If you’re a university, hospital, or research institute in Ontario, the Ontario Research Fund (ORF) is one of the province’s largest sources of research funding. In 2025 alone, Ontario invested nearly $68 million across 108 projects through ORF programs, with more funding committed for 2025–2026. Understanding how ORF works can help you plan research projects and infrastructure investments years in advance.
The Ontario Research Fund is run by the Government of Ontario and supports research that strengthens Ontario’s economy, health system, and innovation capacity. ORF has two main funding streams, each designed for different research needs.
ORF‑RE funds research operating costs, not buildings or equipment. This stream is typically used for multi‑year, large‑scale research projects.
What ORF‑RE supports:
Who can apply:
Funding structure:
ORF‑RE competitions are not continuous. Calls open periodically, and timelines are set by the province.
ORF‑RI supports the physical infrastructure needed to conduct research.
What ORF‑RI supports:
Two funding tracks:
Budget outlook:
These numbers matter if you’re planning capital purchases or long‑term research hiring.
Waiting for a deadline before lining up partners
ORF programs often require matching funds. Secure industry or institutional partners early.
Applying for infrastructure costs under ORF‑RE
ORF‑RE does not fund equipment or buildings. Those belong under ORF‑RI.
Assuming competitions run every year
ORF calls open periodically. Missing a cycle can delay projects by 1–2 years.
Overlooking provincial alignment
Projects must align with Ontario priorities like health, advanced manufacturing, or clean tech.
Q: Is the Ontario Research Fund open to businesses directly?
ORF funding is usually awarded to Ontario research institutions, not private companies. Businesses often participate as partners providing matching funds or collaboration support.
Q: Is the Ontario Research Fund open in 2025–2026?
Parts of ORF are active, but competitions vary by stream. The ORF‑RI Large Infrastructure Fund is closed, while Small Infrastructure Fund rounds have been running into 2026.
Q: How much funding can you get from ORF?
There is no single maximum amount. Funding depends on the competition, project scope, and matching contributions.
Q: Does ORF replace federal research funding?
No. ORF is designed to complement federal programs like Tri‑Council funding by supporting Ontario‑specific priorities.
If you’re exploring the Ontario Research Fund, you may also want to review:
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter programs by province and institution type in seconds.
The Ontario Research Fund remains a cornerstone of Ontario’s research ecosystem, with significant funding planned beyond 2026. Tracking competition cycles and eligibility rules is key to staying competitive.
GrantHub tracks 2,500+ active grant programs across Canada — including provincial research funding — so you can see which opportunities match your institution and partners before deadlines open.
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