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

• Research Internships:  Two Positions Available

Overview
The intent of the Northern Ontario Internship Program is to strengthen Northern Ontario’s competitive advantage and build economic development capacity by attracting and retaining graduates in the North. The program provides recent graduates who are interested in launching and building their careers in Northern Ontario access to internships.

Lakehead University has two NOHFC research-related internships, out of its quota of five research-related placements available (one becomes available in the fall, and the second one after January 2015).  

The internal deadline for the submission of internship applications to the Office of Research Services is August 14, 2014. If more than two internship applications are received an internal competition will need to be held (applications will be reviewed by the Senate Research Committee).

Eligibility Criteria

• University and college graduates who have graduated within the last three years from an accredited college or university. Candidates must be graduates of post-secondary degree or diploma programs.
• The position must provide the intern with first time employment in their field of study. 
• Candidates are only eligible to participate in the internship program one time.   
• Candidates must be legally entitled to work in Canada.

Review Criteria
Applications will be reviewed according to the following criteria:

• The opportunity for the placement to result in a full time permanent job.
• The quality of the skill development opportunity.
• The type of training being proposed by the employer.
• The work plan/supervision method. Direct supervision must be provided daily by an onsite supervisor.   

Funding
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.  As well, 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. Please note that for a proposal to be considered as being a research internship, the application must be written so as to meet the definition of research shown below:

Research involves a critical or scientific inquiry aimed at the discovery of new facts, new knowledge, or the development of new interpretations or applications.

For more information about the NOHFC program, please go to: http://nohfc.ca/en/programs/northern-ontario-internship-program

Lakehead University has announced a call for nominations/applications for the Lakehead University Research Chairs (LURCs) program.  These Chairs recognize high quality research, scholarly and creative achievement by providing a two-year research grant to support an individual’s program of research.  The LURCs program is a key element in retaining outstanding research talent at our institution.  In addition, this program will contribute towards the achievement of our Strategic Research Plan goal – to become one of the top 25 research-intensive universities in Canada in the next 5-10 years.  

Lakehead University is seeking applications for two (2) new LURCs, one (1) in the disciplines supported by SSHRC/CIHR and one (1) in the disciplines supported by NSERC/CIHR. 

Eligibility:  All tenured faculty who are members of LUFA and have been employed by Lakehead University for at least five years are eligible.  Current or past research chair holders such as CRCs, LURCs, Ontario Research Chairs, SHARCNET Chairs, etc., are not eligible to receive this award.

Value of Award:  $50,000 research grant ($25,000/yr) tenable over two years beginning September 1, 2014.  The Chair’s research grant may be used to support the following eligible expenditures:  teaching release (Chairs are required to teach a minimum of 1.0 FCE per year), stipends for students, post-doctoral fellows and research associates, research and conference travel, equipment and grant-writing support.  Chairs must receive the necessary approvals for teaching release using Lakehead University’s Release Time Request Form.  Salary payments to Research Chairs in lieu of teaching release will not be considered as an eligible expense.  Should funds remain at the end of the two year period, Chairs may request a maximum one year extension.

Application Process:  As part of their submission, Candidates should include the following:

• Cover letter;
• Two-year research plan (maximum 3 pages, plus one additional page for references);
• Budget with a budget justification (maximum 1 page) (Release Time Request Form if applicable);
• Curriculum Vitae or CCV;
• Three external letters of reference (please note that scanned copies of the original letters of reference may be e-mailed directly by referees to Dr. Umed Panu by the deadline date, but the original of the  letters of reference must be mailed by external referees to complete the file), and
• Supporting letter from the Faculty Dean.

Applications must be submitted to Dr. Umed Panu, Associate Vice-President (Research, Economic Development, and Innovation) no later than 4:30 July 2, 2014.  

Selection Process and Criteria:  The Advisory Committee to the President for Canada Research Chair Nominations has been given the mandate of making a recommendation on the selection of Lakehead University Research Chairs to the President for approval.  The Advisory Committee to the President for Canada Research Chair Nominations will review all eligible Lakehead University Research Chair nominations/applications utilizing the following evaluation criteria:

• be outstanding and innovative researchers whose accomplishments have made a major impact in their fields;
• be recognized nationally and internationally as leaders in their fields;
• have a track-record of attracting external research funding;
• have an excellent record of mentoring undergraduate students, supervising graduate students and postdoctoral fellows (taking into account circumstances in the Department or practices in the relevant field or discipline) and as Chairs have the potential to attract excellent trainees and future researchers;
• have a record of participating in collaborative interdisciplinary research and contributing to research capacity building (e.g., development of new graduate programs); and
• have proposed  an original, innovative research program of high quality that fits the priority research areas outlined in Lakehead University’s Strategic Academic and Research Plan.

Successful Lakehead University Research Chairs will be expected to give at least one public presentation as part of Lakehead’s annual Research and Innovation Week.  Each Chair will also be required to submit to the Vice-President (Research, Economic Development, and Innovation) and faculty dean a report highlighting their activities and accomplishments during their term as a Lakehead University Research Chair at the end of their award period.

