1. NSERC Discovery Grants Information Session

2. innovation Productive use of new knowledge in all sectors of the economy and society We invest in: discovery Competitive research in science and engineering, providing access to new knowledge from around the world people Highly skilled, well educated and capable of lifelong learning USING NEW KNOWLEDGE Partnerships of universities with industry and other sectors for project research WORKING IN ALL AREAS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Scholarships and fellowships for undergraduate students, postgraduate students, postdoctoral fellows and some university faculty EXCELLENCE Our goal is Canadian excellence in: CREATING KNOWLEDGE Research Grants for basic research in the universities We do this through peer-reviewed competitions in three programs Prosperity and high quality of life for Canadians vision and mission NSERC

3. NSERC Information Session Bishop’s University August 29, 2007 Kenn RankineNSERC Program Officer GSC 08 Solid Earth Sciences & GSC 18 Evolution and Ecology Michel GagnéNSERC Program Officer Discovery Accelerator Supplements Dr. Marc FrappierUniversité de Sherbooke Grant Selection Committee Member – GSC 330 Computing & Information Sciences

4. NSERC Information Session McGill University August 30, 2007 Kenn RankineNSERC Program Officer GSC 08 Solid Earth Sciences & GSC 18 Evolution and Ecology Michel GagnéNSERC Program Officer Discovery Accelerator Supplements Dr. Vincent Hayward McGill University Grant Selection Committee Member – GSC 21 Interdisciplinary

5. NSERC Information Session Concordia University August 30, 2007 Kenn RankineNSERC Program Officer GSC 08 Solid Earth Sciences & GSC 18 Evolution and Ecology Michel GagnéNSERC Program Officer Discovery Accelerator Supplements Dr. Yves ComeauÉcole Polytechnique Grant Selection Committee Member – GSC 06 Civil Engineering

6. NSERC Information Session McGill University August 31, 2007 Kenn RankineNSERC Program Officer GSC 08 Solid Earth Sciences & GSC 18 Evolution and Ecology Michel GagnéNSERC Program Officer Discovery Accelerator Supplements Dr. Patrick GulickConcordia University Grant Selection Committee Member – GSC 03 Plant Biology & Food Sciences

7. Agenda NSERC UpdatesNSERC Updates Program Updates 2007 Competition Results Preparing a Grant Application Important News From Your Grants Office

8. Total: $920 NSERC Budget 2007-08 (millions of dollars) 1. Excludes $37M increase from the 2007 Federal Budget.

9. Total: $399 Discovery Programs Budget 2007-08 1. Includes Canadian Light Source funding from NRC ($3M) and Budget 2004 ($6M). Excludes $37M increase from the 2007 Federal Budget.. (millions of dollars)

10. Proposed Allocation of $37M Increase (millions of dollars)

11. Discovery Grants International Review Value for Money and Accountability Review carried out in 2006 Concerns raised: Is a 75% success rate consistent with international standards of quality? Are best researchers supported at an internationally competitive level? NSERC is convening an International Review Committee

12. Grant Selection Committee (GSC) Structure Review Current discipline-based GSC structure may have difficulties handling inter-disciplinary and new areas of research To handle increasing workload, GSCs are sub- dividing and thus becoming more specialized, exacerbating the problem Is there a better way? NSERC is reviewing the current system Further details, see web site or contact Andrew.Woodsworth@nserc.ca Andrew.Woodsworth@nserc.ca

13. Regional Offices Ensure a visible presence in the regions and bring NSERC closer to students, researchers, and industry Raise awareness of NSERC’s activities and promote participation in the programs Create linkages between academic and private sectors Promote science and math education The new Ontario and Quebec NSERC regional office location to be determined in 2007-08.

14. Agenda NSERC Updates Program UpdatesProgram Updates 2007 Competition results Preparing a Grant Application Important News From Your Grants Office

15. Program Updates Discovery Accelerator Supplements University Faculty Awards Program (UFA)

16. Discovery Accelerator Supplements Objectives: to provide substantial and timely resources to outstanding researchers with established research program, at a key point in their career $120,000, normally over three years Nominations made by GSCs in February then reviewed by interdisciplinary committees 100 supplements in 2008-09 with half in target areas (ICT, energy & natural resources, environmental science & technologies)

17. University Faculty Awards (UFA) 2008 will be the final UFA competition Separate programs aimed at women and Aboriginals in the natural sciences and engineering NSE will be developed

18. Agenda NSERC Updates Program Updates 2007 Competition results2007 Competition results Preparing a Grant Application Important news from your grants office

