{"id":15015,"date":"2026-02-27T16:58:19","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T21:58:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/research\/connected-minds\/?page_id=15015"},"modified":"2026-02-27T17:05:52","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T22:05:52","slug":"tranformative-futures-grant","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/research\/connected-minds\/tranformative-futures-grant\/","title":{"rendered":"Connected Minds Transformative Futures Grant"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Transformative Futures Grant (TFG) is a flagship Connected Minds funding opportunity that seeks to catalyze truly transformative research, meaning projects that reimagine how we study, collaborate, and innovate at the intersection of humans and intelligent technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These grants are designed to support bold, co-created, and interdisciplinary research that challenges conventional approaches, bridges disciplinary divides, and delivers meaningful change for society. Transformative Futures projects are not incremental; they must reshape existing paradigms, forge new methods of inquiry, and demonstrate the potential to fundamentally alter research trajectories or outcomes across Connected Minds\u2019 three pillars: neural, machine, and society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This new model replaces the former Team Grants program, introducing a streamlined, feedback-driven approach that emphasizes collaboration, adaptability, and impact. Each stage, from idea generation to implementation, is designed to nurture ambitious concepts into globally significant, socially responsible research. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All TFG-funded projects are expected to advance one or more of Connected Minds' Long-Term Goals<\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. To understand how the interplay of humans and intelligent technologies produces unexpected, emergent properties at the community\/whole society levels <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. To predict how new technologies will disrupt the techno-social collective <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. To use these predictions to drive new research and technology development<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    AWARD INFORMATION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Funding for the Transformative Futures Grant (TFG) is provided through the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) and is open to all registered members of the Connected Minds research group. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This second call (formerly the team grant) will fund up to $6 million in total awards, with $4.5 million to be held at York and $1.5 million to be held at Queen\u2019s, to be distributed over a maximum of three years. The final amount awarded will depend on individual project budgets and the overall availability of funds. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    Community <\/strong><\/span>
    Co-Creation Day<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/i><\/mark> Monday, April 20, 2026<\/strong>
    <\/i><\/mark> Harmony Event Centre\/Courtyard by Marriott Oshawa<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Please note that this is an in-person event<\/strong> and is open only to Connected Minds faculty members.
    Attendee travel expenses will be covered in alignment with\u00a0    CFREF Eligible Expenses<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Click Here to Register <\/i><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Registration deadline: Friday, April 10, 2026<\/strong> <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    TFG Process Map<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Ask Me Anything FAQ<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    *At least 20% of the funding will be reserved for an Indigenous-led and focused proposal. Applicants must specify in their application if they wish to be considered under this funding stream and must detail how their proposal is significantly informed by and prioritizes Indigenous community interests. All funded grants must adhere to the requirements outlined for the award.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    COMMUNITY CO-CREATION DAY: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As part of the Transformative Futures Grant process, advancing project teams will participate in a Community Co-Creation Day designed to strengthen and refine their proposals through open dialogue and collaborative input from the Connected Minds community.

    This is not an adjudication event<\/strong>. Rather, it is a structured, collaborative working session focused on enhancing project quality and fostering meaningful interdisciplinary engagement.

    During this session, participants will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    • Surface complementary expertise and ideas<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Strengthen projects across dimensions such as team composition, partnerships, EDI, and research direction<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Create opportunities for new collaborations, including joining or contributing to project teams<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Community Co-Creation Day is the primary opportunity for CM members to actively shape TFG projects and to explore where their expertise, interests, or networks might contribute.

      Registered participants will be provided with short project summaries to review and will be asked to watch short pitch videos (five minutes per project) prepared by the advancing teams. During the day, there will be facilitated discussion, Q&A, and opportunities for direct engagement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n