Funding for academics and professionals
Athabasca University supports scholarly, research, and creative activities that contribute to our mission and ultimately provide intellectual, social, and economic benefits to society. Researchers are encouraged to seek out research funding. We can help. Use the links below to learn more about the opportunities available.
Academic and Professional Development Fund
The Academic and Professional Development Fund (APDF) is funded primarily by Athabasca University. Additional funds are derived from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Small Institution Grant (SIG). Together, these funds comprise the annual Academic and Professional Development Fund budget, which is administered by the Academic and Professional Development Fund Committee.
APDF supports the dissemination of knowledge, including the outcomes of research and advances in pedagogical and business practices, through the following activities:
- Presenting a keynote address, paper, poster, or panel presentation at a conference, symposium or workshop.
- Attending, but not presenting at, a conference, symposium, workshop, or training session where the knowledge acquired will be shared with the university community.
- Attending a conference, symposium, or workshop that the applicant has assumed a major role in organizing.
APDF/SSHRC Exchange Grant supports:
- SSHRC-eligible researchers presenting their research at scholarly conferences and other dissemination venues that align with SSHRC’s mandate to advance their careers and encourage the exchange of ideas and research results at the national and international level.
APDF/SSHRC Exchange: Knowledge Mobilization Grant supports:
- SSHRC-eligible researchers to organize small-scale knowledge mobilization activities, such as workshops and seminars, to encourage collaboration and the dissemination of research results both within and beyond the academic community.
Awards are up to
- $1,400 for an event within Canada
- $1,400 for an event outside Canada
- $2,000 for a knowledge mobilization activity either within Canada or outside of Canada
Grants will be pro-rated for recipients who are employed on a term appointment.
Deadlines
Application deadlines are on the following days (or the next business day):
APDF and APDF/SSHRC Grant
- Feb. 1
- June 1
- Oct. 1
APDF/SSHRC Exchange: Knowledge Mobilization Grant
- Feb. 1
More information
How to apply
Application forms are available in the AU Research Portal
If this is your first time using the Research Portal, or if you haven’t used the AU Research Portal for a while, refer to Staff-internal and external funding before beginning your application.
Academic Research Fund
The Academic Research Fund supports research projects as well as the dissemination of juried/solicited creative works and publications.
In March 2018, a re-imagined Strategic Research Plan was launched, in conjunction with the implementation of the Athabasca University Imagine: Transforming Lives, Transforming Communities Strategic Plan. The Strategic Research Plan sets the direction for investments in research, scholarship, and creativity for the next 5 years and focuses on nurturing research excellence and enriching the social, environmental, and economic relevance of research conducted by our researchers.
The Academic Research Fund supports the attainment of these goals by providing funds to support smaller-scale research initiatives, some of which may lead to pursuit of funding from external agencies. The Academic Research Fund is funded primarily by Athabasca University. Additional funds are derived from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council General Research Funds. Recent changes to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Institutional Grant have resulted in the creation of Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Explore Grants. These funds comprise the annual Academic Research Fund budget and are administered by the Academic Research Committee.
Recipients of Academic Research Fund Grants, including Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Explore Grants, should acknowledge the funding in related publications and presentations.
The fund supports these activities by fostering success in the pursuit of external research funding and facilitating research that falls outside the normal eligibility criteria of external funding agencies.
Awards are up to
- $6,000 for research awards
- $2,500 for the dissemination of juried/solicited creative works or publications
Deadlines
For research projects, the application deadlines are on the following days (or the next business day):
- Feb. 1
- Apr. 1
For publications and juried/solicited creative works, applications may be submitted at any time for expedited review.
More information
How to apply
Application forms are available in the AU Research Portal
If this is your first time using the Research Portal, or if you haven’t used the AU Research Portal for a while, refer to Staff-internal and external funding before beginning your application.
Associate Vice President Research Special Research Opportunities Fund
The AVPR Special Opportunities Fund is currently closed as the budget has been fully allocated for this fiscal year.
The Associate Vice President Research Special Research Opportunities Fund is designed to help build long-term research capacity within Athabasca University.
The fund provides funding to
- establish research collaborations and partnerships
- develop external research funding grant applications with community collaborators and/or industry partners
- support select research initiatives not normally funded by the Academic Research Fund
Awards are up to
- $5,000
Recipients of Associate Vice President Special Research Opportunities Grants should acknowledge the funding in related publications and presentations.
Deadlines
- Applications may be submitted at any time and will be subject to an expedited review.
- Applications must be submitted at least 1 month prior to commencement of the special research opportunity.
How to apply
Application forms are available in the AU Research Portal
If this is your first time using the Research Portal, or if you haven’t used the AU Research Portal for a while, refer to Staff-internal and external funding before beginning your application.
Updated June 26, 2024 by Digital & Web Operations (web_services@athabascau.ca)