Exploration
COVID-19 update
The 2019 Exploration Competition will be finalized as planned. Applicants will receive Notices of Decision by March 31, 2020, and funds will be disbursed shortly after. The posting of the evaluation results for applicants (including ratings by criteria and messages to applicants, where applicable) may be delayed.

The objective of the Exploration stream is to support high risk, high reward and interdisciplinary research. It seeks to inspire projects that bring disciplines together beyond traditional disciplinary or common interdisciplinary approaches by research teams with the capacity to explore something new that might fail, but has the potential for significant impact.
Competitions
2020
2020 Competition
This year’s competition is open to teams composed of established and/or early career researchers. Steps to apply include submitting a mandatory notice of intent to apply, and a subsequent full application.
- Notice of intent deadline:
- Full application deadline:
Merit review
A multidisciplinary review panel evaluates the applications based on the competition stream’s selection criteria, and considers expert assessments provided by external reviewers. External reviewers evaluate applications according to the selection criteria, using a double-blinded process.
Results
Applicants will be informed of their competition results by March 31, 2021, via the Convergence Portal.
2019
July 2019 Competition Competition closed
This year’s competition is open to teams composed of established and/or early career researchers and includes mandatory notice of intent (NOI) to apply and letter of intent (LOI) to apply stages.
- NOI deadline:
- LOI deadline:
- Application deadline (by invitation only):
Merit review
A multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral review panel composed of national and international members with broad expertise evaluated the applications according to the selection criteria.
- Multidisciplinary review panel members
- Reviewer Manual
- Best Practices in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research Guide
- Evaluation matrices
- Co-chairs report
Results
Applicants were informed of their competition results on March 30, 2020, via the Convergence Portal.
2018
December 2018 Inaugural Competition Competition closed
This competition generated opportunities for early career researchers to conduct high risk, high reward and interdisciplinary research.
- NOI deadline:
- Application deadline (by invitation only):
Merit review
A multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral review panel composed of national and international members with broad expertise evaluated the applications according to the selection criteria.
- Multidisciplinary review panel members
- Manual for multidisciplinary review panel
- Report from the co-chairs
Results
Applicants were informed of their competition results on March 29, 2019, via the Convergence Portal.
Latest news and updates
- New Frontiers in Research Fund launches interactive dashboard
November 16, 2020
Exploration Transformation International - The New Frontiers in Research Fund 2020 Exploration Competition is now open
June 24, 2020
Exploration - New Frontiers in Research Fund awards $46.3 million for Exploration projects that push research boundaries in Canada
May 14, 2020
Exploration
Contacts
General inquiries:
NFRF-FNFR@chairs-chaires.gc.ca
Communications:
communications@chairs-chaires.gc.ca
Help – Convergence Portal:
websupport@convergence.gc.ca
Tel.: 613-995-4273
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