Current funding opportunities are sent out to the faculty through the VPRlist listserve and included on the "Current Funding Opportunities" database.  

In addition, consult the grant program databases for each of the tri-councils.  Links will be found on the External Grant Page to SSHRC, NSERC, and CIHR. 

RefWorks/COS Pivot Funding Opportunities Database

Wilfrid Laurier University, through its membership in the Ontario Council on University Research, has subscribed to the COS Funding Opportunities Database. This database is the world's leading online resource to identify funding information related to research, collaborative activities, travel, curriculum development, conferences, fellowships, post-doctoral positions, and equipment acquisition, among others. Sources of this information are federal and regional governments, foundations, professional societies, associations and corporations. COS Funding Opportunities is updated daily and can be searched by sponsor, amount, deadline, eligibility of applicant, funding type and area of interest. There is a section specifically for Funding Opportunities in Canada.

Private Foundations and Granting Agencies

Before preparing a submission to any foundation, it is important to find out more about the foundation - the type and amount of support available, the grant limitations which may apply, and, of course, the application procedures.The Canadian Directory to Foundations & Grants, produced by the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy, is an alphabetical listing of over 800 foundations. For each foundation listed, disciplines which might fit with the mandate of the foundation are included. An appendix entitled, Index of Fields of Interest, identifying current foundations which have a stated interest in or have made grants related to specific activities, is also available in the Research Office.

Resources Available in the Library

The following are available through the WLU library.

Matching/Partnership Funds

Increasingly some external agencies require that a matching component be provided by an external partner and/or by the university (e.g. CFI, OIT, ORDCF, SSHRC Release Time Stipend). Potential applicants for such programs must contact the Office of Research Services to discuss possible/feasible partners and sources of matching funds before an application for a grant or contract is written.

To encourage applications and to demonstrate institutional support for a NSERC Equipment Grant application, the President will provide, as a contribution from Laurier, up to 10 percent of the total cost of the equipment budget requested. On the application form, or in a covering letter, indicate that 10 percent of the total grant, if awarded, will be contributed by Laurier.

2. Canada Foundation for Innovation Awards
The CFI's mandate is to increase the capability of Canadian universities, colleges, hospitals, and other not-for-profit institutions to carry out important world-class scientific research and technology development. To implement its mandate, the Foundation, in co-operation with funding partners, provides infrastructure for research and development that will:
• support economic growth and job creation;
• lead to improvements in health, the environment, and quality of life;
• build capacity for innovation;
• strengthen training for research careers for young Canadians;
• attract and retain capable researchers in Canada;
• promote networks and collaboration among researchers; and
• ensure the optimal use of Canadian research infrastructure by promoting sharing within and among institutions.

The CFI will support up to 40% of total project costs The remaining 60% of the costs must be raised by the Principal Investigator through cash or in-kind donations from the private sector. Laurier will also provide matching funds for CFI grants on a case by case basis.