Updated: April 2026
Purpose
The Research Contingency Fund aims to support UTM researchers whose recent grant applications to external funding bodies (within the past 12 months) have been unsuccessful and who
- have a demonstrable urgent need for funding to continue critical research activities,
and/or
- require funding for research activities that are necessary for addressing reviewer feedback on the unsuccessful grant and improving the application for resubmission in the next available round.
and/or
- have experienced critical equipment failure that cannot be remedied through other funding sources, and demonstrate that modest, time-sensitive support would enable the continuation of essential research activities.
Eligibility Guidelines
Applicants must:
- hold a primary faculty appointment at UTM with eligibility to serve as a Principal Investigator according to University of Toronto policy
- for CLTA faculty, contract must extend beyond the end date of any planned external grant applications
- have been unsuccessful in the most recent round of at least one recent external funding competition
Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee that one will receive funding.
Adjudication Process
The UTM OVPRI academic leadership team will review and evaluate all applications with reference to the criteria listed below.
Evaluation Criteria
- Demonstrated need for funding: The application clearly explains why emergency funding is necessary to continue critical research activities and/or to address reviewer feedback and improve an application resubmission in the next available round of the relevant external competition and/or to address unexpected equipment failures or repairs. Evaluation will prioritize the clear demonstration of a need for funding above the description of the research program itself. The applicant must demonstrate that they have sought funding from other sources, including Department funds, start-up funds, and PERA funds, and must explain why those other funding sources are insufficient. NB: OVPRI may consult the applicant’s Chair or Director when evaluating the need for funding.
- Plan to address identified application/funding deficiencies: The application offers a specific plan for addressing reviewers’ comments from previous unsuccessful grant applications AND/OR a plan (including a schedule) for pursuing external funding (especially Tri-council funding) to support future funding needs. For applicants requesting funds to continue critical research activities, please detail your plan for securing sustainable funding and avoiding urgent funding gaps in the future.
- Appropriate budget: The application provides a reasonable, realistic, detailed, and well justified budget. The provision of matching support from the applicant’s home department will be evaluated favourably. Budgets will be evaluated on the principle of minimum essential funding. The review committee may award less than the amount requested.
Application Format and Submission Deadline
Applications (maximum 2 pages in length excluding cover page) will provide the following information:
- a cover sheet that includes applicant’s name, department, email, appointment status, total amount requested, and CC/CFC financial account number
- an explanation of the need for funding with reference to the one or more of the situations described above under “Purpose,” including a description of the research activities, equipment, and/or resources the requested funding will support and a list of faculty, students, and/or trainees who will benefit from the requested funding
- a plan for the external funding support the applicant will pursue in the immediate future (with approximate application submission dates), including an account of how these proposed grants are connected to the funding provided through this program
- a budget justification (maximum 1 page in length) including:
- an itemized budget and a justification of each expense using the principle of minimum essential funding
- a list of other funding sources that have been approached or considered, including recent grant applications
- if support has been secured from another source (e.g., PERA funds, departmental funds), explain the need for OVPRI funds and the specific expenses they would cover
Applications will be accepted on a semi-annual basis to accommodate decision dates for various grant programs. The first deadline is May 19, and the second deadline is November 1. Applications to support equipment repair or replacement will be accepted on a rolling basis.
Please submit your application as a single PDF file via an online application form. File name should be: RCF Application_Applicant’s Last Name, Applicant’s First Name.
Conditions
Funding recipients must commit to:
- applying as a Nominated Principal Investigator or sole Principal Investigator to an external (i.e., non-U of T) grant funding competition within 12 months of receiving the funding or otherwise at the earliest possible opportunity; and
- contacting the UTM OVPRI within one month of receiving their funding to discuss their required grant application and, in turn, submit the related grant application to the UTM OVPRI for internal grant-editing review.*
*Please contact Sabrina Sgandurra for NSERC and CIHR programs (sabrina.sgandurra@utoronto.ca), or Kate Steinmann for SSHRC programs (kate.steinmann@utoronto.ca). Draft applications must be submitted for editorial review to grants.ovpri.utm@utoronto.ca at least 2 weeks before the Research Services Office (RSO) deadline or sponsor deadline – whichever occurs first.
Competition Results
OVPRI will communicate application results by email. Individual scores and rankings will not be provided, but general feedback may be provided upon request.
Post-Award Details
Upon acceptance of funding from the RCF, successful applicants will be required to participate as referees in at least two OVPRI internal funding competitions or as reviewers on an internal peer-review panel.
Approximately one year following a successful application, OVPRI staff will reach out to request a brief report describing the outcomings of this funding.
Questions
Please address all questions about this program to funding.ovpri.utm@utoronto.ca.