In preparation for the anticipated Innovation Fund 2025 competition please see below, UBC’s internal timeline for the 2025 Innovation Fund competition ahead of the CFI call for proposals
*Please note, dates are subject to change as new information is released from the CFI (tentative CFI deadlines highlighted in blue, tentative Provincial deadline highlighted in grey). The IPO will communicate CFI deadlines and confirm the UBC internal processes and timeline once we hear from the CFI.
| 2023 | |
| UBC Internal Expression of Interest (EOI) | December 1, 2023 |
| 2024 | |
| CFI launches draft call for proposals | Spring 2024 |
| CFI launches call for proposals | Spring 2024 (1 month following draft call) |
| UBC Internal deadline: Full internal proposal, including budget, CVs and BCKDF Step 1; UBC CFI envelope request for non-UBC lead projects. | May 1, 2024 |
| Internal review panel | June 19, 2024 |
| UBC internal decision (IPO to assign FA at this stage) | June 26, 2024 |
| CFI NOI – UBC internal deadline | 3 days prior to CFI NOI deadline |
| CFI deadline to submit notice of intent (NOI) | October 2024 |
| UBC Internal Deadline: full proposal submission to IPO for formative review (UBC and external) | December 1, 2024 |
| Formative review | December 1-15, 2024 |
| 2025 | |
| UBC Internal Deadline for final proposal | Late January 2025 |
| CFI Deadline to submit proposals | February 2025 |
| UBC Internal Deadline for final BCKDF Step 1 | March 2025 (1-2 weeks after CFI submission) |
| BCKDF Deadline to submit Step 1 application | March 2025 (1 month after CFI submission) |
| CFI review process | April 2025 – October 2025 |
| CFI board of directors announce decision | November 2025 |
UBC CFI advisor, Jehannine Austin and the IPO team continue to be available in October and November to provide early stage constructive feedback to allow potential applicants to develop the strongest proposal possible. Participation in test-your-concept (TYC) sessions at the early stages of proposal development is strongly encouraged as it will help applicants structure a timeline for planning and due diligence that will create a strong competitive advantage.
In particular, projects that may have significant construction or renovations in the budget will be required to participate in this process. Projects identifying major construction/renovation costs at a later date (Spring, 2024) are unlikely to be able to proceed since there will be insufficient time to go through the required institutional due diligence, and to fulfil CFI requirements. To determine your renovations or construction needs, please consult the Renovation and Infrastructure Cost Estimates (RICE) page
To request a consult or Test Your Concept session please contact the IPO office at ipo.admin@ubc.ca for assistance.