Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Global Futures Fund 2.0 now accepting Expressions of Interest
A message from the Global Futures Office.
Do you have a bold idea that could help shape the future of the University of Waterloo and its global impact? The Global Futures Fund 2.0 is now open for Expressions of Interest (EOIs).
This round offers up to $1.5 million in funding across three grant categories to support innovative initiatives at every stage of development. Whether you're just starting to explore an idea or looking to expand an existing initiative, there's a grant stream designed for you:
- Pre-seed Grants – Up to $50K for one year
For early-stage, pre-seed ideas that need support to assess feasibility, build teams, or prepare for future funding. - Leverage Grants – Up to $200K for two years
For new projects or activities that build on existing initiatives or units. - Scale Grants – Up to $500K for three years
For growing and scaling existing initiatives to increase impact.
There are two separate EOI forms depending on the type of grant you're applying for. Be sure to choose the one that best fits your proposal.
Who can apply?
Cross-campus collaboration is encouraged, and proposals may be submitted by individuals or teams.
All UWaterloo faculty, students and staff can be involved in a Global Futures initiative, but EOIs must be submitted by the project lead. Eligible project leads include:
- All faculty members
- Staff members at the level of director or higher
Dean sponsorship is not required at this stage. You’ll only need sponsorship if you're invited to submit a full proposal in Stage 2.
How can I apply?
EOIs are due by February 2, 2026. For full details on eligibility, timelines, and how to apply, visit the Global Futures Fund website.
Curious about what’s already been funded?
Read about the initiatives supported through the Global Futures Fund 1.0 pilot on the Global Futures website.
Learn more at the Global Futures Ideas Exchange on November 26
If you're thinking about submitting an EOI, drop by the Ideas Exchange on Wednesday, November 26, between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. in the SLC Black and Gold Room.
This open house is a great chance to:
- Ask questions directly to the Global Futures Office (GFO)
- Meet others who are exploring submissions
- Exchange ideas and potentially find collaborators
Register for the Ideas Exchange to connect with others, share ideas, and explore opportunities for collaboration.
Indigenous activist to speak on environmental and human rights protections in the Amazon
A message from St. Jerome’s University.
St. Jerome’s University will host Sister Laura Vicuna Pereira Manso an Indigenous Activist for a guest lecture about her incredible experience working with Indigenous communities of Brazil championing human rights and environmental protection of the Brazilian Amazon. The talk takes place on November 20, 2025 from 3:00-5:00pm in the Notre Dame Chapel at St. Jerome’s University.
This event is in partnership with Canadian Jesuits International. St. Jerome’s President, Dr. Peter Meehan, notes that this talk touches on themes, including human dignity, the environment and the rights of Indigenous people - which are so central to our Catholic mission and identity. We are very happy to be collaborating with Canadian Jesuits International on Sister Laura’s visit to our university."
Please register to join the lecture.
New mural adorns wall at Eby Hall
A message from Campus Housing.
Anyone walking around the UW Place community this month might notice something new on the south side of Eby Hall: a 20-foot-wide mural created by UWaterloo alumna Kathleen Fu.
This illustration is inspired by the multi-faceted experience of student life on campus and visualizes a collection of various student memories from their favourite places in residence or on campus. The mural was approved by the President’s Advisory Committee on Design and is part of the Campus Housing Community Art Initiative, which showcases the creations of artists with many different experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds, reflecting the diversity of students who reside within Campus Housing and aims to foster a sense of belonging across our residence communities.
If you have any questions about this mural or the Campus Housing Community Art Initiative, please contact housing@uwaterloo.ca.
Campus OrderUp app retiring December 12
A message from Food Services.
UW Food Services will be retiring the Campus OrderUp mobile-ordering app on December 12. The current vendor is no longer able to support the platform and as a result, the service will be discontinued.
Over the coming weeks, app users will receive details on how to redeem any remaining loyalty points through contest entries before the app closes. Mobile ordering remains a priority for our campus community and Food Services is actively exploring new solutions to support convenient, contactless service in the future. Updates will be shared as planning progresses.
Thank you for your understanding and support during this transition. Please reach out to foodserv@uwaterloo.ca if you have any questions.
There's still time to register for the Eco Summit
A message from the Sustainability Office.
This is your last chance to reserve your spot for Eco Summit! The Sustainability Office is thrilled to be hosting their 12th annual summit to showcase exciting sustainability achievements, foster meaningful connections, and accelerate sustainability action on campus. All staff, students, and faculty are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Where are we going on our campus sustainability journey? How will we get there? How can we all meaningfully contribute? The event will explore these questions and more through the following:
- Launch of the 2025 Environmental Sustainability Report
- Case study presentations from student, staff, and faculty sustainability champions
- Booth showcase from campus partners leading sustainability efforts
- Green Office, Green Labs, Green Residence, and Sustainability Leadership Certificate awards
- Interactive activities and networking opportunities weaved throughout
The event will be held on Wednesday, November 26, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Federation Hall. More information and registration details can be found on the Eco Summit 2025 webpage. We hope to see you there!
