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ONCAT Research Grants

ONCAT Research Grants

ONCAT collaborates with external partners to pursue research activities that contribute to a greater understanding of Ontario’s postsecondary education sector. 

Focus and Activities 

ONCAT Research Grants support the generation of new insights about issues related to learner mobility.  

For the context of ONCAT Research Grants, “learner mobility” includes students transferring from one institution to another, as well as learners who have previously earned at least one course credit from two or more postsecondary institutions or via other sources, such as Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), Ontario Micro-Credential (OMC), etc.  

In alignment with ONCAT’s 2023–26 Strategic Plan , we welcome applications for projects that investigate the following topics: 

  • Academic achievement related to learner mobility 
  • Labour market outcomes related to learner mobility  
  • Programs that enhance the academic and non-academic transition experiences of learners  
  • Programs that improve access to postsecondary opportunities for Indigenous learners 
  • Programs that improve access to postsecondary opportunities for any of the following groups: mature students, francophone learners, learners living in rural areas, learners with disabilities, and learners from demographic groups that are underrepresented in Ontario’s postsecondary sector 

ONCAT values diverse and innovative approaches to research activity; to that end, we welcome applications for projects that investigate issues related to learner mobility through any research methodology or disciplinary lens. 

Eligibility

  • Faculty members affiliated with a publicly assisted college, university, or Indigenous Institute in Ontario are eligible to apply for ONCAT Research Grants. 
    • Faculty members holding a non-permanent affiliation (e.g., a limited-term contract) are eligible to apply for ONCAT Research Grants if they can complete the project within the period of their affiliation with a publicly assisted college, university, or Indigenous Institute in Ontario. 
  • Applications can be submitted on behalf of a principal investigator or a team of co-investigators. For applications submitted on behalf of a team, every co-investigator must be a faculty member affiliated with a publicly assisted college, university, or Indigenous Institute in Ontario. 
  • Researchers affiliated with not-for-profit organizations or incorporated businesses are eligible to apply for ONCAT Resource Grants. 

Funding and Budgets

  • You can request a minimum of $25,000 and a maximum of $90,000 in funding for the project.  
  • Review the Budget Guidelines for information about eligible expenses. 

Application

  • As a first step, submit an Expression of Interest to Jeffrey Napierala, Research Manager. 
  • ONCAT will contact you to discuss the scope of your prospective project.  
  • You must submit your application via ONCAT’s online grant portal. 
  • Expressions of interest must be submitted by 4:00 pm on November 14, 2024. 
  • Applications are due by 4:00 pm on December 12, 2024. 
Apply

Project Deliverables

As a guiding principle, ONCAT prioritizes funding for research projects that will produce research deliverables with direct relevance to the policies, practices, and pathways at publicly assisted colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes in Ontario.  

ONCAT reserves first rights to produce and distribute any research deliverables submitted as part of this project (using ONCAT design templates and via ONCAT communication channels). Following ONCAT’s distribution of any research deliverables submitted as part of this project, applicants are welcome — and encouraged — to pursue additional opportunities for disseminating the project’s findings (e.g., academic journals, policy centres). 

Contact Us

  • If you have questions about the application process or online grant portal, contact Inna Yeranosyan, Grants and Projects Specialist.  
  • If you have questions about project eligibility or details, contact Jeffrey Napierala, Research Manager. 

 

ONCAT is funded by the Government of Ontario. All programs and details are subject to change without notice.