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Application Process

2026 Application Timeline

2026 APUF Timeline

Applications will be accepted by invitation only based on a pre-application consultation held prior to the deadline.  

  • Call for proposals: March 30, 2026 
  • Proposal consultation meeting period: March 30-April 20, 2026 
  • Application Deadline: May 20, 2026

Before You Apply

  • Learn About APUF priorities and review the Application Resources.
  • Reflect on how your proposed initiative aligns with other access programs and/or activities within your division to ensure alignment with strategic and operational access goals.

Apply

The application process includes two steps:

Step 1: Consult

Arrange a consultation with the Access Strategy & Partnerships Office (ASPO) between March 30 – April 20, 2026. 

Book Consultation

Step 2: Apply

Submit the full application package, if invited to apply, using the online form. Submit by May 20, 2026.

APUF Application Form

Application Resources

APUF 2026 Application Guide & Proposal Template Form

A practical reference for you to use as you prepare your proposal.

APUF 2026-27
Budget Guideline

A companion reference to the application guide that outlines details about eligible expenses.

APUF 2026-27
Budget Form

Download and complete the form. Upload a PDF version with your online APUF application form.

APUF Funded Initiatives

View APUF funded initiatives and reach out to previous recipients, where possible.

Contact 

Questions regarding the forms or the application process, including accommodation requests, should be directed to the Access Strategy & Partnerships Office at access@utoronto.ca.

FAQs

Yes. Priority consideration may be granted to departments or divisions that have not previously received APUF funding; however, all decisions will be based on the quality of the application and feasibility of proposed deliverables.

Yes. Please name the grant in your application and include the amount received in the “Funding – Confirmed Sources” section of the budget form.

Submissions will be accepted from University of Toronto faculty and staff with continuing appointments. Students may apply as a co-lead with a faculty or staff member as the lead. 

Applicants will be asked to submit a Letter of Support from their Academic Academic Division/Unit, signed by the Dean of Division/Unit and/or Principal, Chair or Director of Division.  

APUF funds new initiatives, including transition to university, bridging programs for adults with diverse educational backgrounds, and exposure to career paths for underrepresented learners and prospective students. 

A wide range of funded initiatives can be found on the APUF database. 

The Indigenous Access Stream was developed as an APUF Thematic Priority for 2026-2028.

The primary beneficiary of the proposal must be domestic or permanent resident status learners from Ontario who are underrepresented at universities and who might not access or thrive in post-secondary education without the provision of supports, pathways, structured programs and/or opportunities to continue learning at the post-secondary level.

For 2026-27, APUF has introduced an Indigenous Access Stream (IAS) focused on supporting access to post-secondary education for Indigenous learners. Please see more here: Read more here.

Initiatives are eligible for up to $100,000/year for two years. The maximum amount granted may be impacted by the number of strong applications received and total funding requested.  

We aim to inform applicants of the decision by July 2026.

Applications are reviewed by the APUF Review Committee which is comprised of faculty and staff who have significant experience in implementing and evaluating access initiatives. The committee reviews applications based on the Selection Criteria [link].

The number of funded projects may vary from year to year based on available funding and the total funding requested. You can see a complete list of funded projects since 2019 here [link].

You will receive an email outlining the next steps: 

  • Sign a Letter of Agreement (LOA) 
  • Provide a CC/CFC for transfer of funds 
  • Follow spending guidelines (assisted by your Business Officer) 
  • Track progress and outcomes 
  • Submit an interim and final report 

You can: 

  • Request reviewer feedback 
  • Reapply in the next cycle with a revised proposal