Canadian Research Funding

Canadian Research Funding Canadian High Commission Canberra, Australia

Overview of Canadian Research Funding • Government of Canada • Canada Research Chairs and Canada Excellence Research Chairs • Going Global Innovation: Global Commerce Support Program • Understanding Canada: Canadian Studies • Major Research Councils • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) • Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) • Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) • National Research Council (NRC) • Provincial Programs • Ontario: International Strategic Opportunities Fund • Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research • Alberta Ingenuity • iCORE (Alberta) • Quebec Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade • Other Organisations • Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada • Killam Trusts • L'Association internationale des études québécoises (AIEQ) • National Gallery of Canada • Canadian Centre for Architecture

Canada Research Chairs (CRC) • National strategy to make Canada one of the world’s top countries for research and development • Permanent program of 2000 research professorships—Canada Research Chairs (CRC) • CRCs are tenable for 5-7 years • C$300 million a year to attract and retain world's most accomplished and promising minds Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) • Additional program launched in 2008 • Increase knowledge and innovation in areas of strategic importance • Up to 20 Chairs will be created (competitively awarded) • Up to C$10M per CERC over 7 years • Funds to cover the total cost of research, including: • Salary and benefits of chairholder and their research team • Direct and indirect costs of research www.chairs.gc.ca | www.cerc.gc.ca

Going Global Innovation • Global Commerce Support Program (GCSP) to promote and enhance innovation, science and technology • Builds on targeted relationships between Canadian researchers and key players in other countries • Funds face-to-face encounters to initiate and solidify collaboration • Moves the partnership forward to the point where researchers can begin the R&D phase • Eligible beneficiaries are Canadian researchers from private companies, universities and non-government research centres • Contributes up to 75% of eligible expenses – includes travel and other non-research expenses (e.g. workshop or seminar expenses, translation services, photocopies, or hospitality). www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/eng/science/going_global.jsp

Understanding Canada: Canadian Studies • Government of Canada program in support of Canadian Studies abroad • Aims to develop a greater knowledge and understanding of Canada, its values and its culture among scholars and other influential groups abroad • The program includes support for: • Conferences on Canada • Associations and Centres for Canadian Studies • Research, teaching, publications on Canada by foreign academics • Doctoral research on Canada by foreign postgraduates • Student mobility • Canadian experts to attend strategic forums • In Australia and New Zealand program administered by Canadian High Commission Canberra www.australia.gc.ca

Eligibility for Canadian Studies Grants • Canadian Studies is research aimed at a better understanding of Canadian society and/ or culture • All disciplines in social sciences and humanities may qualify: Architecture, Arts, Business, Communications, Policy, Education, Environment, Economics, Geography, History, Law, International Relations, Linguistics, Literature, Media Studies, Planning, Politics, Public Administration, Religion, Science Policy, Sociology, Social Administration • Purely scientific subjects and proposals that focus exclusively on technological or methodological issues are not eligible • Interdisciplinary studies on Canada encouraged • Comparative studies with substantial Canadian content (usually 33% or more)

Priority Areas • Priority may be given to projects with policy relevance for Canada • Specific issues of importance for Canada: • Bilateral or Regional Relations • Peace and Security • North American Partnership • Economic Development and Competitiveness • Democracy, Rule of Law, Human Rights • Managing Diversity • Environment / Energy

Canada Conference Grant Program • Supports higher learning institutions and organizations to hold conferences on Canada or on Canadian issues • Preference given to themes that have policy relevance for Canada or its relations with the specific country or region • Participation by government, NGOs, business sector, students and general public is encouraged • Up to C$20,000 per project • Additional C$5,000 per project available to support participation of graduate students • Application deadlines: June 1 and November 1 Book Display Program • Provides publications on Canada up to the value of C$1,000 to be displayed at major conferences • Publications have to be related to the theme of the conference • Publications are retained by the host institution after the conference

