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Research Partnership Programs Overview Monika Michalska, Manager Manufacturing, Communications and Technologies Research Partnerships Programs November 20, 2013 1
Research Partnership Programs Overview Monika Michalska, Manager Manufacturing, Communications and Technologies Research Partnerships Programs November 20, 2013
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Outline
• NSERC overview
• Research Partnership Programs (RPP)
• Strategy for Partnerships and Innovation (SPI)
• RPP Toolbox
• Strategic Project Grants
• Successful Applications
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Priorities
People: Building our human capital in the natural sciences and engineering Discovery: Unleashing the creative power of our researchers Innovation: Connecting and applying the strength of our research capacity to the challenges and needs of industry and society
Total NSERC Budget in 2013-14 $1.08 B
In a nutshell… NSERC helps make Canada a country of discoverers and innovators for the benefit of all Canadians
NSERC’s Research Partnership Budget for 2013-2014
Research Partnerships Programs (RPP)
Mandate:
Foster collaborations between university researchers, colleges and other sectors—including government and industry—to develop new knowledge and expertise, and transfer it to Canadian-based organizations
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RPP: Suite of Partnered Programs 1. Strategic Partnerships Program – accelerate research in identified
target areas of national and/or government priority 2. Industry-driven Collaborative R&D Program – increase innovation in
industry through academic-industry research and training collaborations
3. Networks of Centres of Excellence* - advance research and training that addresses national challenges at a national scale through large-scale partnered collaborations. (Not under the purview of Council)
4. Commercialization of Research Program – bring new technologies to market faster with a focus on technologies, products and services
5. Training in Industry Program – increase the experiential training of students in industry and connect companies with skills
6. College and Community Innovation Program – increase college capacity for innovation at the community and/or regional level
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Our focus and goals are to….. Increase industry-academia partnerships
Work with industry on their R&D challenges
Transfer knowledge and technologies to the marketplace
Provide students real-world training opportunities
NSERC Strategy for Partnerships & Innovation
Themes: Building sustainable relationships Streamlining access Connecting people and skills Focusing on priorities
Targets: By fiscal year 2014-15: Double the number of companies participating in NSERC programs; On track to double the number of industry partners by 2014-15 (1500 to
3000 in 5 years)
Next: working on SPI, part II
Strategy for Partnerships and Innovation Connect. Collaborate. Prosper.
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500
1000
1500
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2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Small Companies
Medium Companies
Large Companies
Growth in Company Participation
Advantages of Jointly Funded Project Mechanisms
• Increase province’s industry-driven research collaborations with academic researchers – contributing to economic development.
• Maximize (effective use of) federal research funding to align with province’s objectives for industry-relevant research in support of economic development and technological innovation.
• Strengthen industry-relevant HQP training in province through collaborative R&D projects involving companies and university researchers.
• Improve synergies between NSERC and other funding agencies in the province – drawing on complementary strengths to promote partnerships. Lever NSERC funding and evaluation.
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Innovation Toolbox Research Partnership Programs
Innovation Toolbox Research Partnership Programs
Strategic Partnerships • Automotive Partnerships • Collaborative Health Research Projects • Strategic Projects • Strategic Networks
Industry-Driven
• Interaction • Engage, Engage Plus • Partnership Workshop Grants • Collaborative R&D • Chairs in Design Engineering • Industrial Research Chairs
College and Community Innovation
•Applied Research and Development Grants •College-University I2I •Industrial Research Chairs for Colleges •Innovation Enhancement Grants •Technology Access Centres
Training in Industry • Industrial Post-Graduate Scholarship • Industrial R&D Fellowship • Industrial USRA Program
Commercialization • Idea to Innovation
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Strategic Project Grants • Focus on specific areas
• Funds projects, not programs of research
• NSERC will fund direct costs of a 1 to 3 year project (students, PDFs, consumables, equipment – maximum of 150K)
• Provides an opportunity to take research beyond the university and to carry out innovative science and engineering work with potential for commercialization
• Provides opportunity to introduce students to potential employers
• There must be significant involvement from the partner BUT a cash contribution is not required
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Strategic Project Grants (SPG) Objective
To increase research and training in targeted areas that could strongly influence Canada’s economy, society and/or environment within the next 10 years.
