Transcript Standard Research Grant Writing Seminar
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Conseil de recherches en sciences humaines du Canada
SSHRC Grantsmanship Presentation Standard Research Grant Program
The Presentation Overview
What’s new at SSHRC?
Standard Research Grants Program Overview The evaluation process Tips SPJI programs (Strategic Programs & Joint Initiatives) 2
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Conseil de recherches en sciences humaines du Canada
What’s New at SSHRC?
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What’s New at SSHRC
Blue Ribbon Panel Targeted research funding Aboriginal Research Grants Environment and the North Innovation, Leadership & Prosperity Strategic Review RTS Funding related to health research SRG Online in 2009 4
Blue Ribbon Panel
SSHRC’s Peer-Review process - evaluation by an independent, arm’s length group composed of internationally recognised experts on peer review Extensive consultations were conducted with experts, in addition to a survey completed by more than 6000 researchers in the SSH community
Conclusion:
Peer-Review at SSHRC is up to the best practices and highest international standards Nonetheless, changes were recommended, and we are working towards their implementation Available online at http://www.sshrc.ca/site/about-crsh/peer pairs/index-eng.aspx
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CFI’s Leaders Opportunity Fund (LOF) for SSHRC programs
CFI is there for SSH researchers too LOF and SRG: Joint review process For
BOTH
research and infrastructure funding Less paperwork: one CV, short CFI application More to come on SSHRC and CFI Additional opportunities for SSH researchers at CFI Talk to CFI program officers and your research office http://www.innovation.ca/en
Targeted Research Funding
Northern Communities: Towards Social & Economic Prosperity Programs TBA Jacques Critchley, 613-992-5145 [email protected]
Canadian Environmental Issues Programs TBA Mathieu Ravignat, 613-947-3724 [email protected]
Innovation, Leadership & Prosperity Programs TBA Gail Zboch, 613-943-1148 [email protected]
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Targeted Research Funding
Aboriginal Research Grants
Development Grants
years.
– up to $25,000 over a maximum of two
Research Grants
– up to $100,000 annually, for a maximum of $250,000 over three years.
applicants from universities, colleges; Aboriginal & community organizations
Anna Torgerson
Program Officer 613-947-9652 [email protected]
Mathieu Ravignat
Senior Program Officer 613-947-3724 [email protected]
Deadline – September 30, 2009
Strategic Review
A process which requires all government departments and agencies to review all program spending and: to assess how and whether these programs are aligned with core mandates; and how they are effective, efficient and meet the priorities of Canadians. SSHRC, CIHR and NSERC all underwent the process this past year.
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Results of Strategic Review - RTS
Research Time Stipends (RTS) are no longer available in any of our programs Note that: RTS granted prior to April 1, 2009
will
be respected this decision does not affect salary replacements for non academic participants in SSHRC-funded research projects (for example, staff in community organisations participating in CURA projects).
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Results of Strategic Review Funding to Health Related Research
SSHRC funding is reduced for health-related research that is eligible under the mandate of CIHR: Spending reductions will apply to all SSHRC programs: research grants, knowledge mobilization and communication grants and fellowships.
Modification of SRG committee structure Cmts 27 and 20 no longer exist One psychology committee (Cmt 10 – Psychology) Cmt 30 – Social Work, library/information science, career guidance Please consult our website throughout the summer and fall for information about how our programs will be affected 11
SRG Online
SRG Competition is now fully online for Fall 2009 submission Supports SSHRC strategic priority to improve client service delivery through communication and technology This will: Eliminate paper attachments (including CVs) Allow E-Signatures as required Centralise approval process within institutions Adapted from NSERC e-submission process used for Discovery grants
NO MORE PAPER COPIES!!!
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Conseil de recherches en sciences humaines du Canada
Standard Research Grants Program
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32.7%
Overall Success Rate for SRG 2009
more detailed statistics on winning research are available on the SSHRC website: eng.aspx
http://www.sshrc.ca/site/winning recherche_subventionnee/stats-statistiques/program-programme-
Objectives of the Standard Research Grants Program
To support: Programs of research Training of future researchers New theoretical or methodological approaches Disciplinary and multidisciplinary research Communication of research results both within & beyond academia 15
Characteristics
Team and individual applications Three-year cycle Maximum $100,000 per year / $250,000 over 3 years Minimum of $7,000 in at least one of the three years Peer-reviewed 16
Steps in the Peer Review Process
Research Office Notice of Intent SSHRC Communication of Results Committee Adjudication Committee Members External Review 17
Program Officers
Provide advice & guidance to applicants Select committee members Determine eligibility of files Select external assessors Coordinate committee work Prepare results 18
External Assessors
Goal - 2 Assessors per file How they are chosen: Assessors’ expertise Suggested assessors & list of references Exclusion of external assessors Must adhere to conflict of interest guidelines 19
Committee Members
Overall competence and credibility; scholarly stature Appropriate representation on the basis of: areas of expertise university size (small, medium, large) geographical region (Canada & abroad) language gender must adhere to conflict of interest guidelines normally serve 3 years, voluntary service 20
Conflicts of Interest
Conflicts of interest a close friend or relative a research collaborator an institutional colleague a student previously under the applicant’s supervision a person with whom the applicant is involved in a dispute a person with whom the applicant is involved in a partnership http://www.sshrc.ca/site/about-crsh/peer-pairs/conflicts conflits-eng.aspx
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Pre-Adjudication
Assignment of Readers A & B Teleconference Preliminary Scores for: Record of Research Achievement Program of Research Flagging of files 22
Flagging Criteria
Significant discrepancy between scores of both readers; Significant discrepancy between scores and assessors’ comments; Research tools; No external assessment; and, Any other issue raised by a committee member or program officer.
