Getting Started With Your Research

On this page you will find key information to support research excellence from the initial stages. This includes eligibility to hold research funds, new faculty research onboarding information, collaboration and partnerships, compliance and ethics in research, and EDI in research and innovation. 

 


New Faculty Onboarding: Getting Started in Research 

Explore the New Faculty Onboarding: Getting Started in Research & Innovation at the University of Toronto guide created by the Division of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation (VPRI) at U of T to help you get oriented to research-specific resources and processes.  

The Research section of the Resource Information for New Faculty on the UTM Office of the Vice-Principal Academic and Dean website also contains valuable information. 

Please consult the following links for other important information: 

  • Before Engaging in Research offers guidance for Principal Investigators (PIs) and those involved in research with key information to support research excellence from the initial stages. 
  • My Research is a system within the Administrative Web Services portal developed to manage funded and non-funded research agreements as well as to human and animal research ethics protocols. New faculty who do not have access to the MR system and are looking to submit a grant should contact the appropriate research services officer for more information or one of UTM’s Strategic Research Development Officers. 
  • CRIS Resource Hub: U of T’s Centre for Research & Innovation Support offers tools, training, and expertise across the tri-campus 
  • The Canadian Common CV (CCV): A web-based application that provides researchers with a single, common approach to gathering CV information required by a network of federal, provincial, and not-for-profit research funding organizations. 

Please contact the OVPRI Strategic Research Development Officers for more information. 

 


Developing a Research Idea 

The research process begins with an idea. This idea is refined to identify a research problem, and research questions or hypotheses are formulated from the research problem.  

Before embarking on a research project, please confirm your eligibility as a Principal Investigator (PI) at U of T.   

Here are some resources that may help you frame your research questions: 

 


Collaborations 

Collaborators can provide expertise and insights that complement your own. Please consult the following for help with finding collaborators and managing collaborations: 

  • Indigenous Research Network — a strategic research initiative from the U of T Division of Vice President & Provost, for Indigenous research and collaboration with Indigenous communities 
  • Extra-Departmental Units (EDUs) are flexible and multidisciplinary entities organized around emerging research and teaching areas that span disciplines. Many are designated as institutes or centres and some are open to new members. There are several institutes and centres at UTM. 

 


Partnerships 

Partnerships can help deepen or broaden your research and help disseminate the knowledge created or further develop your invention. You can partner with other academic institutions, community groups, foundations, the private sector, governments, non-governmental organizations, policymakers, and others.  

Please consult the following for partnership information: 

  • UTM Research Partnerships on creating, formalizing, and fostering collaborative research projects and initiatives with external partners 
  • Indigenous Research Network — a strategic research initiative from the U of T Division of Vice President & Provost for Indigenous research and collaboration with Indigenous communities

Please contact Raquel De Souza, Director, Partnerships and Innovation in UTM's Office of the Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation for more information. 

 


EDI in Research & Innovation 

Please visit the UTM EDI Resources page and the U of T Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research & Innovation (EDIRI) website for more information. 

 


Human Research Ethics 

Please see the UTM OVPRI Ethics page and the U of T VPRI Ethics in Human Research page for more information on human subjects in research.  

 


Animal Research Protocols 

Please see the VPRI Ethics in Animal Research & Teaching page for more information on using animals in research. 

 


UTM Core Facilities 

Please see Research Spaces & Core Facilities for more information on shared research spaces, equipment, and services available to UTM researchers. 

 


Other Resources 

The UTM Library is your partner in research excellence at the University of Toronto. UTM librarians can work with you at all stages of the research lifecycle.