SSHRC Grant Application Enhancement Program 2016

The Office of the Vice President (Research and Innovation) at Lakehead University is pleased to announce the continuation of the SSHRC Grant Application Enhancement Program. This program is designed to encourage and support researchers at Lakehead University to begin preparation of their SSHRC applications well in advance of the internal deadline (two weeks before the SSHRC deadline), with the ultimate goal of increasing overall success rates. The workshops will be designed to develop skills to write each application type, with common and specific references made during the sessions.

Beginning in March 2016, applicants will participate in a series of workshops devoted to the drafting of specific elements of a SSHRC application, common across disciplinary boundaries. Workshop topics may include participating in a mock SSHRC peer review exercise, organizing a comprehensive description of the proposed research project, preparing an engaging summary, crafting a project budget, building effective research teams for successful grant applications, and creating a feasible knowledge mobilization plan. The topics and schedule of these workshops will be finalized in consultation with participants who are accepted in this program. At the conclusion of the workshops, participants’ feedback will be sought to assist in the evaluation of the program.

Participants in the program will be eligible for a research grant of up to $1000, distributed in two installments to aid in the development of their SSHRC applications. Researchers may use this grant for costs associated with research, including but not limited to, hiring research assistants and grant writers/editors, collecting preliminary data, and gathering materials for the literature review. The $1000 grant will be distributed in two separate allotments: 1) $500 at the completion of the workshops in which the participant had full attendance and 2) $500 after a SSHRC application has been submitted. Applications from the completion of the workshops must be submitted to the next immediately available Insight Grant, Insight Development Grant, Partnership Letter of Intent Grant, or Partnership Development Grant competition.

Over the summer of 2016, participants will submit their draft applications for a formal review by a Lakehead University SSHRC Mentor, receiving valuable feedback to further strengthen their applications. Participants will be given the results of their review six weeks prior to the internal deadline in order to revise and submit their application to the external SSHRC competition.

All researchers engaged in research in the area of social sciences and humanities are welcome to participate in the program. Participants from previous programs are welcome to apply to re-enroll in the program on an “audit” basis, which means that they will not be eligible for the financial incentive.

In order to apply for the program, researchers should send to Dr. Lana Ozen (SSHRC Research Facilitator) by March 4, 2016:

a)      a brief 1-page description of their proposed research project, including title and abstract (250-500 words),

b)      a short bio about the researcher (100-200 words), and

c)      a budget for the $1000 research grant

Please note that only 12 applicants will be selected to participate in this program, so please ensure your application contains all required components and is submitted by the deadline. Evaluation will be based on originality, relevance to SSHRC’s mandate, methodology, project description cohesiveness and background of the researcher. Please allow 2 weeks for the results to be announced. If you would like more information, please contact Dr. Ozen by email at lozen@lakeheadu.ca or phone 807-343-8290.

These innovative programs must include the acquisition and development of important professional skills among students and postdoctoral fellows that complement their qualifications and technical skills.

Internal Process/Quota
A yearly quota has been established for each university and only those researchers selected at their university can submit Letters of Intent.  Under its assigned quota, Lakehead University can submit up to two letters of intent to the CREATE  program.  Therefore, researchers are asked  to indicate to the Office of Research Services (e-mail to ahacquo1@lakeheadu.ca) by February 16  if they plan to submit a letter of intent to NSERC. If more than two applicants indicate that they intend to submit a letter of intent, an internal competition will need to be held to determine which two LOIs are submitted by the NSERC deadline of May 1.

Although the CREATE program information on NSERC's website has not yet been updated, more background information on the CREATE program can be found  here.

Internal Planning Process for Upcoming CFI IF Call for Proposals

• CFI IF Expressions of Interest are due to the ORS by February 29, 2016. 
• To access the draft CFI call (which includes the CFI's timelines), click here.

For its tenth nation-wide research infrastructure competition, the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) encourages eligible institutions and their researchers to craft proposals that focus on excellence, build on research strengths, and incorporate collaboration as a means to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Canadian research enterprise. These elements underpin the key directions of the CFI Strategic Roadmap 2012-17.