19. 2007 Discovery Grants Results: All Disciplines Disciplines First-time ApplicantsReturning Applicants No App. Success (%) Avg. Grant ($) No App. Success (%) Avg. Grant ($) Life Sciences31550.827,27081466.634,625 Physical Sciences18958.726,66457979.839,505 Math, Stats8469.414,35621876.118,570 Computer Science5772.318,76429781.825,311 Engineering22260.421,07774073.926,095 Subatomic Physics1291.742,5912185.748,361 Interdisciplinary2171.420,2672965.527,618 Total for all GSCs90058.923,615269274.030,993

20. 2007 Discovery Grants Results: Life Sciences Grant Selection Committee (GSC) First-time ApplicantsReturning Applicants No. App. Success (%) Avg. Grant ($) No. App. Success (%) Avg. Grant ($) (1011) Integrative Animal Biology5846.628,77317164.935,222 (32) Cell Biology8048.830,30812755.138,724 (33) Molecular & Dev. Genetics4548.931,17010351.535,214 (03) Plant Biology & Food Sci.2356.533,49912373.241,005 (18) Evolution & Ecology5152.922,33416180.730,851 (12) Psychology: Brain, Behaviour and Cognitive Science 5855.221,94112968.229,303 Total for Life Sciences31550.827,27081466.634,625

21. 2007 Discovery Grants Results: Physical Sciences Grant Selection Committee (GSC) First-time ApplicantsReturning Applicants No. App. Success (%) Avg. Grant ($) No. App. Success (%) Avg. Grant ($) (08) Solid Earth Sciences2369.922,3337682.933,980 (09) Environmental Earth Sci.5655.420,4719979.828,998 (24) Inorganic & Organic Chem.3551.429,63911671.650,512 (26) Analytical & Physical Chem.3053.333,87510883.347,372 (17) Space & Astronomy1675.025,5785576.437,009 (28) Condensed Matter Physics1457.139,7548085.038,069 (29) General Physics1566.726,7343982.131,971 Total for Physical Sciences19258.726,66457379.839,505

22. 2007 Discovery Grants Results: Math, Stats and CIS Grant Selection Committee (GSC) First-time ApplicantsReturning Applicants No. App. Success (%) Avg. Grant ($) No. App. Success (%) Avg. Grant ($) (336) Pure & Applied Math. – A2676.913,1007982.317,915 (337) Pure & Applied Math. – B3060.015,6676175.419,723 (14) Statistical Sciences2871.414,3007870.518,073 (330) Computing & Info. Sci. – A3470.618,29213680.923,855 (331) Computing & Info. Sci. – B2373.919,23516182.626,767 Total for Math, Stats & CIS14170.216,12151579.422,616

23. 2007 Discovery Grants Results: Engineering Grant Selection Committee (GSC) First-time ApplicantsReturning Applicants No. App. Success (%) Avg. Grant ($) No. App. Succes s (%) Avg. Grant ($) (334) Comm., Comp. & Components Eng. 3268.819,27311790.623,133 (335) Electro. & Elect. Sys. Eng. 3167.722,8979575.830,872 (20) Industrial Engineering2650.017,0007157.724,842 (04) Chem. & Metallurgical Eng.3969.225,68313381.228,202 (06) Civil Engineering3240.618,84615463.625,998 (1053) Mechanical Eng. - A3762.220,00010169.324,140 (1054) Mechanical Eng. - B2560.020,0006975.424,942 Total for Engineering22260.421,00774073.926,095

24. 2007 Research Tools and Instruments (RTI-1) All RTIRTI for FTAs DisciplinesNo. App. Success Rate (%) Funding ($k) No App. Success Rate (%) Life Sciences45656.411,7098747.1 Physical Sciences48748.317,3598156.8 Math, Stats1092.93891100.0 Computer Science5450.41,552950.0 Engineering51244.717,8277140.8 Interdisciplinary1353.8373333.3 Total for all GSCs153249.949,21025248.4

25. 2007 RTI-1 Results: Life Sciences Grant Selection Committee (GSC) ALL RTIRTI for FTAs No. App. Success Rate (%) Funding ($) No. App. Success Rate (%) (1011) Integrative Animal Biology11654.33,132,6531926.3 (32) Cell Biology5855.21,644,0191637.5 (33) Molecular & Dev. Genetics6361.91,763,1101070.0 (03) Plant Biology & Food Sci.8661.62,210,5891376.9 (18) Evolution & Ecology9250.01,786,6301758.8 (12) Psychology: Brain, Behaviour and Cognitive Sci. 4158.51,171,9781225.0 Total for Life Sciences45656.411,708,9798747.1

26. 2007 RTI-1 Results: Physical Sciences Grant Selection Committee (GSC) All RTIRTI for FTAs No. App. Success Rate (%) Funding ($) No. App. Success Rate (%) (08) Solid Earth Sciences4055.01,328,966875.0 (09) Environmental Earth Sciences9047.82,444,3932045.0 (24) Inorganic & Organic Chem.13046.94,731,9952564.0 (26) Analytical & Physical Chem.11249.14,531,2371650.0 (17) Space & Astronomy650.072,0001100 (28) Condensed Matter Physics7145.12,554,144560.0 (29) General Physics3850.01,696,138650.0 Total for Physical Sciences48748.317,358,8738156.8

