The Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) is a unique institutional initiative that supports large-scale research programs and aims to boost the strengths of Canadian postsecondary institutions so they can achieve global success in research areas that create long-term social and economic advantages for Canada. The program’s objective is not to develop capacity where there is emerging potential.
All applicants must first submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to apply. LOIs will be adjudicated through peer review against the sub-criteria for each criterion. Reviewers will assess all LOIs against the definition of ratings which describe the expectations and characteristics of each possible rating. For criteria 1 and 3, the following scale will apply:
- Fully satisfies and exceeds—fully satisfies and significantly exceeds in one or more aspects
- Fully satisfies—satisfies in all aspects
- Mostly satisfies—satisfies in most aspects but has some minor weaknesses
- Does not satisfy—does not satisfy in most aspects and has some major weaknesses
LOIs must meet a minimum rating of “Fully Satisfies” for selected sub-criteria of criteria 1 and 3, and align with the Government of Canada’s science, technology and innovation (ST&I) priorities for the CFREF and CERC programs for criterion 2.
The following provides the sub-criteria for each criterion being evaluated at the LOI stage and the expectations and characteristics of each possible rating:
Criterion 1: Scientific merit and demonstrated capacity to lead on an international scale
Reviewers will consider the following sub-criteria and corresponding rating scale:
- level of excellence of the existing research underpinning the proposed initiative;
- the institutions’ interdisciplinary research strength in the proposed thematic area and, where applicable, how strategic and meaningful partnerships with other eligible institutions in shared areas of excellence will promote collaboration and networking in the Government of Canada’s ST&I priorities for the CFREF and CERC programs;
- quality of the relevant research facilities of the lead and partner institutions, as well as of the opportunities and environment for research training;
- quality of the partnerships among Canadian institutions; and
- in the case of an institution previously awarded a CFREF grant, evidence that the institution has achieved world-class recognition and proposes a new and innovative initiative that furthers its global leadership in the research area supported by the grant.
| Rating |
Descriptor |
| Fully satisfies and exceeds |
The level of excellence of the existing institutional research capacity in the proposed area(s) is among the top 5% in the world.
The proposed initiative is outstanding: it exceeds in one (or more) sub-criteria area and fully satisfies in all. |
| Fully satisfies |
The level of excellence of the existing institutional research capacity in the proposed area(s) is among the top 10% in the world.
The proposed initiative is very strong: it fully satisfies in all sub-criteria areas. |
| Mostly satisfies |
The level of excellence of the existing institutional research capacity in the proposed area(s) is among the top 20% in the world.
The proposed initiative is strong: it mostly satisfies some of the sub-criteria and has some minor weaknesses. |
| Does not satisfy |
The level of excellence of the existing institutional research capacity in the proposed area(s) is below the top 20% in the world.
The proposed initiative is average: it does not satisfy most of the sub-criteria and has some major weaknesses. |
Criterion 2: Strategic relevance to Canada
Reviewers will consider the following sub-criterion and corresponding rating scale:
Criterion 3: Quality of implementation plan
Reviewers will consider the following sub-criteria and corresponding rating scale:
- overview of systemic barriers to equitable access for individuals from underrepresented groups that persist in the proposed research area, and examples of bold and innovative strategies to address them within the initiative;
- a strategy for establishing and maintaining a diverse research team, including Early Career Researchers (ECRs), and providing an inclusive and safe environment.
| Rating |
Descriptor |
| Fully satisfies and exceeds |
The approach to developing the plan is outstanding, the overview of the systemic barriers in the research area is very thorough, and the strategies are bold and innovative.
Overall, the plan is outstanding: it exceeds in one (or both) sub-criteria area and fully satisfies in all sub-criteria areas.
|
| Fully satisfies |
The approach is very strong, the overview of the systemic barriers in the research area is thorough, and the strategies are bold and innovative.
Overall, the plan is very strong: it fully satisfies in all sub-criteria areas.
|
| Mostly satisfies |
The approach is strong, the overview of the systemic barriers in the research area is somewhat thorough. The strategies could be bolder and more innovative.
The proposed implementation plan is strong in some aspects: it satisfies some of the sub-criteria but not all.
|
| Does not satisfy |
The approach is average, the overview of the systemic barriers in the research area is lacking, and the strategies are generally not bold and innovative.
The proposed implementation plan is average and does not fully satisfy the sub-criteria.
|