News from the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research

Research Grants Office

NSERC

We would like to draw to your attention to two elements of the NSERC Research Partnerships programs, Research Networks and Strategic Projects, which, according to NSERC, do not attract as many applications as it would have expected.

Research Networks: The Research Networks program funds large-scale, complex research proposals that involve multi-sectorial collaborations on a common research theme and that demonstrate the added advantages of a networking (regional or national) approach. The main requirements to apply under this program are:

  1. at least five researchers from three organizations that are not formally affiliated. Of the three organizations, at least one should be from a non-university sector;

  2. a management structure to direct, manage and integrate the network's activities; and

  3. a budget normally in excess of $500,000 annually from NSERC, or a total budget in excess of $1 million annually.

Research Networks may be funded for up to five years. Application deadlines: June 1 for Letters of Intent and November 1 for those invited to apply.

Strategic Projects: The 1999 Strategic Projects program supports research in six targeted areas of technology: Biotechnologies, Energy Efficiency, Environmental, Information, Manufacturing and Processing and Materials. While priority is given to the six areas of research, the program is still open to all areas.

The main requirements for this program are:

  1. that the research will produce a specific economic, social, industrial or environmental benefit to Canada, and

  2. collaboration from at least one partner from outside of the university sector. Collaboration can be defined as either cash or in-kind contribution or active participation whereby the partner is closely involved with the research and its progress. Strategic Projects may be funded for up to five years. Deadline: April 15.

MRC Registration Reminder

As of fall 1998, applicants to the MRC Operating, Equipment, Maintenance or Clinical Trials Grant programs must notify MRC of their intent to apply for a grant. The deadline to register your intent is February 1, 1999, for the March 1, 1999 competition.

To register, you must have a Personal Identification Number (PIN). If you have not already received a PIN from MRC you must request for one in writing and include a completed cover page of the CV Module. Your PIN should be used on all registration and application forms. Please consult the MRC's web site at www.mrc.gc.ca for guidelines to register.

SSHRC

New Strategic Research Themes: SSHRC approved a $30-million investment over six years to fund three new strategic research programs in fields of considerable importance to Canadian society:

  1. Challenges and Opportunities of a Knowledge-based Economy

  2. Society, Culture and the Health of Canadians

  3. Exploring Social Cohesion in a Globalizing Era.

The deadline for submitting Letters of Intent is February 26, 1999.

New Strategic Initiatives: Federalism & Federations - SSHRC and Intergovernmental Affairs have joined in partnership to offer a grants program entitled Federalism and Federations. This Program aims to enhance our understanding of Canadian federalism by drawing on scholarship that documents and analyzes development in both domestic and comparative contexts.

Valuing Literacy in Canada - SSHRC and the National Literacy Secretariat (NLS) of Human Resources Development Canada have joined forces to offer the Valuing Literacy in Canada program. This Program will encourage the examination of literacy issues from a broad, multidisciplinary perspective that will enable a fuller appreciation of the social, economic and cultural effects that literacy skills have both on adults' ability to participate fully in Canadian society and on Canada's ability to adapt to economic and social challenges. The program offers three types of funding:

  1. Strategic Research Grants - Deadline: March 31, 1999;

  2. Strategic Partnership Development Grants - Deadline: Open;

  3. Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowship Supplements.

CFS/NSERC/SSHRC/Forest Research Partnerships Program

The Canadian Forest Service (CFS), NSERC and SSHRC offer a new program, the Strategic Joint Initiative in Canadian Forest Research, to address Canada's increasing need to approach forestry issues from a multiplicity of perspectives. The broad objectives of this program are to promote the sustainable development of forests, the forest industry and the communities that depend on the forests. Grants are awarded to university researchers eligible for NSERC or SSHRC funding. Applicants should consult the agency's web site for their respective deadline dates.

For other program deadlines, please consult RGO's website.