Aid to Small Universities
MEMORANDUM
Date: April 24, 2013
To: Lakehead University Faculty (social sciences and humanities)
From: Dr. Rui Wang Vice-President (Research, Economic Development and Innovation)
Subject: Call for Proposals – SSHRC Aid to Small Universities Grant - Internal Deadline: Sept. 15, 2013
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In response to the December 1, 2013 external deadline for the SSHRC ASU Grant application notice recently posted by SSHRC; all Lakehead faculty members in the social sciences and humanities are invited to submit proposals for consideration and submission towards the SSHRC Aid to Small Universities institutional program. Eligible proposals must strengthen research capacity in the social sciences and humanities (SSHRC) eligible research priority areas identified in Lakehead University’s Academic Research Plan (http://vpacademic.lakeheadu.ca/uploads/Academic%20Plan/Academic-Plan-201...)
The objective of the ASU program is to enable small universities to develop and strengthen focused research capacity in the social sciences and humanities. SSHRC ASU applications are submitted by the University because it is an institutional grant and grants are awarded to universities on a competitive basis for a three-year period. The maximum value of a grant is $30,000 per year for three years. Each university must justify its grant request, and the amount requested is subject to review. Examples of activities that the ASU program supports are:
- start-up costs/partial funding of research centres;
- seed funding for collaborative research or the development of partnerships;
- stipends to doctoral students, provided the program of studies is related to the ASU grant;
- agenda-setting seminars;
- visiting scholars (travel and stipend);
- organization of colloquia or symposia.
Note: The ASU is not intended to provide sustaining support to institutions, nor is it intended as an alternative to SSHRC's national grants programs. Therefore, SSHRC limits support of research infrastructure, such as centres and institutes, to six years. For research centres who have received three-years of funding from the previous ASU, a detailed performance report (outlining achievements against the original research plan objectives) must accompany the proposal for consideration of renewal.
Lakehead University will give priority to proposals that support the start-up costs/development of interdisciplinary research centres or collaborative research groups. Such proposals must provide a detailed plan for ensuring sustainability within six years. Centres funded previously with SSHRC ASU funds are encouraged to reapply as long as they meet the eligibility criteria and must provide a performance activity report outlining results and outcomes achieved with the previous three year grant. It is our expectation that the ASU program will have a positive impact on Lakehead University's ability to compete at the national level in external SSHRC competitions.
Proposals submitted should be no more than three pages, including the budget, and must include the following information:
1. Name of Principal Applicant, Co-applicants and community partners
2. Program or project Title
3. Capacity Development Strategies – Describe what strategies should be undertaken by Lakehead University to increase focused research capacity in the social sciences and humanities. Provide a review and assessment of the most promising areas of concentration and/or new areas of concentration that fit the priorities outlined in the Academic/Research Plan.
4. General Objectives – Describe how your proposal supports the strategies outlined for increasing research capacity in the social sciences and humanities over the next three years.
5. Please address the following program criteria:
Research Concentration – a review and assessment of:
- the most promising areas of concentration;
- options for new areas of concentration;
- areas already selected and supported with ASU funds;
- the continuing needs of these areas; and
- the expected time frame for autonomy from ASU support.
6. Description of strategies for enhancing collaborative research capacity in the social sciences and humanities at Lakehead University, including planned projects/activities. Researchers are also encouraged to address how the research collaboration is to be sustained including plans for applications to external SSHRC research programs.
7. Anticipated impact of the Project's activities (i.e. success in external SSHRC competitions, # of trained students; # of peer-reviewed publications to be produced; development of sustainable research partnerships).
8. Budget – Using the attached budget format, explain how you will use the funds in each budget category to achieve the stated objectives. For example, under the Student and Non-student salaries categories, explain why these people need to be hired in order to meet the objectives of the research. Applicants are reminded of SSHRC’s mandate to provide research opportunities for students. Note that budget costs for research assistants or associates who are not students must be fully justified in terms of the needs of the research. Include an additional category entitled, “Communication of Research Results” and give a breakdown of the total communication costs. Also please note that Release Time Stipends (RTS) are not an eligible expenditure.
In addition to the three page proposal, applicants and co-applicants are asked to include a SSHRC Common CV. Interested researchers, collaborative research groups and Centres are asked to forward their completed proposals to the Office of Research Services by September 15, 2013. The Senate Research Committee will peer review all internal applications and make a recommendation to the Vice-President Research, Economic Development and Innovation on the proposal(s) to be included in the SSHRC ASU institutional application. Should you have any questions, please contact Anne Klymenko, Director, Office of Research Services, at ext. 8223.