluster under AAFC's next agricultural policy framework, which would cover the period April 1, 2028 to March 31, 2033. Research Outcomes The BCRC has established clearly defined research outcomes for the fifth Beef Cattle Industry Science Cluster through a comprehensive stakeholder engagement process.

• Cattle Nutrition and Production Efficiency
• Forage and Feed Production
• Animal Health, Welfare and Antimicrobial Resistance
• Beef Quality
• Food Safety
• Environmental Sustainability
• Knowledge Mobilization

A webinar will be hosted by the BCRC on August 5, 2026, from 10 AM - 12 PM MT, to provide further explanation, project examples and a Q&A session around the target outcomes and priorities for this call. We encourage researchers and others to attend if you are considering submitting an LOI. Webinar Registration Meeting Registration - Zoom

Overhead

Pre-application deadlines

RSO internal deadline

Pre-application program deadline

Application deadlines

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