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Discovery Grants Program andResearch Tools and Instruments Grants
Program
“Delivering on NSERC’s commitment to excellence”
PART IDISCOVERY GRANTS PROGRAM
Eligibility to Apply
To be eligible, you must: hold, or have a firm offer of, an academic appointment at a
Canadian institution (minimum three-year term position) and take up the position no later than September 1 of the year of the award
be in a position that requires independent research and allows supervision of highly qualified personnel (HQP)
work full-time in an eligible Canadian institution (if your primary position is outside of Canada)
Requirements can be found on NSERC’s Web site
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Eligibility of Subject Matter
Discovery Grants Programs support:– Research programs in the natural sciences and
engineering (NSE); and– Interdisciplinary research that is predominantly in the NSE
o Significance, impact, advancement of knowledge or practical applications in NSE
The same proposal cannot be submitted to two federal granting agencies
Eligibility guidelines on NSERC’s Web site and www.science.gc.ca
Applications deemed more appropriate for another agency will be rejected
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Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality Policy developed by the four federal research funding
organizations (CFI, CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC)
Goal is to continue to meet the highest ethical and integrity standards and preserve the trust and confidence of the research community, the government and the public
Being integrated into peer review processes and will ensure that committee members, external reviewers and observers take necessary measure to protect public interest
Launched on March 1, 2013 – posted on www.science.gc.ca
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DG Evaluation Process Overview
Merit assessment uses six-point scale to evaluate:– Scientific or Engineering Excellence of the Researcher(s)– Merit of the Proposal– Contributions to the Training of HQP
Each application assessed by 5 reviewers in conference model setting, ensuring best possible review
Applications of comparable merit grouped in “bins” Within an EG, each bin is assigned a funding
recommendation, with possible modulation related to the cost of research
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DG Two-Step Review Process
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Merit assessmentFunding
recommendation
Evaluation Groups
Genes, Cells and Molecules (1501) Biological Systems and Functions (1502) Evolution and Ecology (1503) Chemistry (1504) Physics (1505) Geosciences (1506) Computer Science (1507) Mathematics and Statistics (1508) Civil, Industrial and Systems Engineering (1509) Electrical and Computer Engineering (1510) Materials and Chemical Engineering (1511) Mechanical Engineering (1512)
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APPLYING TO THE DISCOVERY GRANTS PROGRAM
Life Cycle of a Discovery Grant Application
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August 1Submission of Notification of Intent to Apply with CCV
September to OctoberInitial assignment to EG and contacting of external reviewers
November 1Submission of grant application with CCV
Mid-NovemberApplications sent out to external reviewers
Early DecemberEvaluation Group members receive applications
FebruaryGrants competition
March to AprilAnnouncement of results
Notification of Intent to Apply for a Discovery Grant – Why?
Used to identify:– Most appropriate EG to review the application– Need and potential benefits of a joint review
between EGs– External reviewers for the application– Mandate eligibility issues
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Notification of Intent to Apply for aDiscovery Grant – When and What?
Deadline: August 1– Electronic submission only through the Research Portal– Mandatory: if not submitted by deadline, full application will
not be accepted
Includes:– Notification of Intent to Apply, listing up to five research
topics in priority order– CCV– CCV of co-applicants (for team grants)
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Submitting a Discovery Grant Application
Deadline November 1st – Check institutional internal deadline
A full Discovery Grant submission includes:– Application for a Grant
– NSERC Researcher CCV for the applicant and all co-applicants
– Samples of research contributions (reprints, pre-prints, thesis chapters, manuscripts, patents, technical reports, etc.)
Note that applications must be submitted electronically using the Research Portal
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Submitting a Discovery Grant NOI and Application
Changes to the submission process– Research Portal
o Replaces previous online system submission of forms F180 -Notification of Intent to Apply and F101 - Application for a Grant for Discovery Grants Program ONLY
– CCV o Replaces F100 - Personal Data Formo Needed for both the NOI and the Full Applicationo Applicants are encouraged to allow ample time to familiarize
themselves and enter their data in the NSERC CCV as it can be time consuming the first time to populate the fields
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How to Complete your CCV
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EVALUATION OF DISCOVERY GRANT APPLICATIONS
Evaluation Criteria
Scientific or Engineering Excellence of the Researcher(s)
Merit of the Proposal
Contribution to the Training of HQP
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Scientific or Engineering Excellence of the Researcher(s)
Knowledge, expertise and experience
Contributions to research in the NSE
Importance of contributions
Complementarity of expertise and synergy (for team applications)
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Scientific or Engineering Excellence of the Researcher(s): Tips
Describe up to five most significant research contributions (now in application) and highlight quality & impact
List all types of research contributions
Explain your role in collaborative research activities
List all sources of support
Give other evidence of impact
Explain delays in research activity or particular circumstances that might have affected productivity (See Peer Review Manual, Section 6, for details)
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Merit of the Proposal
Originality and innovation Significance and expected contributions
to research, and potential for technological impact Clarity and scope of objectives Clarity and suitability of methodology Feasibility Extent to which the proposal addresses all relevant
issues Appropriateness and justification of the budget Relationship to other sources of funding
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Merit of the Proposal: Tips
Write summary in plain language
Keep in mind that two audiences read your application: expert and non-expert
Provide a progress report on related research
Position the research within the field and state-of-the-art
