Funding Opportunities

Funding applications are considered ‘international’ if they:

• Include project activities located outside of Canada
• Are funded by an international agency
• Have an international partner

The internal deadline to submit an international research grant application to UnivRS and obtain all academic approvals for institutional review and approval is ten (10) business days prior to the external agency’s deadline. 

Applications submitted 5 – 10 business days before the external deadline:

An International Research Specialist (IRS) may be able to conduct a preliminary compliance review of the submission, case-by-case, if time and other priorities allow. If this review is not possible an IRS will approve the application with the understanding that it has obtained academic approvals and the PI is responsible for adhering to agency and funding program guidelines, research security guidelines and the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy. If a grant is awarded, we will complete the compliance review at this stage and if it is not possible to ensure compliance based on USask policies, negotiate grant provisions with the funding agency or adjust the proposed budget of the grant at this stage, USask may not be able to accept the grant.

Applications submitted less than 5 business days before the external deadline:

In situations where the application is received less than five business days of the competition deadline, we may facilitate institutional approval without review with the understanding that the applicant, facilitators, and other units on campus who have contributed to the development of the application have ensured that all required elements are complete per the agency guidelines. In the case of submissions submitted without review, the applicant assumes responsibility for application rejection or compliance issues. Please note that if institutional instances of non-compliance are found after submission, the application may be withdrawn if the issues cannot be remedied, or the acceptance of a research funding may require the removal or modification of any troublesome clauses(s) and /or satisfactory resolution of deviations from university or agency policies.

• Funding Opportunities
• Funding Deadlines
• Internal Review Timelines, Notices and Updates
• Other Agency Annoucements (e.g. changes to the Tri-Agency policies)
• Conference Information Specific to the U of S
• Workshops
• Changes within the OVPR

• Sign Up

The France-Canada Research Fund (FCRF) 2025 Call for Proposals, open to every field of expertise, provides funding for new collaborations developed by French and Canadian teams that have never worked together before. Applications must come from principal investigators, both from research institutions located in France and Canada. 

The funding is awarded to two-year projects in amounts ranging from $8,000 to $15,000 CAD, according to the needs expressed by the principal investigators, and covers mainly researchers’ and students’ mobility. USask can submit up to 5 applications.

There are complimentary funding opportunities for master’s and doctoral students with the FCRF projects selected for the 2025 Call for Proposals:

• French Ministry of Higher Education and Research Doctoral Contracts
• L’Oréal Canada – FCRF Awards
• Mitacs Globalink Research Award (GRA)

Learn more about this program here.  

Application Deadline: November 18, 2024 to submit via UnivRS and inform the USask International Office at international.office@usask.ca

Canada has recently joined the Horizon Europe funding scheme as an associated country. This significant development provides Canada with access to the world's most extensive research and innovation collaboration program, with a budget of €95.5 billion (CDN$140 billion) over 2021-2027. Canadian researchers can now apply under Pillar II (€53 billion) of Horizon Europe funding calls that address "Global challenges and European industrial competitiveness" under six thematic clusters (Health; Culture, Creativity, and Inclusive Society; Civil Security for Society; Digital, Industry and Space; Climate, Energy and Mobility; Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agricutulre and Environment).

The USask International Office hosted an information session to help researchers and staff navigate Pillar II of Horizon Euroe, the steps to apply, things to consider (challenges and tips), and how our team can support you in developing Horizon Europe funding applications. 

Information Session Recording

Information Session Slides 

• Introduction to Horizon Europe Course

Internal Call for Applications: Innovation Saskatchewan Top-Up Funding for Eligible DAAD Programs and Germany-USask Partnership Building Activities

Introduction
The Government of Saskatchewan’s innovation agency and the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) committed to supporting joint efforts to promote the international exchange of students and researchers and research and academic collaboration between the Saskatchewan and German universities and research institutions.
 
Through this initiative, the Stream 1 top-up funding is offered to the students and faculty at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) who have been successful in obtaining financing through one of the eligible DAAD programs listed in Appendix A to cover/reimburse costs associated with DAAD program, but not covered by the award.
 
