Deadline: November 3, 2025
Are you an early-career health or biomedical researcher based in Canada seeking seed funding to establish your independent research career? The Banting Discovery Foundation Discovery Award Program 2026 is now open for applications! This prestigious award provides an excellent opportunity to kick-start innovative biomedical research and strengthen your eligibility for future national grants.
About the Banting Discovery Foundation Discovery Award Program 2026
The Banting Discovery Foundation Discovery Award Program 2026 offers one-year pilot and feasibility grants of up to CAD $30,000. The award supports early-career health and biomedical researchers at Canadian universities and research institutes, helping them establish independence, purchase essential equipment, and recruit trainees.
Through this initiative, the Banting Research Foundation aims to empower promising scientists to generate preliminary data that will position them competitively for larger national and international research grants.
Award Value and Duration
- Funding Amount: Up to CAD $30,000
- Project Duration: One year (from July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027)
- Funding Type: Pilot/feasibility grant
Application Deadline
- Notice of Intent (NOI) Deadline: November 3, 2025
Applicants must submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) by this date to be eligible to submit a full application later.
Programme Objectives
The Discovery Award is designed to:
- Support innovative and high-risk projects with strong potential for impact.
- Help early-career investigators establish independent research programs.
- Bridge the funding gap before major national grants are obtained.
- Foster excellence, diversity, and inclusion in Canadian health and biomedical research.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Discovery Award Program 2026, applicants must:
- Be health or biomedical researchers employed at a Canadian university or affiliated research institute.
- Be within three years of their first academic appointment (e.g., Assistant Professor or equivalent).
- Have received that appointment within eight years of completing their most recent graduate or professional degree (PhD, MD, or MD/PhD).
- Not have held external peer-reviewed operating grant funding (e.g., CIHR, NSERC) at the time of application. (Note: Funding from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is exempt.)
- If currently holding external research funding over CAD $50,000 per year, you may apply only if your total operating funds (including this award) will not exceed CAD $80,000 during the award year.
Assessment Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- Innovative potential and originality of the proposed project.
- Research track record and demonstrated leadership capacity.
- Feasibility and scientific merit of the research plan.
- Justification of the budget and relevance of requested funds.
- Institutional support and quality of the research environment.
- Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in research design, environment, and mentorship.
- Potential impact of the award on launching or advancing the applicant’s research career.
- A nomination letter from the department or division head addressing applicant attributes, available institutional infrastructure, and mentorship plans.
Application Process
The application process consists of two stages:
1. Notice of Intent (NOI)
Submit your NOI online by November 3, 2025. Your submission must include:
- Title of your proposed research (maximum 125 characters).
- 5–7 relevant keywords.
- Abstract (approximately 300 words or 1,800 characters) summarising objectives, deliverables, and innovation.
- Confirmation of eligibility and funding status.
- Acknowledgement of departmental or divisional support.
2. Full Application (By Invitation Only)
Applicants whose NOIs are accepted will be invited to submit a full application. This will require:
- A detailed research proposal.
- A formal nomination letter from the department head.
- Description of mentorship and institutional support.
- Comprehensive budget and justification.
Why Apply?
- The Discovery Award is a proven launchpad for early-career researchers — over 90% of past recipients have successfully secured major Tri-Agency funding (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) within five years.
- It provides critical resources for pilot data collection and innovation testing.
- It enhances visibility and credibility within Canada’s biomedical research community.
Important Considerations
- This opportunity is limited to researchers with appointments at Canadian institutions.
- Ensure your department head is ready to provide a strong nomination letter.
- Address equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) within your proposal.
- Review your funding eligibility carefully before applying.
Application Links
Contact us for proposal drafting, refining and review.
