The Focused Research Investments (FRI) Opportunity Space Call for Proposals is now OPEN.

An Opportunity Space is a sector-level challenge that is limiting economic growth and where research is needed to advance solutions.

Opportunity Spaces exist where there are partners with whom to work, private-sector interest, and existing research capacity. They represent significant challenges that require coordinated research efforts and have the potential to generate measurable economic outcomes for Nova Scotia.

Applicants are invited to propose Opportunity Spaces where significant sector-level challenges exist and where research can contribute to economic growth, productivity gains, or policy improvement in Nova Scotia.

Selected Opportunity Spaces will be invited to develop full FRI Proposals.

The deadline to submit an Opportunity Space Proposal is August 19, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. (ADT). Learn more about the program and application process below.

INFORMATION WEBINAR

PROGRAM SNAPSHOT

• What is FRI? FRI is one of two core funding mechanisms that Research Nova Scotia (RNS) uses to support research that contributes to direct and tangible economic outcomes in Nova Scotia. It supports large-scale, coordinated research initiatives that address significant sector-level challenges and opportunities through a portfolio of integrated research projects.
• Purpose: To invest in coordinated, multi-year research initiatives that address major economic opportunities and challenges facing Nova Scotia’s sectors of focus.
• Economic Outcomes: Projects must identify one primary economic outcome from the RNS Statement of Purpose:
  • Market creation or growth
  • Productivity gains
  • Policy or regulatory improvement
• Sectors of Focus:
  • Natural resources, climate change and clean energy
  • Life sciences and health sciences
  • Construction and transportation
• Funding Amount and Duration: $1M to $5M per FRI initiative over 2 to 5 years. Total funding available for this round: $6M.
• What is an Opportunity Space? Opportunity Spaces are sector-level challenges limiting economic growth where research can contribute to solutions.
• Who Can Apply? Any applicant may submit an Opportunity Space Proposal.

Key Dates

June 10, 2026	Call for Opportunity Space Proposals launched
June 25, 2026, 1:00 PM (ADT)	FRI Opportunity Spaces Information Session (Zoom)
August 19, 2026, 1:00 PM (ADT)	Opportunity Space Proposals deadline
September 15, 2026	Successful teams invited to submit FRI Proposals
November 10, 2026, 1:00 PM (AST)	FRI Proposal deadline
January 2027	Successful applicants notified
January/February 2027	Public announcement of funding recipients
March 2027	Deadline for signed agreements

Key Resources

• Strategic Plan
• Statement of Purpose
• Opportunity Space Proposal Handbook
• Information Session Slides
• WEBINAR – FRI Opportunity Spaces Information Session

PROGRAM DETAILS

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

Focused Research Investments (FRI) is one of two funding mechanisms used by Research Nova Scotia to invest in research that contributes to direct and tangible economic outcomes for Nova Scotia.

FRI supports large-scale, coordinated research initiatives that address significant sector-level challenges and opportunities.

The FRI process begins with the identification of Opportunity Spaces.

Opportunity Spaces are significant sector-level challenges that are limiting economic growth and where research can contribute to economic solutions.

Applicants submit an Opportunity Space Proposal outlining the challenge, its value to Nova Scotia, and the research opportunity it presents.

Up to six Opportunity Spaces are selected and invited to develop full FRI Proposals.

Successful FRI initiatives will bring together researchers, end users, industry, government, and other partners through a portfolio of integrated projects designed to achieve measurable economic outcomes.

APPLICATION AND ASSESSMENT PROCESS

FRI uses a two-stage process to identify and invest in significant research opportunities that can generate economic outcomes for Nova Scotia.

Stage 1: Opportunity Space Proposal

Applicants identify a significant sector-level challenge, explain its importance to Nova Scotia, demonstrate why research is needed, and outline the opportunity.

Stage 2: Review and Assessment

Research Nova Scotia and sector-specific advisors review Opportunity Space Proposals.

Stage 3: Invitation to the Full Proposal Stage

The proponents of up to six Opportunity Spaces will be invited to submit full FRI Proposals.

Stage 4: Full FRI Proposal Development

Invited teams develop a comprehensive proposal describing the coordinated research initiative, participating partners, component projects, governance structure, and pathway to economic outcomes.

HOW TO APPLY

Please review the proposal handbook before completing an application.

Ensure all required information is included. Applications must be submitted through this form no later than 1:00 p.m. ADT on August 19, 2026.

Application Form

QUESTIONS ABOUT OPPORTUNITY SPACES OR THE FRI PROGRAM

For questions about Opportunity Spaces, program fit, or the FRI process, contact:

Jaymi Cormier at jaymi.cormier@researchns.ca

QUESTIONS ABOUT APPLICATIONS

For questions about eligibility, application requirements, or the submission process, contact:

apply@researchns.ca