Centennial Innovates Grant Program (CIGP)

Empowering Centennial Faculty and Staff for Innovation and Impact

Expression of Interest due by January 10, 2025

Full Proposal by shortlisted applicants due by February 23, 2025

Now in its 12th year, the Centennial Innovates Grant Program (CIGP)—formerly known as the ARIF (Applied Research Innovation Fund)—offers competitive fellowship grants exclusively for Centennial College faculty and staff, 

This program empowers recipients to develop innovative applied research and entrepreneurial projects that actively engage students aligning with our strategic goals. These initiatives aim to generate actionable knowledge, advance formal and informal education, enhance economic and societal progress, and foster student learning by cultivating in-demand skills and competencies.

Interested?  The next step is to submit your Expression of Interest.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a detailed proposal, including objectives, budget, timeline, and measurable success metrics with guidelines and template provided.

See our Guidelines for the Expression of Interest (EOI) phase below. It provides the necessary details about the application requirements and process.

Centennial Innovates Grant Program (CIGP), Expression of Interest Guidelines 2025-26

Key dates

  • November 18, 2024: Application Announcement
  • January 10, 2025: Expression of Interest Submission Deadline
  • January 17, 2025: Invitation to Submit Full Proposal (selected applicants)
  • February 23, 2025: Full Proposal Submission Deadline
  • March 14, 2025: Announcement of Recipients

What’s New for 2025-26

Now in its 12th year, the Centennial Innovates Grant Program (CIGP) (formerly ARIF) continues its tradition of funding impactful projects. The financial year 2025-26 cycle introduces the following updates for the two-stage process.

Expression of Interest (EOI):

      Applicants must submit a short EOI via Google Form providing information  on:

  • innovation,
  • alignment with Centennial’s Strategy, 
  • contribution to SDGs, 
  • new knowledge generation,
  • advancement in education  
  • student engagement / in-demand skills and competencies 
  • using advanced tools.

Full Proposal: 

Shortlisted  applicants will be invited to submit a detailed proposal, including objectives, budget, timeline, and measurable success metrics with guidelines and template provided.

About CIGP

The Centennial Innovates Grant Program (CIGP) empowers faculty and staff to develop innovative applied research and entrepreneurial projects that advance education, sustainability, and student skill development. CIGP supports Centennial College’s strategic goals by promoting innovation, collaboration, and societal impact.

How It Works

  • Annual Process: Grants are awarded once per fiscal year via a competitive, panel evaluation process.
  • Application Phases:
    • Expression of Interest (EOI): Due January 10, 2025
    • Full Proposal Submission (by invitation): Due February 23, 2025
  • Evaluation Panel: Full Proposals are reviewed by Centennial leaders, with recipients announced in March.
  • Fund Disbursement: Centennial Innovates disburses the Funds through  the Administration of the Project Lead’s School/Department.

Preferred Projects

CIGP encourages projects in these areas using cutting-edge tools.

  1. Strategic, Entrepreneurial, and Impact-Driven Initiatives: Projects addressing critical educational challenges with measurable impacts, emphasizing workforce development, innovation, and sustainability.
  2. Applied Research, Innovation, and Experiential Learning: Projects that engage students in hands-on activities, internships, or capstone projects.
  3. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Initiatives integrating diverse disciplines (e.g., STEM, arts, business) to address complex challenges.
  4. Agile Funding: Flexible funding options for social innovation projects, addressing emerging societal needs.

Eligibility

  • Project Leaders: Must be Centennial faculty or staff (full-time, part-time, contract, or partial-load).
  • Team Members: Can include faculty, staff, or students. Graduating students may continue up to four months post graduation.
  • Employment Condition: Project Leaders must be employed at the College during the project duration.

Application Process

Expression of Interest (EOI): Due January 10, 2025, via Google Form to provide the following information.

  • Alignment with Centennial’s Strategic Priorities:
  • Identified Gap in Knowledge/Practice:
    • Clearly articulate the gap in existing knowledge or practice that the project seeks to address.
  • Impact on Curricular/Co-Curricular Learning:
    • Explain how the project enhances curricular or co-curricular learning opportunities for students.
  • Innovative Approach:
    • Highlight the innovative aspects of the project.
  • Advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
    • Describe how the project contributes to one or more of the United Nations SDGs.
  • Student Engagement:
    • Indicate the anticipated number of students who will participate in the project.
  • Skill Development:
    • Describe the in-demand or marketable skills that students are expected to develop through their participation in the project.
  • Use of Advanced Tools:
    • Detail any advanced tools, technologies, or methodologies that will be utilized in the project.

