The Office of Research Services at Lakehead University is pleased to announce the continuation of the NSERC Enhancement Program in the spring of 2022. This program is designed to encourage and support researchers at Lakehead University to begin preparation of their NSERC Discovery Grant applications well in advance of the internal deadline, with the ultimate goal of increasing overall success rates.

Eligibility:
While the program is designed to support early career researchers in obtaining NSERC Discovery Grant funding, application to the program is open to all faculty. Those who have participated in previous enhancement programs are welcome to re-apply to the program on an audit-only basis. Priority will be given to tenure-track faculty. The number of participants will not exceed 15 per year.

Proposed Dates:
Workshops will run once a week for 4 consecutive weeks (specific dates and times to be determined in collaboration with participants).

• Start: Week of May 9^th - May 13^th, 2022
• End: Week of May 30^th - June 3^rd, 2022
• Discovery Grant Draft Submission: On or before July 4^th, 2022

Program Structure:

Four, 2-hour workshops will be led and facilitated by Dr. Lexi Haslehurst, NSERC Research Facilitator, with active participation from faculty members experienced in NSERC grant-writing and adjudication. Each week, tasks will be assigned to encourage the early development of an NSERC Discovery Grant. Feedback on written portions will be provided by the Facilitator and returned to the applicant in a timely manner. Within 30 days of the final workshop, a draft proposal will be submitted to the Facilitator, who will provide the participant with feedback intended to assist in further development of a Discovery Grant for submission in the autumn term.

Topics to be discussed include: 1) An overview of the Discovery Grant program; 2) Evaluation criteria for applications; 3) Demonstrating research excellence; 4) Developing an HQP training plan; 5) Incorporation of equity, diversity and inclusion; 6) Budgets; 7) Developing a research proposal.

Award:

Participants in the program will be eligible for a research grant of up to $1500, distributed in two installments, to aid in the development of their Discovery Grant 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 meeting with research partners. Participants may only receive this grant once but may audit future Discovery Grant Enhancement programs if desired. 

The $1500 grant will be distributed in two allotments: 1) $750 following completion of the four modules; and 2) $750 after they have applied to the NSERC Discovery Grant program in the autumn.

Apply:

To be considered for participation, researchers will need to submit an application through ROMEO (click on Apply New - Tri-Agency Grant Enhancement Programs). Applications will include a brief project summary, a summary of the applicant’s experience with tri-agency grants, and a budget for the $1,500 research grant. 

Applications are due April 25^th, 2022.

If you need help using the ROMEO system, please contact Bonnie Knott, ROMEO administrator, at  bknott@lakeheadu.ca

For general questions about the program, please contact Dr. Lexi Haslehurst at nserc.research@lakeheadu.ca

Lakehead University declared the 2021-2022 school year the Year of Climate Action (YOCA). In support of the YOCA, we are excited to announce the theme for this year’s Research and Innovation Week is Planetary Stewardship, which will showcase Lakehead’s contributions to climate change and climate action research.

Lakehead University faculty, along with their students and community partners, from all disciplines are invited to organize panel discussions, workshops, and creative presentations that showcase how Lakehead University research projects, innovative collaborations and initiatives are playing a role in the achievement of planetary stewardship. This day-long event will take place Tuesday, March 8 from 9 am - 4:00 pm. Additional time in the schedule may be available depending on interest.

For more information, please consult the full call document.

Overview

• Workforce Development Stream:  The intent of the Workforce Development Stream is to strengthen and develop Northern Ontario’s workforce through business partnerships by offering internships.  
• Indigenous Workforce Development Stream:  The intent of the Indigenous Workforce Development Stream is to strengthen and develop Northern Ontario’s Indigenous workforce through business partnerships by offering internships to Indigenous persons.

The Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation is currently accepting applications for the Building Research Capacity at Lakehead University Award. Each year, this award is presented to an individual researcher or a group of researchers who have gone above and beyond their individual program(s) of research and positively impacted Lakehead University’s research community (e.g., colleagues, students, the broader community, etc.). These individuals’ contributions benefit Lakehead University’s research community.

Tenure-track and tenured Lakehead University faculty members are eligible to apply for this award. Applications must be submitted through the Romeo Research Portal. To access the portal, please log into MyInfo and select “Romeo Research Portal” under the web utilities icon.

