Catalyst Grant

Introduction

Since 2014, the Network for Aging Research (NAR) has supported and expanded interdisciplinary aging-focused research at the University of Waterloo through catalyst grants, events, and networking opportunities. This catalyst grant call is presented and financially supported by the UW Faculty of Health.   

Catalyst Grant objectives for spring 2026

Aging is a universal experience that intersects with a wide range of academic disciplines. In recognition of this breadth, and  to strengthen collaborations across fields, we are excited to announce that this year's Catalyst grant will be replacing its typical thematic calls with a renewed commitment to prioritizing and supporting diverse, interdisciplinary aging research. NAR seeks to fund projects that: 

  • Foster meaningful interdisciplinary collaborations by bringing together researchers from diverse fields such as health, engineering, social sciences, environment, arts, math, computer science, and beyond. 

  • Address complex aging-related challenges that benefit from integrative, multi‑perspective, and cross‑disciplinary approaches. 

  • Ensure the meaningful inclusion and active engagement of older adults throughout all stages of the research process. 

Training, engagement, and strategic alignment

The grant must include a proposal to support the training of Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP). Where relevant, research teams may involve older adults and/or other knowledge users in the planning and execution of the research project, or in assisting with the interpretation, translation, or mobilization of research findings. 

Grant recipients are expected to use the results of any work funded through the Catalyst Grant to support the development of an external funding application within two years of receiving the award. Applicants may wish to consider the current strategic and research priorities of the Tri‑Agencies—the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)—as well as the New Frontiers Research Fund (NFRF). 

Award 

NAR will fund four catalyst grants, up to a maximum of $10,000 each. Funding is available for one year (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027), with the possibility of a one‑year no‑cost extension upon approval.

Eligibility 

  • At least one PI must hold a regular or definite‑term faculty appointment at the University of Waterloo or any of its affiliated and federated institutions, and must be eligible for Tri‑Agency funding. 
  • One University of Waterloo faculty member must be identified as the contact person for the Catalyst Grant. While a contact PI must be designated, co‑PIs are considered equivalent in status for the purposes of NAR funding. 

  • An individual may serve as contact PI or PI/co‑PI on one application per competition but may appear as a co‑applicant on additional submissions. 

  • The proposal must include PIs from at least two faculties to ensure interdisciplinary collaboration. 

  • The proposal must include a clear plan for training HQP (postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and/or undergraduate students). 

  • PhD students and postdoctoral fellows may serve as co‑applicants or co‑PIs. 

  • Grant funds must be held by eligible faculty members. For cross‑faculty applications, both PIs may hold funds. 

  • Catalyst funding is expected to contribute to an external grant application within two years of receipt. The PI on the subsequent external application must be a UW faculty member who served as a PI or co‑investigator on the Catalyst Grant. 

  • Preference will be given to cross‑disciplinary and cross‑faculty‑led proposals. 

  • Researchers previously funded by NAR who have not submitted their final report within required timelines are not eligible. 

  • PIs are not eligible if they received a Catalyst Grant in the previous year’s competition. PIs may receive a maximum of one grant every two years. 

Evaluation criteria 

Applications will be evaluated based on the extent to which they: 

  • Demonstrate strong relevance to aging research and align with the interdisciplinary priorities described in this call. 

  • Show novelty or exploratory potential. 

  • Clearly outline HQP training plans and, where applicable, describe the contributions of trainees acting as co‑PIs or co‑Is. 

  • Demonstrate scientific excellence. 

  • Describe expected outcomes, particularly the project’s potential to support a future external funding application. 

  • Provide a coherent and appropriate budget relative to the proposed activities. 

  • Where relevant, include suitable knowledge mobilization/translation plans and demonstrate meaningful involvement of knowledge users (e.g., older adults, families, decision‑makers, industry partners, health practitioners, community stakeholders). 

  • For cross‑faculty proposals, demonstrate strong cross‑disciplinary collaboration. 

How to apply 

The principal applicant must be a NAR member. Those not yet members should submit the contact form on the NAR website to apply. 

Complete applications require: 

  1. Electronic Cover Sheet for Sponsored Research 
    Submit the online e‑Coversheet (or PDF for Electrical and Computer Engineering applicants). The Office of Research will forward the approved coversheet to NAR. 

  1. Completed Application Package 
    All pages of the application package must be completed in full. 

  1. CVs 
    CV for all applicants, co‑applicants, and HQP listed as co‑PIs or co‑applicants. CVs (Common CV or equivalent format) must include: funding history, publications, student supervision (if applicable), current position and start date, and coverage of the past 5 years. 

Submission:

The Application Package and CVs should be submitted via e-mail to the NAR Operations and Relations Manager, Liz Drolle, at nar@uwaterloo.ca  

Deadline:

Applications must be received electronically on or before April 30, 2026, 4:00PM EDT. Applicants will receive acknowledgement of receipt within one week of submission. Late submissions will not be accepted. 

Notification:

Decisions are expected for mid-June, 2026. 

NOTE:

If awarded, PI name, contact information, and project details will be posted publicly and used in NAR Promotions

Other requirements 

Before funds can be released, required certifications must be in place, including: 

  • Ethics clearance for human participants, human tissue/data, or animal research 

  • Safety certifications for biohazardous or radioactive materials or radiation 

Applications for ethics clearance must be submitted within six weeks of notice of award. 

Reporting requirements 

Fifteen months after receiving funds, recipients must submit a maximum two‑page report summarizing: 

  • project activities and outputs 

  • progress toward an external funding application 

  • HQP training activities 

If a one‑year no‑cost extension is granted, this 15‑month report serves as the interim report; a final report is due at the end of the extension period. 

Recipients should notify the NAR Operations and Relations Manager whenever an external funding application related to the Catalyst Grant is submitted or awarded. 

Researchers are encouraged to share findings at on‑campus events to help build aging research capacity at UW. 

Failure to submit required reports will make the researcher ineligible for future NAR funding.

Acknowledgement

Publications, presentations, and public communications arising from this project should acknowledge NAR support. Suggested statement: 

“This research was funded by the Network for Aging Research at the University of Waterloo.”