Academic Awards

CSIRF Academic Awards are intended for untenured faculty members at a Canadian university, in support of a specific, detailed project with relevance to Canadian capital markets. Awards are granted based on a detailed work proposal that outlines the objectives of the research, specific measures and outcomes.

The Awards are designed to support early-in-career academics in pursuit of a research project that successfully addresses the CSI Research Foundation mandate of bridging the divide between theory and practical application. Each Award is valued at $35,000, paid in two installments.

The next deadline to apply for CSIRF funding is:

June 12, 2025

Proposal

The application proposal should include, but not be limited to, the following:

  • Demonstrated knowledge of, and commitment to, Canadian capital markets
  • Brief description of professional experience
  • Current areas of interest and research, if different from proposed research
  • Biographical information (education, contact information)
  • Other information or commitments you feel the selection committee should be aware of

Research specific proposal information should include:

  • Purpose/proposed outcomes
  • Specific objectives/aims of research
  • Milestones and expected timeline (including suggested scope/content of six-month progress report)
  • Research methodology
  • Knowledge transfer
  • Who will benefit from the research

ASSESSMENT

A selection committee made up of three to five Foundation board-appointed members will review all applications. In keeping with the mandate of the CSIRF, the committee will include individuals with expertise from academia as well as the capital markets business community.

Factors which will be considered by the Selection Committee may include:

  • Academic achievement
  • Evidence of other research
  • Applicant displays good understanding of purpose and relevance of outcome to current economic or social issues
  • Demonstrated commitment to excellence
  • Demonstrated support by university

MORE DETAILS

Disbursement of Funds

The funds will be made available on a schedule based upon the Researcher’s timeline and milestones and agreed upon  with the Foundation.  

Payments will be made to the successful applicant’s university, or to the successful applicant themselves.

It is the Foundation’s policy not to pay an administration fee or overhead expense to the respective university on the awards we grant.

Academic Obligations

The successful applicant is required to pursue the course of research outlined in their proposal. If the academic decides not to complete the research, the Foundation may expect repayment of al or a portion of awarded funds.

A progress report is required after six months, prior to the second installment of the award payment. The report must outline (at minimum) the progress the research paper is having in relation to the proposed timeline.

Agreement (including Declaration and Signatures)

Awards will be made by way of an agreement between the university, the student, and the CSI Research Foundation.

Suspension and Termination

The Foundation may suspend an award in such circumstances as: illness, parental leave, compassionate leave. In such event where suspension is granted, an agreement will be reached between the student, the Foundation and the university regarding recommencement of study and scholarship payment.

The Foundation may terminate an award in such circumstances as:

  • Student does not comply with the conditions.
  • Student fails to pursue the agreed program of study and/or research.
Liability

The Foundation accepts no liability for the manner in which work in connection with the research is undertaken. The academic is responsible for their work and its consequences.

Intellectual Property Rights

The Foundation will make no claim to ownership or control of any intellectual property arising from, or in association with the program of research undertaken.

It is the responsibility of the university, attended by the student, to negotiate any necessary agreement regarding intellectual property.

Reporting, Dissemination and Acknowledgement

A progress report must be submitted after six months, prior to the second payment.

The Foundation retains the right to publish the recipient’s names and nature of research in all activities and/or published material it may prepare.

The report will contain an update on the research in a format that was agreed upon as part of the applicant’s proposal.

Contact Us

You may contact the Canadian Securities Institute Research Foundation at:

200 Wellington Street West, 15th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M5V 3C7

Email the Executive Director of the Canadian Securities Institute Research Foundation, Heather-Anne Irwin: [email protected]