INFORMATION SESSION 2004 Preparing Your Research Grant Application

1. INFORMATION SESSION 2004Preparing Your Research Grant Application Office of Research Services Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science & University NSERC Representative

2. Program Overview • Introduction • NSERC’s Programs • Preparing a Successful Application • ORS: Timelines and Deadlines • Questions and Discussion NSERC Information Session 2004

3. NSERC Programs • Grants Programs • Partnerships • Chairs and Faculty Support • Research Tools and Instruments and Infrastructure Programs • International • Prizes • Science Promotion NSERC Information Session 2004

4. Summary of Changes • Discovery Grants • November 1, 2004 • Northern Research Supplement • Research Tools & Instruments (RTI) • Application Deadline is October 25, 2004 • Categories 2 ($150,001-$325,000) and 3 (>$325,000) moratorium remains in effect • Applications for equipment costing up to $250,000 can be submitted under category 1 if the applicant is able to secure funding from other sources and the amount requested from NSERC is $150,000 or less. NSERC Information Session 2004

5. Summary of ChangesProgram Guide for Professors[updates in NSERC and ORS (Researchnet)] • Financial Administration (e.g. stipends) • Eligibility Criteria • Requirements for Certain Types of Research • Form 100 – Information on Research Personnel • Form 101 – Certain Types of Research NSERC Information Session 2004

6. Preparing a Successful Application What do you want to do? What have you done so far? Why do you want to do it? How do you intend to do it? Who else will participate? What do you need and what will it cost? How are you going to let the world know about it? CAN YOU ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS TO SATISFACTION? NSERC Information Session 2004

7. Preparing a Successful Application • Know the Granting Agency • Know Your Discipline/Field • Know Your Grant Selection Committee • Membership • Funding Trends • Reallocation Priorities NSERC Information Session 2004

8. Intent to Apply • GSC • Summary of Research Proposal • Proposed External Referees • List of Contributions (Publications) NSERC Information Session 2004

9. Criteria • Eligibility • New Applicants • Selection Criteria • Excellence of the Researcher(s) • Merit of the Proposal • Training (HQP) • Need for Funds NSERC Information Session 2004

10. Excellence of the Researcher • Knowledge, Expertise and Experience • Track Record • Attracting other Funding • Contribution to Training • Contributions to Research • Importance of Contributions • Teams: Relationship to others in the team NSERC Information Session 2004

11. The Proposal • Original and Innovative • Significance and Expected Outcome • Clear Goals (short- and long-term) and Objectives • Scope of Proposal • Appropriate Methodology • Clear Research Plan • Opportunity for Excellent Training • Feasibility NSERC Information Session 2004

12. Budget • Allowable Expenditures • Justification of Budget • Availability of Other Funds • Relationship to Other Grants Received • Special Needs (e.g. access to other facilities) • Remember that funds awarded are in aid of the proposed research and that the Research Grant Program will not generate the full funds required!! NSERC Information Session 2004

13. Training • Key Requirement • Undergraduates, Graduates, Research Personnel (Assistants, Associates and PDF) • Excellent Opportunity for Training • Opportunities for HQP • Collaborative • Multidisciplinary • Industry Interaction NSERC Information Session 2004

14. Form 101 • Use Plain Language for the Research Summary • Organize the Proposal According to NSERC Format • Progress Report (if applicable) • Position the Research • Long- and Short-Term Objectives • Methodology and Research Plan Should Tie in Objectives and Role of HQP or Collaborators NSERC Information Session 2004

15. Form 101 Continued • HQP • Budget and Relationship to the Proposed Research* • Other Research Support • Address Previous GSC Comments (if applicable) NSERC Information Session 2004

16. Form 100 • Funding • Describe up to 5 significant research contributions* • Other Research Contributions* • Training* • Other Impacts of Work • Delays NSERC Information Session 2004

17. Helpful Suggestions • A Good Application Takes Time • Write Well • Rely on Mentors and Colleagues for Input • Separate Yourself from PhD and PDF Supervisors NSERC Information Session 2004

18. Helpful Suggestions continued • Publish! • Create Opportunities for Training • Plan a Research Career • Leverage Opportunities • Take Advantage of Support from ORS and FEAS NSERC Information Session 2004

19. Research Tools and Instruments and Infrastructure Programs • Apply! • Relationship to CFI and Other Infrastructure • Research to be Carried Out • Justification • Need • Impact on Training NSERC Information Session 2004

20. Role of Office of Research Services Dissemination of information on funding opportunities; Grant & contract proposal development & review for endorsement; Financial management & reporting; Research ethics review management; Technology transfer; Communications & promotion NSERC Information Session 2004

21. KEY PEOPLE AT ORS • For NSERC-related grants and contracts • Susan Haggis, Grants/Contracts Officer (Physical & Life Sciences) • Heather Gallant, Business Development, Contracts & Technology Transfer NSERC Information Session 2004

22. Timelines and Internal Submission Requirements • Research Tools (October 25) • October 18 (final date for ORS review) • October 22 (9.30 a.m. for ORS courier) • Discovery Grant (November 1) • October 25 (final date for ORS review) • October 29 (9.30 a.m. for ORS courier) NSERC Information Session 2004