Terms of Use

Effective Date: 2025-09-26

These Terms of Use (“Terms”) are a legally binding agreement between you (“User”) and Computing for Humanity (CFH), a registered Canadian charity that operates myresearchcloud.ca (“the Service”). By applying for, accessing, or using the Service, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, you must not use the Service.

1. Eligibility

The Service is intended for Canadian researchers, students, educators, and citizen scientists with a legitimate research or educational purpose.

  • Users must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or currently enrolled students at Canadian institutions.

  • Users must be at least 18 years old. Exceptions may be made for minors if sponsored by a parent, guardian, or teacher.

  • Free tier allocations are limited to one per individual or organization, unless expressly authorized by CFH.

  • Free resources are for non-commercial Canadian research only.

2. Acceptable Use

Users may only use the Service for lawful, academic, educational, or research purposes. Prohibited uses include but are not limited to:

  • Commercial or for-profit activities.

  • Cryptocurrency mining.

  • Storing or transmitting unlawful, offensive, defamatory, or infringing materials.

  • Interfering with the security, availability, or performance of the Service.

Users must acknowledge myresearchcloud.ca / CFH in publications or outputs that use these resources.

3. Allocations and Resource Management

  • Allocations run for one year from the day the instance is created.

  • Free access is limited to one lifetime grant per applicant.

  • Continued usage after the grant cycle will require a subscription-based plan.

  • Unused resources may be reclaimed to serve others.

  • Allocations may be revoked for violations, unlawful activity, or prolonged inactivity.

4. Service Availability and Support

  • The Service is provided on a best-effort basis.

  • CFH may respond to issues as resources allow, but no guaranteed service levels or response times are provided.

  • Performance and availability may vary depending on demand.

5. Data Storage and Security

  • All compute and storage resources are physically located in Canada.

  • Users are responsible for securing and backing up their data.

  • CFH is not liable for data loss.

  • The Service is not intended for highly sensitive data (e.g., PHIPA health data) unless expressly approved.

6. Privacy

Use of the Service is subject to our Privacy Policy which complies with Canada’s PIPEDA. By using the Service, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described in that Policy.

7. Intellectual Property

  • Users retain ownership of their data, code, and research results.

  • By submitting an application, Users grant CFH a limited license to use application details for administration, reporting, and compliance purposes.

8. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by Ontario law, CFH disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

CFH is not liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including damages from data loss or service interruptions.

9. Indemnification

Users agree to indemnify and hold harmless CFH, its directors, employees, and partners from claims, damages, or expenses arising from:

  • Violation of these Terms

  • User data or content

  • Misuse of the Service

10. Termination

CFH may suspend or terminate access without notice if a User:

  • Violates these Terms

  • Engages in unlawful or commercial activity

  • Or if continuation of the Service is not feasible for legal, financial, or technical reasons

11. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada. Disputes shall be resolved in the courts of Ontario.

12. Changes to Terms

CFH may update these Terms from time to time. The “Effective Date” will be updated accordingly. Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.