1 Click to edit Master text styles Second level Third level Fourth level Fifth level Administrative Support for Large- Scale Funding Applications – Session 5: SSHRC Partnership Grants Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation Sarah Whitaker, Sr. Research Officer June 28, 2012

2 Goals To offer professional development for research administrative staff, enabling continuous improvement in the quality of support for research funding applications. To increase the number of research support personnel on campus who have the skills and knowledge needed to support the development of large-scale research applications. To increase the Universitys overall capacity to support a growing number of large-scale applications for external research funding.

3 Session 5 – SSHRC Partnership Grants Topics to be addressed include: Program overview How to determine a projects fit Project chartering SSHRC priority areas Application components – whats required Budget and matching funds Common challenges and strategies for success Support services Effective communication of feedback to researchers York application process details and timelines

4 Program Overview Institutional awards Letter of Intent + Full Application (+ interview for 6 and 7 year projects) Min budget of $500,000, max budget of $2,500, years SSHRC LOI Deadline: 15 February 2013

5 Program Overview cont Disciplinary and interdisciplinary research partnerships Cross-sector co-creation of knowledge and understanding Networks for research and/or related activities Partnered knowledge mobilization Partnered chairs Partnered research centres

6 Partner – SSHRC Definition Partner: A partner is an organization that participates actively in a formal partnership and contributes in a meaningful way to the success of the endeavour. A partner organization may be, for example, a Canadian or foreign: postsecondary institution, government department for-profit or not-for-profit organization, Foundation. A partner is expected to support the activities of the formal partnership by sharing in intellectual leadership or providing expertise. The partner is also expected to provide cash and/or in-kind contributions.

7 Formal Partnership Formal partnership: A bilateral or multilateral formal collaboration agreement between an applicant (normally an individual or a Canadian postsecondary institution) and one or more partners. These partners agree and commit to work collaboratively to achieve shared goals for mutual benefit.

8 Types of Partnership Existing partnerships: Support to foster new research and/or research- related partnership activities that are distinct from the partnerships previous/ongoing partnership activities. New partnerships: Support to foster new research and/or research-related partnership activities that are undertaken by partnerships in their initial stages.

9 How to determine a projects fit Does the research fit the SSHRC mandate? How large is the research team? How many organizations are involved? Do the described activities, outcomes and goals depend on the collaboration of institutions? Do the described activities, outcomes and goals fit a 4-7 year timeline and $500,000 - $2,500,000 budget? Are the application timelines reasonable for the team and for the projects needs?

10 Project chartering All SSHRC Partnership Grant applications will incorporate a project charter. The charter describes roles and responsibilities of each application team member. The charter confirms a timeline for each stage of the application development process.

11 SSHRC priority areas Most SSHRC funding is awarded through open competitions accessible to all disciplines, areas, themes and approaches. In certain cases, priorities have been identified for either additional support and/or a more tailored adjudication. Aboriginal Research Canadian Environmental Issues Digital Economy Innovation, Leadership and Prosperity Northern Communities – Towards Social and Economic Prosperity Applications outside of the above areas are eligible for funding in all SSHRC competitions.

12 Application Components Letter of Intent IdentificationContributions Plan Host Organization InvolvementList of References ParticipantsFunds – SSHRC Description of TeamFunds – Other Invited PartnersBudget Justification – Interim grant List of Potential and Confirmed PartnersSuggested Assessors Activity DetailsExclusion of Assessors Statement of Alignment (optional)Research Contributions SummaryRelevant Experience Project Goal and Description – 8 pgs

13 Full Application IdentificationTraining and Mentoring Host Organization InvolvementKnowledge Mobilization Plan Activity DetailsPartnership Evidence Statement of Alignment (optional)List of Potential and Confirmed Partners Previous SSHRC Funding (if applicable)Funds – SSHRC ParticipantsBudget Justification Invited PartnersFunds – Other SummaryContributions Plan Expected OutcomesList of References Goal and Project Description – 8 pgsExclusion of Assessors Description of Formal Partnership – 4 pgsCompetitive Quotes Partnered ChairsResearch Contributions GovernanceRelevant Experience Participants Involvement

14 Budget and matching funds 35% matching funds are required from Host + partner organizations e.g., $1,000,000 from SSHRC + $350,000 from partners Budget Justification is required only at full application. This document must be as detailed as possible. Projects over $1million should budget for staff. Students and other HQP are a priority for SSHRC. What items can compose a York contribution?

15 Support Services Faculty-based Research Officers ORU staff Sr. Research Officer, Office of the VPRI Associate Deans Research Associate Vice-President(s) Office of Research Services Michelle Galloro, Research Applications Coordinator

16 Effective communication of feedback to researchers Reminders of upcoming deadlines List of application sections to be completed Editing and review + concrete suggestions for improvement Offer assistance with proposed timelines Ask constructive questions Were all in this together!

17 York application process details and timelines Tentative Timeline by no later than 3 DecemberFaculty and other unit financial support commitments confirmed 3 December 2012Drafts due to VPRI for SPORT review and feedback 14 December 2012SPORT comments sent to PIs 1 February 2013VPRI/ORS deadline for full draft technical review 7 February 2013 or beforeTechnical review sent to PIs 14 February 2013Final versions submitted to VPRI/ORS 15 February 2013SSHRC deadline

18 Common challenges Relaxed approach to LOI stage Budgeting last! Budgeting for ineligible expenses Imbalances in budget categories Submitting poor budget justifications Extended timelines Balancing stakeholder interests Not working with partner organizations soon enough Underestimating the level of detail required

19 Common challenges Not addressing the evaluation criteria Using highly technical writing for a multidisciplinary committee Partners are institutions not people Not following formatting requirements e.g., semicolons, font, margins Typos and spelling mistakes Attachments referring to more than the past 6 years Career interruptions are not well justified Organizations should only be signed on as partners if they are contributing something beyond the involvement of one or more researcher(s)

20 Strategies for success Read the instructions and think through associated timelines Create overall budgets in post award format Create your own on-line form as a resource Know your adjudication audience Focus writing on the reader of the application

21 Strategies for success Contact colleagues who have put applications together before Justify the budget, justify the budget, justify the budget Use the pages provided/space available Show benefit to Canada and Canadians where appropriate Work with Partners well in advance of the deadline Have the application reviewed internally/externally by staff and faculty

22 Feedback Please complete the feedback form in your kit as your recommendations will help us improve subsequent sessions. Thank you!

23 Up Next… Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships Information Session – June 28, 2012 at 1:00pm in room 519 York Research Tower (YRT). Workshop Series – August / September 2012 SSHRC Partnership Development Grant and Partnership Grant Information Sessions – September 2012