Discovery Grants Program and Research Tools and Instruments Grants Program

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Discovery Grants Program andResearch Tools and
Instruments Grants Program

• Delivering on NSERCs commitment to excellence

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PART IDiscovery Grants Program
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The Discovery Grants Program

• Excellence of the Discovery Grants Program
  validated in two major independent reviews (2008)
• Strong support for existing program criteria to
  measure excellence
• Recommendations for enhancement
• New rating principles and measures to allow the
  peer review system to respond more dynamically
  to applicants performance (as of 2009)
• New committee structure to give all applicants a
  higher quality, more comprehensive review (as of
  2010)

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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) and
• spend a minimum of six months per year at an
  eligible Canadian institution (if holding a
  position outside Canada).
• Requirements can be found on NSERCs Web site.

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Eligibility of Subject Matter

• Discovery Grants support
• research programs in the natural sciences and
  engineering (NSE) and
• interdisciplinary research that is predominantly
  in the NSE
• Significance, impact, advancement of knowledge or
  practical applications in NSE.
• The following eligibility guidelines can be found
  on NSERCs Web site
• Selecting the Appropriate Federal Granting Agency
  
• Preparation and Review of Applications in
  Interdisciplinary Research
• Consult NSERC or your research grants office
  (RGO). Applications deemed more appropriate for
  another agency will be rejected. This can happen
  at any time during the competition cycle (F180
  onward).

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Evaluation Process Overview

• Two-step process separates merit assessment from
  funding recommendations.
• Merit assessment uses six-point scale to
  evaluate
• Scientific or Engineering Excellence of the
  Researcher(s)
• Merit of the Proposal and
• Contributions to the Training of HQP.
• Applications grouped in bins of comparable
  merit.
• Funding recommendations similar overall ratings
  within an Evaluation Group (EG) receive
  comparable funding, with possible modulation
  related to the cost of research.
• Greater consistency in process between EGs and
  between competition years.

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Two-Step Review Process
Funding recommendation
Merit assessment
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The Conference Model

• The 28 former Grant Selection Committees (GSCs)
  were replaced by 12 EGs in 2010.
• Similar to a scientific conference, several
  sessions occur in parallel streams.
• Members are assigned to various sections on the
  basis of the match between members expertise and
  the subject matter.
• Members may participate in reviews in several
  EGs.
• Flexibility allows applications at the interface
  between EGs to be reviewed by a combination of
  members with pertinent expertise from relevant
  groups.

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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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How Does the Conference Model Work?
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Advantages of the Conference Model

• Provides a system with the flexibility to
• ensure that applications have the best possible
  review
• react to the emergence of new research areas and
• enable "traditional" disciplines or well-defined
  areas to remain together.
• Reviews benefit from a larger pool of expertise
  than previously existed in the former system.

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Applying to the Discovery Grants Program
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Life Cycle of a Discovery Grant Application
August 1 Submission of Form 180
September to October Initial assignment to EG and
contacting of referees
November 1 Submission of grant application
Mid-November Applications sent out to referees
Early December Evaluation Group members receive
applications
February Grants competition
March to April Announcement of results
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Notification of Intent to Apply for a Discovery
Grant (Form 180) Why?

• Used to identify
• the most appropriate EG to review the
  application
• the need and potential benefits of a joint review
  between EGs and
• the external referees for the application and
• mandate eligibility issues.

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Notification of Intent to Apply for aDiscovery
Grant (Form 180) When and What?

• Deadline August 1
• Electronic submission only
• Mandatory if not submitted by deadline, full
  application will not be accepted
• Includes
• Form 180, listing up to five research topics in
  priority order
• List of contributions in the last six years
• List of co-applicants and their contributions
  (for team grants)

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Submitting a Discovery Grant Application

• A full Discovery Grant application includes
• an Application for a Grant (Form 101), with
  supporting documentation
• a Personal Data Form (Form 100) for the applicant
  and all co-applicants
• samples of research contributions (e.g.,
  reprints, pre-prints, thesis chapters,
  manuscripts, patents, technical reports, etc.)
  and
• all required appendices.

Note that applications, including samples of
research contributions, are to be submitted
electronically.
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Evaluation of Discovery Grant Applications
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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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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 appropriateness 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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Contributions to the Training of Highly Qualified
Personnel

• Quality and impact of contributions to training
  during the last six years
• Proposed plan for future training of HQP in the
  NSE
• Describe the nature of the training (e.g.,
  length, specific projects) in which HQP will be
  involved, the HQPs contributions and pertinence
  to the research program proposed.
• Applicants should discuss the soundness of their
  plans and the expected outcomes.
• 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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Relative 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).
• Factors considered include
• salaries and benefits
• equipment and/or facilities
• materials and supplies
• travel and
• dissemination.