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) has issued a call for large research infrastructure projects under the 2017 Innovation Fund.  The objectives of the 2017 Innovation Fund (IF) are to enable institutions and their best researchers to:

• Strive for global leadership by conducting world-class research or technology development activities in areas of strategic institutional priority;

• Enhance research capacity by forging productive partnerships within and among institutions, sectors and disciplines for the effective and sustainable use of the research infrastructure and facilities;
• Generate social, health, environmental and/or economic benefits for Canadians, including better training and improved skills for highly qualified personnel, through appropriate pathways.

The Office of Research Services would like to invite all faculty members and research centres to submit CFI IF Expressions of Interest with infrastructure project proposals that would be competitive under the IF.  At this time, the proposals will not be evaluated but will be used to seek opportunities for collaboration among researchers, other academic institutions and partners. Once the CFI issues a formal call for proposals (Notice of Intent (NOI) to apply), the VP (RI) then will formally issue an internal call for NOIs. 

The CFI’s Challenge to Institutions

It is important to note that for this competition (to access the draft CFI call, click here), the CFI will be challenging institutions to:  "propose transformative infrastructure projects that will underpin cutting-edge, globally competitive research. Institutions should continue to be guided by their strategic research plans and establish priorities that build on their distinct advantages. Through the 2017 Innovation Fund, the CFI seeks to support promising and innovative research or technology development in areas where Canada currently is, or has the potential to be, competitive on the global stage. The CFI will support initiatives that allow institutions and their researchers to build on established capabilities to accelerate current research and technology development or to enhance emerging strategic priority areas." 

As well, "Institutions are challenged to increase the competitiveness of the proposed research activities through collaboration with appropriate partners to plan, acquire, develop, operate and maintain infrastructure. Collaborations may be integrated into all facets of the proposed activities; for example, for the conduct of world-class research, the optimal use and sustainability of infrastructure, and knowledge or technology transfer that will generate socioeconomic benefits."

 Under the 2017 IF competition, the CFI is encouraging institutions to submit proposals for which there is a proven record of, or a strong potential for, excellence and commitment.  The CFI expects ". . . that effective collaboration with partners, where appropriate, will strengthen every aspect of a proposal." 

It is important to note that for the 2017 IF competition, the CFI will only consider proposals whose total project costs are greater than $750,000.

Submission Requirements

(includes proposals in which Lakehead is the lead institution or has been asked to contribute part of its CFI allocation to another institution's submission)

Expressions of Interest submitted should be no more than two pages, including the budget estimate, and must include the following information:

1. Name of Principal Applicant, Co-applicants (and their academic institutions) and potential external partners.

2. Project Title.

3. General Objectives – Describe how your proposed project meets the requirements and vision of the CFI 2017 IF call for proposals.

4.  A brief description of the proposed research project.

5.  A budget estimate and list of potential equipment.        

6.  How the proposed research project fits with the research priority areas outlined in the Lakehead University Academic/Research Plan.

Researchers are reminded that the proposed CFI IF project should meet the following CFI criteria:    

• Objective 3: Generate social, health, environmental and/or economic benefits for Canadians, including better training and improved skills for highly qualified personnel, through appropriate pathways.

• Benefits to Canadians: The research or technology development results will be transferred through appropriate pathways to potential end users and are likely to generate social, health, environmental and/or economic benefits for Canadians.

While we are soliciting proposals at this time, please note that the University may use this opportunity to apply for CFI IF funds for institutional strategic research infrastructure needs.

Should you have any questions regarding the CFI IF competition or internal CFI planning process, please contact  Anne Klymenko at ext. 8223 or via email:  Anne.Klymenko@lakeheadu.ca.

Each year the Building Research Capacity Award honours a Lakehead faculty researcher or group of researchers who have contributed to major research initiatives and/or furthered our University’s research capacity and productivity as a whole.

