1. DISCOVERY GRANTS WORKSHOP University of Saskatchewan June 13, 2005

2. AGENDA  Discovery Grants (DG) Program information Selection criteria Tips on application preparation  Research Tools and Instruments (RTI)  NSERC Budget 2005-2006  Questions & Discussion

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

4. 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 1997-1999 Isotope geochemistry in petroleum engineering V-P (research), Earth Analytics Inc., Calgary, AB Consent Not obtained from Marie Roy (name withheld) Masters (completed) Supervised 1997-1999 Isotope geochemistry Research executive in petroleum industry – Western Canada

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

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

7. Discovery Grant application preparation

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

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

10. 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

11. 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

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

13. 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

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

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

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

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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 2005 Discovery Grants Competition Results Disciplines First Time ApplicantsReturning Applicants Appl. (#) Success (%) Avg. Grant ($) Appl. (#) Success (%) Avg. Grant ($) Life Sciences29550.827,1026947134,531 Physical Sciences19570.830,87148579.438,023 Math, Stats7785.713,50020385.217,746 Computer Science7279.220,24519788.327,274 Engineering22373.522,58168877.929,019 Interdisciplinary1464.327,1892785.225,483 All GSCs87666.724,518229477.831,176

22. Research Tools and Instruments

23. RTI categories 1,2 and 3

24. 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

25. 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)

26. 2005 Research Tools & Instruments All RTIRTI for FTAs Disciplines Appl. (#) Success (%) Funding ($) Appl. (#) Success (%) Life Sciences44445.58,811,2417349.3 Physical Sciences41040.711,833,9618661.1 Math, Stats1566.7445,27600 Computer Science5750.91,412,111875 Engineering45038.011,871,4145743.9 Interdisciplinary1464.3345,99910 Total for all GSCs139042.334,720,00222552.9

27. NSERC Budget 2005-06 (millions of dollars) Total: $863

28. Discovery Programs Budget 2005-06 ($M) Total: $388 1. Includes Canadian Light Source funding from NRC ($3M) and Budget 2004 ($1M).

29. General Information Web Site www.nserc.ca For more specific questions: Research Grants Division resgrant@nserc.ca Eligibility of Applicants coord@nserc.ca Research Partnerships Programs rpp@nserc.ca Scholarships and Fellowships schol@nserc.ca Use of Grant Funds casdfinance@nserc.ca e-Business webapp@nserc.ca Staff first name.familyname@nserc.ca

30. Questions & Discussion