Collaborative Laboratory Call
Seize the opportunity to create shared lab spaces for your Impact Round project.
Before filling out the form
- Justification for the request.
- Preliminary quote received from a vendor.
- Utility requirements (water, electric, exhaust/ventilation, gas).
- Dimensions and weight of the equipment.
Eligibility and rules
- The scope of this call includes only Impact Projects and Living Lab awardees. Principal Investigators (PIs) are responsible for consulting with their teams to define the equipment needs for their respective projects. One application is to be submitted per project via a Concordia team member (PI/co-PI).
- All equipment will remain the property of Concordia University and will be shared among Volt-Age researchers.
- Applicants must agree to a full assessment of their current lab setup (including available space and existing machines). The assessment will involve an in-person visit from Volt-Age, the PI’s Faculty space representative, Concordia Facilities Management staff, and the Office of the Vice-President Research Innovation and Impact. Participation in the call will not be possible without accepting this assessment. Once this assessment is conducted, no change in location of the equipment may be permitted.
- If new equipment is installed in a research space, that space must be accessible to other researchers and students who may need to use it, even if they are not linked to the Principal Investigator. While no access fees can be charged to Volt-Age researchers, other costs (e.g., chemicals) may be applied where applicable.
- Each piece of equipment must be registered in a management software maintained by Volt-Age, making it available via a reservation system, with priority given to the Principal Investigator. Volt-Age will cover the costs of such a system, if needed.
- Provide evidence or explanation as to why equipment cannot be obtained via other programs (e.g., NSERC Research Tools and Instruments).
- The eligible budget for each equipment item under this funding opportunity is set within the range of $50 000 to $300 000 CAD (taxes included). Under program rules, equipment over $300 000 is not eligible under the CFREF funding. Equipment over $133 800 (before taxes) from the same manufacturer will require a public tender, or an ACCMA (Authorization to Conclude a Contract by Mutual Agreement)led by Volt-Age in consultation with Procurement and OVPRII.
- This form allows you to request up to three (3) pieces of equipment and rank them in order of necessity.
- Eligible expenses include research equipment, shipping costs and warranties, installation of equipment including staff costs for installation/migration, training for principal users (researchers and technical staff).
- Ineligible expenses include renovation costs, furniture, salaries for research personnel or students, consumables, office supplies and phone/internet service.
- Submitting this form does not guarantee funding.
- Applications submitted after November 21, 2025 will not be reviewed.
- If awarded, all equipment must be purchased and delivered within 12-months of the NOA. Any unspent funds at the end of the funding period will be returned to Volt-Age. No extensions can be provided.
Evaluation criteria
- Alignment with project goals and the critical, urgent need for the equipment to support the research initiative (30%).
- Demonstrated usage of the existing research equipment within the space, notably for training of highly qualified personnel. (20%).
- Feasibility of the proposed equipment installation within the allocated duration period. (15%).
- Demonstrated availability of resources and/or suitability of maintenance plan for equipment beyond funding period (20%).
- Anticipated positive outcomes to Volt-Age should the application be successful: how will this equipment be leveraged to obtain new funding (15%).
- If the same equipment is requested by multiple projects, and it meets the above criteria, it will be prioritized.