Program Development Grant • Supports institutes of higher education or other organizations to develop or expand programs in Canadian Studies • Proposals are especially sought which include: • Innovative projects that promote awareness among students and the public about Canada and Canada bilateral and multilateral relations • Projects that lead to institutional linkages, research collaboration or student mobility in priority areas with Canadian institutions • Up to C$20,000 available per proposal • Additional C$5,000 available to support participation of graduate students • Application deadline: December 10 Library Support Program • Assists university libraries to strengthen their holdings of Canadian studies related materials (books, journals, CD-ROMs, etc.) • Eligibility is based on the university’s existing or expressed commitment to Canada-related teaching and research • Matching Grants: Up to C$2,500 (matching contribution by library) • Start-up Grants: Up to C$2,000 • Applications at anytime

Student Mobility Program • Supports institutes of higher education or other organizations to undertake initiatives involving exchanges, study tours, internships, scholarships, etc. • Projects should aim to advance student understanding of Canada • Innovative projects incorporating hands-on learning experiences and training are encouraged • Projects involving reciprocal elements are welcome • Funding of up to C$10,000 per project • Application deadline: February 1

Canada Leadership Program • Allows Canadian experts to participate in strategic forums abroad, on issues relevant to Canada and its foreign policy • Up to C$7,500 available per project • Proposals must be developed in collaboration with the Canadian High Commission • Application deadlines: June 1 and November 1 Innovative Strategic Projects • Supports new, innovative or small projects in areas of interest to Canada and its foreign policy • Support may be available for projects that: • develop new partnerships with Canadian studies organizations or with NGOs, think tanks, professional associations etc • lead to institutional linkages and research collaboration in priority areas with Canadian institutions • Eligible projects include seminars, roundtables, debates, symposia, etc. • Funding of up to C$8,000 per project • Proposals must be developed in collaboration with the Canadian High Commission • Application deadline: February 1 and July 1

Faculty Research Program (FRP) • To assist individual academics to undertake short term research about Canada or aspects of Canada’s bilateral relations • Up to C$5,800 (airfare and living expenses for up to 4 weeks) • Deadline: November 1 Faculty Enrichment Program (FEP) • To assist individual academics to develop and teach courses about Canada (including comparative courses with 50% Canadian content) • Up to C$5,800 (airfare and living expenses for up to 4 weeks) • Deadline: November 1 Doctoral Student Research Award (DSRA) • Assists doctoral students outside of Canada to undertake part of their doctoral research in Canada • Students must be enrolled full-time in a PhD in the country where the application is made and their doctoral thesis must relate in substantial part to the study of Canada • Award provides assistance towards international airfare, plus C$1,200 allowance per month for up to 6 months spent in Canada while doing research • Deadline: November 1

Canada-Asia-Pacific Award (CAPA) • Assists scholars in universities or research institutes in the Asia-Pacific region to undertake short term research related to Canada and the region • Individual or collaborative research • Funds direct costs related to the research project, which may include a research trip to Canada • Valued at C$5,000 - C$10,000 • Deadline: November 23 International Research Linkages (IRL) • To promote and facilitate international collaborative research between research teams from Canada and one or more countries abroad • Projects should aim to foster academic mobility and exchange of information (e.g. seminars, workshops, networks) • Linkage grant does not finance research • Up to C$10,000 • Deadline: November 23

Association for Canadian Studies in Australia and New Zealand (ACSANZ) • About ACSANZ • Multidisciplinary organization with recognises and encourages interest in Canadian Studies • Membership fees are $85 for 2 years (students $50 for 2 years) • Publishes the scholarly journal Australasian Canadian Studies • Member of Pacific Asia Network of Canadian Studies (PANCS) and the International Council for Canadian Studies (ICCS) • Postgraduate Travel Award • Assists graduate students (Masters/PhD) to spend up to 4 weeks in Canada to undertake research relevant to their thesis in Canadian Studies • Apply to ACSANZ by September 30 • Undergraduate Essay Prize • Awarded to the best undergraduate essay on a Canadian topic or a comparative topic with at least 50% Canadian content • Apply to ACSANZ by October 30 (TBC) www.acsanz.org.au

International Council for Canadian Studies (ICCS) • Graduate Scholarships • Assists graduate (Masters/PhD) students to spend 4-6 weeks at a Canadian university or research site to undertake research relevant to their thesis in Canadian Studies • Apply to ACSANZ by September 30 • Best Thesis in Canadian Studies • Thesis must be on a Canadian topic or a comparative work with at least 50% Canadian content and have been awarded within last 2 years • Apply to ACSANZ by September 30 • World Seminar on Canada (new in October 2009) • Four master classes on Canadian politics, society, economy and culture for PhD students (or recent PhD graduates) • Travel scholarship, accommodation and meals included • Apply by May 1 www.acsanz.org.au or www.iccs-ciec.ca

