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Frequently Asked Questions on Grants(version: 20/11/2007)Q1: What CFCAS grant awards are available in this competition? A1: Two types of proposals will be considered: 1) Short-term, new, targeted projects by groups (including networks) or individuals; 2) Supplements to current CFCAS-funded research networks, for the purposes of research integration, coordination, or data management. Note: A current CFCAS Network is any network awarded since April 2005. Q2: How much can I request? A2: Up to $200,000 over two years; Q3: What are the application deadlines? A3: The deadline for both types of proposal is Friday, February 15, 2008 at 16:00 Hrs. Q4: How many copies of my application should be submitted? A4: One signed original and seven (7) copies. Q5: Where should my application be sent? A5:
Q6: May I use NSERC or SSHRC web-based forms? A6: No. Proposals must use the CFCAS forms available on the CFCAS web site. Note: CFCAS does not accept electronic submissions. Q7: What are the page restrictions for the ‘free form’ portion of the application, in which the actual project or network activities are described? (Part II of Form 101) A7: For both the targeted new initiatives and the supplements to research networks, 10 pages maximum (plus one executive summary page and the covering letter).
Q8: What do you mean by a “New targeted project”? A8: The call is for targeted new initiatives. The Foundation will not consider proposals which simply extend (i.e. for two more years) a current or recently completed CFCAS Project or Network. There must be something new and innovative about the work being proposed. Q9: Why does the Foundation need a separate (and mandatory) covering letter? A9: The letter will help the Foundation to: i) Determine how the proposal addresses the competition themes (national priorities); ii) Assess what is “new” in the research being proposed; iii) Identify how the results will be used and by whom. Letters of support from the organizations identified (as being potential end users of the research results) are encouraged. Q10: Does CFCAS fund the indirect costs of research. A10: No, the conditions of its federal endowment do not allow for the payment of university overheads or other indirect costs associated with research. Q11: Can I submit multiple applications? A11: No, only one application can be submitted per applicant. The only exception is an existing Network Leader who could submit applications for both a targeted research project and a separate network supplement. Q12: Isn’t two years too short a timeframe to do original research? A12: No, though CFCAS recognizes it is a limitation. The two year time frame is imposed by the approaching end of CFCAS’s current mandate (2010). The Foundation believes that modest targeted research projects can still be done within two years. CFCAS recognizes that the duration will not allow for sustained support of research activities, personnel and graduate students, but it will allow for partial support. The awards can be used to undertake field and laboratory activities. Q13: If successful, when can my project start? A13: CFCAS anticipates grant decisions will be announced in July 2008. All successful grantees must be able to commence research activities no later than September 2008; and complete their research activities by no later than September 2010. Q14: Does CFCAS fund equipment? A14: CFCAS will consider support for capital items (not associated with ongoing data collection) that are required for the research. The cost must be included in the budget and the maximum (total) requested must not exceed $75,000. For research networks, CFCAS will consider reasonable capital items (not associated with ongoing data collection) that are specifically required to meet research integration, coordination or data management activities. Note: For equipment costing more than $25,000 the applicant must include at least two competitive quotes from suppliers. Q15: Can I get a supplement for my fieldwork expenses? A15: No. All field costs must be included within the submitted budget. Q16: Are Canadian researchers abroad eligible? A16: No. CFCAS awards can only be made to researchers at Canadian universities. Q17: Are adjunct professors eligible? A17: Yes. Adjunct professors are eligible for CFCAS support for projects based at a Canadian university. The application must be formulated from a university research perspective, signed by university authorities and submitted through the university. CFCAS funds must not be used to fund research activities or personnel at a place of employment outside a university. Q18: Can industrial or government researchers apply? A18: No. They may, however, be co-applicants. Their organizations are expected to fund the costs of their participation. Researchers from eligible Canadian colleges can also be co-applicants. The direct costs of their participation may be included, but their salaries and other indirect costs cannot be paid from CFCAS funds. Q19: Are ‘letters of support’ from colleagues permissible? A19: It depends. Testimonials extolling the competencies of applicants are not permitted. (See Instructions for Applicants.) In the case of research initiatives, letters are encouraged from: i) Funding partners (cash or in-kind), detailing their commitment and contributions to the initiative ii) Potential users of the research results, to identify the relevance of the work to their needs. (Also see Instructions for Applicants.) Q20: Do you have any hints for applicants? A20: Consult the Instructions for Applicants. Most applicants familiar with the NSERC process are well prepared to write a good CFCAS application; note, however, that CFCAS grants are for fixed-term projects or networks, with clear, policy-relevant research outputs or results. CFCAS does not fund ongoing research programs and its grants are more like NSERC Strategic Grants or Research Network Grants than Discovery Grants. Funding will generally be at, or close to, the level requested, unless the CFCAS Grants Review Committee (GRC) recommends a reduced award. Some hints: Scientific
excellence and relevance to the CFCAS mandate are crucial, but keep in mind that
CFCAS funds work of policy relevance or of other clear benefit to Canadians.
Make sure your proposal reflects your anticipated research outputs and quantify
these when possible. Try to satisfy all of the selection criteria (see
Instructions for Applicants). The Executive Summary provides a
valuable overview of the proposed work and provides summarized details needed by
external referees and GRC members involved in the evaluation of the
proposal. The Grants Review Committee need to be convinced that you are familiar
with the science and methodology involved and with the background literature. Multiple
spelling errors and omission of key details will lead to criticism and doubt.
Page limits are no excuse. Careful proposal writing avoids unnecessary padding
and allows for essential points to be included within the page limits. Budget items
should be explained/justified. If research associates or postdoctoral fellows
are to be hired, clearly explain their roles, why they are needed, and for how
long. Do not pad the budget with extra publication charges or unspecified
travel. Carefully
explain the relationship of this application to other funding you hold or have
requested. This will allay any concern about ‘overlap’ and about using CFCAS
funds to support ongoing projects. Ensure that the ‘applied for’ section of
Form 100
(page 2) is completed. Relate your
abilities and expertise to the proposed project. Be realistic
in describing the time you will devote to the research (Form
101). Too little will not go down well, but large amounts will need
to be explained in relation to your other research activities and university
responsibilities. (You may plan to spend 160 hours per month on the project, but
you need to explain how you can achieve this.) If the
research is likely to interest or benefit a specific sector, or if the grant
will fund academic involvement in an intersectoral collaboration (e.g. with MSC
or DFO), include letters of support from the other agencies. If you have
been unsuccessful in a previous CFCAS competition, explain how this proposal
differs from the earlier submission. Respond in the application to any comments
you received from CFCAS on the previous application. If you are a new researcher, invite a senior colleague, preferably one who has served on a grants review committee, to read your application and provide you with feedback on it.
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