Applications must contain the following documentation:

·         A description highlighting how the researcher(s)’ capacity-building initiative has gone above and beyond their individual program(s) of research and positively impacted Lakehead University’s research community (e.g., colleagues, students, the broader community, etc.);

·         An explanation of how the applicant(s) contributions are aligned with the following areas (no more than 3 if applicable):

1.    Contributing to significant Lakehead University research initiatives or projects resulting in benefits to the broader university community;

2.    Demonstrating significant leadership in the development of major funding research proposals and/or initiatives;

3.    Creating successful interdisciplinary research centres or groups that have increased research capacity and external funding at the University;

4.    Demonstrating research leadership and mentorship of junior researchers and highly qualified personnel resulting in increased research capacity;

5.    Creating a legacy for researchers to utilize and/or build upon (i.e., research infrastructure, research tools, new graduate programs, etc.) to ensure continued research productivity and success at Lakehead University; and/or

6.    Creating or facilitating significant events that promote research and innovation at Lakehead University.

·         Letter(s) of support (minimum 1; maximum 3);

·         Any additional evidence of the relevant research-capacity building that the applicant wishes to submit (e.g., conference/symposia programs, photographs, videos, etc.).

One 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.

Additional details about the Building Research Capacity at Lakehead University Award can be found here.

The application deadline is Wednesday, December 1 at 11:59 p.m.

Introduction 

We are pleased to announce Lakehead University’s internal call for Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) applications.  The deadline for the internal competition will be November 8, 2021.

 All tenured or tenure-track Lakehead University faculty members are eligible to submit applications to the internal CFI JELF competition.  Faculty members with limited term appointments are not eligible to apply unless they have a three-year LTA and have secured an externally peer reviewed tri-agency grant.  At least one application will potentially support an early career researcher who has been able to secure external research funding and has submitted a meritorious CFI JELF application.  Candidates who have previously been supported with the CFI JELF, Leaders Opportunities Fund, New Opportunities Fund or Canada Research Chairs Infrastructure Fund are eligible for funding under the CFI JELF; however, a justification of the value-added of a subsequent award is required if a previous CFI grant was awarded less than 5 years prior to the internal competition deadline; this includes researchers who currently hold CFI grants that have not been finalized by the internal deadline.

Please note that we have allocated $350,000 (40% CFI JELF portion) to this competition to support a total investment in new research infrastructure of up to $875,000.  We anticipate that three successful applications will be supported for submission to the national CFI JELF competition. 

Internal Review of Applications

In order to support research excellence and ensure fairness and transparency in the distribution of these funds, applications will be reviewed  by an internal CFI JELF peer review committee of research experts who have had experience securing infrastructure funding as well as serving as CFI reviewers.  The Committee will rank proposals in accordance with the following CFI JELF criteria and then make their recommendations to the Vice-President Research and Innovation for final approval.

Criteria:

The CFI JELF enables a select number of an institution’s excellent researchers to undertake innovative research by providing them with the foundational research infrastructure required to be or to become leaders in their field. In turn, this enables institutions to remain internationally competitive in areas of research and technology development that are aligned with their strategic priorities. Proposals are assessed based on the following criteria (please consult the CFI JELF Guide for a more detailed description of the criteria):

 • Research or technology development *

 • Researchers *

 • Infrastructure *

 • Sustainability

 • Benefits to Canadians.

Note * criteria that applies to CFI requests under $75,000 only.

The JELF is intended to serve the infrastructure needs of individual faculty, or groups of up to three faculty members where there is a need to share infrastructure.

Candidates must be recognized leaders in their field of research, or show promise of becoming research leaders. They must be engaged in, or embarking on, an innovative research program for which the infrastructure is essential and which will provide an enriched research training environment. CFI JELF applications must also fit with the research priorities outlined in Lakehead University's Research Plan. 

In addition to meeting general CFI eligibility requirements, infrastructure items for JELF candidates must be essential for the research program of the candidate(s). If the requested items have been purchased or received, they must be obtained as an in-kind contribution no more than six months before the date of submission of the application.

Required Components for a Complete Internal Application

Application forms and guidelines are available by referring to the CFI's website.

Complete CFI JELF applications for the internal competition must be submitted to the Office of Research Services via email (ahacquo1@lakeheadu.ca) as one complete PDF file by the internal deadline and must consist of:

1.    CFI JELF Application Forms (CFI Award Management System)- Please use the John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) – Unaffiliated version of the form (including the CFI CV).

2.    CFI Request for Quotations Form plus one quote for each major equipment item.

3.    CFI Internal Budget Worksheet and one quotation in CFI format for all equipment/renovation items.

4.     Letter from the relevant dean confirming support for application and confirming space. Space must be confirmed by the internal application deadline of November 8, 2021.** 

5.  Projects requiring renovations*** must include:

• a cost estimate (from Physical Plant) prior to the internal application deadline
• Evidence of the required cash contributions to offset the 20% matching fund requirements.

6. Completed Internal Research Proposal Approval Form

7.  Regarding re-submissions: If your application is a re-submission of a previously unsuccessful application, you are required to include a maximum of one page addressing how the comments of the CFI reviewers (internal or external) have been addressed in your new application.