Clearly articulate short- and long-term objectives
Provide a detailed methodology and realistic budget
Consider comments/recommendations you may have received for previous applications
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Merit of the Proposal – Tips: Overlap
Discuss relationships to other research support– For each grant currently held or applied for, clearly provide:
the main objective, a brief outline of the methodology, budget details, and details on the support of HQP
– Must include summary and budget pages for CIHR and SSHRC grants currently held or applied for
Explain any potential conceptual overlap with other programs/projects– Complementary research is encouraged, but must be clearly
explained
Saying “there is 0 overlap” is not sufficient
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Contributions to the Training of HQP
Quality and impact of contributions to training during the last six years
Proposed plan for future training of HQP in the NSE
Enhancement of training arising from a collaborative or interdisciplinary environment (where applicable)
Read the Policy and Guidelines on the Assessment of Contributions to Research and Training
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Contributions to the Training of HQP - Tips
Past contributions to Training:NEW: Use an asterisk to identify students who are co-authors on the listed contributions Explain your role in co-supervision activitiesExplain any delays that might have affected your ability to train HQPDescribe nature of HQP studies
– HQP ranges from undergraduate theses and summer projects to postdoctoral levels, and includes technical and other research personnel
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Contributions to the Training of HQP - Tips
Training PlanDescribe the nature of the training (e.g., length, specific projects) in which HQP will be involved, the HQP’s contributions and pertinence to the research program proposedDiscuss the training philosophy and the expected outcomesClearly define your role in any collaborative research and planned joint HQP training
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Cost of Research
Determined by the reviewers as Low, Normal or High as compared to the norm for the research areas represented in the applications considered by the EG(s)
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Discovery Grants Indicators
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PART IIRESEARCH TOOLS AND INSTRUMENTS (RTI) GRANTS PROGRAM
Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) Grants Program
RTI grants: $7,001 to $150,000 (all disciplines)– NSERC accepts applications for equipment whose total
net cost between $7,001 and $250,000, provided that funding from other sources is secured by the applicant to bring the amount requested from NSERC to $150,000 or less
RTI grants for Subatomic Physics (See NSERC website for more details)
– $150,001 to more than $325,000
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RTI Grants Program – Starting Fall 2013
Implementing an application quota so that NSERC receives about 500 applications in total
Universities will be provided with a quota of applications that they can submit to NSERC– Consult your university for your particular selection process– Applications will have to be approved by the institution in order to
be submitted to NSERC
The quotas to universities will be based on the number of NSERC funded researchers supported at each institution, with a minimum quota of two applications
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RTI Grants Program – Eligibility and Requirements
Eligibility requirements to apply to NSERC must be satisfied
Only applications from applicants and co-applicants who currently hold or are applying for an NSERC research grant (e.g., Discovery, Strategic, Research Partnership, Canada Research Chairs) at the time of application will be accepted
NSERC will accept applications only for equipment that has not yet been purchased as of October 25 of the application submission year
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RTI Grants Program – Submitting an Application
Application to be submitted to NSERC by October 25 - Electronic submission– Requires RGO approval- follow institution
deadlines
RTI Grant application includes:– Form 101 Application for a Grant– Form 100 Personal Data Form for the applicant
and all co-applicants
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RTI Grants Program – Selection Criteria
Excellence of the applicant(s)
Merit of the proposed research program(s)
Need and urgency for the equipment -including availability of, and access to, similar equipment
Suitability of the proposed equipment for the proposed research program(s)
Importance of the equipment for the training of HQP
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RTI Grants Program – Evaluation Process
National peer reviewed competition maintained
RTI Grants are usually awarded for the full cost of the requested items (including tax, transportation and eligible installation costs)
May receive partial funding, if appropriate
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Research Tools and Instruments Grants Program – Eligible Costs
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Type of Expenditure RTI
Equipment or Facility Purchase or rental
Travel Not eligible
Salaries and Benefits Not eligible
Others(transportation costs for purchased
equipment, extended warranty, brokerage and customs charges for the importation of equipment and supplies)
Eligible
Research Tools and Instruments Grants Applications – Tips
Describe the research program(s) that will be carried out using the equipment
Explain the need and urgency of the equipment
Justify the need and appropriateness for each item.
Illustrate the suitability of the proposed equipment for the research program(s)
Discuss the importance of the equipment for the training of HQP - quality and opportunities for hands-on training
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FINAL ADVICE
Discovery Grant or RTI Grant Applications – Reminders
Consult the Peer Review Manual, Section 6 (DG) or Section 7 (RTI)
Read all instructions carefully and follow presentation standards
Ensure completeness of application Ask colleagues and/or your RGO for comments
on your application Read other successful proposals Plan ahead and check institution deadlines
– Give yourself time: CCV for DG; F100 for RTI
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NSERC Contacts
EGs Program Officer [email protected]
Deadlines, acknowledgement of applications and results
Your university RGO
Your account, Grants in Aid of Research Statement of Account (Form 300)
Your university Business Officer (BO)
NSERC Web site www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca
Discovery Grants Program
(including eligibility)
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel.: 613-995-5829
Use of Grant Funds E-mail: [email protected]
On-line Services Helpdesk E-mail: [email protected]
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