Dear Associate Deans (Research)/Research Liaison Officers:

The New Frontiers in Research Fund 2026 International Joint Initiative for Research Harnessing Disruptive Technologies to Address Global Challenges has now been launched.

Projects proposed under this initiative must be:

• Interdisciplinary (with inclusion of a social science/humanities researcher as co-PI strongly recommended)
• International (minimum three eligible countries providing funding – see call for list)
• Focused on developing, implementing, or researching the impact of a disruptive technology on society and/or economies
• Intended to address a global challenge as outlined in the UN Sustainable Development Goals, or another global challenge not addressed in the SDGs, e.g., those related to Indigenous communities.

Call stages and internal deadlines:

Notice of Intent (administrative only):

ORS deadline (no FAAF required, submit directly in portal): February 24, 2026

NFRF deadline: March 3, 2026

Letter of Intent:

Internal deadline: (application and FAAF to Associate Dean (Research)): May 20, 2026

NFRF deadline: June 9, 2026

Full application (by invitation only):

Internal deadline: (application and FAAF to Associate Dean (Research)): October 14, 2026

NFRF deadline: November 3, 2026

ORS contact: Jackie Cooney-Birch (Jackie.cooney-birch@umanitoba.ca)

Please contact the Major Projects Office (mpo@umanitoba.ca) for additional support with proposal development and coordination.

Best,