DISCOVERY GRANTS WORKSHOP University of Saskatchewan June 13, 2005

AGENDA  Discovery Grants (DG) Program information Selection criteria Tips on application preparation  Research Tools and Instruments (RTI)  NSERC Budget  Questions & Discussion

DG Program Information  Recent changes Grant duration – 5 years HQP reporting

NameType of HQP Training Years supervised or co-supervised Title of project or thesis Present position Consent Received from Marie Roy Roy, MarieMasters (completed) Supervised Isotope geochemistry in petroleum engineering V-P (research), Earth Analytics Inc., Calgary, AB Consent Not obtained from Marie Roy (name withheld) Masters (completed) Supervised Isotope geochemistry Research executive in petroleum industry – Western Canada

Application forms  Form 180: Intent to apply NEW Deadline: August 1 st  Form 100: Personal Data  Form 101: Application Deadline: November 1 st

Intent to Apply (Form 180)  Suggest GSC  Summarize proposed research  Recommend external referees  List contributions (last 6 years) DEADLINE AUGUST 1 st

Discovery Grant application preparation

DG Selection criteria  Excellence of researcher(s)  Merit of proposal  Training of highly qualified personnel  Need for funds

FORMS 100 & 101 FORM 101 Merit of the proposal Excellence of the researcher(s) Training of HQP Need for funds DG Selection Criteria

Personal Data (Form 100)  Training  Sources of support  Five most significant contributions  Other research contributions  Impact of research  Delays in research activity DEADLINE NOVEMBER 1 st

Application (Form 101)  Research summary in plain language  Realistic budget  Relationship to other research funds  Progress report  Position the research within the field DEADLINE NOVEMBER 1 st

Application (Form 101, cont’d)  Short- and long-term objectives  Detailed methodology  Training  Address previous GSC comments DEADLINE NOVEMBER 1 st

Merit of the Proposal  Originality / innovation  Significance / expected contribution to research  Clarity and scope of objectives  Clarity and appropriateness of methodology  Feasibility of program FORM 101

Excellence of Researcher(s)  Knowledge, expertise and experience  Contribution to research  Importance of contributions  Complementarity of expertise and synergy (team) 100 & 101

Training of HQP  Quality / extent of contributions  Appropriateness of proposed work for training  Training environment 100 & 101

Need for Funds  Appropriateness and justification of budget  Other sources of funding Availability Relationship to current proposal  Special needs 100 & 101

Selection Criteria: Additional Considerations New applicants Collaboration Interdisciplinarity Applied science Chair holders (IRC, Canada Research Chairs) Adjunct / Emeritus Professors

Discovery Grant Application Tips  Write summary in plain language  Provide a progress report on related research  Position the research within the field  Articulate short-and long-term objectives  Provide a detailed methodology FORM 101

DG Application Tips (cont’d)  Describe plans for training  Prepare realistic budget  Discuss any relationship to other research support  Address previous GSC comments or external referee reports (if applicable) FORM 101

A Complete Grant Application  Application (Form 101) with supporting documentation  Personal Data (Form 100) for applicant and ALL co-applicants  Samples of research contributions  Environmental Assessment Must include: FORM 101FORM 100

2005 Discovery Grants Competition Results Disciplines First Time ApplicantsReturning Applicants Appl. (#) Success (%) Avg. Grant ($) Appl. (#) Success (%) Avg. Grant ($) Life Sciences , ,531 Physical Sciences , ,023 Math, Stats , ,746 Computer Science , ,274 Engineering , ,019 Interdisciplinary , ,483 All GSCs , ,176

Research Tools and Instruments

RTI categories 1,2 and 3

RTI -1: Equipment Value Limit NSERC accepts applications for equipment costs up to $250k but only $150k can be requested from NSERC Letters confirming matching funds must be secured at the time of application

RTI Application (Form 101)  Describe research  Justify each item (quotes)  Explain need and urgency  Describe suitability  Indicate impact on training  Other source of funding (letter)

2005 Research Tools & Instruments All RTIRTI for FTAs Disciplines Appl. (#) Success (%) Funding ($) Appl. (#) Success (%) Life Sciences ,811, Physical Sciences ,833, Math, Stats ,27600 Computer Science ,412, Engineering ,871, Interdisciplinary ,99910 Total for all GSCs ,720,

NSERC Budget (millions of dollars) Total: $863

Discovery Programs Budget ($M) Total: $ Includes Canadian Light Source funding from NRC ($3M) and Budget 2004 ($1M).

General Information Web Site For more specific questions: Research Grants Division Eligibility of Applicants Research Partnerships Programs Scholarships and Fellowships Use of Grant Funds e-Business Staff first

Questions & Discussion