General Research

The general research stream is an annual call for research proposals from qualified researchers. Research proposals must demonstrate a clear focus on the promotion of workplace health and safety.

WorkplaceNL assesses proposals based on: 

Researcher expertise
Proposal quality
Alignment with strategic priorities

Two-stage application process

Stage 1 – preliminary proposal: Researchers submit a preliminary proposal by the deadline using WorkplaceNL’s form. Proposals are screened against program criteria.

Stage 2 – full proposal: If the preliminary proposal passes screening, WorkplaceNL may invite the researcher to submit a full proposal, which we evaluate for funding. Only full proposals invited by WorkplaceNL by the deadline will be evaluated for funding.

Full proposals must include two letters of support from relevant organizations or individuals who can attest to the public need for the identified research.

An invitation to submit a full proposal does not guarantee funding.

WorkplaceNL funds up to four general research projects each year. Researchers must finish their projects and provide all deliverables within two years of the start date in the funding agreement.

After a proposal is approved, WorkplaceNL and the applicant organization must sign a memorandum of agreement before work on the research project begins.

Eligibility

For the general research stream, an individual employed by or affiliated with an eligible organization must submit the proposal. An eligible organization must be in Canada and a: 

Publicly funded university or college;
Public hospital or health authority with a specialized research area;
Non-government organization that has the capability and capacity to conduct research and are not privately owned or operated; or 
Public, community or industry organization partnering with another eligible organization that falls within categories 1-3 above

The research must be conducted in Canada. Research participants must also be in Canada.

Each proposal must name a lead researcher to oversee the research project. The lead researcher must be employed by or affiliated with one of the first three eligible organizations listed above. The lead researcher must have the education and experience to carry out the project, including published research.

If invited to submit a full proposal, the lead researcher must provide a CV.
For other team members, provide a brief description of their role and list anyone doing research work in the application form. Post-secondary students are welcomed but may not serve as lead researcher.

Payments

Research projects may receive up to $100,000 per year, to a maximum of $200,000 over two years. We do not prorate funding by project length but we review costs for reasonableness.

For approved general research projects, we provide funds to the lead eligible organization only: 

40 per cent at project start date 
50 per cent in milestone-based installments (as invoiced) 
10 per cent after satisfactory final deliverable

We pay for actual project expenses only. Any surplus funding must be returned on request.

See the funding guidelines and application guide for allowable budget items and restrictions. 

Deliverables

At project end, researchers must provide WorkplaceNL: 

A clear-language final report to be published on WorkplaceNL’s website 
A presentation to WorkplaceNL of the project and findings

Researchers must submit progress and financial reports during the project. Researchers may identify additional deliverables in their proposal. All deliverables must be submitted in a manner and format satisfactory to WorkplaceNL. 

Important Dates

April 13, 2026		Call for Preliminary Proposals for General Research stream opens
May 8, 2026 @ 4:00 p.m., NDST		Deadline to submit a preliminary proposal Use the Preliminary Program Application Form to apply. Use the Preliminary Proposal Application Guide and General Research Stream Funding Guidelines to help complete your application.
May 27, 2026		WorkplaceNL invites full proposals We will invite only applicants who submit eligible preliminary proposals during this call window to submit a full proposal. Applicants will be notified of our screening decision.
July 10, 2026 @ 4:00 p.m., NDST		Deadline to submit full proposals We will not consider proposals submitted before we issue an invitation or after this deadline.
Late October 2026		WorkplaceNL offers funding We will notify each applicant of our funding decision.
November – December 2026		Memorandums of Agreement developed and signed
January 2027		Approved projects start
By December 2028		Approved projects completed within two years, including final deliverables

Application Resources

Contact Information

Please email questions about our Research Initiatives Program to [email protected].

Research Projects and Reports

View approved research projects and reports.