8.  CFI JELF internal checklist.

**Note: If any CFI infrastructure is to be located outside of Lakehead University, please note that Lakehead must still  ". . . exercise de facto control over the research infrastructure, including assuming responsibility for its access and for the associated scientific programming" (CFI Policy and Program Guide).   In such cases, a letter of support from the organization that would be hosting the infrastructure must be attached to the internal CFI application.  

The letter must specify:

1. The organization's agreement to host the CFI-funded infrastructure (with Lakehead maintaining de facto control).
2. Agreement to allow the Project Leader full access to the space and if there were renovations involved in making the space ready to house the equipment, the receiving organization is required to agree to the renovations to their space.

***Note:  Please note that if renovations are not required as part of acquiring and installing the requested infrastructure, the applicant(s) must clearly indicate in the CFI application why renovations are not required.  It is the researcher’s responsibility to secure appropriate research space and matching funds for renovations for the infrastructure prior to applying internally.

CFI Funding Formula and Matching Funds

Please note that the CFI JELF program will contribute up to 40% towards infrastructure costs.

Researchers must secure the required 20% matching funds as cash or in-kind (equipment discounts beyond the best educational price) in order to be eligible to apply.  Matching funds have to be secured in writing as part of the internal application.  Successful applicants will also need to apply to the Ontario Research Fund Infrastructure Fund for the remaining 40% funding. 

Projects with external partners and equipment vendors are encouraged as long as the in-kind contribution meets CFI guidelines.  Equipment installations off-site are eligible as long as the partner institution is willing to sign an inter-institutional agreement that complies with CFI's requirements for the University to retain ownership, control and access to the equipment and facilities.

If the required 20% matching fund is provided in the form of a "discount beyond best educational price" by a supplier, a copy of the quotation must be included showing:

1. List Price
2. Best Educational Price
3. Discount Beyond Best Educational Price (the in-kind or CFI contribution)
4. Net CFI Price

Researchers must use Lakehead University's CFI Request for Quotations Form to ensure quotations meet CFI eligibility requirements. A CFI Internal budget worksheet must be completed and submitted along with copies of the equipment quotations used to complete the CFI form. Note that only "discounts beyond best educational price" are eligible.  Please note that project leaders should be aware that once the relevant taxes (3.41% HST) are applied to the total cost of the requested infrastructure in the application budget, the contribution by a vendor may actually work out to slightly less than the required 20%. Additional matching funds may be required to make up the resulting short-fall.

If you have any doubts regarding the eligibility of your matching funds, please contact Anne Klymenko or Andrew Hacquoil in the Office of Research Services for advice.

Please note that LU start-up grants may be used towards the matching fund requirement whether it has been spent during the six months prior to the CFI JELF external deadline (February 15, 2022) or will be spent on research infrastructure. Funds from start-up grants are to be shown as a cash contribution from the institution, not in-kind (as per CFI guidelines). It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all in-kind contributions are eligible in accordance with CFI's guidelines.

Space and Renovation Requirements

Requests for new space (not currently allocated to the applicant) must be approved by the Lakehead University’s Space Committee prior to the internal deadline upon the recommendation of the Dean. Should renovations be required to the space, researchers should be aware that renovation costs can also include such expenses as changes to a space in order to accommodate a piece of equipment that has special power requirements, or environmental cooling (for example). If an application is to include renovations in the budget, researchers must contact Kevin Schlyter in Physical Plant far in advance of the November 8, 2021 internal deadline to arrange for a cost estimate. Applications that do not accurately reflect costs may be deemed ineligible for consideration. Additional information is available on-line at the Lakehead University Physical Plant website.  

Contacts

Should you have any questions regarding the CFI JELF program, please contact Anne Klymenko at aklymenk@lakeheadu.ca or Andrew Hacquoil at ahacquo1@lakeheadu.ca. Additional information regarding the CFI program can be obtained by referring to the following website: CFI John R. Evans Leaders Fund.

The Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation is pleased to announce the launch of the Year of Climate Action (YOCA) Research Awards.

To support YOCA, the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation is providing funding of up to $5,000 each for six research projects that generate knowledge about and/or support climate action. Proposals from all disciplines are encouraged.

When applying for this grant, key things to consider are:

-       The interdisciplinary approach to the research project;

-       The relationship of the project to the broad themes of climate change and climate action; and

-       Community involvement or the impact of the project on communities.

Eligibility: Faculty members with tenure-track, tenured, and 3-year limited term appointments are eligible to apply. A student or team of students may apply; however, an eligible faculty member must agree to supervise the project as the principal investigator.

Specific guidelines and evaluation criteria for this funding opportunity are available here. Applications are only available through the Romeo Research Portal. To access the portal, please log into MyInfo and select “Romeo Research Portal” under the web utilities icon. 

Applications are due on Friday, October 29 at 11:59 pm.

For additional information regarding the application process, please contact ea.vpri@lakeheadu.ca.