Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
Karsten Wenzlaff is a Crowdfunding and Fintech Expert from Germany. He is Secretary-General of Digit[...]
OSC $30K Research Grants for Ontario’s Capital Markets
Regulation | Nov 21, 2025
Image: Freepik/jannoon028
OSC Research Grant Competition Opens With Focus On Market Competitiveness
On November 19, 2025, the Ontario Securities Commission announced the launch of its Research Grant Competition. This is a pilot initiative that provides up to five (5) grants of $30,000 each to support research on the competitiveness of Ontario capital markets.
See: Breaking Canada’s Productivity Trap For Stronger Growth
The purpose of the competition is to invite proposals from researchers to examine how Ontario capital markets can stay efficient, innovative, and globally competitive as outlined in the Competition Details.
Eligibility And Award Details
The program is open only to researchers who work at or are enrolled in a Canadian academic institution and who have not been employees or directors of the OSC during the past five years. Applicants must also confirm that they aren't involved in any unresolved regulatory or criminal findings. The OSC will award up to five grants of thirty thousand dollars with submissions due February 27 2026, winners notified April 17 2026, and final papers due August 14 2026.
Grant Vingoe, CEO of the OSC:
“The OSC Research Grant Competition is seeking to tap into Canada’s brightest minds to undertake the challenge of delving into the competitiveness of Ontario’s capital markets. In light of the current global geopolitical and economic challenges, it is increasingly important that we look at ways to help Ontario’s capital markets remain competitive, and we welcome the fresh thinking that the competition will bring, as we look ahead and plan future initiatives.”
Selection Criteria And Publication
The OSC will review proposals based on alignment with its mandate, originality, feasibility, academic support, and public benefit. Successful researchers will have their papers published on the OSC website and may present findings directly to senior leadership.
Wider Participation Could Add Value
The competition currently limits eligibility to academic researchers. Wider participation from industry experts, innovators, and market practitioners could provide applied evidence on real operational friction such as registration, compliance, cost, access to capital, and technology adoption.
See: Innovative Approaches to Smarter Regulation
Numerous experienced practitioners who work on the front line encounter daily competitive pressures and could offer insights that complement academic analysis but unfortunately grant funding appears tied to researchers in academia.
Why This Matters
Ensuring Ontario's capital markets remain competitive plays a key role in Canada's economic strength. While the research supported by this OSC initiative could influence future policy decisions related to capital formation, market structure, and investor confidence, if the goal is truly to benefit Ontario's capita markets one wonders why participation is restricted to researchers. The bottom line is that whatever insights are produced, if the OSC is to implement any of the ideas into practice it must be done swiftly, especially insights that help identify (quantify) structural barriers that affect the ability of Canadian firms to grow and compete globally.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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