If you would like to nominate such a faculty researcher, please see the attached document for information about eligibility requirements, the nomination process and selection committee.

A cash award of $1,000 and a framed certificate will be presented to the selected recipient(s) during Research and Innovation Week’s Awards Reception.

Nomination deadline is Monday February 8, 2016.

Lakehead is ranked number one in Canada for research in the category of undergraduate universities by Re$earch Infosource.

“This ranking further establishes Lakehead as an exceptional University for research,” said Lakehead President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Brian Stevenson. “This is an achievement that students, staff, faculty and alumni can be proud of.”

Re$earch Infosource’s 2015 rankings show how research at Lakehead University has maintained an excellent status when compared to its peer institutions in Ontario and Canada.

“This recognition is a testament to the continuing growth of research at Lakehead,” said Dr. Andrew Dean, Vice-President, Research and Innovation.

“This designation demonstrates not only the quantity of funded research, but also the quality of research produced. Lakehead University’s publication impact and research intensity means that we are a true leader nationally and internationally.”

Lakehead is one of only 10 Ontario universities on the Re$earch Infosource Top 50 list that had an increase in research funding in 2014.

“This has been a great year for Lakehead,” said Ron Freedman, CEO of Re$earch Infosource Inc. 

“Not only is Lakehead the Research University of the Year in the Undergraduate category, it performed very well in terms of research partnerships with the non-profit sector. This means the university is combining high quality research with community impact. It reflects well on Lakehead's researchers and research administration,” Freedman said.

Re$earch Infosource’s ranking is based on a balanced scorecard of research inputs and outputs. Calculating the top ranked Undergraduate Research Universities of the Year involves examining several factors, such as the total amount of sponsored research funding received by Lakehead University, research intensity (total research income per full-time faculty member), research outputs based on total number of publications, publication intensity, and publication impact.

For more information about Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities, visit www.researchinfosource.com/top50_univ.php.   

Lakehead University Research Achievements in Recent Years

Lakehead University has been one of Canada’s fastest growing research-intensive universities in the undergraduate category in the last decade.  During this time, sponsored research income has grown by 133 per cent, and the number of students enrolled in graduate studies has increased by 90 per cent.   

In 2014, Maclean’s magazine included Lakehead among Canada’s Top 10 primarily undergraduate universities, in addition to the top spot in numerous research-specific areas, including first in Ontario for total research dollars and total value of Social Sciences & Humanities grants. 

Lakehead also ranked number one in Canada in the Spotlight on University Non-Profit Research Partnerships for 2010-2014. Please click this link for more information: www.researchinfosource.com/pdf/Spotlight2015NonProfitUndergraduate.pdf.

Regular (administrative) Internships:  Two Positions Available

Lakehead University has two NOHFC administrative-related internships (out of its quota of two administrative-related placements) available through the NOHFC Northern Ontario Internship Program. The internal deadline for the submission of regular internship applications to the Office of Research (ahacquo1@lakeheadu.ca) is August 7, 2015. If more than two applications are received, an internal competition will need to be held to determine which two applications will be submitted to the NOHFC.  Final decisions will be made by the Executive Team Working Group.

Under the administrative call, preference will be given to applications from Lakehead University administrative units.

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General Information on NOHFC Youth Internship Program

Under the internship program, Funding is available for organizations located in Northern Ontario to provide first time full-time employment in a related field to recent university and  college graduates. The program will support innovation, economic/community development and capacity building within communities. Through this program, eligible not-for-profit and public sector organizations located in Northern Ontario are potentially eligible to receive a conditional contribution of up to 90 percent of a recent graduate’s salary to a maximum contribution of $31,500. Please note that the NOHFC contribution does not include benefits costs. Benefits costs are the responsibility of the grantee. 