Link of the day
When and where
The Campus Wellness Student Medical Clinic offers healthcare visits with Physicians and Nurse Practitioners to current undergraduate and graduate students. Services include: vaccinations, immunity testing, naturopathic services and more. Counselling Services offers appointments with counsellors in person as well as via phone and video. Students can book appointments for these services by calling Campus Wellness at 519-888-4096.
The privately-run Student Health Pharmacy (located in the lower level of the Student Life Centre) is now offering new COVID booster shots and flu shots. Covid booster shots are available by appointment only – please call ext. 33784 or 519-746-4500. The Student Health Pharmacy’s summer hours are Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Naloxone kits are still available – pick them up in the pharmacy at no charge.
The Waterloo Eye Institute optometry clinics in Waterloo and downtown Kitchener offer comprehensive eye exams and eyewear, including glasses and contact lenses, with the Waterloo location offering various specialized services including urgent eye care. Discounts apply for University of Waterloo students and employees. The Waterloo Clinic is at a nearby interim location, 419C Phillip St, during construction at the School of Optometry and Vision Science. The Kitchener Clinic remains at the Health Sciences Campus, 10B Victoria St. S. Book online or by phone at 519-888-4062.
A knowledge exchange conversation: Enforced Disappearances in Colombia and Indigenous Missing Persons in Canada, Thursday, November 13, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Alumni Hall, United College or online via Zoom.
School of Pharmacy Public Lecture, Unpacking Obesity: Myths, Medicine and Motivation, Thursday, November 13, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., School of Pharmacy, 10 Victoria Street South, Kitchener.
CareNext Collective event: “From bottleneck to breakthrough: Reducing ambulance offload times through organizational innovation,” Friday, November 14, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., online via Slido.
Warriors Women’s Hockey vs. Toronto, Saturday, November 15, 2:00 p.m., Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre, Owen Sound. Part of Owen Sound Hockey Fest. Buy your tickets today!
Film screening, “Thinking Beyond the Market: A film about genuinely affordable housing,” Sunday, November 16, 12:30 p.m., Princess Twin Cinemas, Waterloo, organized by MPP Catherine Fife’s constituency office. Register to attend.
Balinese Percussion Ensemble Concert, Friday, November 14, 7:30 p.m., Humanities Theatre. Admission $10 general/$5 students.
Balsillie Technology Governance Survey deadline, Monday, November 17.
Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie promotion, Monday, November 17 to Sunday, November 23, cookies are $2 with 100 per cent of proceeds donated to charity, available at Tim Hortons locations across campus.
Theatre and Performance presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Reimagined, Tuesday, November 18 to Saturday, November 22, 7:30 p.m., Theatre of the Arts, Modern Languages.
Chemistry seminar, "Self-immolative polymers: Designing, synthesizing, and applying polymers that fall apart," featuring Elizabeth R. Gillies, Professor, Department of Chemistry; Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, University of Western Ontario, Tuesday, November 18, 11:00 a.m., C2-361 (Reading Room)
Campus meditation session, Tuesday, November 18, 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m., HLTH EXP 1686. No registration required. Contact fmcalist@uwaterloo.ca if you have any questions.
Waterloo Centre for Automotive Research (WatCAR) Webinar, Driving Towards the Future: Deployments, Designs, and Challenges of Autonomous Vehicles, Tuesday, November 18, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. online via Zoom. Register on the WatCAR website.
WaterLeadership - Sharing Science: Effective presentations, presented by Elise Vist, Workshops and Integrated Programs Coordinator, Writing and Communication Centre, Wednesday, November 19, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., DC 1304. Part of the Water Institute WaterLeadership training series.
Community Well-being Fruits and Veg Market, Wednesday, November 19, 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. (while supplies last), Engineering 7 first floor (by the Robohub) and Health Expansion Building first floor foyer.
Noon Hour Concert: Duo Oriano, Bards of Bloor Street, Wednesday, November 19, 12 noon, Conrad Grebel University College Chapel. Free admission.
NEW - Science in the City, Wednesday, November 19, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Velocity Information Arena, 280 Joseph Street, Kitchener. Register today.
2025 Sawatsky Lecture featuring the Rev. Dr. Braxton Shelley, “The Gospel Imagination,” Wednesday, November 19, 7:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel Chapel.