27. 2007 RTI-1 Results: Math, Stats and CIS Grant Selection Committee (GSC) All RTIRTI for FTAs No. App. Success Rate (%) Funding ($) No. App. Success Rate (%) (336) Pure & Applied Math – A0NA00 (337) Pure & Applied Math – B3100.070,9441100.0 (14) Statistical Sciences785.7318,007000.0 (330) Computing & Info Sci. – A2556.0894,940633.3 (331) Computing & Info Sci. – B2944.8657,264366.7 Total for Math, Stats & CIS6456.31,941,1551050.0

28. 2007 RTI-1 Results: Engineering Grant Selection Committee (GSC) All RTIRTI for FTAs No. App. Success Rate (%) Funding ($) No. App. Success Rate (%) (334) Comm., Comp. & Components Eng. 5145.12,006,93070.0 (335) Electro. & Elect. Sys. Eng.6845.62,048,6441338.5 (20) Industrial Engineering1060.0353,87110.0 (04) Chem. & Metallurgical Eng.15943.46,188,4531872.2 (06) Civil Engineering8742.52,720,249666.7 (1053) Mechanical Engineering - A8547.12,824,0421618.8 (1054) Mechanical Engineering - B5244.21,685,3071040.0 Total for Engineering51244.717,827,4967140.8

29. 2007 Major Resources Support Program Results Category of Applicants Applications Success Rate (%) Amount Requested ($k) Amount Awarded ($k) Funding Rate (%) New 2810.77,51081253.1 Returning Unfunded 137.72,06218795.9 Renewals 35608731414067.5 Total (incl. ramp-down) 7632.918,3025,13965.4

30. Letter of Intent Stage Application Stage Awarded Projects Pre- Research Projects Pre- Research Project Pre- Research Life Sciences 928316176 Physical Sciences 11817497347 Math, Statistics 300000 Computer Science 2638040 Engineering 10413405193 Interdisciplinary 010000 Total 34341128187416 Special Research Opportunities Grant Results (as of July 30, 2007)

31. Agenda NSERC Updates Program Updates 2007 Competition results Preparing a Grant ApplicationPreparing a Grant Application Important News From Your Grants Office

32. Are You Eligible? Hold, or have a firm offer of, an academic appointment at a Canadian institution (minimum three-year term position) Position requires independent research and allows supervision of Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP)

33. Are You Eligible? Researchers holding a position of any kind outside Canada must spend a minimum of six months per year at an eligible Canadian institution. Inform NSERC when a change in your status occurs (including sabbatical and leave periods).

34. Discovery Grants Promotes and maintains a diversified base of research capability in the NSE in Canadian institutions Supports ongoing programs of research, rather than projects Inherent flexibility in the research program Success rate: approximately 70% Average grant: $31k

35. Eligibility of Subject Matter Supports research programs in the NSE Interdisciplinary research is encouraged but should be predominantly in NSE Significance, impact, advancement of knowledge or its practical application in NSE Guidelines on health research can be found on NSERC’s Web site

36. Notification of Intent to Apply for a Discovery Grant (Form 180) For Discovery Grants (DG), and University Faculty Award applications Facilitates selection of external referees Deadline: August 1 –Can have adverse consequences if not submitted List contributions (2001-07)

37. Life Cycle of a DG Application August 1 to mid-September Form 180 - Assignment of GSC and Referees November 1 Submission of Grant Application November 25 Chairs’ Meeting – Confirmation of GSC November Mail-out to External Referees Mid-December Mail-out to GSC Members February Grants Competition March – April Announcement of Results

38. How your Discovery Grant application is evaluated by the Grant Selection Committee

39. Outline The Grant Selection Committee –How is your application evaluated Discovery Grants Research Tools and Instruments Grants

40. During Competition Chair P.O. 1 st Reviewer Reader 2 nd Reviewer 32,000$ 30,000$ 25,000$ 23,000$ 20,000$ 0 Conflict ?