For additional information regarding the application process, please contact Anne Klymenko, Director, Office of Research Services at ext. 8223.

Dear NSERC-Eligible Faculty Member:

Last year, NSERC decided to maintain a national competition for the RTI Grants Program . The new application system will involve each institution being assigned a quota of applications that they can submit to NSERC's national competition (October 25 deadline). Under this new system, Lakehead University has been assigned a quota of four applications. Therefore, in preparation for the fall RTI competition, Lakehead University faculty members are invited to submit complete RTI grant application packages (Form 101, Form 100 for the applicant and co-applicants) no later than September 17, 2014 to the Office of Research Services. Only applications from applicants and co-applicants who currently hold or are applying for an NSERC research grant (e.g., Discovery, Strategic, Collaborative Research and Development, Canada Research Chairs) at the time of application will be accepted.

If more than four applications are received, all of the submissions will be appraised and ranked according to NSERC's RTI evaluation criteria by an equipment and infrastructure sub-committee of the SRC. Subject to final approval by the Vice-President (Research, Economic Development and Innovation), the FOUR applications receiving the highest ranking will be submitted to NSERC by the October 25, 2014 deadline.

Umed Panu

Associate Vice-President (Research, Economic Development and Innovation)

MEMORANDUM

Date:              April 18, 2014                  

To:                  Faculty, Chairs and Deans           

From:             Umed Panu, Associate Vice-President (Research, Economic Development, and Innovation)       

Subject:          Early Researcher Award - Internal Competition

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 2014 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, 2013)
• completed your first PhD, DVM or MD no more than 10 years ago (as of July 1, 2013)
• 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 one application. If researchers, however, are able to access funds from other sources to meet the matching requirement, Lakehead will consider submitting more than one meritorious ERA application. 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 May 23, 2014 (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 11, 2014 and will be reviewed by the Lakehead University Senate Research Committee (SRC) to determine which application 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. 

For a complete list of ineligible partner contributions, eligible expenses, evaluation criteria, application forms and letter of reference requirements, please see the ERA program guidelines found at:  http://www.ontario.ca/business-and-economy/funding-academic-research-early-researcher-awards

Researchers who are eligible to apply to the 2014 Foundation Scheme 1st Live Pilot may begin registration to this competition through ResearchNet as of  Monday, March 24, 2014. Registration will stay open until 8 p.m. Eastern time, June 23, 2014. As this is a new funding opportunity, CIHR encourages researchers to refer to the registration instructions available online.

The Foundation Scheme is designed to contribute to a sustainable foundation of new and established health research leaders, by providing long-term support for the pursuit of innovative and high-impact research programs.

The Foundation Scheme is expected to:

• Support a broad base of health research leaders across all career stages, areas, and health-related disciplines;
• Develop and maintain Canadian capacity in health research and other related fields;
• Provide research leaders with the flexibility to pursue novel and innovative lines of inquiry;
• Contribute to the creation and application of health-related knowledge through a wide range of research and/or knowledge translation activities, including relevant collaborations.

For more information: 

https://www.researchnet-recherchenet.ca/rnr16/viewOpportunityDetails.do?...

The Ontario Research Fund Research Excellence (ORF-RE) program promotes research excellence of strategic value to Ontario by supporting new leading-edge, transformative, and internationally significant research.

As a general rule, the minimum support provided by the ORF-RE to a project is $1 million. The maximum support provided is $4 million.
The ORF-RE focuses on scientific excellence and strong benefits to Ontarians. Applications are reviewed against the following criteria:

• Research Excellence: Scientific merit, quality of research, and expertise of research team
• Research Impact: Anticipated value to Ontarians in the following three categories:

1. Commercialization
2.  Economic Benefits
3.  Societal Benefits

• Research Translation: Strategy for achieving Research Impact
• Project Management and Governance: Management of the project, including governance structure, sustainability, budget, and milestones

The program will contribute towards eligible operating costs of an approved research project to a maximum of 1/3 of the total project costs, with 1/3 of the remainder coming from the applicant institution(s) and 1/3 from the private sector.

ORF-RE Round 7 is a general funding round. While Round 7 is open to all disciplines, the Ministry particularly encourages applications in three focus areas:

• Bio-economy and clean technologies
• Advanced health technologies
• Digital media and information & communications technologies

Interested applicants must submit a non-binding letter of intent to the Ministry of Research and Innovation, through their institution no later than February 12, 2014.  Since the letter of intent requires sign off by the University, faculty members  are asked to submit their letters of intent to the Office of Research Services by February 7, 2014.

For more information:  http://www.ontario.ca/business-and-economy/ontario-research-fund-research-excellence

Internal Planning Process for Upcoming CFI IF Call for Proposals

• CFI IF Expressions of Interest are due to the ORS by January 31, 2014. 
• To access the official CFI call (which includes the CFI's timelines), click here.

