Banting Foundation Discovery Award – Full Application

Well-being, Health and Biomedical Discovery

Deadlines

Academic Unit: Inquire with unit

Memorial Deadline: Wednesday 21st, January 2026

External Deadline: Monday 26th, January 2026

Description

The Banting Discovery Foundation provides feasibility and pilot grants that help early career scientists establish their independence and launch their research programs. These funds support the day-to-day realities of running a research program—from hiring trainees to acquiring essential equipment—empowering researchers to pursue bold ideas that push the boundaries of health and biomedical science.

The Discovery Award grant is intended to support researchers at a pivotal moment in their careers: the early stages of establishing an independent research program.

Inspired by the legacy of Frederick Banting who lacked necessary funding for his work on insulin, the Foundation aims to provide critical seed funding to those who are running their first research program. By focusing on individuals with limited existing funding, we seek to ensure that promising ideas are not stalled due to resource constraints, and that emerging investigators can thrive during this formative period.

• To apply for the Banting Discovery Award, you must:
• – Be a health or biomedical researcher.
• – Applicants must be within three years of their first academic appointment (e.g., Assistant Professor or equivalent) at a Canadian university or research institute.
• – This appointment should have begun within eight years of completing their most recent graduate or professional degree (PhD, MD, or MD/PhD).
• – Have not received external peer-reviewed grant funding such as from CIHR or NSERC, at the time of application. Support from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) does not count towards the funding limit.
• – Have not received external research funding exceeding over $50,000 per year at the time of receiving the Banting Discovery Award. If the external funding exceeds $50,000, the candidate may still apply for up to $30,000 providing the total operating funds including the Banting Discovery Award do not exceed $80,000 in the funding year.

See here for more information.

Funding Sources

Banting Research Foundation