International Council for Canadian Studies (ICCS) • Publishing Fund • Assists with the printing or translating of scholarly monographs on Canada written by foreign Canadianists • Author must be a member of ACSANZ (or other ICCS member association) • Apply direct to ICCS by November 24 • Postdoctoral Fellowships • One to three month teaching or research fellowships at any Canadian Studies Centre (worldwide) • Apply to ACSANZ by September 30 www.acsanz.org.au or www.iccs-ciec.ca

Understanding Canada: Canadian Studies Guidelines and Application Forms • All Canadian Studies programs (including ACSANZ and ICCS programs) • Guidelines available from the Canadian High Commission or ACSANZ www.australia.gc.ca www.acsanz.org.au

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) • Promotes and supports university-based research and training in the social sciences and humanities • Funds research that builds knowledge and expertise on social, cultural and economic issues www.sshrc.ca

Definitions and Eligibility The applicant (Principal Investigator/ Project Director): • Primary responsibility for the intellectual direction of the research and administration • Must be affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution for the duration of the grant A co-applicant or co-investigator: • Makes a significant contribution to the intellectual direction and conduct of the research • May have some responsibility for financial aspects of the research • Foreign researchers can be co-applicants on most SSHRC grants • May be a visiting scholar for a total of 3 months over period of the grant (unpaid leave from home institution) – travel and subsistence covered by grant A collaborator: • May take various roles in the research • Collaborators’ research costs are not covered by SSHRC grant • May be a visiting scholar for a total of 3 months over period of the grant (unpaid leave from home institution) – travel and subsistence covered by grant

SSHRC Programs • Standard Research Grants • Both principal applicant and all co-applicants must be affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution • Major Collaborative Research Initiatives (MCRIs) • Community-University Research Alliances (CURA) • Image, Text, Sound and Technology (ITST) • International Opportunities Fund • Research Development Initiatives (RDIs) • Research Communication Grants/ Workshops & Conferences

SSHRC Guidelines and Application Forms • Deadlines vary – check the website • Most programs have a two-stage application process • Stage 1: Letter of Intent • Stage 2: Formal application (following acceptance at Stage 1) • Special calls for applications on specific issues/themes(once only opportunities) are occasionally announced www.sshrc.ca

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) • Invests in people, discovery and innovation to advance knowledge in the natural sciences and engineering • Funds more than 10,000 university professors every year www.nserc.ca

Definitions and Eligibility • Principal applicantand co-applicant(s): • Must hold an academic appointment at an eligible Canadian university or college • Collaborators: • May be a foreign researcher • Must be qualified to undertake research independently • Will be expected to contribute to the overall intellectual direction of the research project or program of research • Will be expected to bring your own resources to the collaboration (i.e. self-funded) • Foreign applicants may apply for the postdoctoral fellowship: • Visiting Fellowships in Canadian Government Laboratories

What do NSERC Grants Fund? • Direct cost of research (general principle) • NSERC does not fund indirect or overhead costs • NSERC also allows: • Salaries and stipends for research personnel (e.g. students, research associates, technicians, postdoctoral fellows, etc.) • Visiting researchers’ stipends – limited to a maximum of $2,000 per month for up to 125 days per year • Travel and subsistence costs for field work, research conferences, collaborative trips, archival work and historical research (for any research personnel associated with the grant) • Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) Grants: • Buying and developing research equipment and installations

NSERC Programs • Discover Grants (DG) – Group Projects • Funds ongoing programs of research with long-term goals • Grants are for 1-5 years • Average grant C$35,000 per year (up to C$200,000 per year) • Collaborative Health Research Projects • Jointly funded with Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) • Funds collaborative research in natural sciences/engineering AND the health sciences • Aimed at advancing knowledge and technologies to improve health outcomes