It is important to note that NOHFC funding under this program, when combined with other provincial and federal government sources, will generally not exceed 90 per cent of eligible costs for public sector employers. Applications will be reviewed according to the following criteria: 

In the past Lakehead University has been successful in securing awards through the previous rounds of the Ministry of Research and Innovation (MRI)’s Early Researcher Award (ERA) program.  The purpose of this program is to help promising, recently-appointed Ontario researchers build their research teams of undergraduates, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, research assistants, associates, and technicians.

Lakehead University invites early career researchers who meet the ERA program criteria, to apply to the 2015 internal ERA competition.  You are eligible to apply for this award if you:

• are a full-time faculty member or principal investigator at an eligible research institution
• started your independent academic research career no more than 5 years ago (as of July 1, 2015)
• completed your first PhD, DVM or MD no more than 10 years ago (as of July 1, 2015)
• have not already held an Early Researcher Award
• are not a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair.

Researchers may receive only one ERA during their career.  To be competitive, researchers are encouraged to be actively involved in conducting research that has been supported by peer-reviewed funding and to demonstrate academic independence from previous supervisors.

Under this program, an award to a leading researcher is worth a maximum of $100,000 and must be matched by an additional $50,000. For this competition, Lakehead University will provide the required matching contribution of $50,000 ($10,000 per year over 5 years) towards two applications. If researchers, however, are able to access funds from other sources to meet the matching requirement, Lakehead will consider submitting more than two meritorious ERA applications. Please note that awards administered by the federal granting councils (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council) are not eligible partner contributions.

Notices of intent (NOI), using the MRI form, are due in the Office of Research Services no later than June 22, 2015 (this is required in order for the applicant to be registered with MRI). Full ERA applications are then due internally in the Office of Research Services no later than July 24, 2015 and will be reviewed by the Lakehead University Senate Research Committee (SRC) to determine which application(s) will be submitted to the ERA program.

In addition to the required ERA application form and attachments, researchers are required to provide three original signed letters of reference in sealed and signed envelopes clearly marked with “ERA reference for (insert applicant’s name on envelope)”.  These sealed envelopes should be put inside another bigger envelope addressed to the Office of Research Services, Lakehead University (955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1).  One additional copy of the reference letters should be sent by fax (807-346-7749) or e-mail (ahacquo1@lakeheadu.ca) to the Office of Research Services or included in the application package for the purpose of Lakehead’s internal review. 

The official call for this program will be posted on the Ministry website soon.  The information will include complete list of ineligible partner contributions, eligible expenses, evaluation criteria, application forms and letter of reference requirements, please see the ERA program guidelines. For now, please see the attached draft document.

Internal Call for Applications: Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) – Northern Ontario Internship Program

Research Internships: Two Positions Available 

Lakehead University has two NOHFC research-related internships (out of its quota of five research-related placements) available through the NOHFC Northern Ontario Internship Program. The internal deadline for the submission of internship applications to the Office of Research Services is June 4, 2015. If more than two applications are received, an internal competition will need to be held.

Review Process for Research Internship Positions

As part of the internal review process, applications will be reviewed and ranked by the Senate Research Committee.  Following this internal review and ranking, applications will be sent to the local Ministry of Northern Development and Mines staff for review prior to submission to the NOHFC to ensure internships meet the definition of research as defined by the NOHFC.  Once MNDM has deemed internships meet their research criteria, internship applications will be submitted to the NOHFC by the University.

Please note that for a proposal to be considered as being a research internship, the application must be written so as to involve research-related activities instead of administrative ones.  Research internship applications that are deemed by the NOHFC to not be research-related in nature will be rejected by the NOHFC.

General Information on NOHFC Youth Internship Program

Under the internship program, Funding is available for organizations located in Northern Ontario to provide  first time full-time employment in a related field to recent university and  college graduates. The program will support innovation, economic/community development and capacity building within communities. Through this program, eligible not-for-profit and public sector organizations located in Northern Ontario are potentially eligible to receive a conditional contribution of up to 90 percent of a recent graduate’s salary to a maximum contribution of $31,500. Please note that the NOHFC contribution does not include benefits costs. Benefits costs are the responsibility of the grantee.