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As of April 1, 2026, all Research Assistants (RAs) must be paid no less than $24.74/hour plus benefits in accordance with the new TSSU Collective Agreement.

Important Notes:

• Grant applications should budget RA wages at a minimum of $24.74/hour + 14% to cover mandatory costs

• These mandatory costs include vacation pay, Canada Pension Plan (CPP), and Employment Insurance (EI)

• In addition, starting April 1, 2026, RAs will be eligible for extended health and dental benefits. Grant budgets must cover 75% of the cost of these benefits, which will be charged as part of the RA’s compensation. The remaining 25% is paid by the employee (the RA)

• Until April 1, 2026, RAs are responsible for paying 100% of their extended health and dental premiums, but may be eligible for reimbursement through a transitional university fund

• This agreement does not yet apply to graduate students funded via scholarship. A decision is expected from the Labour Board
  

For more information on rates, benefits, and implementation: Develop a Research Budget – �鶹��ƵResearch Services.

FCAT recommends budgeting postdoc salaries within this indicative range:

• Minimum: $50,000/year

• Maximum: $70,000/year

PDFs are typically considered employees under Policy R 50.30 and qualify for employee benefits. More information is available via �鶹��ƵHR's Research Personnel Initiative.

• Per diems include taxes and tips

• If meals are provided at a conference or by the host, they must not be claimed

• Budget standard-rate hotels or university housing

• Private accommodation reimbursement: $45/night

• Airbnb and peer-to-peer rentals are permitted but non-refundable options carry risks—these are not reimbursable if cancelled

• Travel should be economical and direct

• Personal vehicle mileage: reimbursed at $0.70/km (CRA rate)

• Trip cancellation insurance may be included in your budget if using non-refundable bookings

• Travel to conferences, residencies, or field sites must clearly relate to the research activity

For community-based and public-facing research, such as exhibitions, talks, or workshops:

�鶹��ƵMaximum Hosting Costs:

• Alcohol must be preapproved and served with food

• Recruitment event hosting rates do not apply here

• Multiple events for the same project team or audience may be subject to lower internal thresholds

Faculty planning to buy out teaching time must:

• Obtain approval from their Chair/Director and the Dean

• Include the buy-out in their �鶹��ƵFunding Application Signature Sheet

Minimum cost of one course buy-out: 12% of annual salary plus a 20% administrative fee, effective Summer 2025.
(�鶹��ƵPolicy A 30.03 – Tenure Track Faculty Workload Policy)

Buy-outs are not guaranteed. Even when grant funding is secured, approval depends on the department’s ability to maintain program delivery and hire a suitable replacement.

Consider buy-outs early in the application process and be prepared to justify how the added research time supports the project outcomes.