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Expected Results • New knowledge/technology with strong potential to strengthen
Canada’s industrial base, generate wealth, create employment and/or Canadian public policy
• Highly qualified personnel trained in the target areas
• Increased participation of companies and/or government organizations in academic research
• Transfer of knowledge/technology to Canadian-based organizations that are well positioned to apply the results for economic gain or to government organizations to strengthen public policy
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Focused Research • There are priority research topics identified within each
target area − At least 80% of budget is used to fund projects in these
research topics
• Projects that fall outside of the research topics but fit the context of the target area are termed “Exceptional Opportunities outside the research topics”
− up to 20% of budget can be used to fund these projects
• Research outside the 4 priority target areas will not be considered for funding
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Four Target Areas
Priority research topics within: • Information and Communications Technologies
• Environmental Science and Technologies
• Manufacturing
• Natural Resources and Energy
Please note: Health and related life sciences and technologies are covered under the Collaborative Health Research Projects (CHRP) Program
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Calgary Competition Statistics
Competition Year
# of Applications
# of Awards
Success Rate
Calgary Success Rate
2013 314 75 23.9 13.3% 2012 314 81 25.8% 0% 2011* 425 70 16.5% 13% 2010 547 122 22% 16% 2009 465 122 26% 12% 2008 352 129 37% 19% *First competition with new target areas
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Calgary and Strategic Project Grants • 2008 to 2013: 102* applications, 13 awards (13%)
*does not include supplemental competitions
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15
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2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
ApplicationsAwards
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The Application
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The SPG Application
• Application for a Grant (Form 101) Parts I and II
• Personal Data Forms (Form 100) + CVs of collaborators (6 pages max)
• Form 183A (partner’s information and contributions)
• Letter of support describing partner’s involvement (see instructions for specific items to be addressed)
– Note: Letter of support and accompanying form 183A from government organizations must be signed by the Director General (or equivalent level)
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Evaluation Process- Timeline • April 1- Submission of Applications
• May/June- Pre-Selection Process − Preliminary review by target area selection committee − Proposals with significant weaknesses are removed
• July/August- External referees − Typically three per application − Technical expertise to aid the Committee − Appendix C: your suggestions − Panel suggestions and NSERC database
• End August- Selection Committee − Proposals are assigned to three readers − Discussion amongst the whole group
• October- Results announced
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Evaluation Process • Projects are evaluated against seven criteria
• Each criterion is graded from 1 (lowest score) to 4 (highest score). For details, see: http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/OnlineServices-ServicesEnLigne/instructions/101/e.asp?prog=spg
• Each criterion is of equal weight
• Only projects that are strong in all 7 criteria are eligible for funding
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Selection Criteria Originality of the research
Quality of the research
Project work plan
Quality of the applicants as researchers
Training potential
Interactions with the supporting organizations
Benefits to Canada and the supporting organizations
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Signs of a Good Proposal
• All sections are clear and well described: − Clear summary, proposal easy to read − Roles well defined (students, applicants …) − Benefits to Canada clearly demonstrated − Guidelines followed and requirements addressed
• Strong partner(s): − Involvement from the start − Clear expectations (including IP) − Good communication − On-going interaction
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Successful Applications
• Read the instructions!
• Address all criteria
• Situate your research project with state of the art
• Integrate partner goals with research goals in the proposal
• Establish clear goals and milestones
• Integrate students into the milestones
• Involve and integrate industrial partners
Successful Applications General Tips
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Successful Applications
• Be realistic and honest
• Justify, Justify, Justify!
• Budget expenses
• Methodology
• Relationship to other research support
• Be forthright – reviewers expect that one research project can build on another; just on duplication of funds for same project
Successful Applications General Tips
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Successful Applications
• Up to date information on F100 (personal data form) for all involved in the project
• Reviewers notice when it is out of date
• IP agreement
• Never too early to bring this up!
• Signed IP is due at NSERC 6 months after funding decision
Successful Applications General Tips
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Successful Applications
• Industrial support
• Letters of support matter! (If multiple partners, try not to have duplicate letters
• Outlines expected outcomes, benefits and reasons for supporting the project
• Hosting students is very positive
• Confirms cash and in-kind support
• As much detail on in-kind as possible (who, what project, how long?)
