Canada Foundation for Innovation

Funds Canadian research infrastructure by supporting universities, hospitals, and science organizations with long-term capital improvements.

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is an arm's-length independent corporation established by the Government of Canada to strengthen research infrastructure at Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals, and non-profit research organizations. It supports laboratories, equipment, computing, software, and databases that give researchers the tools to do high-quality work across disciplines. Since 1997, CFI has backed more than 13,000 infrastructure projects and has leveraged matching support from public, private, and non-profit partners.

CFI funds up to 40 percent of eligible infrastructure costs, with institutions and partners covering the rest. Its main routes include the Innovation Fund, John R. Evans Leaders Fund, College Fund, Northern Fund, Canada Impact+ Research Infrastructure Fund, Biosciences Research Infrastructure Fund, and Major Science Initiatives Fund. The supported work reaches life sciences, health technologies, advanced computing, clean power, industrial research, agriculture, secure digital systems, and defence.

The foundation is strongest for institutions that can assemble matched support and make a case for durable research capacity, not for individual applicants or companies. JELF runs on recurring institutional deadlines, while other funds address strategic infrastructure, northern priorities, and the operating needs of major facilities. The overall model is steady, collaborative, and built around long-lived assets rather than one-off project cash.