41. Levels of Review Generally, at least eight people will read your proposal: –One primary reviewer –One secondary reviewer –Five readers –One external reviewer (at least) Total number depends on your GSC

42. The Discovery Grant Evaluation Criteria Excellence of the researcher(s) Merit of the proposal Training of highly qualified personnel (HQP) Need for funds

43. Excellence of Researcher Knowledge, expertise and experience Contribution to research Importance of contributions Complementarity of expertise and synergy for group applications

44. Merit of the Proposal Originality and innovation Significance and expected contribution to research Clarity and scope of objectives Clarity and appropriateness of methodology Feasibility of program

45. Training of HQP Quality and extent of past and potential contributions Appropriateness of proposed work for training Training in collaborative or interdisciplinary environment

46. NameType of HQP Training Years Supervised or Co-supervised Title of Project or Thesis Present Position Consent obtained Imadoc, Marie Masters (completed) Supervised 2003-2005 Isotope geochemistry in petroleum engineering V-P (research), Earth Analytics Inc., Calgary, AB Consent not obtained (name withheld) Masters (completed) Supervised 2003-2005 Isotope geochemistry Research executive in petroleum industry – Western Canada Reporting HQP

47. Need for Funds Appropriateness and justification of budget Other sources of funding –Availability –Relationship to current proposal

48. Additional Considerations Within the framework of the selection criteria, the GSCs consider factors such as: The potential and research plans of new applicants Applicant’s role in collaborations and joint publications Guidelines for the preparation and review of applications in: Interdisciplinary research; Engineering and applied science; and, Health sciences Adjunct, Emeritus and Part-time Professor status

49. Merit of the proposal FORM 101 YOUR GRANT PROPOSAL F100 YOUR RESEARCH PROFILE Excellence of the Researcher Training of HQP Need for funds Potential HQPPast HQP record Budget justification Relationship to other sources of funds List of other sources of funds

50. Grant Proposal: 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

51. Grant Proposal: Tips Describe plans for training Prepare realistic budget Discuss any relationship to other research support Address recent GSC comments FORM 101

52. Personal Data Form: Tips List all sources of support Describe five most significant research contributions List other research contributions (2001-07) Describe contributions to training (2001-07) Give other evidence of impact of work Explain any delays in research activity FORM 100

53. A Complete Discovery Grant Application Includes: 1.An Application for a Grant (Form 101) with supporting documentation 2.A Personal Data Form (Form 100) for applicant and all co-applicants, with appropriate appendices 3.Samples of research contributions (reprints, pre-prints, thesis chapters, manuscripts, etc.) 4.Environmental Assessment, if required

54. Research Tools and Instruments Deadline date – October 25 Ongoing moratorium on Categories 2 and 3 $150,000 or less available from NSERC Must hold or have submitted an NSERC research grant (not necessarily a Discovery Grant) A Grant Selection Committee’s RTI competition budget is based on the total amount applied for

55. Research Tools and Instruments Category 1 What research is being done with equipment? Justify each item Explain need and urgency of overall request Suitability of proposed equipment for research program Indicate impact on training Give alternate configurations and prices FORM 101RTI FORM 100 &

56. Final Advice Use the 2007 Web version of the forms and Guide. Read all instructions carefully and follow presentation standards. Ensure completeness of application. Remember that more than one audience reads your application. Ask colleagues for comments on your application. Read other successful proposals. Read the Peer Review Manual.

57. Contacts Deadlines, Acknowledgement of Applications, Results Your Research Grant Officer Your Account, Grants in Aid of Research Statement of Account (Form 300) Your Business Officer NSERC Web sitewww.nserc.gc.ca Discovery Grants (including eligibility) resgrant@nserc.ca 613- 995-5829 Use of Grant Fundscasdfinance@nserc.ca On-line helpwebapp@nserc.ca NSERC stafffirstname.familyname@nserc.ca

58. Agenda NSERC Updates Program UpdatesProgram Updates 2007 Competition results Preparing a Grant Application Important news from your grants office

59. Introduction to NSERC’s Industrial Scholarships and Fellowships programs NSERC Scholarships & Fellowships Division E-mail: schol@nserc.caschol@nserc.ca Fax: 613-996-2589

60. Why Industrial Scholarships and Fellowships? Offers professors and organizations: –Collaboration between academia and industry –Challenging research problems –Transfer of expertise and technology –Development of a long-term research capacity –Additional funding for R&D activities –Access to highly qualified personnel (HQP) –Flexible deadlines for applications

61. Why Industrial Scholarships and Fellowships? Offers students: –Additional funding opportunities to support graduate / postdoctoral research –Higher stipends than academic awards (depending on program) –Opportunity to work in applied research –Work experience in industry –Acquisition of additional important competencies –Collaboration with potential employer

62. Programs Available Undergraduate Student Research Awards- Industry (USRA-I) Industrial Postgraduate Scholarships (IPS) –NSERC / MITACS IPS –IIS program (FQRNT; Quebec only) Industrial Postdoctoral Fellowships (IRDF)

63. Program Objectives I-USRA Stimulate interest in research, encourage to undertake graduate studies and pursue a research career IPS Improve employment prospects, develop interest for industrial R&D, and foster companies' innovation capacity IRDF Support the most promising researchers and secure a supply of HQP with leading-edge scientific and research skills

64. Contacts E-mail: schol@nserc.caschol@nserc.ca Fax: 613-996-2589