Transformation Stream

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. The application process and adjudication takes into account gender-based analysis+ and and sex- and gender-based analysis.

Review Process & Selection Criteria

A multidisciplinary/multi-sectoral review panel composed of national and international members with broad expertise evaluates the LOIs. 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:

  • Feasibility: 20%
  • High Reward: 60%
  • High Risk: 20%
  • Interdisciplinarity: pass/fail
  • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: pass/fail

Full Applications are reviewed by external reviewers and then evaluated by the multidisciplinary review panel. 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:

  • Feasibility: 50%
  • High Reward: 25%
  • High Risk: 25%
  • Interdisciplinarity: pass rating is confirmed by jury
  • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: pass rating is confirmed by jury

Timeline: 2024 Competition

Fall 2023
Prepare and Review your NOI

Consult SPARC’s online resources and sample grants as you prepare your NOI and confirm that you meet the NFRF 2024 Transformation Applicant and Subject Matter Eligibility. The Government of Canada's Research and Development Classifications guide will also help you address specific sections of the application.

SPARC is available to provide 1-1 consultations to all researchers. Common topics include the appropriateness and competitiveness of the proposed topic, and understanding the selection criteria.

You may wish to consult the NFRF 2024 Transformation NOI Submission Guide.

Review and confirm any relevant ORS deadlines and procedures for your campus: Vancouver | Okanagan

October 2023
Submit your Notice of Intent (NOI)

Submit your NOI in advance of the ORS deadline through the Convergence Portal (requires account setup).

Convergence Portal

November and December 2023
Prepare your Letter of Intent (LOI) and Participate in a Test Your Concept Session

SPARC will contact nominated principle investigators directly to register in a Test Your Concept Session. These sessions, which are for UBC-led teams only, offer feedback on research concepts and competition fit. Researchers must prepare a five-minute presentation and must submit their PowerPoint deck in advance of the TYC session.

Submit your LOI for SPARC Review

SPARC can offer feedback to UBC-led LOI applicants on key, well-developed application sections, focusing on logic, coherence, and compelling statements of impact, ultimately ensuring that all criteria are fully addressed. The following sections can be submitted for review:

  • Outline of Challenge (3500-characters)
  • Overview of Approach and Potential Changes (3500 characters)
  • EDI Analysis of Context (2500-characters)
  • Best Practices Implemented (250-characters)
  • Relevance, Approach and Expected Impact (2500-characters for each of Team Composition and Recruitment Processes, Training and Development Opportunities, and Inclusion)
  • Support of Early Career Researchers (3500-characters)
  • Research Proposal (10 pages)

Further details are available through the NFRF 2024 Transformation Evaluation Matrices.

Applications involving Indigenous research may undergo a more tailored adjudication in line with SSHRC’s Indigenous Research Statement of Principles.

January 2024
Finalize and Submit your LOI to the Convergence Portal

You may wish to consult the NFRF 2024 Transformation LOI Submission Guide.

Submit your LOI in advance of the ORS deadline through the Convergence Portal (requires account setup).

Convergence Portal

January to September 2024
Further Refine your Final Application and Participate in a Mock Jury Interview

SPARC can offer feedback to UBC-led LOI applicants on key, well-developed application sections, focusing on logic, coherence, and compelling statements of impact, ultimately ensuring that all criteria are fully addressed. The following sections can be submitted for review:

  • Introduction/Overview (2 pages)
  • Biographical Information About the Research Team (4 pages)
  • Research Proposal (5 pages)
  • Anticipated Transformation/Change, with Concrete Objectives and Other Potential Benefits (2 pages)
  • Management Plans (3 pages)
  • Budget Justification (2 pages)
Late August / Early September 2024
Finalize and Submit your Final Application

Consult the NFRF 2024 Transformation Full Application Submission Guide.

​​​​​Review and confirm any relevant ORS deadlines and procedures for your campus: Vancouver | Okanagan

Submit your final application in advance of the final deadline to the Convergence Portal.

Convergence Portal

 

Support & Resources

One-on-One Consultation

Our team can provide comprehensive advice on developing your notice of intent as well as your application in advance of the corresponding deadlines. Limited availability.

Contact Us

Online Resources

Check out our resources for applying to the NFRF Transformation Stream, exclusive to UBC applicants. CWL is required to view. 

View

Application Review

Our team can provide detailed feedback on draft letters of intent and full applications. Limited availability.

Contact Us

Sample Grant Library

Check out our comprehensive sample grant library and additional resources curated specifically for UBC faculty. CWL is required to view.

View

 

Contacts

Alexander Unterberger
Manager of Research Development
SPARC
604.822.5386
alexander.unterberger@ubc.ca

SPARC support services

UBC's Grant Facilitation Network
Research support personnel based in the faculties
See list

Various grant support

NFRF Program Help
Convergence Portal help: 613.995.4273 websupport@chairs-chaires.gc.ca
General Inquiries: NFRF-FNFR@chairs-chaires.gc.ca
Communications: communications@chairs-chaires.gc.ca

Program technical support

 

 

Additional Links & Resources

 

Past Competition Details