New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) - Exploration

Program Summary - Objective

• To inspire high risk/ high reward research that extends beyond traditional or common interdisciplinary approaches.
• To explore new projects that may fail but have the potential for significant impact.

Award Amount and Duration

• Up to $100,000 for direct costs per year plus 25% in indirect costs funding for up to 2 years.
• 25% must be added to the budget in addition to the direct costs.

Resources

• How to Get Started on the 2026 NFRF-Exploration Application
  The 2026 competition is now open. Use the information below to develop your application.

• • Review the timeline: Plan your submission using our grant development schedule and  timeline chart. 
  • Submit an internal Expression of Interest (EOI): This is an optional but important first step to help develop your proposal. Download the EOI Template and instructions here. The priority deadline for EOI was April 20, 2026. However, we may continue to accept submissions and provide feedback after this date time permitting. For questions about the EOI, email Feiyue Akishyn at feiyue@ualberta.ca.
  • Access application development resources: Bookmark the Quick Links to Resources for essential tools, such as the Strategy Guide, to help you prepare.
  • Stay informed: Join the mailing list to receive updates on this competition and the related support (e.g., information sessions).
• Workshops & Information Sessions 
  • Winning Strategies for NFRF-Exploration: Insights from Reviewers and Successful Applicants | May 11, 2026 (Recording, Slides, and Key Takeaways accessible by CCID)
  • Crafting Interdisciplinary Research Collaborations and Approaches (CIRCA) Workshop Series (Learn more & Register)

How to Apply

Status: The 2026 competition is open, currently accepting Notice of Intent (NOI).

Application Stages (2026 Competition)

Two mandatory stages, using the Convergence Portal:

1. Notice of Intent (NOI)

• Institutional deadline (submission to Researcher Home Page): Your NOI must be received by the Research Administrative Services (RAS) via Researcher Home Page by Aug 6, 2026 during core business hours. For the institutional deadline, DO NOT submit your NOI in the Convergence Portal. Instead, please download a PDF of your NOI and submit it via the Researcher Home Page.
  • IMPORTANT: RAS must confirm that all participants meet the NFRF eligibility criteria and the definition of ECR (if applicable). Written approval from all other institutions with participating Co-PIs and/or Co-applicants must be obtained using the NFRF-E external applicant eligibility form. The signed eligibility forms must be combined as one single PDF and submitted to the Researcher Home Page along with the NOI before the institutional deadline. The list of participants cannot be modified between this date and the Agency deadline for NOI.
• Agency deadline: Submit your final NOI in the Convergence Portal by 10 am MT on Aug 17, 2026; RAS will forward your NOI to the Agency by Aug 18, 2026.

2. Full Application

• Institutional deadline (submission to Researcher Home Page): Your full application must be received by RAS via Researcher Home Page by Oct 7, 2026 during core business hours. For the institutional deadline, DO NOT submit your application in the Convergence Portal. Instead, please download a PDF of your application and submit it via the Researcher Home Page. 
  • IMPORTANT: Written approval from all other institutions with participating Co-PIs and/or Co-applicants that are added after the NOI must be obtained using the NFRF-E external applicant eligibility form. The signed eligibility forms for newly added co-PI/co-applicants must be combined as one single PDF and submitted to the Researcher Home Page along with the full application before the institutional deadline. The list of participants and budget cannot be modified after this date.
• Agency deadline: Submit your final full application in the Convergence Portal by 10 am MT on Oct 19, 2026; RAS will forward your full application to the Agency by Oct 20, 2026.

For U of A Co-PIs and Co-Applicants on Externally Led Applications

If you are a co-PI or co-applicant on an NFRF-E NOI or application led at another institution, and the lead institution requires a signature from the U of A, please follow these steps:

1. Confirm your role: Ask the NPI if you're the ONLY U of A co-PI or co-applicant.
2. Submit a proposal request: If you are the only U of A co-PI/co-applicant, create and submit a proposal request via the Researcher Home Page (RHP). Attach the following documents:
   • The draft application (or draft NOI if you are at the NOI stage)
   • The U of A scope of work and budget (not needed at the NOI stage)
   • The form(s) that need to be signed

RAS will sign and return the form(s) to you or email you if additional information is needed.

If there are multiple U of A co-PI/co-applicants:

• Designate a lead: The team must choose one person to act as the lead U of A PI. This person will create the proposal request in the RHP and add the other U of A co-PI/co-applicants as co-PIs.
• Check for an existing request: It's possible someone on the team already submitted the request. If so, get the RES# from that team member. Then, email rsoinfo@ualberta.ca to have your name added and your form signed.