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2009 - Adjudication in Ottawa
No discussion of files in top 15% after initial ranking unless flagged – except for budget No discussion of files in bottom 35% after initial ranking - unless flagged Final ranking and scores 24
2009 Standard Research Grants Competition Results
2,880 eligible applications, 941 awards (including 26 awards to New Scholars in Environment and North) Overall success rate of 32.7% (variation across committees) Average three-year award of $83,712 Limits placed on the number of applicants in the alternate (4A) list 25
What to consider when applying
Eligibility
Committee selection
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Eligibility Requirements
Research subject must meet SSHRC’s mandate Affiliation with a Canadian post-secondary institution (no citizenship requirement) PostDocs must be affiliated by April 15 PhD candidates in final year (file will be flagged) Submission of Final Research Report 27
Choosing a Committee
Choose from the adjudication committee list http://www.sshrc.ca/site/about-crsh/committees comites/standard_research-ordinaire_recherche-eng.aspx
Membership available on line Committee 15 (inter- and multi-disciplinary committee) Not a “catch-all” committee Fully explain the inter- or multi-disciplinary nature of proposal SSHRC reserves the right to determine committee placement 28
Changes in SRG Committees 2009-2010
Because of an increasingly large number of applications, & due to funding changes to health-related research 4 Committees have been restructured
Cmt 2 (History)
– two panels
Cmt 24 (Political Science)
– now Cmts 24 & 31
Cmt 20 (Health Studies & Social Work)
– now Cmt 30
Cmts 10 and 27 (Psychology)
– now Cmt 10, two panels Please consult our website for the latest information on committees, their subject matter content & membership 29
New Scholars vs. Regular Scholars
Score weighting – 60/40% or 40/60%
New Scholars:
Must not have been awarded as a principal investigator (an SRG, MCRI or Strategic Grant)
AND
Must have completed highest degree less than five years OR Held tenure-track position less than 5 years OR Never had a tenure-track position OR Had career interrupted or delayed for family reasons 30
Career Interruptions & Special Circumstances
Productivity stopped/productivity slowed Personal reasons - serious health problems, death in family, maternity or parental leave Professional reasons - heavy teaching load, along with administrative duties Committee discretion 31
Evaluation of the Record of Research Achievement
Contributions from last
6 years ,
unless career was interrupted Quality and significance of published work Originality and impact of previous research Quantity of research activity Importance of other scholarly activities Recentness and consistency of output Dissemination to non-academic audiences (where relevant) Productivity from previous grant (s) Training of future researchers 32
Presenting your Curriculum Vitae
Follow the instructions re: format and page limitations Categorize your publications: refereed, non-refereed, etc.
Avoid “inflating” the CV Indicate productivity from previous grants Be honest and specific about forthcoming items 33
Team Applications
Applicant should demonstrate need for team & outline each person’s role & responsibilities Each team member assessed; however, collaborators do not factor into track record score Applicant must be qualified; cannot rely on experience of co-applicant (s) 34
Evaluation of the Program of Research
Originality & contribution to advancement of knowledge Quality of the literature review Appropriateness of the theoretical approaches/framework Appropriateness of the research strategies/methodologies Suitability of plans to communicate research results Nature, extent and benefit of research training 35
Presenting your Program of Research
Clear and precise objectives Clear theoretical framework or conceptual approach Explain and justify methodology (where appropriate), establish relationship between objectives, methodology and budget Define all key terms or concepts Include a complete literature review Append a bibliography / list of references 36
Summary Page
Clearly indicate the purpose, the objectives, the context for and potential impact of the proposed research Used by committee members and for publicity purposes; think generalists!
Avoid jargon or technical terms 37
B
udget
Reasonable and fully justified budget Check Tri-Council list of eligible & ineligible expenses http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Professors Professeurs/FinancialAdminGuide GuideAdminFinancier/index_eng.asp
Explain and justify costs Link between research objectives and budget 38
Characteristics of a Successful Application
Clarity: application is well written, well organized and error free Originality: application is challenging, interesting, ambitious yet feasible Importance of research is clear Potential Impact is stated convincingly Presented confidently not boastfully 39
Common Problems
Application is “premature” Proposal is “exploratory” Project is too ambitious Methodology is inappropriate, vaguely described Theoretical rationale is lacking Project is not adequately contextualized Not clear how proposed work differs from previous work 40
Tips
Prepare your proposal with Assessors (experts) & Committee members (possibly non-specialists) in mind Have your grant proposal read by colleagues who have been successful in previous SRG competitions Take previous Committee Comments into account Give evidence of consistent scholarly activity Established scholars – avoid submitting a “Trust Me” application, a strong record will not compensate for a weak program 41
Tips
Present a modest, reasonable budget (think
“minimum essential funding”)
Avoid, whenever possible, budgeting for professional services Link dissemination plans to research agenda Link student training to research needs Use a reasonable font size ; and maintain reasonable margins 42
Deadlines
NOI – Notice of Intent to Apply – August 15 Optional & Not Binding Very brief, easy to fill-out Internal Deadline at your university Application Deadline – October 15 Application available online http://www.sshrc.ca/site/apply-demande/faculty professeurs-eng.aspx#a1 43
Contacts
Program Officers Research Grants & Dissemination Division Committee and/or Discipline http://www.sshrc.ca/site/about-crsh/committees comites/standard_research-ordinaire_recherche-eng.aspx