CFI will usually provide funding to a maximum of 40 percent of the total eligible costs of the infrastructure projects it supports. The remainder must be provided by the institution(s) and/or eligible funding partners.
An eligible infrastructure project involves the modernization, acquisition, development, or leasing of research infrastructure. The eligible infrastructure represents a new capital asset and provides new and/or improved research capability, including research tools and/or research facilities.
The costs of modernizing, acquiring, developing, or leasing research infrastructure are eligible. In the case of leasing, the application must demonstrate that leasing is at least as cost-effective as purchasing, and must justify the proposed term of the lease. Leases cannot include any ongoing operating, maintenance, or financing costs.
Eligible costs include all goods and services required to bring the new infrastructure into operation, as well as warranties and service contracts included in the infrastructure purchase price. Eligible costs may include taxes (net of credits received), shipping, and installation. However, taxes must not be calculated on the in-kind portion.
Eligible and non-eligible costs are further outlined in the CFI Policy and Program Guide (PDF). PIs must be familiar with, and adhere to these requirements or risk losing funds or project cancellation.
Eligible Funding Partners
The definition of eligible costs also applies to funding provided by eligible partners. Only those contributions to the eligible costs of a project will be accepted as eligible partner contributions.
Eligible Partners (Canadian or foreign)
- institutional funds, trust funds, or foundations
- departments and agencies of the federal government
- departments and agencies of provincial, territorial, and municipal governments (except Tri-Agency)
- firms and corporations
- non-profit organizations
- individuals
The source of the partner contributions is not a selection criterion. Nevertheless, the presence of a specific source of funding may demonstrate commitment to the project, interest of potential users of the infrastructure, interest of beneficiaries of research results, or interest of potential employers of the highly qualified personnel.
Construction/Renovation Infrastructure Projects
Infrastructure projects may involve the construction of a new building or the development of new space in an existing building (e.g. new floors, reconfiguration of existing space) only when the new space is essential to house and use the eligible infrastructure being acquired. Thus, instalment(s) for the equipment to be located in the constructed or renovated space will only be paid once this space is ready to house the equipment. Where there is an option to either renovate an existing building or construct a new building, the most cost-effective option must be chosen.
In cases where construction or renovation is required to accommodate a CFI-funded projects and related equipment, PIs must consult with the Planning and Renovation unit within Facilities Services. While ORS will assist in making this connection, it is incumbent upon PIs to ensure that costs associated with physical space requirements are estimated correctly to avoid costly consequences. The CFI policy and program guide stipulates:
“Infrastructure projects that include construction or renovations must be developed well beyond the conceptual stage at the time of submission of a grant application. The CFI expects the institution to have defined the needs for the building, explored and decided upon the most feasible option, and have reliable estimates of the construction or renovation costs (e.g. estimates by a quantity surveyor or contractor, use of industry standards, or experience with similar construction or renovation in recent years).”