1. CFI John R Evans Leaders Fund Assessment Criteria – Institutional Commitment and Sustainability

2. CFI Requirements – Institutional Commitment and Sustainability
“The institution has made, and will continue to make tangible and significant commitments in support of this area of strategic priority leading to the attraction and/or retention of key personnel. The proposed infrastructure will be effectively operated and maintained for its useful life.”
Describe how the proposed project is of importance to the institution and the tangible contributions the institution has made or will make in support of this established area of strategic priority.
Describe the operating and maintenance needs of the infrastructure over its useful life.
Outline sources of support for operation and maintenance costs and explain the contingency plans should any of this support become unavailable.
Describe how the requested infrastructure will help attract and/or retain excellent researchers who will advance the institution’s capacity in this area.
* Ref: John R. Evans Leaders Fund Guidelines – March 2017 version

3. Infrastructure Operating Fund (IOF)
Funds provided by CFI to support operations and maintenance costs for infrastructure that has been purchased through CFI funding
Eligible costs include:
• Salary support for individuals responsible for operations and maintenance
• Training • Extended warranties
• Maintenance/repairs • Replacement parts
• Supplies for operations and maintenance • Services to support infrastructure
CFI award holders can access a total amount of IOF funding equivalent to 25% of the value of their CFI infrastructure award
IOF funding request can be made once an infrastructure item acquired through CFI award is installed and operational
IOF funding support is available for 5 years
Please refer to the University of Alberta Plan for the Operations and Maintenance of Infrastructure funded through the Canada Foundation for Innovation for more information

4. Financial Resources for Operations and Maintenance
Table to be filled out on CAMS before JELF application is submitted outlining anticipated operations and maintenance costs by category
Just an estimate – true costs may differ after the project is awarded
Yearly totals for budget and funding sources must be equal
IOF allocation falls under ‘Institutional contributions’

5. Suggested Structure for This Section
1. Describe investments that the University of Alberta has made relating to the applicants’ research area
Describe how the research program meets priorities outlined in the U of A Strategic Research Plan/Comprehensive Institutional Plan
New hires
New buildings/lab renovations
2. Outline Operations and Maintenance needs for infrastructure and sources of support
Maintenance personnel
Supplies that will be required for operations and maintenance
Potential for equipment to require repair at some point within first 5 years
Additional sources of support that may be accessed for operations and maintenance (e.g. user fees, departmental funding, etc.)
Other sources of support for operations and maintenance that may be accessed once IOF funding is no longer available

6. Resources

7. Resources

8. Feedback from Reviewer Comments
(for UofA JELF Applications submitted Oct 2013 to June 2016)
Analysis of reviewers feedback from submitted JELF applications indicated that:
Reviewers have generally been satisfied with the U of A’s Institutional Commitments outlined in JELF proposals
Reviewers have generally been satisfied with operations and maintenance plans outlined in U of A JELF proposals

9. (JELF submissions Oct. 2013 to June 2016)
CFI Reviewer Comments
(JELF submissions Oct to June 2016)
All Submitted
Proposals
(n=60)
Research or Technology Development
Researchers
Need for Infrastructure
Training of HQP
Benefits to Canadians
Sustainability %
*For Unaffiliated JELF Stream, CFI request $400,000 or less

10. CFI Reviewer Concerns Rejected/Partially Funded Applications (n=12) %
(JELF submissions Oct to June 2016)
Rejected/Partially Funded Applications
(n=12)
Research or Technology Development
Researchers
Need for Infrastructure
Training of HQP
Benefits to Canadians
Sustainability %

11. Tips for Success
Contact Faculty/Department for support as Sustainability section of their proposal is development
Formal approval by the Faculty/Department of the Sustainability commitments outlined in the proposal is required
Faculty/Department can provide valuable “big picture” information
Ensure that a well-considered plan for anticipated operations and maintenance requirements for the equipment is prepared