Stream 2 of the funding may be applied toward joint initiatives with German partners, that do not require a successful DAAD program application. Eligible activities may include mutual delegation visits, alumni events, and other similar activities that will support increased engagement between the USask and German research community.
 
Eligibility
Eligible expenses include:

• Travel related expenses: airfare from Germany to/from SK; reasonable accommodation costs; meal per diems; ground transportation
• Research related expenses: direct costs; materials and supplies; project specific space rental; use of specialized equipment.
• Event related expenses: venue rental costs; catering (alcohol excluded); printing of signage or other similar materials

Detailed instructions on eligible expenses are outlined in Appendix B.
The related activities covered by top-up funding must be completed by January 20, 2026, and project leads are required to submit an outcome and financial report with supporting documentation (copies of receipts, invoices etc.) to the International Office at international.office@usask.ca no later than February 1, 2026.
 
Priority Areas
The priority areas defined by Innovation Saskatchewan apply to both students and faculty and include:

1. Health (e.g., One Health)
2. Synchrotron sciences
3. Digital technologies, industry, and space (e.g., quantum computing, artificial intelligence)
4. Food security, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture, and environment/climate change
5. Energy (including nuclear, renewable, and alternative energy sources)

 
Important dates:
Competition open date – April 10, 2025
Competition close date – October 1, 2025 or until the funding is exhausted
 
Application and supporting documents provided to the International Office at international.office@usask.ca with subject line DAAD-IS Top-Up Funding Application:

Stream 1

• Award letter from DAAD;
• Copy of the application package submitted to DAAD;
• Provide the following information in email text:
• Indicate that this is a Stream 1 application
• DAAD program name
• Lead applicant and affiliated unit as well as a list of participating USask team members
• Relation of the proposed activities to one of the abovementioned priority areas
• Outcomes to be achieved in relation to participating in the DAAD program
• Top-up funding budget; and
• Budget justification

Stream 2

• Provide the following information in email text:
• Indicate that this is a Stream 2 application
• Lead applicant and affiliated unit as well as a list of participating USask team members
• Relation of the proposed activities to one of the abovementioned priority areas
• Outcomes to be achieved in relation to organizing the partnership engagement activities
• Funding budget; and
• Budget justification

 
If you have any questions and/or would like to discuss your application with the International Office team, please contact international.office@usask.ca with subject line DAAD-IS Top-Up Funding Inquiry.
 
Appendix A: Eligible DAAD programs:
The DAAD scholarship and funding programs available to Canadians include the following:
 
Study Scholarships – Master Studies for All Academic Disciplines (annually)
Study Scholarships - Master Studies for All Academic Disciplines - DAAD - Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst
 
Research Grants in Germany for doctoral students and postdocs (semi-annually)
Research Grants in Germany - DAAD - Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst
 
Research Grants – Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees / Cotutelle (annually)
Research Grants - Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees / Cotutelle - DAAD - Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst
 
Research Stays for University Academics and Scientists (semi-annually)
Scholarship Database - DAAD - Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst
 
RISE Germany – Research Internships in Science and Engineering (annually)
RISE Germany - Research Internships in Science and Engineering - DAAD - Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst
 
RISE Professional – Research Internships in Science and Engineering (annually)
RISE Professional - Research Internships in Science and Engineering - DAAD - Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst
 
In addition, DAAD offers various project funding programs for German-Canadian university cooperation, including the following:
 
Bilateral Mobility Program for Research Cooperation (annually)
Programme of Project-Related Personal Exchange (PPP) with various partner countries - DAAD
 
This program aims to intensify research cooperation within the scope of a concrete, joint
research project. German universities can apply to facilitate the mobility of graduates and PhD students, as well as postdocs and faculty. Projects may be funded for a maximum of two years, with up to €18,000 per annum.
Research stays are funded within the framework of well-defined research proposals necessitating international co-operation. Special emphasis lies on the support of young scholars, i.e. graduate students working on their thesis, PhD and postdoctoral students.- 6 -DAAD grants an allowance to the German participants for travel and residence costs. Primary financing for the co-operative research project, including personnel costs, must be provided by other sources on both sides.
 