WaterTalk - Compound flood and drought hazards in a changing climate: Implications for risk and resilience, presented by Reza Najafi, Professor and head of the Hydroclimate Extremes and Climate Change Lab, Western University. Thursday, November 20, 11:00 a.m., DC 1302.
Gospel Music Workshop by Rev. Dr. Braxton D. Shelley, Thursday, November 20, 7:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel chapel.
Warriors Women’s Volleyball vs. Lakehead, Friday, November 21, 6:00 p.m., Carl Totzke Court, PAC. Camps and Minor Leagues Day, Employee Day (Limited free tickets available sponsored by Hilton. Email WarriorsTickets@uwaterloo.ca for coupon code). Buy your tickets today!
Warriors Men’s Volleyball vs. RMC, Friday, November 21, 7:30 p.m., Carl Totzke Court, PAC. Camps and Minor Leagues Day, Employee Day (Limited free tickets available sponsored by Hilton. Email WarriorsTickets@uwaterloo.ca for coupon code). Buy your tickets today!
If the Earth Could Sing: University Choir and Chamber Choir in Concert, Saturday, November 22, 7:30 p.m., St Matthew’s Centre, 54 Benton St, Kitchener. Admission $10 general/$5 student.
NEW - XChanges Speaker Series: Vincent Kuber, “Mentorship Through Play,” Monday, November 24, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., SLC Black and Gold Room.
WCMR: Beyond the Search Bar: AI Tools for Smarter Literature Reviews, Tuesday, November 25, 11:30 a.m., EV1 221. Please register to attend.
WISE Public Lecture, "Strategic Role of Energy Storage in Clean Energy Transitions"byJason Rioux, Chief Development Officer, NRStor, Tuesday, November 25, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., in person in Engineering 2 (E2), Room 2350 and on Zoom. Register today!
Years of Service event, Tuesday, November 25, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Federation Hall.
NEW - Global Futures Ideas Exchange, Wednesday, November 26, 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon, SLC Black and Gold Room.
Responding to a student in distress training sessions: Virtual sessions to feel more confident when supporting students in distress, Wednesday, November 26, 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon. Register on Portal.
Connected and Collaborative Research Panel event, Wednesday, November 26, 3:00 p.m. to 4:25 p.m. (panel), 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (reception), TC 2218. Please register to attend as seating is limited.
Upcoming service interruptions
Stay up to date on service interruptions, campus construction, and other operational changes on the Plant Operations website. Upcoming service interruptions include:
- School of Optometry temporary washroom closures, Thursday, September 25 until further notice, washrooms in Rooms 2023, 2026, and 3040 are out of service.
- Science Teaching Complex main atrium skylight replacement, Monday, November 3 to Friday, November 21, installation of a crash deck system below the skylight to facilitate the installation of new glass, scaffold will be present on the 3rd floor by the elevator, limiting seating areas during the day.
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North parking lot at RAC-1 shoring activity, Monday, November 10 to January 1, 2026, shoring, pile driving, lagging and tie-backs will take place between November 10 to the end of December 2025 as part of WaterFEL construction, traffic restrictions and limited access to be in place, excessive noise and vibration may occur in the work area.
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Biology 2 domestic hot water shutdown, Thursday, November 13, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., domestic hot water for supply and make-up water will be shut down to accommodate metering installation, there will be no hot water to sinks.
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Environment 1, 2 and 3, Modern Languages, Dana Porter Library, Needles Hall fire alarm testing, Friday, November 14, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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East Campus 4, East Campus 5 fire alarm testing, Friday, November 14, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
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Biology 1 domestic cold water shutdown, Saturday, November 15, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., domestic cold hard water shutdown to accommodate metering installation, no water to sinks.
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Biology 2 domestic cold water shutdown, Saturday, November 15, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., domestic cold water (hard and soft) to accommodate metering installation, no water to sinks.
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Centre for Environment & Information Technology, Earth Science & Chemistry, Physics, Chemistry 2 fire alarm testing, Monday, November 17, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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Village 1 fire alarm testing, Monday, November 17, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
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Carl Pollock Hall, Douglas Wright Engineering, South Campus Hall, Rod Coutts Hall, Grad House fire alarm testing, Wednesday, November 19, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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General Services Complex, Commissary, Central Plant fire alarm testing, Wednesday, November 19, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
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B.C. Matthews Hall building addition domestic hot water shutdown, Wednesday, November 19, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., domestic hot water shutdown for supply water to accommodate metering installation, no hot water to sinks.
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B.C. Matthews Hall and Lyle S. Hallman Institute for Health domestic hot water shutdown, Thursday, November 20, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., domestic hot water shutdown to accommodate metering installation, no hot water to sinks.
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Chemistry 2 cold water shutdown, Saturday, November 22, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., domestic cold water shutdown to accommodate metering installation, no water to sinks.