Strong writing, logical organization and accurate formatting are often the difference between a funded grant and an outright rejection. Our Research Advisors provide line-by-line feedback on drafts—strengthening clarity, ensuring adherence to sponsor guidelines, and verifying compliance with ethics, data management and budgetary requirements. For in-depth review, applicants should reach out to the Research Office staff at least one month prior to submission to ensure enough time can be set aside for revisions.

Scientific merit for research projects involving animals

All animal care and use is reviewed and approved by the uOttawa Animal Care Committee (ACC), which includes community representatives, veterinarians, animal health technicians, scientists, students and administrators.

Before the Animal Care Committee (ACC) approves animal use:

• the research for which animals are to be used must have been found to have scientific merit

The ACC approves all animal use for research following reviews of:

• full, new protocols for new instances of animal use
• amendments to existing protocols as needed
• annual renewals of all ongoing protocols (a new protocol is required after 3 renewals)

Find the ACC Meetings dates and due dates.

For more information please consult the ACC webpage.

Animal use protocols, amendments, and renewals are prepared in Topaz. For assistance with any part of this process, please contact the Animal Ethics and Compliance team at [email protected].

Accurate, transparent budgets convey your project’s operational feasibility. Our Research Advisors help you cost personnel, equipment, travel and indirect costs correctly, review detailed justifications, and align your financial plan with sponsor policies. Specifically, Research Advisors will counsel applicants with regards to eligible/ineligible expenses, in line with the individual funding opportunity.

For more information, please consult the Tri-agency Guide on Financial Administration.

From setting internal milestones to initiating electronic approvals in agency portals, we handle the administrative logistics so you can focus on the science. Our office will remind you of key due dates, track approvals through institutional channels and confirm timely submission.

For the most up-to-date, due dates please subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

When preparing a submission, please take note of the following:

Summary RE Forms – Process & timeline

• A Summary RE Form is required for all grant submissions.
• This form is available through your eAward Portal.
• Please consult the Step by Step Guide on how to retrieve a Summary RE Form.

Tri-Agency Grants (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC)

• Submit the Summary RE Form signed by the requester/researcher and the Department Chair.
• The Research Office will coordinate the Vice-Dean’s signature and submit the materials on your behalf to RMS.

Other funding submissions

Required materials include:

• Summary RE Form signed by the requester and Department Chair
• Full Proposal
• Budget

Please allow at least three (3) business days for the Research Office to coordinate the Vice-Dean’s signature and forward materials to central.

Support letters

• When requesting a support letter requiring the Vice-Dean’s signature, the Research Office requires a minimum of four (4) business days.
• Requests must include necessary supporting documents, such as program details, submission due date, and any other relevant materials.

Institutional signatures

Institutional Signatures:

• When requesting institutional signature, please ensure that all necessary supporting documents, along with the signature page, are submitted to the Research Office at least six (6) business days prior to the submission deadline.

Peer & Research Advisor Review timeline

• You can visual the infographic: Application Review Timeline.
• Internal Peer Review: Can be facilitated 3+ weeks ahead of the internal due date, or 4+ weeks if no internal due date has been established.
• Draft Review: Any drafts can be reviewed 2 weeks ahead of the internal due date, or 3 weeks if no internal due date has been established.
• Quick Review: Can be provided 2–4 days ahead of the internal due date, or 5–7 days if no internal due date has been established.
• Review Limitations: No reviews will be provided within 48 hours of the submission due date.

Recognizing excellence through awards amplifies both your and the institution’s reputation. Our team assists in identifying suitable distinctions and crafting compelling nomination dossiers—drafting impact statements, gathering strong support letters and ensuring applications meet each award’s specific criteria and deadlines. We manage all the logistics of award nominations, including establishing a working timeline and portal submissions on your behalf.

Support letters

• When requesting a support letter requiring the Vice-Dean’s signature, the Research Office requires a minimum of four (4) business days.
• Requests must include necessary supporting documents, such as program details, submission due date, and any other relevant materials.
• If requesting a support letter from the Dean please allow for minimum of 5-10 business days.