 

Full Proposal (by invitation to those shortlisted from the EOI):

    • Due February 23, 2025. will include details such as
      • Completed Proposal form
      • Project Budget
      • Signature Page/s (signed by relevant approvers), Research Ethics approval if applicable
      • CVs/Resumes of Project Leader and key team members (Exact format and details  will be provided to the shortlisted  projects)   

Evaluation Criteria

Alignment with Centennial’s Strategic Priorities

  • Criteria: How well does the project align with Centennial College’s 3-year Strategy and Academic Plan 2021-25?
  • Evaluation: Projects should demonstrate clear alignment with Centennial College’s mission and strategic initiatives, including academic growth, sustainability, and innovation.

Identified Gap in Knowledge/Practice

    • Criteria: Does the project clearly articulate the gap in existing knowledge or practice that it aims to address?
    • Evaluation: Proposals should provide a well-defined problem or challenge that justifies the need for the project, ideally with supporting evidence.

Impact on Curricular/Co-Curricular Learning

    • Criteria: How will the project enhance curricular or co-curricular learning opportunities for students?
    • Evaluation: Projects should demonstrate a direct impact on student learning, either through enriched curriculum or expanded co-curricular activities that promote skill development.

Novelty & Innovative Approach

    • Criteria: What are the innovative aspects of the project?
    • Evaluation: Proposals should showcase creative, forward-thinking approaches, including the use of new tools, methodologies, or technologies.

Advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 

    • Criteria: How does the project contribute to one or more of the United Nations SDGs?
    • Evaluation: Projects should demonstrate how they support sustainability, social good, or other SDG goals.

Student Engagement & Skill Development

    • Criteria: What is the anticipated level of student involvement in the project? What in-demand or marketable skills will students gain through their participation in the project?
    • Evaluation: Projects should provide significant student engagement opportunities, both in terms of direct involvement and opportunities for skill-building and specify how the project will help students develop skills that are relevant in the current job market and aligned with industry needs.

Use of Advanced Tools

    • Criteria: Does the project make use of advanced tools, technologies, or methodologies?
    • Evaluation: The project should show how it incorporates cutting-edge tools, such as AI, AR/VR, or new research methodologies, which enhance the learning experience.

Collaboration and Partnerships 

    • Criteria: Is the project proposing partnerships or inter-departmental collaborations, including industry partnerships?
    • Evaluation: Projects that involve collaboration across departments or with industry partners should be prioritized, as they enhance interdisciplinary learning and innovation.

Other Highlights 

    • Criteria: Does the applicant provide any additional information that highlights the potential impact or significance of the project?
    • Evaluation: Any additional compelling elements that enhance the overall proposal, such as community impact, unique approaches, or additional resources.

Funding

  • Maximum Request: $30,000 per project.
  • Eligible Expenses:
    • Wages for contract faculty/staff and student assistants
    • Release time for full-time faculty/staff
    • Software, materials, and equipment not available at the College
    • Office supplies and non-library resource materials
    • Domestic travel (up to $1,000) and conference registration fees

Note: Office equipment, personal devices, and professional memberships are ineligible

Responsibilities and IP

  • Project Leaders: Responsible and accountable for budget, staffing, securing resources, timelines, and reporting.
  • Reports: Submit quarterly and final reports.
  • Intellectual Property: Owned by Centennial College unless pre-agreed otherwise.

Dissemination of Results

  • Present outcomes at the Centennial Innovates Event or similar  and other external venues (e.g., journals, conferences).
  • Share findings through Centennial’s media channels.
  • Share key findings with stakeholders, communities, and wider audiences.
  • Websites, social media, blogs.

Questions?

For any questions, contact the Centre of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at entrepreneurship@centennialcollege.ca.

Use the Expression of Interest form to submit your EOI by January 10, 2025 11:59 PM EST.

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