Strategic Research Initiatives Fund (SRIF)

About the Program

The Strategic Research Initiatives Fund (SRIF) supports enhanced research performance aligned with the University’s strategic research and innovation plan, Forward with Purpose. The purpose of the SRIF is to:

• advance institutional research goals articulated in Forward with Purpose towards building multidisciplinary capacity and collaborative communities of research,
• support revenue generation from external sources to sustain research activities, and
• enable researchers and the institution to engage with diverse external partners and communities.

Eligible University of Alberta researchers are invited to apply for two separate pools of funding (Pool A and Pool B). Primary applicant eligibility for SRIF funding is typically restricted to tenure/tenure-track faculty. Please see the Eligibility to Apply for and Hold Research Funding Policy for more information.

Wherever possible, applications should be multidisciplinary and/or cross-sectoral, including institution-wide partnerships; however, single discipline applications will also be considered. All applications must include specific actions to build a diverse team and inclusive research environment (see the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Research Resource Page and Braiding Past, Present and Future: University of Alberta Indigenous Strategic Plan). Further, applications may include research scope specific to EDI and/or Indigenous-led or Indigenous community engaged research.

1. Pool A applications must meet all of the following criteria:
   1. Align with the University’s strategic research and innovation plan, Forward with Purpose, including fostering new strategic initiatives.
   2. Leverage and/or match SRIF funding toward a new external grant application that requires a cash commitment from another source or where a cash commitment would make the external application more competitive (for example, Horizon Europe, NFRF Transformation, CFREF, SSHRC Partnership Grants etc). Preference will be given to those proposals securing at least 1:1 matching or higher. Applicants must apply for external funding in the next funding round and it must be clear how the SRIF will help increase the competitiveness of the external application.
   3. There is no minimum SRIF ask for matching funds. Typically, requests up to a maximum of $1,000,000 will be considered.
2. Pool B applications asking for an amount between $50,000 and $100,000 must meet either of the following criteria:
   1. Seed funding: Projects that have the potential to grow into larger externally funded institutional initiatives. Recipients are expected to seek external funding within two years. Please discuss alignment with possible external funding opportunities with your Research Partner.
   2. Bridge funding: Projects that were nearly successful Tri-Agency grant applications and have been registered in the Enrolment Registry. Recipients must address reviewer feedback to strengthen and resubmit the external application to the same funder within a year. Requests should not exceed the typical annual award of the external grant or the value of the typical external bridge funding, whichever is less.

Note that applicants who have received or will receive bridge funding from other sources (e.g., CIHR Bridge, Alberta Innovates LevMax, WCHRI Bridge) are not eligible.

Application Process

The next application deadline is March 9, 2025. For the schedule of upcoming committee meetings, deadlines, and a description of the review process please visit the SRIF FAQ page.

To apply, log in using your CCID to submit an application form. Note in the application form you will be asked where to direct your application for review. Please indicate whether your application should be directed to your Faculty (involves a single department or faculty) or College (involves multiple faculties or colleges). Application templates are available ( Google, Word, PDF) to work on your responses offline prior to submission.

Have Questions?

Reach out to the program manager:
Dr. Rachel Hirsch
Office of the Vice-President (Research)
rhirsch@ualberta.ca