International Study and Training Partnerships (ISAP) (annually)
International Study and Training Partnerships (ISAP) - DAAD
 
Through ISAP, scholarships are given to German students who complete a portion of their
degree coursework abroad at a partner university with the added benefit of a tuition
waiver or significant tuition reduction. German universities are encouraged to develop
courses for foreign exchange students, credit transfer agreements, curriculum
collaboration strategies, and/or dual degree structures which will lead to an ongoing and
successful internationalization of both partner institutions.
Funding is available for travel subsidies, scholarships, insurance and tuition fees (up to 50% of regular fees) for German students; funds for language courses and tutorials for students from Canada or the US, and guest lectureships at partner institutions. Funding for new projects is generally granted for two academic years with an extension possible.
 
International Integrated programs with joint or double degrees (annually)
Integrated International Degree Programmes with Double Degrees - DAAD
 
The aim of the program is to develop and/or establish an integrated international double degree program with one or more foreign partner university/universities. The degree programs are intended to make a sustainable contribution to the establishment and expansion of international structures at German universities and to strengthen the exchange of teachers and learners.
The Integrated International Degree Programs with Double Degrees fund degree programs at universities and universities of applied sciences which, after studies completed partly at the German and partly at the foreign higher education institution, award both national degrees, either as a joint degree or as a double degree.
 
Internationalization of Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS – International) (annually)
Internationalisation of Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS.International) - DAAD
 
Universities of applied sciences are highly regarded in Germany and around the world, especially for their practical orientation. Many of these universities wish to enhance their international standing even further. To this end, the DAAD is helping students and researchers at German universities of applied sciences carry out study and research visits abroad. It is also supporting universities in their efforts to establish cooperation projects with international partners. The UAS International program enables universities of applied sciences to cultivate contact with foreign institutions and anchor international
partnerships within their own institutional infrastructure. The DAAD also provides consultation, continuing education and dialogue programmes to accompanying these measures.
 
Appendix B: Eligible Expenses
The following costs are deemed to qualify as Eligible Costs:
 
Travel-related expenses: For German researchers travelling to Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan researchers travelling to Germany:
 

1. Return economy airfare (from Germany or Saskatchewan). Return airfare for flights that originate in destinations other than Germany or Saskatchewan are not Eligible Costs.

2. Reasonable accommodation costs (hotel, apartment rental or dormitory costs).

3. Meal per diems at the University's usual rate.

4. Ground transportation (i.e., taxi, Uber, car rental, etc.).

 
Research-related expenses:
 

1. Direct costs (i.e., costs specifically associated with a particular project and that can be directly attributed to the project with a high degree of accuracy).

2. Materials and supplies.

3. Project-specific space rental for off-campus third-party facilities.

4. Use of specialized equipment for which there is a commonly applied charge. The purchase of capital equipment is not an Eligible Cost.

 
Event-related expenses:
 

1. Venue rental costs.

2. Catering (i.e. food, beverages, servers, etc.). Cost of alcoholic beverages are not Eligible Costs.

3. Printing of signage/programs or similar materials.

 
*Detailed receipts are required for the reimbursement of all expenses.

• Program Information

International Student Scholarship Programs (ELAP, SEED, and SiCS) funded through Global Affairs Canada (GAC) has officially been announced and accepting applications from international students for short-term study or research at a Canadian university.

• Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP)
• Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED)
• Study in Canada Scholarships (SICS)

**Please Note: This announcement is specific to ELAP, SEED, and SICS programs for international graduate student applications.

• Details and Deadlines

SSHRC New Funding Opportunity: Destination Horizon Grants 

The Destination Horizon Grants, valued at $15,000 for one year, are intended to support researchers affiliated with eligible Canadian postsecondary institutions to build capacity, foster existing partnerships, and further develop networks and/or consortia with European Union and other “associated countries” researchers, with the goal of applying to Horizon Europe—Pillar II calls for proposals.  

