New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) - Transformation

Program Summary - Objective

The Transformation stream invites proposals that:

• tackle a well-defined problem or challenge;
• propose a novel world-leading approach that is different from the current state-of-the-art approaches to the issue;
• are highly and uniquely interdisciplinary, bringing diverse perspectives to the defined problem. For reference, see:
  • 2024 competition results
  • 2022 competition results
  • 2020 competition results

Award Amount and Duration

• Up to $4M per year, inclusive of indirect research costs, for up to 6 years.
• Indirect Costs: 25%

How to Apply

2026 competition currently open.

Application Stages

Two mandatory stages, using the Convergence Portal:

1. Notice of Intent (NOI)

• Institutional deadline (submission to Researcher Home Page): Your NOI needs to reach the Research Administration Services (RAS) in Researcher Home Page by April 8, 2025 during core business hours. IMPORTANT: RAS must confirm that all participants meet the NFRF eligibility criteria and the definition of ECR (if applicable). Written approval from all other institutions with participating Co-PIs and/or Co-applicants must be obtained using the NFRF-T external applicant eligibility form. The signed eligibility forms must be combined as one single PDF and submitted to the Researcher Home Page along with the NOI before the institutional deadline. The list of participants cannot be modified between this date and the Agency deadline for NOI.
• Submit your final NOI in the Convergence Portal by 10 a.m. MT on April 15, 2025; RAS will forward your NOI to the Agency by 4:30 p.m. MT on April 15, 2025.

2. Letter of Intent to Apply (LOI)

• Institutional deadline (submission to Researcher Home Page): Your LOI needs to reach the RAS in Researcher Home Page by June 10, 2025 during core business hours. IMPORTANT: Written approval from all other institutions with participating Co-PIs and/or Co-applicants must be obtained using the NFRF-T external applicant eligibility form. The signed eligibility forms must be combined as one single PDF and submitted to the Researcher Home Page along with the LOI before the institutional deadline. The list of participants and budget cannot be modified between this date and the Agency deadline for LOI.
• Submit your final LOI in the Convergence Portal by 10 a.m. MT on June 17, 2025; RAS will forward your LOI to the Agency by 4:30 p.m. MT on June 17, 2025.

3. Full Application (by invitation only)

• Institutional deadline (submission to Researcher Home Page): Your full application needs to reach the RAS in Researcher Home Page by February 24, 2026 during core business hours. IMPORTANT: Written approval from all other institutions with participating Co-PIs and/or Co-applicants must be obtained using the NFRF-T external applicant eligibility form. The signed eligibility forms must be combined as one single PDF and submitted to the Researcher Home Page along with the full application before the institutional deadline. The list of participants and budget cannot be modified after this date.
• Submit your final full application in the Convergence Portal by 10 a.m. MT on March 3, 2026; RAS will forward your full application to the Agency by 4 p.m. MT on March 3, 2026.