Faculty Funding and Research Opportunities

Join an upcoming C2UExpo Community Engagement Session and help shape the 2027 conference, which will be hosted by the University of Calgary in May 2027. These sessions will introduce C2UExpo and invite participants to share ideas on meaningful community inclusion, themes, and priorities.

In person: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 | 12–2:30 p.m. MT
Calgary Public Library – Central (lunch provided, limited space)

Virtual: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 | 2–3:30 p.m. MT
Zoom

Registration is required.

Map the System is now accepting applications at UCalgary. This global program, delivered with the University of Oxford, invites students to investigate social and environmental challenges using systems thinking. Participants map root causes, explore complexity and highlight existing efforts rather than pitching quick fixes.

Open to undergraduate and graduate students, plus alumni within one year. Teams of one to five are welcome.

Students gain research, systems mapping and communication skills through workshops, coaching and peer learning. Compete for $5,000 at the UCalgary campus finals, with the top team advancing to the Global Finals at Oxford.

Key Dates
• Virtual Info Session: January 20, 2026
• In-person Info Session: January 27, 2026
• Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
• Program Starts: February 3, 2026
• UCalgary Campus Finals: April 7, 2026

Learn more and apply: Program Link
Register: Virtual Info Session | In-person Info Session

This CIHR opportunity supports youth-engaged research teams generating evidence in at least two of Canada’s Youth Policy priority areas: leadership and impact, health and wellness, innovation and skills, employment, truth and reconciliation, and environment and climate action.

Key Dates
• Webinar: January 29, 2026, 10–11:30 a.m.
• Registration (ResearchNet): April 28, 2026, 6 p.m.
• RSO Internal Deadline: June 11, 2026

Learn more 

The Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) Awards Program recognizes excellence in paediatric practice, advocacy, research, education, and health promotion. Award criteria and submission requirements vary, so nominees are encouraged to review each award carefully.

Nominations require a letter from a CPS member. Faculty interested in being nominated, and who have a CPS member willing to support their nomination, should contact FSW Award Specialist Myriam Gerber for guidance.

Nomination deadline: January 31, 2026 (unless otherwise noted)

Learn more about the awards and nomination process online.

The call for abstracts is now open for the 2026 Joint World Congress of IASSW/IFSW/ICSW, happening in Nairobi, Kenya from July 26–29, 2026. Hosted by the Kenya National Association of Social Workers, this global gathering will take place at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre under the theme “Harambee for Sustainable Shared Futures.”

Rooted in East African values of unity and collective action, this congress invites educators, practitioners, and researchers to contribute to advancing global social work.

Learn more and submit your abstract: Call for Abstracts – SWSD 2026

Save on Registration: Faculty from IASSW member institutions benefit from discounted rates. Questions about membership? Contact Dr. Janestic Twikirize at janestic@iassw-aiets.org.

Please share with colleagues and encourage submissions!

Graduate students are invited to submit proposals for the 2026 Peer Beyond Graduate Research Conference, held February 18–19 at the University of Calgary. This interdisciplinary event offers a space to share your work, connect with peers and build presentation experience. Participants receive meals, snacks, swag and an opportunity to publish in the conference proceedings and attend a career fair.

Deadline: January 16, 2026

Presentation Formats
• Classic research talk (10 minutes + Q&A)
• Poster session (5-minute talk + Q&A)
• Workshop (90 minutes)

Learn more and apply

The Canada Foundation for Innovation is expected to launch the next Innovation Fund competition in spring 2026, with funding decisions anticipated in late 2027. In preparation, the University of Calgary is beginning its internal project development and selection process for researchers planning to apply.

The 2027 competition is expected to follow a similar structure to previous rounds, with three streams focused on leading-edge research and the creation or renewal of core facilities. UCalgary will run an internal selection process, beginning with an internal Notice of Intent.

Test Your Concept Sessions:
• Jan. 20, 2026 | 2:00–4:30 p.m.
• Jan. 21, 2026 | 1:00–3:00 p.m.
RSVP by Jan. 2, 2026. Space is limited.

Full details and internal process information are available through the link.                

Test Your Concept | Support | Innovation Fund (IF)

This CIHR grant supports interdisciplinary teams studying late and long-term toxicities linked to cancer treatments and improving survivorship care. Projects may explore host, lifestyle, environmental, social and other intersecting factors that influence outcomes.