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) will soon be issuing a call for large research infrastructure projects under the 2015 Innovation Fund.  The objectives of the 2015 Innovation Fund (IF) are to enable institutions and their best researchers to:

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

• Forge and foster productive, value-added partnerships within and among institutions, sectors and disciplines that will nurture creativity and innovation resulting in an effective and sustainable use of the research infrastructure and facilities;

• Identify and develop plans and potential pathways to social, health, environmental and economic benefits for Canada, including better training and improved skills for highly qualified personnel.

The Office of Research Services in collaboration with the Faculty Deans 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 (REDI) 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 CFI call, click here), the CFI will be challenging institutions to propose transformative infrastructure projects that will underpin cutting-edge research and will have a structural effect on Canada’s research landscape. As well, the CFI expects that projects funded through the 2015 IF competition will support promising and innovative directions in research or technology development in areas where Canada currently is, or has the potential to be, competitive on the global stage. The CFI has indicated that it will support initiatives that allow institutions and their researchers to build on and enhance an emerging strategic priority area, accelerate current research and technology development work or take established capabilities to a globally competitive level.

 Under the 2015 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.  Institutions are also being encouraged to consider how their proposals can be made more competitive through collaboration with appropriate partners and to plan co-operatively to acquire, develop and maintain infrastructure.  Finally, in developing proposals, institutions are encouraged to engage with end-users of research or technology development to clearly define the potential benefits for Canadians. 

For purposes of the 2015 IF competition, the CFI has placed a limit on the total value of funding that an eligible institution can request from this fund.  Lakehead University’s institutional envelope is $2,150,000 (representing CFI’s 40% of project costs). No application that exceeds Lakehead’s CFI institutional envelope will be considered. As in previous competitions, CFI awards will be available to fund infrastructure and equipment (capital expenses only) and will provide up to 40% of the total project cost.  We also anticipate that the Ministry of Research and Innovation’s Ontario Research Fund (ORF) will fund an additional 40% with the remaining 20% of the funding to be provided by eligible funding partners (for example, in-kind contributions in the form of special discounts from equipment suppliers on infrastructure items beyond the best educational price).

Submission Requirements

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 2015 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:

•         Institutional track record and commitment: The proposal builds on existing capacity and key investments in people and infrastructure. Through tangible commitments, the institution supports the area of the proposal in order to maintain or gain a competitive advantage internationally.

•         Research or technology development: The proposed research or technology development activities enabled by the research infrastructure are timely, innovative and at the leading edge internationally. The activities have the potential to lead to breakthroughs and will enhance the international competitiveness of the institution and its researchers.

•         Team: The principal users of the infrastructure are established or emerging leaders in the relevant research or technology development domains. The team has the necessary expertise, ability and relevant collaborations and partnerships in place to successfully conduct the research or technology development activities.

•         Infrastructure: The infrastructure is necessary and appropriate to conduct the research or technology development activities. The use of the infrastructure will be maximized within and among institutions and sectors (private, public and non-profit).

•         Sustainability of the research infrastructure: The proposal presents a compelling plan for the management, operation and maintenance of the proposed infrastructure with tangible and appropriate commitments over its useful life.

•         Benefits to Canadians: The research or technology development activities are likely to lead to significant tangible benefits for society, health, the economy and/or the environment. Where appropriate, effective pathways have been identified and will be developed to transfer the results and outputs of the research or technology development to potential end-users in a timely manner.

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.

Dr. Umed Panu,

Associate Vice-President (Research, Economic Development and Innovation)

Goals of the CREATE Program

NSERC's CREATE Program supports the training of teams of highly qualified students and postdoctoral fellows from Canada and abroad through the development of innovative training programs that:

•encourage collaborative and integrative approaches that address significant scientific challenges

•facilitate the transition of new researchers from trainees to productive employees in the Canadian workforce

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 by March 3 to indicate to the Office of Research Services (e-mail to ahacquo1@lakeheadu.ca) 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 competition.

For more information on the call, please click here.

The primary instrument for Canadian universities and researchers to engage with Europe is through Horizon 2020, (which is  European Union’s Eighth Framework Programme for Research and Innovation).

The European Commission recently issued its official Horizon 2020 Work Programs. These informatoin contained within these work programs outlines the anticipated topics for funding and also explains the connection of Horizon 2020 with the main EU policies that are relevant to research and innovation (for example the ‘Europe 2020 strategy,’ the ‘Innovation Union’ flagship initiative and the European Research Area). 

Please note that Canadian researchers will be particularly interested in the EU's "Blue Growth agenda" in which participation with Canada is prioritized in several calls. 

The Blue Growth agenda is part of the Horizon 2020 Work Program titled: Food security, Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry, Maritime and Inland Water Research and the Bioeconomy.

For more information, please click here.

Dr. Alla Reznik, an Associate Professor of Physics at Lakehead University and Senior Scientist with the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute (TBRRI), is developing a new cancer imaging technique with financial support from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF).  For more details, click here.