Neptis's first substantial undertaking, in 1999, was to fund research to construct a six-volume portrait of the Toronto-related region, through grants to the University of Toronto. Neptis commissioned experts to report on physical, social, economic, and financial conditions, as well as transportation and urban form.

Professor Larry S. Bourne of the University of Toronto was principal investigator for the project.

Gertler, Meric S., A Region in Transition: The Changing Structure of Toronto's Regional Economy, 2000.

Blais, Pamela M., Inching Toward Sustainability: The Evolving Urban Structures of the GTA, 2000.

Wright, Robert M., The Evolving Physical Condition of the Greater Toronto Area: Space, Form and Change, 2000.

Slack, Enid, Municipal Finance and Governance in the Greater Toronto Area: Can the GTA Meet the Challenges of the 21st Century?, 2000.

Miller, Eric J. and Shalaby, Amer, Travel in the Greater Toronto Area: Past and Current Behaviour and Relation to Urban Form, 2000.

Bourne, Larry S., People and Places: A Portrait of the Evolving Social Character of the Greater Toronto Region, 2000