Successful Applications General Tips
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Successful Applications
• Collaborations outside NSE are possible!
• applicants are encouraged to collaborate with experts outside the natural sciences and engineering, where appropriate. Can represent up to 30% of the project costs.
• Draft Review
• Staff can review (not Strategic) and comment on administrative aspects
• Contact staff with any questions for any RPP grant
Successful Applications General Tips
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Successful Applications
• Select a target area and research topic from the list provided
• Justify and explain:
1) why the proposed research is strategic; AND 2) how it fits the target area and addresses the research topic selected
• I.e Manufacturing target area, explanation of project, positioning as to why it is strategic and then link to specific research topic
Successful Applications Strategic Tips
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Successful Applications
• Provide a compelling case for consideration if the research falls outside the research topics but within the target area listed (“Exceptional Opportunity outside the Research Topics”)
• Funding decisions are announced in October. This should be considered in the activity schedule and workplan.
Successful Applications Strategic Tips
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Successful Applications
• Read the Program guidelines • Meet the Program criteria • Establish strong partnerships with industrial
sponsors • Contact staff
Successful Applications Final Advice!
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Back Up Slides
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Details of RPP grants
Industry Driven Interaction Grant
Objective • Canadian-based companies to meet researchers from Canadian universities
• identify a company specific project that could be addressed by collaborative R&D project
Duration 3 months
Offer • Maximum grant of $5,000
• Funds only to university researchers
Application Success Rate
Anytime, delivered by Regional Offices 90%
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Industry Driven Engage Grant
Objective • New research partnership • short-term project • Addresses company specific problem
Duration 6 months
Offer • Maximum grant of $25,000 •Only in-kind required •NOT peer-reviewed •Turn around of 4-6 weeks •Partner owns the developed IP •Supports students, postdocs, consumables, equipment
Application Success Rate
Anytime, delivered by Regional Offices 90%
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Industry Driven Engage Plus Grant
Objective • To further developments from an ongoing or recently completed Engage Grant project
• Same academic and industrial partners
Duration 6 months
Offer • Maximum grant of $12,500 – matching of industrial partner funds 1:1
•NOT peer-reviewed •Turn around of 4-6 weeks •Partner owns the developed IP •Supports students, postdocs, consumables, equipment
Application Success Rate
Anytime, delivered by Regional Offices New! (August 2013)
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Industry Driven Partnership Workshop
Objective • Funds workshop for building new collaborations between Canadian academics and industry and government receptor community
• Small, highly-focused groups • Single or multiple workshops • Championed by at least one university and one non-
academic leader Duration 1 year
Offer • Maximum grant of $25,000
Application Success Rate
Anytime, reviewed internally by NSERC 90%
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Industry Driven Collaborative Research and Development Grant Objective • CRD can support short-term projects or segments of
longer-term research programs •Milestones and deliverables are clearly identified and feasible given available resources and time •Knowledge transfer plans are defined •Partners must exploit results
Duration 1 to 5 years (most are 2-3 years)
Offer Average grant about $65,000/year (can be up to $1M) •Industrial cash and in-kind leveraged •Industrial cash must be at least ½ NSERC contribution •Supports students, postdocs, consumables, equipment
Application Success Rate
Anytime, review process depends on request 85%
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Industry Driven Industrial Research Chair
Objective Prestigious appointment of a distinguished researcher • 3 levels: Associate, Senior, Executive • Capacity building for the university: A significant university research program is established or enhanced in area of interest to industry • Currently over 180 active faculty positions
Duration 5 years, renewable, depending on level
Offer Average grant $75,000/year Industry provides 50% of cost in cash Supports students, postdocs, consumables, equipment Frees up the Chairholder salary
Application Anytime
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Industry Driven Chair in Design Engineering
Objective • To improve the level and quality of design engineering activity within Canadian universities
• Working to establish 16 Chairs across Canada • Proposal can have multiple Chair holders and multiple
eligible institutions
Duration 5 years, renewable once
Offer Maximum grant about $200,000/year •Industrial cash and in-kind leveraged •Flexible partners, including universities •Supports students, postdocs, consumables, equipment
Application Success Rate
Yearly competition, LOI in April 50%
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Strategic Partnership Programs Automotive Partnership Canada
Objective • Supports industry-driven collaborative R&D activity for the Canadian automotive sector
• Jointly funded by NSERC, the National Research (NRC) Council, the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) , the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), and the Canada Excellence Research Chair Program (CERC).
