Government of Canada invests in international research through the New Frontiers in Research Fund

Research excellence is frequently achieved through strong partnerships that guide us toward new horizons. Increasingly, these partnerships expand across international borders. That’s why the New Frontiers in Research Fund’s (NFRF) International stream was created: to encourage Canadian researchers to further collaborate with the world’s best and to keep Canada at the forefront of innovation.

On July 18, as part of the Canada-European Union Summit Joint Declaration, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada will allocate up to $50 million over the next five years to support Canadian participation in international teams funded through Horizon 2020 or Horizon Europe.

This investment will be through NFRF’s International stream, which is designed to enhance and complement the ongoing efforts of Canada’s federal research funding agencies’ current initiatives in supporting international research. NFRF will deliver a coordinated and unified approach that will give support to interdisciplinary and international collaborations, while also positioning Canada and Canadian researchers as privileged partners at the international level.

The International stream includes two mechanisms:

• joint funding calls with international agencies on topics of international relevance; and
• a dedicated fund to support participation of Canadian researchers within international teams in projects seeking funding from major global platforms.

Through the second mechanism, up to $10 million per year for five years will be allocated specifically to support Canadian participation in international teams applying for funding through Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe.

“Canada’s strength and leadership in research must be recognized globally,” explains Ted Hewitt, Chair of the Canada Research Coordinating Committee, and President of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. “The International stream of the New Frontiers in Research Fund gives Canada the platform to showcase the talent and exceptional research that will break barriers, tackle societal challenges and promote sustainable development.”

Further information on the International stream will be available on the NFRF website in the coming months. The stream’s first call for proposals, which will include details on eligibility and conditions of funding, will be announced in Fall 2019.