The purpose of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation (VPRI) International Research Partnership Awards are to  enhance Lakehead University’s international research reputation and understanding of global challenges through increased engagement with international partners through: 

1) developing and expanding international partnerships; 
2) supporting the involvement of Lakehead researchers and scholars in international research networks and projects; 
3) facilitating and expanding access to international funding opportunities, and 
4) enhancing collaborative training opportunities for students.

This opportunity is open to all full-time, tenure-track and tenured Lakehead faculty members.  For more information, including guidelines and application procedures, please click here.

Introduction

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

About the program

Applicants will participate in a series of four workshops devoted to the drafting of specific elements of a SSHRC application, common across disciplines. The workshops typically cover the following topics: outlining the objectives of the proposed project, describing your methodology, preparing an engaging summary, developing a student training plan, research team roles and responsibilities, framing a realistic timeline, developing equity, diversity and inclusion strategies in research programs and creating a feasible knowledge mobilization plan. In addition, participants take part in two peer review sessions. The topics and schedule of these workshops will be finalized in consultation with participants who are accepted into this program. 

Program Schedule

The four sessions are held over a five week period with no more than one workshop per week, and a gap week after session three. The sessions typically begin in May, and end in early June. You will be asked to do some preparatory work in advance of the first session as well as homework after each session; you should expect to dedicate time to the grant-writing process over these five weeks to get the most out of the program. At the conclusion of the workshops, participants’ feedback will be sought to assist in the evaluation of the program.

Program Completion & Research Grant

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 SSHRC applications. Researchers may use this grant for tri agency-eligible costs associated with research, including but not limited to hiring research assistants and grant writers/editors, collecting preliminary data, meeting with research partners/co-applicants, and gathering materials for the literature review.  Equipment and conference travel are not eligible. The $1500 grant will be distributed in two separate allotments:

1) $750 at the completion of the workshops in which the participant had full attendance and

2) $750 after a SSHRC application has been submitted.

Applications developed during the workshops must be submitted to an Insight Grant, Insight Development Grant, or Partnership Engage Grant competition within one year of the program in order to receive the second installment of the grant. Applicants must provide a budget for the $1500 as part of their application.

Eligibility

All Lakehead University tenure-track and tenured faculty members engaged in research in the area of social sciences and humanities are welcome to participate in the program. Previous enhancement program participants are welcome to apply to re-enroll in the program on an “audit” basis, which means that they will not be eligible for the grant. Faculty members with a three year LTA are eligible to apply in the first two years of their appointment only. Preference will be given to tenured and tenure-track faculty members.

The number of applicants selected to participate in this program will be capped depending on financial resources available and normally will total no more than 10 participants. Evaluation of applications will be based on originality, relevance to SSHRC’s mandate, project description cohesiveness, and background of the researcher.

How to apply

Researchers are asked to apply to the program through ROMEO (click on Apply New - Tri-Agency Grant Enhancement Programs). Applications to the SSHRC Enhancement Program are due April 14, 2022. If you need help using the ROMEO system, please contact Bonnie Knott, ROMEO administrator at bknott@lakeheadu.ca

Questions?

For general questions about the program, please contact Dr. Rebecca Heffernan, Research & Strategic Initiatives at orillia.research@lakeheadu.ca.

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.