Research Support Fund (RSF)
About RSF
The Research Support Fund assists Canadian postsecondary institutions and their affiliated research hospitals and institutes with the expenses associated with managing the research funded by the three federal research granting agencies.
A Tri-Agency Initiative
The Research Support Fund is a tri-agency initiative of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). It is administered by the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat, which is housed within SSHRC.
Every year, the federal government invests in research excellence in the areas of health sciences, engineering, natural sciences, social sciences and humanities through its three granting agencies. The Research Support Fund reinforces this research investment by helping institutions ensure that their federally funded research projects are conducted in world-class facilities with the best equipment and administrative support available.
Eligible institutions receive an annual grant through the fund to help pay for a portion of the central and departmental administrative costs related to federally funded research.
The program (formerly known as the Indirect Costs Program) was introduced in 2003 as part of the federal government’s strategy to make Canada one of the world’s top countries in research and development. It currently has a budget of nearly $400 million and serves more than 150 postsecondary institutions across the country.
Indirect Costs of Research
What are Indirect Costs of Research
Indirect costs are the operational costs that underpin an institution’s research activities (i.e., heating, lighting, ethics reviews, facilities for animals used in research, management of intellectual property, environmental assessment and safety compliance). The services that give rise to indirect costs are institutionally based and are not specific to individual research grants.
Five Expenditure Categories
Institutions have flexibility in deciding how to use their grant, provided that the funds are used for the payment of current expenditures of indirect costs attributed to federally sponsored research that falls within the following five categories:
1. Research Facilities
2. Research Resources
3. Management and administration of the institution’s research enterprise
4. Regulatory requirements and accreditation
5. Intellectual property and knowledge mobilization
Mohawk College Past 5 Years RSF Allocation
In each of the last five fiscal years Mohawk College has applied the Research Support Fund to expenses incurred in the management and administration of the institution’s research enterprise.
Research Support Fund for 2025/2026
Mohawk College is expecting to be awarded $28,000 for FY 25/26 from the Research Support Fund. This funding will be applied in its entirety to the management and administration of the institution’s research enterprise.
Canada Foundation for Innovation
The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is a non-profit corporation that invests in research infrastructure at Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals and non-profit research institutions.
SSHRC
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) supports postsecondary-based research, research training and knowledge mobilization activities in the social sciences and humanities. SSHRC funding opportunities are available through three programs: Research training and talent development program, Insight research program and Research partnerships program.
NSERC
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) funds visionaries, explorers and innovators who are searching for the scientific and technical breakthroughs that will benefit our country. NSERC works with universities, colleges, businesses and not-for-profits to remove barriers, develop opportunities and attract new expertise to make Canada’s research community thrive.
CIHR
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is Canada’s federal funding agency for health research. CIHR collaborates with partners and researchers to support the discoveries and innovations that improve our health and strengthen our health care system. As the Government of Canada’s health research investment agency, CIHR invests approximately $1 billion each year to support health research.
OCI
Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) brings industry, academic, and government partners together to invest in collaborative R&D, technology development, and commercialization opportunities that generate the highest return on innovation for Ontarians. As an ecosystem connector, OCI initiates partnership opportunities, develops and manages successful industry-academic collaborations, supports high-potential SMEs in commercializing ground-breaking research, and provides hands-on training and skills development opportunities for the next generation of highly skilled talent.
Federal Development Agency of Canada
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) works with businesses and organizations to create opportunities for clean, inclusive economic growth across Canada’s most populous region. FedDev Ontario is helping to build a green, inclusive and globally competitive southern Ontario by investing in companies to innovate, expand and diversify and supporting organizations to provide business support and services in communities across the region. FedDev Ontario supports businesses and organizations in southern Ontario, from Cornwall in the east to Owen Sound in the west, and from Pembroke in the north to Windsor in the south. Its mandate covers 37 Statistics Canada census divisions.
NRC IRAP
The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) is Canada’s leading innovation assistance program for small and medium-sized businesses. NRC-IRAP works to accelerate the growth of small and medium-sized businesses by providing them with a comprehensive suite of innovation services and funding.
CiCan Career Launcher
Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) is the association that serves as the national and international voice of Canada’s largest post-secondary education network. The CICan Career Launcher provides wage subsidies and hiring incentives to small and medium-sized employers to help them hire young people. Employers get access to top talent and support to grow their businesses. Young people of all background, identities, and abilities get paid work and learning opportunities to kickstart their careers.
Mitacs
Mitacs empowers Canadian innovation through effective partnerships that deliver solutions to our most pressing problems. By driving economic growth and productivity, we create meaningful change to improve quality of life for all Canadians.
AMS Healthcare
AMS Healthcare is a Canadian charitable organization that was created 85 years ago to catalyze change in healthcare. Since 2012, AMS Healthcare has focused its vision on the concept of compassionate care: supporting healthcare providers, educators, policy makers and system leaders in anticipating, teaching, and instilling a foundation of compassion at the heart of our health system. AMS Healthcare funds research and work in two areas: compassionate healthcare technology and the history of healthcare. We either provide funding directly or through other organizations.
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