Key Deadlines
• Registration (ResearchNet): February 24, 2026, 6 p.m.
• Full Application (RSO): May 14, 2026, noon

Questions: Lindsey Hritzuk (lindsey.hritzuk@ucalgary.ca)

Learn more: Program Link

Student Deadline is Jan. 26, 2026 at 11:50 p.m.
The supervisor reference deadline is Jan. 20, 2026 at 11:59. 
Please reach out to Gina Dimitropoulos, PURE research coordinator if you have any questions gdimit@ucalgary.ca

Learn more

Amount: Up to $25,000 CAD for events; up to $50,000 CAD for outreach activities for one year 

Internal Deadline: January 28, 2026

Eligibility: Postdocs are eligible to apply

Learn more

Amount: $10,000 to $100,000 CAD for 1-2 years
Internal Deadline: January 28, 2026
Eligibility: Postdocs are eligible to apply

Learn more

Amount: $10,000 to $100,000 CAD for 1-2 years

Internal Deadline: January 28, 2026

Eligibility: Postdocs are eligible to apply

Learn more

Amount: Up to $25,000 CAD for events; up to $50,000 CAD for outreach activities for one year 
Internal Deadline: January 28, 2026
Eligibility: Postdocs are eligible to apply

Learn more

This CIHR grant supports interdisciplinary teams studying late and long-term toxicities linked to cancer treatments and improving survivorship care. Projects may explore host, lifestyle, environmental, social and other intersecting factors that influence outcomes.

Key Deadlines
• Registration (ResearchNet): February 24, 2026, 6 p.m.
• Full Application (RSO): May 14, 2026, noon

Questions: Lindsey Hritzuk lindsey.hritzuk@ucalgary.ca

Learn more: Program Link

The federal government has launched the Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards (CIRTA), a one-time Tri-Agency initiative to attract top international doctoral and postdoctoral research talent to Canada.

The University of Calgary will run an internal selection process to identify faculty who may nominate trainees. Interested faculty must submit an Expression of Interest by mid-January 2026, identifying a strong candidate able to begin at UCalgary in the near term.

Eligibility requires an active Tri-Agency grant, and nominees must be international trainees or Canadians currently studying abroad. Faculty are encouraged to begin identifying potential nominees now. Program details and updates will be shared shortly.

Internal Timeline 

This CIHR team grant supports youth-engaged research that advances evidence in at least two priority areas of Canada’s Youth Policy, with the goal of improving youth health and well-being. Priority areas include leadership and impact, health and wellness, skills and learning, employment, truth and reconciliation, and environment and climate action.

Registration deadline (CIHR/ResearchNet): April 28, 2026 (6 p.m.)
RSO internal deadline (full application): June 11, 2026

Information webinar:
Jan. 29, 2026 | 10:00–11:30 a.m.

For questions or support, contact Priya Jaggi.

Learn more

Amount: $150,000 CHF over 3 years
Submission deadline: February 2, 2026, 12 noon EST
Eligibility: Postdocs within 10 years of PhD are eligible to apply.

A Global Fellowship Program to Promote Research on Child and Youth Development

Applications are now open for the VPR Transdisciplinary Connector Grant and VPR Catalyst Grant programs. These internal funding opportunities support early-stage and transdisciplinary research that can serve as a springboard for future external funding.

Deadline: February 2, 2026 at 4 p.m. MT

Connector Grants support teams exploring complex societal questions through transdisciplinary approaches.
Catalyst Grants support well-defined early-stage research activities with strong potential for external funding.

Learn more about each program and apply online. Questions can be directed to the respective program contacts.

Questions? Please contact transdisciplinary@ucalgary.ca.
Questions? Please contact vpr.catalyst@ucalgary.ca.

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has opened the 2025 cycle of the Research Excellence, Diversity and Independence (REDI) Early Career Transition Award. The program supports postdoctoral researchers, clinicians, and PhD-holding research associates from underrepresented groups as they build toward independent research careers in Canada.

Applicants who wish to hold the award at the University of Calgary must register their interest by February 2, 2026 to access institutional support. Learn more about eligibility, funding streams, and UCalgary supports through Research at UCalgary.

The SMART Healthy Cities Training Platform supports trainees building skills in implementation science and healthy cities research, from community engagement to computational methods. Thirteen one-year awards are available for 2026–2027. Students with financial need or from equity-deserving groups will be prioritized, though holders of major awards may still apply.

Key Dates
• Deadline: February 5, 2026 (11:59 p.m. EST)
• Decisions: April 1, 2026

Learn more

This CIHR grant supports interdisciplinary, high-impact and community-engaged research focused on the health priorities of 2S/LGBTQI+ individuals and communities in Canada. A broad range of research approaches are eligible, including community-based work, Indigenous methodologies, clinical and epidemiological studies, health systems research, policy analysis and more.

