Canadian Research FundingCanadian Research Funding

Canadian High Commission

Canberra, Australia

Sciences, Engineering & HealthSciences, Engineering & Health

Research Councils in Research Councils in Sciences, Engineering and HealthSciences, Engineering and Health• Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)

– Invests in people, discovery and innovation to advance knowledge in the natural sciences and engineering

– Funds more than 10,000 university professors every year• Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

– Funds research that improves Canadians' health, health care system and quality of life

– Supports up to 10,000 researchers and trainees in universities, teaching hospitals, and research institutes across Canada

• National Research Council (NRC)– Government of Canada's premier organization for research and

development, since 1916– Research areas: aerospace, biotechnology, engineering and

construction, fundamental sciences, industry, information and communications and manufacturing

Overview of Eligibility by Research CouncilOverview of Eligibility by Research Council

• NSERC programs– Foreign researchers may be collaborators on a Canada-

based research team/project– Foreign applicants may apply for specific postdoctoral

fellowships

• CIHR programs– Foreign researchers may be co-applicants on a Canada-

based research team/project– Foreign applicants may apply for specific postdoctoral

fellowships

• NRC programs– Foreign applicants are eligible for postdoctoral

fellowships only

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)Council (NSERC)

www.nserc.cawww.nserc.ca

Definitions and EligibilityDefinitions and Eligibility

• Principal applicant and co-applicant(s):– Must hold an academic appointment at an eligible Canadian

university or college

• Collaborators:– May be a foreign researcher– Must be qualified to undertake research independently– Will be expected to contribute to the overall intellectual direction of

the research project or program of research– Will be expected to bring your own resources to the collaboration

(i.e. self-funded)

• Foreign applicants may apply for the postdoctoral fellowship:– Visiting Fellowships in Canadian Government Laboratories

Tools to find a Canadian ResearcherTools to find a Canadian Researcher

• NSERC Awards Search Engine– Information on NSERC funded projects since 1991– Allows foreign researchers to identify Canadian researchers that

received NSERC funds in specific fields of research– www.nserc.gc.ca/programs/result/database.htm

• NSERC Chairholder Database:– Connect with Canada’s leading scientists and engineers– Profiles of chairholders’ activities, keyword search, contact

information– www.nserc.gc.ca/partners/chairs_e.asp

• Canada Research Chairs:– Profiles of each of the Canada Research Chairs– www.chairs.gc.ca/web/chairholders/index_e.asp

What do NSERC Grants Fund?What do NSERC Grants Fund?

• Direct cost of research (general principle)• NSERC does not fund indirect or overhead costs• NSERC also allows:

– Salaries and stipends for research personnel (e.g. students, research associates, technicians, postdoctoral fellows, etc.)

– Visiting researchers’ stipends – limited to a maximum of $2,000 per month for up to 125 days per year

– Travel and subsistence costs for field work, research conferences, collaborative trips, archival work and historical research (for any research personnel associated with the grant)

• Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) Grants:– Buying and developing research equipment and installations

Evaluating NSERC GrantsEvaluating NSERC Grants

• Scientific or engineering excellence of the researcher(s)– Knowledge, expertise and experience – Past or potential impact on the proposed area of research – Group synergy (where applicable)

• Merit of the proposal – Originality and innovation – Significance and expected contributions to research – Clarity of objectives and methodology – Feasibility

• Contribution to the training of highly qualified personnel – E.g. postdoctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate students,

technicians• Need for funds

– Appropriateness of, and justification for, the budget – Availability of other sources of funding

Discovery Grants (DG) - Group ProjectsDiscovery Grants (DG) - Group Projects

• Ongoing programs of research with long-term goals• Recognise the creativity and innovation at the heart of

research advances• Recipients may use the grant for new research activities, not

covered in original application (within NSERC’s mandate)• Around 3000 applicants each year (1/3 are first time

applicants)• Success rate as high as 73%• Grants are awarded for 1 to 5 years• Average size of grant is $32,000 per year (some as high as

$200,000 per year)• Total funding in 2005-06 was $320 million

Special Research Opportunities (SRO)Special Research Opportunities (SRO)

• Unique, emerging, timely or urgent opportunities • Must be novel, high-risk or have a strong potential for

breakthrough• SRO grants do not support:

– Ongoing research and collaboration– Research projects eligible for other NSERC programs (e.g. DG)

• Also pre-research activities involving researchers in Canada and abroad– To investigate and develop potential new collaborative projects– Typically for a workshop or short series of meetings

• Must have defined milestones and objectives• Grants are for up to 3 years

• Jointly funded by NSERC and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

• Collaborative research projects in any field of the natural sciences and engineering and the health sciences

• Program objectives:– Advance knowledge and technologies to improve the health of

Canadians– Encourage collaboration and integration of expertise between natural

sciences or engineering and health researchers

• Awards are for up to 3 years

Collaborative Health Research ProjectsCollaborative Health Research Projects

Visiting Fellowships Visiting Fellowships in Canadian Government Laboratoriesin Canadian Government Laboratories

• Recent doctoral graduates of any nationality• Opportunity for emerging scientists and engineers• Work with research groups in Canadian government

departments and agencies, including:– Agriculture, Conservation, Environment, Fisheries and Oceans,

Food Inspection, Health, Industry, Defence, Natural Resources, Parks, etc.

