The NFRF Transformation stream is designed to support large-scale, Canadian-led interdisciplinary research projects that address a major challenge with potential to realize real and lasting change.
The challenge may be fundamental, leading to a scientific breakthrough, or applied, with a social, economic, environmental or health impact. Projects are expected to be world-leading, drawing on global research expertise, when relevant.
Grants are valued between $2 million and $4 million per year (including indirect costs) for up to six years.
NFRF Transformation Program Page
Application Process
Transformation competitions are typically held every two years with a similar competition budget. The application process involves three key deadlines: notice of intent (NOI), letter of intent (LOI), and the full application deadline, which is by invitation only.
Important notes:
- The Office of Research Services (ORS) will have internal deadlines that take place prior to NFRF deadlines. This is to provide time to process and approve applications in Convergence Portal on behalf of UBC applicants.
- As of 2022 NFRF has changed some of their language around EDI. Previous versions of the competition referred to GBA+ but that has since been changed to EDI in research design. For more information, please consult the Best practices in equity, diversity and inclusion in research practice and design guide.
- At the full-stage of this competition, teams will need to work closely with UBC's Institution Programs Office (IPO) to develop their budget. Please factor this into your project timelines.
- The Government of Canada's Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) applies to the 2026 NFRF Transformation Competition. Grant applications involving research aiming to advance a sensitive technology research area must include attestation forms from those with named roles on the grant. These attestations certify those with named roles are not affiliated with or in receipt of funding or in-kind support from Named Research Organizations (NRO). Furthermore, the entire project team must remain unaffiliated with and refrain from receiving funding or in-kind support from any NROs for the duration of the grant.
Review Process and Selection Criteria
NOIs will be used only for administrative purposes to help the NFRF program team identify reviewers.
LOIs will be evaluated by the multidisciplinary/multi-sectoral review panel composed of national and international members with broad expertise. The written content provided at LOI stage is considered fixed and will be made available to reviewers who adjudicate the final application.
At the LOI stage, the five selection criteria are assessed as follows:
- Interdisciplinarity: pass/fail
- EDI-RP/ECR: pass/fail
- High Risk: 20%
- High Reward: 60%
- Feasibility: 20%
Full Applications are reviewed by external reviewers and evaluated by the multidisciplinary/multisectoral review panel, taking into account the feedback provided by the expert reviewers. The highest ranked applications will proceed to a jury who recommends the final applications to be funded.
Full applications are assessed by the jury for the five selection criteria as follows:
- Interdisciplinarity: pass/fail
- EDI-RP/ECR: pass/fail
- High Risk: 25%
- High Reward: 25%
- Feasibility: 50%
For further details please see the NFRF Transformation Review Process, Merit Indicators for Review, and Reviewer Manual.
Timeline: 2026 Competition
Spring 2025
April 2025
late April - early June 2025
June 2025
July 2025-February 2026
Late February / Early March 2026
Support & Resources
Contacts
Additional Links and Resources
Past Competition Details