connaught Major Research Challenge for Black Researchers 2025 (up to $250,000) Deadline: 20 January, 2025

Applications are open for the Connaught Major Research Challenge for Black Researchers 2025. The Connaught Major Research Challenge for Black Researchers is coordinated in collaboration with the Connaught Fund and the Black Research Network to provide support to Black researchers addressing and developing solutions to major research challenges.

Black-led major research challenge teams will initiate new collaborations involving University of Toronto researchers and students from multiple disciplines, along with collaborators, innovators and thought leaders from other sectors, and international jurisdictions as appropriate. The program objective is to seed new research and research collaborations that will both address major research challenges and advance the research initiative, making it competitive for subsequent external (e.g. Tri-agency) funding opportunities.

Award

• Up to $250,000 (applicants may request up to $50K, $100K or $250K depending on the scale of the initiative.

Eligibility

• The project must be led by a Black researcher at the University of Toronto, with a primary appointment at one of U of T’s three campuses, with a team consisting of faculty representing a minimum of two SGS divisions, including junior and senior level faculty members.
• Proposals must demonstrate meaningful engagement of graduate students as trainee development opportunities. Appropriate partner organizations from the public or private sector should be involved in the planning of the proposal to ensure their engagement in knowledge exchange activities.

Evaluation Criteria

Equal weighting will be given to these five criteria:

• Excellence in research and innovation
• Equity, diversity, and inclusion
• New cross-divisional institutional capacity
• Enhancement of U of T’s research impact
• Measurable outcomes and impacts

Application

Complete the application as per the instructions provided and submit via MRA by deadline. Proposals should be completed in language suitable for a non-specialist audience.

Notice of Intent (NOI) to be submitted by deadline to [email protected]

For more information, visit Connaught Major Research Challenge.