Futures, Crossovers and Returns Symposium
February 2026
Grants and Research Funding Overview
Program PI Structure Funding Level Duration
NFRF –Internation al Joint Initiative
SSHRC Connection Grant
ERC Synergy Grant
≥3 Co-PIs Up to $400k Up to 3 years
Thematic Scope
Countries / Geographic Scope Internat ional? Best For
SDG-aligned, transformative, interdisciplinary Canada + participating partner countries (each Co-PI linked to a different national funder)
Mandato ry
Large-scale global collaborations; theme for this year “disruptive technologies”
1 PI $10k–$50k 1 year
2–4 equal PIs Up to €10–14M Up to 6 years
UArctic Engagement Fund
1 Lead Applicant $40k–$100k Varies
SSH; knowledge mobilization & engagement Canada-based funding (international collaborators permitted)
Bottom-up; high-risk/highgain
Indigenous & Northern priorities
EU Member States + Associated Countries (PIs may be hosted in different countries)
Circumpolar North / Arctic regions (e.g. Canada, Nordic countries, Greenland, Alaska, etc.)
Optional Workshops, networks, policy & community engagement
Strongly internati onal
Flagship, longterm collaborative research
Yes
Indigenousled, communitypartnered projects
1. NFRF – International Joint Initiative (2026)
The New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) – International Joint Initiative supports ambitious, interdisciplinary, and transformative international research projects addressing major global societal challenges, with explicit alignment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Find attached the slide deck presented in the agency webinar on Feb 3, 2026.
The recording of this webinar can be accessed through:
English Recording: 2026 NFRF International Competition – Webinar
French Recording: Concours du FNFR International 2026 - webinaire
The Slides are available here: NFRFI-2026_Information_Webinar_NOI_EN.pdf
Principal Investigator / Team Structure
• Minimum 3 Co-Principal Investigators (Co-PIs)
• Each Co-PI must be eligible to receive funding from a different participating funding organization
• At least one Co-PI must be eligible to apply to NFRF
• International collaboration is mandatory
• Teams must be interdisciplinary
• Inclusion of at least one SSH Co-PI strongly recommended
• Individuals may not serve as Co-PI on more than one application
• Multi-stage process:
o Notice of Intent (NOI)
o Letter of Intent (LOI)
o Full Application (by invitation only)
Funding
• Up to $400,000/year in direct research costs
• Up to 25% indirect costs
• Maximum total: $500,000/year
• Duration: up to 3 years
Thematic Scope
• No fixed disciplinary themes
• Projects must:
o Address at least one UN SDG
o Be interdisciplinary
o Demonstrate transformative (not incremental) impact
o Show potential for paradigm shifts in research, policy, or practice
o Integrate ethical, social, and governance considerations where relevant
Key Deadlines (2026)
• NOI
o McGill internal: 27 Feb 2026 (10:00 a.m.)1
o Sponsor: 3 Mar 2026 (8:00 p.m.)
• LOI
o McGill internal: 2 Jun 2026 (10:00 a.m.)
o Sponsor: 9 Jun 2026 (8:00 p.m.)
• Full Application (invitation only)
o McGill internal: 20 Oct 2026 (10:00 a.m.)
o Sponsor: 3 Nov 2026 (8:00 p.m.)
McGill OSR Requirements
• Institutional review mandatory at LOI and Full Application
• Research Funding Checklist required
• Institutional signatures coordinated through OSR
2. SSHRC – Connection Grants
Eligibility (McGill reference – Federal / SSHRC)
McGill provides internal guidance on eligibility, timelines, and OSR submission.
Principal Investigator Structure
• 1 Project Director / PI
• Co-applicants and collaborators allowed (not co-PIs)
Funding
• Events: $10,000–$25,000
• Outreach activities: $10,000–$50,000
• Duration: 1 year
Thematic Scope
• Open within SSHRC mandate:
o Social sciences
o Humanities
o Interdisciplinary SSH
• Strong emphasis on:
o Knowledge mobilization
o Policy, community, and public engagement
o Networks and partnership building
Deadlines (2026)
• Feb 2 | May 1 | Aug 4 | Nov 2 (8:00 p.m. ET)
1 AlltimingsareinEST.
• Cycles posted annually by McGill
McGill OSR Requirement
• Internal review required prior to submission (timeline set by McGill)
3. McGill / Horizon Europe – ERC Synergy Grant
Eligibility
• Open to 2–4 Principal Investigators
• PIs must demonstrate:
o Scientific independence
o Outstanding track records
o Complementary expertise creating genuine synergy
• PIs may be based in different institutions and countries
• No nationality restrictions
• One institution serves as the coordinating host
Principal Investigator / Team Structure
• 2–4 PIs (equal scientific responsibility)
• No lead PI hierarchy
• Additional team members allowed (postdocs, PhDs, etc.)
Funding
• Up to €10 million for up to 6 years
• Additional €4 million possible for:
o Major equipment
o Large research facilities
o Extensive fieldwork
o Relocation/start-up costs
Thematic Scope
• Fully bottom-up
• All disciplines eligible:
o SSH
o Life Sciences
o Physical Sciences & Engineering
• Emphasis on:
o Interdisciplinarity
o High-risk / high-gain research
o Demonstrable PI synergy
Deadlines
• Most recent call: Synergy Grant 2026 closed 5 Nov 2025
• Next cycle: TBD
McGill OSR Requirement
• Full application materials due minimum 10 business days before sponsor deadline
4. UArctic – Indigenous & Northern Collaborative Research and Education Engagement Fund (2026)
An externally administered international program supporting Indigenous-led and Northern collaborative research and education initiatives.
Leadership Structure
• 1 Lead Applicant
• Multiple partners expected
• Strong emphasis on:
o Collaborative governance
o Indigenous leadership and partnership
• Not a multi-PI model
Funding
• Stream A: up to $40,000
• Stream B: up to $100,000
Thematic Scope
• Indigenous knowledge systems
• Northern and Arctic communities
• Community-led research
• Education, training, and capacity building
• Arctic governance, sustainability, culture, wellbeing
Deadlines
• 24 April 2026