Key Deadlines
• Registration (ResearchNet): February 11, 2026, 6 p.m.
• Full Application (RSO): March 16, 2026, noon

Questions: Lindsey Hritzuk (lindsey.hritzuk@ucalgary.ca)

Learn more: Program Link

The CIHR Project Grant program supports research with strong potential to advance health-related knowledge, health care, health systems, and health outcomes. Projects may be new, innovative, incremental, or high risk, and are open to researchers from all faculties.
New: Mandatory research security requirements are now in place. All nominated principal applicants must complete a short questionnaire by February 6, 2026.

Key dates:

• Registration deadline: February 4, 2026 (6:00 p.m. MT, via ResearchNet)
• Research Services internal deadline: March 2, 2026 (9:00 a.m. MT)

Additional application details will be shared with registered applicants. For questions, contact Lindsey Hritzuk.

Learn more: Program Link

The Program will support world-class research projects co-led by three principal investigators: one from Canada, one from Israel, and one from an eligible LMIC (list of eligible countries). The teams will integrate researchers from all three geographies with the intention of strengthening scientific capacity, promoting collaboration, equitable partnerships, and scientific excellence in all its diversity. It is expected that the three principal investigators will work together on an integrated, and cohesive research project equitably contributing to and benefiting from their involvement in the project and the Program.

Amount: up to $500,000 CAD for the principal investigator from Canada for four (4) years
RSO Final Review Deadline: February 20, 2026 at noon
Contact: Marissa Montgomery-James

List of eligible countries

Learn more

The Alberta Ministry of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration is seeking proposals for applied research that develops and evaluates effective programs and services to support workers experiencing gender-based biases and/or discrimination that leads to suboptimal working condition, injuries, or illnesses.

RSO Internal Deadline: March 11, 2026, - Noon

Learn more

Draft calls for the 2026–2027 Horizon Europe Work Programme are now available, including:

• Cluster 1: Health — Calls due April 2026
• Cluster 2: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Society — Calls due September 2026
• EU Cancer Mission — Calls due September 2026

Eligibility
Projects require at least three independent partners from three different EU Member States or Associated Countries. Canadian researchers are fully eligible to participate or lead consortia.

Support Available
Given the 4–5-month preparation timeline for Horizon Europe applications, early planning is strongly encouraged. Our office can help identify opportunities, support application development and budgeting, interpret EU funding requirements and manage administrative processes.

Questions or meeting requests: Mohit Jain

Learn more

SSHRC Partnership Engage Grants support short-term, partnered research projects that address immediate needs of a single public, private or not-for-profit organization. Grants range from $10,000 to $50,000 for one year, with funding increasing in 2026. New national security guidelines will now apply to all applications.

Internal deadline: Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at noon.
Learn more or contact Stephanie Patrick for details.

Amount: up to $25,000 CAD for events; up to $50,000 CAD for outreach activities for one year
Expression of Interest: April 28, 2026
Eligibility: Postdocs are eligible to apply. See subject matter guidelines for more information

Learn More

Three deadlines per year: Feb 1, June 1, Oct 1.

These grants, offered 3 times per year, intend to support well-defined, early-stage research activities and initiatives that will lead to substantial external funding. Valued between $1,000 - $15,000, these grants last for 6 months.

Learn more

Three deadlines per year: June 1, October 1, February 1.

These Grants promote initiatives that enable UCalgary teams to explore societal questions, challenges and opportunities that demand a transdisciplinary approach.

Learn more

Get clear guidance on eligible costs, budget categories, and valuing in-kind contributions for your next SSHRC application.

Budget Resources for SSHRC Grants

When preparing your SSHRC budget, it is important to follow the Tri-Agency Guide on Financial Administration, which outlines what constitutes eligible expenses. SSHRC’s eligibility rules apply to all project costs, whether covered by SSHRC funds or by cash and in-kind contributions. While ineligible contributions may still be highlighted in your application as valuable support, they cannot be included in the formal budget.

To assist you, we have compiled guidance on the main SSHRC budget categories:

1. Personnel costs
2. Travel and subsistence costs
3. Other expenses

Additional information is also available on how to appropriately value in-kind contributions.

UCalgary is now accepting nominations for the Visiting Scholars Program. The program facilitates short-term, medium-term, and longer-term visits by distinguished scholars who will make a significant contribution to the academic life of the university, enriching our research community, raising our institutional profile, and promoting knowledge exchange across countries and continents.

Key program details

• Open to Canadian and international distinguished scholars
• Visit durations range from one week to several months
• Scholars are expected to contribute to the research and teaching activities of the host faculty
• Scholars staying at least one week will receive the honorary title of UCalgary Fellow
• Nominations must be submitted prior to the scholar’s arrival

Funds available

• $5,000 - $20,000 VPRO contribution
• Host must provide matching funding

Learn more about UCalgary Visiting Scholars Program

Submit a nomination