Visiting Fellowships in Canadian Government Laboratories • Recent doctoral graduates of any nationality • Opportunity for emerging scientists and engineers • Work with research groups in Canadian government departments and agencies, including: • Agriculture, Conservation, Environment, Fisheries and Oceans, Food Inspection, Health, Industry, Defence, Natural Resources, Parks, etc. • Value is C$43,724 per year • Term is 1 year, renewable for up to 2 more years • 450-500 applications made each year • 150 fellowships offered each year (varies) • 1/3 of fellowships awarded to foreign applicants

NSERC Guidelines and Application Forms www.nserc.ca

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) • Funds research that improves Canadians' health, health care system and quality of life • CIHR provides funding opportunities for four themes of health research • Biomedical • Clinical • Health systems services • Social, cultural, environmental and population health • Currently more than 10,000 researchers hold CIHR grants www.cihr.ca

Definitions and Eligibility • Principal applicant: • Must be affiliated with an eligible Canadian institution or organization by the time the funding begins and for the entire duration of the grant • Must be an independent researcher (i.e. not under the supervision of another person who is directing the research) • Co-applicants: • May be an independent researcher, a research associate, a trainee, or a foreign researcher • Collaborators: • Provide a special service (e.g. technicians) and do not contribute to the intellectual direction of research • Foreign applicants may apply for the postdoctoral fellowship: • CIHR Fellowships

What do CIHR grants fund? • Direct cost of research (general principle) • CIHR does not fund indirect or overhead costs • CIHR also allows: • Salaries for research associates, research assistants andtechnicians • Honoraria for guest lecturers • Travel and subsistence costs for field work, research conferences, collaborative trips, archival work and historical research (for any research personnel associated with the grant) • Research equipment and supplies, including staff training for specialized equipment • Computers and electronic equipment essential to the research

CIHR Programs • Operating Grants • All areas of health research by individuals or groups • Catalyst Grants • Calls for applications in specific areas of research • Supports preliminary or new areas of investigation • Facilitates team formation • Encourages a culture of invention and innovation • Meeting Planning and Dissemination Grants • Scientific meetings (workshops, symposia, conferences, etc.) • Knowledge translation activities to disseminate the results of research

CIHR Fellowships • Open to Canadians and citizens of other countries • Must hold a PhD or professional health degree (or equivalent) • Candidates with more than 3 years post-PhD research training will not be considered • Fellowships are awarded for • Up to 3 years (for PhD holders) • Up to 4 years (for professional degree holders) • Up to 5 years (for professional degree holders who intend to complete their PhD as part of the fellowship) • Annual stipend is C$21,000 to $50,000 depending on applicant’s experience and qualifications

CIHR Grants Deadlines • Deadlines and opportunities vary – check the website • Most programs have a two-stage application process • Stage 1: Letter of Intent • Stage 2: Formal application (following acceptance at Stage 1) www.cihr.ca

National Research Council (NRC) • Government of Canada’s premier organization for research and development since 1916 • NRC awards and fellowships recognise excellence by Canadian scientists and innovators • NRC Research Associateships • Open to Canadian citizens and foreign nationals • Recent PhD graduates in science or engineering or Masters in engineering and 5 years experience • Salaried position from C$49,489 (PhD recruiting rate) • Appointments are for 2 years, extendable to a maximum of 5 years • Apply online at anytime • Direct link: http://hia-iha.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/ra_e.html www.nrc.ca

Québec: Assistance for international research and innovation initiatives • Aims to support the linkage and visibility of Québec research and innovation with international initiatives • Intended for non-profit organizations, research institutions in the health and education networks, public research institutions, and businesses • Projects which may be eligible include: • Participation of Québec centres of excellence and businesses in international networks and consortiums • Recruitment and exchanges of international researchers • International internship programs • Financial assistance varies by type of activity; maximum 50% of project costs www.mdeie.gouv.qc.ca

Ontario: International Strategic Opportunities Program • Facilitates research of scientific importance • Funds strategic international collaboration between Ontario research institutions and the global research community • Lead organization must be an Ontario institution (e.g. research hospital, university, college, etc.) • Up to C$150,000 over 3 years • Provides 50% of eligible costs – balance from other sources • Funds must be used to facilitate collaboration – e.g. consortia project management, research exchanges/links, workshops/conferences/seminars, publications, etc. • Funds are not to be used for research • No formal deadlines – reviewed quarterly www.mri.gov.on.ca

Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research • Supports biomedical and health research in Alberta • Training programs (e.g. postdoctoral fellowships, graduate scholarships and undergraduate summer programs) • Visiting researchers (including visiting lectureships/ professorships, visiting scientists and experts for conferences/symposia) • Interdisciplinary Team Research Grants • Provides opportunities for high-quality, internationally recognized teams of investigators to complete research initiatives with defined health outcomes • Polaris Award • To help Alberta universities recruit outstanding mid-career health researchers of exceptional international calibre to the province www.ahfmr.ab.ca

Alberta Ingenuity Fund • Provides leadership and strategic investments in research and science and technology initiatives • Priority areas: energy, ICT, nanotechnology, and the life sciences • Graduate student scholarships • Supports top masters or doctoral students in the natural sciences or engineering at an Alberta university • New faculty awards • To independent investigators who are in their first academic career appointment at an Alberta university or college • Scholars Program • To attract to Alberta the world's best researchers and innovators in areas of strategic importance to the province www.albertaingenuity.ca

iCORE - Informatics • Provides financial support for university chairs to attract world-class researchers in the areas of computer science, electrical and computer engineering, physics, mathematics and other disciplines related to ICT • Chair Establishment Grants • To establish research positions in ICT at Alberta universities • Visiting Professor Grant Program • To support visiting professors in information science and engineering at Alberta universities for 6 months to 2 years • Graduate Student Scholarships • For graduate students studying in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) or Nanotechnology (ICT) at Alberta universities www.icore.ca

Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada Research Grants Program (APFRG) • Supports independent academic research on policy issues related to Canada’s relations with Asia • Canada Themes: • Up to C$10,000 over 3 months for research and 7,000 word policy paper on one of the following themes: • Building Asia-Pacific Gateway • Transnational Migration and Canadians Abroad • Global Asia • Open Grants: • Up to C$20,000 over 12 months for research and policy paper • Funding also available for special initiatives within APF’s general mandate (e.g. conferences) www.asiapacific.ca

Killam Trusts • Supports advanced education and research at the Canada Council of Arts & five Canadian universities: • University of Alberta; University of British Columbia; Calgary University; Dalhousie University; McGill University • Range of scholarships, fellowships and prizes available (varies by institution), examples: • Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Scholarships • Two-year doctoral scholarships for outstanding students in their 2nd/3rd year • Open to all disciplines and no citizenship restrictions • Valued at approx. C$25,000 per year (varies by university) • Killam Postdoctoral Fellowships • Fellowships for recent doctoral graduates (graduated in last 2 years) • C$35,000-$46,000 per year for two years (varies by university) www.killamtrusts.ca

L'Association internationale des études québécoises (AIEQ) • Aims to promote and develop Québec studies in Canada and abroad • Funding support available to members includes: • Grants to foreign academics to develop courses on Québec • Research grants in Québec studies to promote knowledge about and understanding of Québec through the publication of articles or books (any discipline) • Support for Québec participation in international conferences • Internships and postdoctoral scholarships located in Québec and abroad • Awards for excellence in Québec studies www.aieq.qc.ca

National Gallery of CanadaResearch Fellowships • Competitive research fellowships are offered in Canadian Art, European Art, Modern Art, History of Photography, and Art Conservation • Open to professionals (e.g. art historians, curators) and researchers in visual arts, museology and related disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, who have a graduate degree or equivalent publication history • Fellowships emphasize the use and investigation of the collections of the National Gallery of Canada, including those of the Library and Archives • Awards are up to C$5,000 per month (maximum C$30,000). www.gallery.ca

Canadian Centre for ArchitectureVisiting Scholars Program • Supports innovative research in the history, theory and criticism of architecture • Visiting Scholars Program • Open to scholars and architects conducting research at postdoctoral or more advanced academic levels • Apply on the basis of an independent research project based on or supported by the extensive holdings of the CCA library and collection • Residency period is 3 to 8 months • Competitive stipend and resources provided www.cca.qc.ca

Contact Us Tony McKittrick Academic Relations and Education Marketing Canadian High Commission, Canberra Phone: +61 2 6270 4050 Fax: +61 2 6270 4083 Email: tony.mckittrick@international.gc.ca www.australia.gc.ca

Canadian Research Funding