Forest Resource Improvement Program (FRIP) FFI Open Call 2026

Eligibility

Post-secondary institutions are eligible. EOIs pursuant to the funds initiative cannot be eligible for funding under any other FRIAA funding model including the FRIAA FireSmart, Community Fireguard, Caribou Habitat Recovery, Wildfire Reclamation, Enhanced Reforestation of Legacy Disturbances programs, or any other existing FRIAA grant funding program.

Summary

The Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (“FRIAA”) is inviting the submission of expressions of interest (“EOI”) for the Forest Resource Improvement Program (“FRIP”) funds initiative (“FFI”). The type of work carried out under FRIP covers a wide range of activities related to operational field activities, inventory and planning, applied research, education and public awareness and others. EOIs that leverage FRIAA funds with funds from other sources to complete the proposed project or associated with the proposed project will be prioritized. Only projects providing benefits to Albertans in terms of the enhancement of public forest resources or the understanding of forest resources or their management will be considered. Projects that involve local communities, including Indigenous communities and organizations, will be favoured.

For guidelines, templates, and submission information, visit the FRIAA Request for Expression of Interest program page.

Submission Process

Expression of Interest (EOI):

1. Prepare the EOI to provide to Research Services (RSO). Do not submit the form until you have received approval from the RSO. The final internal deadline for submission of your registration form to the RSO is April 14, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
   • The RSO must receive the completed materials by this deadline.
2. Complete the Pre-Award/Letter of Intent record in the Research Management System (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 deadline. Consult your department and faculty for more information on their approval processes and timelines. Ensure you receive all required approvals before April 14, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
   • Your EOI will not be considered submitted and will not be reviewed until the RMS academic approvals have been received.
3. Once the RSO has reviewed the EOI and final institutional approval has been granted via RMS, the Principal Investigator may submit the EOI to the sponsor.

Note: The EOI requires a signature from the RSO. The RSO will provide the capping institutional signature upon completion of our administrative review.

Full Application (by invitation only):

1. Complete the application according to the sponsor's instructions. The final internal deadline for submission of your application to Research Services (RSO) is at least 3 business days (at 12:00 p.m.) before the sponsor deadline.
   • The RSO must receive the completed grant application package by this deadline. A completed grant application includes the final version of the grant application, including all forms, letters of support, CVs, and other materials as required by the funding sponsor (please note that a draft copy is acceptable for co-applicants on externally-led applications).
2. Complete the Pre-Award/Application record in the Research Management System (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 deadline. Consult your department and faculty for more information on their approval processes and timelines. Ensure you receive all required approvals by the internal deadline, which is at least 3 business days (at 12:00 p.m.) before the sponsor deadline.
   • Your application will not be considered submitted and will not be reviewed until the RMS academic approvals have been received.
   • Creation of a new Pre-Award/Application record in RMS is not necessary. You can automatically generate an Application record from the existing LOI record by changing the status of the LOI record to 'Invited to full application' (under Save & Progress).
3. Once the RSO has reviewed the application and final institutional approval has been granted via RMS, the Principal Investigator may submit the application to the sponsor.

Overhead

25%

Pre-application deadlines

RSO internal deadline

Pre-application program deadline

Application deadlines

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