This funding opportunity follows the agreement signed by the Government of Canada and the European Commission allowing for increased Canadian participation in Horizon Europe under Pillar 2. This agreement provides Canadians with greater access to Horizon Europe. 

There are three deadlines associated with the Destination Horizon Grants 

Funding opportunity	Application deadlines
Destination Horizon Grants	January 22, 2025 (Internal EOI Deadline: December 10, 2024)    May 22, 2025 (Internal EOI Deadline: April 5, 2025)    September 22, 2025 (Internal EOI Deadline: August 5, 2025)

All applications deemed eligible will be entered into a randomized selection process to determine awards. An eligible application that is not randomly selected for an award may be resubmitted for a future competition.  

SSHRC will hold webinars for applicants and research administrators at the following times: 

• Wednesday, December 4 at 11:00 a.m. eastern in French.
• Wednesday, December 4 at 1:00 p.m. eastern in English.

Questions can be directed, contact SSHRC at partnerships@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca or consult SSHRC’s website. 

Please note that a postsecondary institution may only submit up to three Destination Horizon Grant applications for a given deadline so internal selection must occur prior to submission. To submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for consideration to the above application deadlines please send the following documents to international.office@usask.ca with the subject line “Destination Horizon Grants” by the internal EOI deadline. The email should include the following attachments: 

• Project Description (max. 1000 words)
  • a description of the existing relationships with researchers, partners, networks and/or consortia from European Union and associated countries; 
  • a description of the overall research goals and specific research objectives of the researchers, partners, networks and/or consortia; 
  • a description of how Destination Horizon funding and host contributions will support the further development of the network and/or consortium in order to apply to a future Horizon Europe—Pillar II call for proposal; 
  • the nature and extent of training, mentoring and employability activities for students, emerging scholars and/or other highly qualified personnel, if applicable; and 
  • details on how all activities can be undertaken within one year. 
• List of Applicants (please provide name, affiliation, email address, and role in this application)
• Funds requested from SSHRC (template at this link)
• Funds from other sources (template at this link)

**Letter of support will be required at the full application stage, please notify your partner about this requirement well in advance.** 

• The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives – Calls for Proposals - various dates for each country - website
• IC-IMPACTS Innovative Technology Demonstration Projects - proposals are accepted on an ongoing basis, however, applicants are encouraged to submit proposals as soon as possible as there will be a fast-track adjudication process. - website
• Global Innovation Fund - website
• USAID Development Innovation Ventures - website
• German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Short-Term Lectureships — North American Universities Host German Guest Lecturers - website
• Mitacs – Accelerate Graduate Research Internship Program - website
• Mitacs - Globalink Research Award (Allocation) - USask Internal Faculty Application Form 
• Mitacs - Globalink Research Award (GRA) - website
• PIMS Europe Student Mobility Program (in partnership with Mitacs) - website
• Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute:
  
  • SICI Membership Development Fund - website
  • Mitacs-SICI Globalink Research Award - website
  • A Semester in India Project (in collaboration with SICI and the University of Saskatchewan): This project allows our Canadian undergraduate students to study an entire semester in India, earning 9 (nine) credit units. The semester abroad is scheduled for January-April 2025. For more details, please visit ASII Project Details.
  • Shastri Student Research in India Fellowship (SSRIF): This program is designed for Canadian undergraduate and graduate students to undertake a 6-8 week research fellowship at Indian host universities or institutions. The research period is from September 2024 to March 2025. For more details, please visit SSRIF Details.
  • Shastri Scholar Travel Subsidy Program (SSTSG): This regular program of SICI offers collaboration opportunities for Canadian and Indian postgraduate and doctoral students and faculty members. Scholars will receive a CAD 1500 travel subsidy for their international return air ticket for academic activities such as meetings, presentations, lectures, and conferences, which promote personal/professional growth and institutional partnerships.For more details, please visit SSTSG Details.

• Internal Funding Opportunities