Skip to McMaster Navigation Skip to Site Navigation Skip to main content
mcmaster university logo McMaster logo

Research & Innovation

New Frontiers in Research Fund – Exploration Stream Notice of Intent (NOI)

Research Admin Offices:

  • ROADS

Funding Type:

Grant

Opportunity Type:

  • Grant

Value:

Up to $125,000 per year (including 25% indirect costs) up to two years.

Disciplines:

  • DeGroote School of Business
  • Faculty of Engineering
  • Faculty of Humanities
  • Faculty of Science
  • Faculty of Social Sciences

Sponsors:

Deadlines:

Internal Deadline:

August 11, 2026

Sponsor Deadline:

August 18, 2026

Description:

The goal of the Exploration stream is to inspire high-risk, high-reward and interdisciplinary research.
Exploration grants support research that pushes boundaries into exciting new areas. Researchers are encouraged to think “outside of the box” and undertake research that defies current paradigms; brings disciplines together in unexpected ways and from bold, innovative perspectives; and has the potential to be disruptive or deliver game-changing impacts.

Additional Program Information:

Exploration stream grants support projects that:
  • bring disciplines together beyond traditional disciplinary or common interdisciplinary approaches;
  • propose to explore something new, which might fail; and
  • have the potential for significant impact.
Exploration grants support research with a range of impacts—economic, scientific, artistic, cultural, social, technological, environmental or health-related. This list is not exhaustive; other types of impacts are also recognized. Diversity of perspectives is important, and the fund encourages research proposals led from any discipline, from those in the social sciences and humanities, to health, the natural sciences and engineering.

Application/Nomination Process:

Notice of Intent to Apply (NOI): Mandatory and used for administrative purposes only (identifying and composing the multidisciplinary review panel). NFRF Deadline August 18, 2026 (8 p.m. ET)

Key Dates:
  • Notify ROADS of Intent to Apply: June 23, 2026
  • Draft NOI due to ROADS: July 28, 2026
  • Final NOI due to ROADS: August 11, 2026
  • Sponsor Deadline NOI: August 18, 2028

Full Application: NFRF Deadline October 20, 2026 (8 p.m. ET)

Resources:

Additional details.

Contact:

For more information on how to apply contact, Megan Wightman, Senior Advisor, ROADS.