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Discovery Grants Indicators
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Grant Proposal Tips
Form 101

• Write summary in plain language.
• 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.

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Grant Proposal Tips
Form 101

• Clearly define your role in any collaborative
  research and planned joint HQP training.
• Describe plans for quality HQP training.
• Present a realistic budget.
• Discuss relationships to other research support.
• Consider comments/recommendations you may have
  received in previous Messages to Applicant.

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Personal Data Form Tips
Form 100

• List all sources of support.
• Describe up to five most significant research
  contributions.
• List all other research contributions.
• Explain your role in collaborative research
  activities.
• Describe contributions to HQP training.
• Describe 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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Personal Data Form Tips
Form 100

• Include as much information as possible.
• List your students names in bold font in the
  list of contributions.
• Explain your role in co-supervision activities.
• Give other evidence of impact of work.
• Explain any delays in research activity or
  particular circumstances that might have affected
  productivity or contributions to HQP training.

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PART IIResearch Tools and Instruments (RTI)
Grants Program
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Research Tools and Instruments Grants Program
Category 1

• RTI Grants foster and enhance the discovery,
  innovation and training capability of university
  researchers in the NSE by supporting the purchase
  of research equipment and installations.
• One-year awards that assist buying or developing
  research equipment that costs more than 7,000,
  up to 150,000.
• NSERC will accept applications for equipment
  whose total net cost is up to 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.
• Consult the RTI Grants Program description on
  NSERCs Web site.

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Research Tools and Instruments Grants Program
Eligibility and Requirements

• Eligibility requirements to apply to NSERC must
  be satisfied (see slide 5).
• Only applications from applicants and
  co-applicants who currently hold, or are applying
  for, an NSERC research grant (e.g., Discovery
  Grant, Strategic Project Grant, research
  partnership, Canada Research Chair) at the time
  of application are accepted.
• If a cash contribution toward the purchase of the
  equipment is provided by an organization other
  than the applicant's institution, a letter is
  required from the organization confirming this
  commitment.

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Research Tools and Instruments Grants Program
Submitting an Application

• No Notification of Intent to Apply
• Application to be submitted by October 25
• NSERC will accept applications only for equipment
  that has not yet been purchased as of October 25
• RTI Grant application includes
• an Application for a Grant (Form 101) with
  supporting documentation
• a Personal Data Form (Form 100) for the applicant
  and all co-applicants and
• all required appendices.
• 2013 will be the last year for the RTI program in
  its current format
• NSERC will be consulting on the future support of
  tools and instruments

Note that applications are to be submitted
electronically.
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Research Tools and Instruments Grants Program
Selection Criteria

• Excellence of the applicant(s)
• Merit of the proposed research program(s)
• Need and urgency for the equipmentincluding
  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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Research Tools and Instruments Grants Program
Evaluation Process

• Applications are rated and ranked.
• Based on the available funds, the most
  meritorious applications are supported down to a
  cutoff line.
• RTI Grants are usually awarded for the full cost
  of the requested items (including tax,
  transportation and eligible installation costs).
• EGs may recommend partial funding, but the amount
  recommended must be sufficient to allow for the
  purchase of a functional unit.

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Research Tools and Instruments Grants Program
Eligible Costs
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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 HQPquality and opportunities for
  hands-on training.

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Final Advice
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Discovery Grant or Research Tools and Instruments
Grant Applications Reminders

• Consult the Peer Review Manual, Section 6 (DG) or
  Section 7 (RTI).
• Read all instructions carefully and follow
  presentation standards.
• Use all the space allotted to you, with clear
  headings and good layout.
• Respect guidelines for font size, margins and
  page limits.
• Identify students contributions in bold font.

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Discovery Grant or Research Tools and Instruments
Grant Applications Reminders

• Ensure completeness of application.
• Keep in mind that two audiences read your
  applicationexpert and non-expert.
• Ask colleagues and/or your RGO for comments on
  your application.
• Read other successful proposals.

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NSERC Contacts
EGs Program Officer firstname.lastname_at_nserc-crsng.gc.ca
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 resgrant_at_nserc-crsng.gc.ca Tel. [phone]
Use of Grant Funds E-mail awdad_at_nserc-crsng.gc.ca
On-line Services Helpdesk E-mail webapp_at_nserc-crsng.gc.ca