• Value is C$42,761 per year • Term is 1 year, renewable for up to 2 more years• 450-500 applications made each year• 150 fellowships offered each year (varies)• 1/3 of fellowships awarded to foreign applicants

NSERC Grants DeadlinesNSERC Grants Deadlines

Program Name Deadlines

Discovery Grants AUGUST 1st – Notification of Intent

NOVEMBER 1st – Full Application

Special Research Opportunities

ANYTIME – Letter of Intent

Full Application due within 3 MONTHS of Invitation to Submit

Collaborative Health Research Projects

MAY 1st – Letter of Intent

OCTOBER 2nd – Full Application

Visiting Fellowships in Canadian Government Laboratories

ANYTIME

Guidelines and Application Forms Online At:Guidelines and Application Forms Online At:www.nserc.gc.ca/intnew.htmwww.nserc.gc.ca/intnew.htm

Canadian Institutes of Health Research Canadian Institutes of Health Research

www.cihr.cawww.cihr.ca

Definitions and EligibilityDefinitions and Eligibility

• Principal applicant:– Must be employed by an eligible Canadian institution for the entire

duration of the grant– Must be an independent researcher (i.e. not under the supervision of

another person who is directing the research)

• Co-applicants:– May be an independent researcher, a research associate, a trainee,

or a foreign researcher

• Collaborators:– Provide a special service (e.g. technicians) and do not contribute to

the intellectual direction of research

• Foreign applicants may apply for the postdoctoral fellowship:– CIHR Fellowships

What do CIHR grants fund?What do CIHR grants fund?

• Direct cost of research (general principle)• CIHR does not fund indirect or overhead costs• CIHR also allows:

– Salaries for research associates, research assistants and technicians

– Honoraria for guest lecturers– Travel and subsistence costs for field work, research conferences,

collaborative trips, archival work and historical research (for any research personnel associated with the grant)

– Research equipment and supplies, including staff training for specialized equipment

– Computers and electronic equipment essential to the research

Overview of CIHR GrantsOverview of CIHR Grants

• Open Grants Competition– E.g. Operating Grants, Team Grants– Applications in March and September– 3800 new applications each year

• Strategic Initiatives Competitions– Calls for applications in specific areas of research– Check CIHR website for current opportunities– Includes International Collaborative Partnerships

• Overall 900 new awards each year• Most grants are funded for up to 5 years• Currently more than 10,000 researchers hold CIHR grants• In 2005-2006 the total grant expenditure was $650 million

CIHR Operating GrantsCIHR Operating Grants

• All areas of health research• Research projects conducted by individuals or groups of

researchers• Foreign researchers may only apply as co-applicants in a

group project• Grants awarded for 2 to 5 years• Shorter grants may be awarded for pilot projects and

feasibility studies• Average grant is $122,000 per year for 4-5 years

CIHR Team GrantsCIHR Team Grants

• Health research best approached through a collaborative team, in all areas of health research

• Teams of at least three independent investigators, each with proven track record in collaborative projects

• Foreign researchers may be included as additional team members (i.e. co-applicants)

• Up to C$ 1 million per grant for a maximum of 5 years

International Collaborative Indigenous Health International Collaborative Indigenous Health Research Partnership on ResilienceResearch Partnership on Resilience

EXAMPLE ONLY: Applications are not currently open

• Collaborative funding program offered by CIHR, HRC New Zealand and NHMRC Australia

• Supports research in the area of indigenous health• 5 year program (2002-2007)• 7 full applications were received• 3 teams were funded• CIHR’s contribution was $5.5 Million

CIHR FellowshipsCIHR Fellowships• Open to Canadians and citizens of other countries• Must hold a PhD or professional health degree (or

equivalent)• Candidates with more than 3 years post-PhD research

training will not be considered• Fellowships are awarded for

– Up to 3 years (for PhD holders) – Up to 4 years (for professional degree holders)– Up to 5 years (for professional degree holders who intend to

complete their PhD as part of the fellowship)

• Annual stipend is C$21,000 to $50,000 depending on applicant’s experience and qualifications

CIHR Grants DeadlinesCIHR Grants DeadlinesProgram Name Deadlines

Operating Grants AUGUST 15th – Registration Deadline

SEPTEMBER 15th – Application Deadline

OR

FEBRUARY 1st – Registration Deadline

MARCH 1st – Application Deadline

Team Grants FEBRUARY 15th – Letter of Intent

SEPTEMBER 1st – Full Application

Fellowships OCTOBER 1st (for April start dates)

FEBRUARY 1st (for July start dates)

Guidelines and Application FormsGuidelines and Application FormsOnline At:Online At:

www.cihr-irsc.gc.cawww.cihr-irsc.gc.ca

National Research Council (NRC)National Research Council (NRC)

• NRC awards and fellowships generally recognise excellence by Canadian scientists and innovators

• Foreign applicants may only apply for NRC Research Associateships (postdoctoral fellowship)

www.nrc.cawww.nrc.ca

NRC Research AssociateshipsNRC Research Associateships

• Open to Canadian citizens and foreign nationals• Recent PhD graduates in science or engineering

or Masters in engineering and 5 years experience• Salaried position from C$49,489 (PhD recruiting

rate)• Appointments are for 2 years, extendable to a

maximum of 5 years

NRC Grant DeadlinesNRC Grant Deadlines

Program Name Deadlines

NRC Research Associateships

APPLY ONLINE ANYTIME

Guidelines and Application Forms Online At:Guidelines and Application Forms Online At:http://hia-iha.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/ra_e.htmlhttp://hia-iha.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/ra_e.html

Contact UsContact Us

Academic Relations/

Canadian Education Centre

Canadian High Commission, Canberra

Phone: (02) 6270 4050 Fax: (02) 6270 4083

Email: tony.mckittrick@international.gc.ca

Website: www.canada.org.au