Duration 1 – 5 years
Offer • Grants from $200,000 - $5,000,000
• No cash requirements, but In-kind contributions to a project must be significant and essential to the success of the research
Application Success Rate
Anytime
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Strategic Partnership Programs Collaborative Health Research Projects
Objective • joint initiative between NSERC and CIHR • collaborative research projects involving any field of the natural sciences or engineering and any field of the health sciences. • proposed research projects should lead to health benefits for Canadians, more effective health services and/or economic development in health-related areas.
Duration • Up to 3 years Offer • 2012 total budget was $22M
Application Success Rate
Annual competition, with LOI, administered by CIHR
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Strategic Partnership Programs Strategic Target Areas
• Four targeted areas: 1. Environment Science and Technologies 2. Information and Communication Technologies 3. Manufacturing 4. Natural Resources and Energy Goal: To increase research and training in targeted areas that could strongly enhance Canada’s economy, society and/or environment within the next 10 years.
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Strategic Partnership Programs Strategic Networks
Objective • Multi-university, multi-partner pan-national Networks Typically more than five universities and five partner organizations
• Address large-scale complex research problems • Require a governance structure
BoD and Scientific Committee Duration 5 years
Offer Up to $1,000,000/year • Supports students, postdocs, consumables, equipment • No industrial cash required (for 1st term)
Application Annual competition, LOI
Success rate 25 – 30%
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Strategic Partnership Programs Strategic Projects
Objective • Early stage university research • Potential to lead to future breakthrough discoveries (5 – 10 years) • Active involvement of non-academic participants • Often several team members (same or different institutions) • Some grants with single applicant • Researchers from partner’s organization sometimes are members of the team (as “collaborators”)
Duration 3 years
Offer Average of $130,000/year • Supports students, postdocs, consumables, equipment • No industrial cash required
Application Annual competition
Success rate 20 – 25%
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Training in Industry Industrial Post Graduate Training Program
• Industrial Postgraduate Scholarships (IPS) provide financial support for highly qualified science and engineering graduates. The support allows them to gain research experience in industry while undertaking advanced studies in Canada
• $15,000 per year for up to three years plus a minimum contribution from the sponsoring organization of $6,000 per year
• Nomination by the Graduate Studies Office
• A university faculty member and a researcher from the sponsoring organization will jointly supervise the project.
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Training in Industry Industrial R&D Fellowship Program
• IRDF provides financial support to enable the most promising recent doctoral graduates to engage in research and development in the private sector.
• $30,000 per year for two years plus a minimum contribution of $10,000 per year from the host organization
• IRDFs are intended for recent doctoral graduates seeking employment in the Canadian private sector for the first time.
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Training in Industry Industrial Undergraduate Student Research Award Program
• Industrial Undergraduate Student Research Awards (I-USRAs) are meant to stimulate interest in research in the natural sciences and engineering in undergraduate students. They are also meant to encourage undergraduates to undertake graduate studies and to pursue a research career in these fields.
• $4,500 plus organization contribution for 16 weeks
• Can hold 1 USRA-1 per fiscal year, 3 maximum
• I-USRAs may be held during co-op placements.
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Commercialization Idea to Innovation (I2I) Grant
•The objective of the Idea to Innovation (I2I) Grants is to accelerate the pre-competitive development of promising technology originating from the university and college sector and promote its transfer to a new or established Canadian company. •The I2I Grants provide funding to college and university faculty members to support research and development projects with recognized technology transfer potential. •Support research and development projects with identifiable technology transfer potential •To reduce technical risk and to demonstrate the commercial potential of university discoveries •Can include market assessment costs
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College and Community Innovation
• Applied Research and Innovation Grant
• College-University Idea to Innovation Grants
• Industrial Research Chairs for Colleges
• Innovation Enhancement Grants
• Technology Access Centres
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