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Insight Development Grant Overview Introductions SSHRC funding programs Choosing a funding opportunity Insight Development Grant Eligibility Adjudication Elements of a strong proposal Submitting your application Tips & Resources Q &A Introductions SSH Team –Research Services Office Krista Montgomery Research Funding Manager - Partnerships Sarah Scott Research Funding Officer -Individual & informal team Christine Kwan Research Funding Administrator SSHRC Program Structure Three Programs: Talent Insight Connection Insight Two Funding streams Individual researchers and informal groups/teams Formal partnerships Insight Grants & Insight Development Grants Partnership Grants & Partnership Development Grants Insight Program Build knowledge and understanding from disciplinary, interdisciplinary and /or cross-sector perspectives through support for the best researchers; Support new approaches to research on complex and important topics, including those that transcend the capacity of any one scholar, institution or discipline; Provide a high-quality research training experience for students; Fund research expertise that relates to societal challenges and opportunities; Mobilize research knowledge to and from academic and nonacademic audiences, with the potential to lead to intellectual, cultural, social and economic influence, benefit and impact. IDG compared with IG Insight Development Insight Duration 1 to 2 years 3 to 5 years Value $7,000 to $75,000 $7,000 to $500,000 Maximum annual budget $75,000 $200,000 International co-applicants Yes No SSHRC deadline February 1 October 15 Evaluation Challenge: 50% 40% Feasibility: 20% 20% Capability: 30% 40% 50% of competition funds No separate funding pool New Scholar funding Project descriptions for Different descriptions New and Regular Scholars No difference New Scholar has not applied successfully, as principal investigator or project director, for a SSHRC grant; and in addition, must meet at least one of the following criteria: has completed their highest degree no more than five years before the competition deadline (first doctorate); or has held a tenured or tenure-track university appointment for less than five years; or has held a university appointment, but never a tenure-track position (in the case of institutions that offer tenure-track positions); or has had their career significantly interrupted or delayed for family reasons. IDG or IG? New Scholar Projects to develop new research questions/approaches May build on graduate work and/or represent a continuation of overall research trajectory Regular Scholar New research questions/approaches that are distinct from applicant’s previous or ongoing research Projects should be clearly delimited and in early stages IDG is not intended to support ongoing research for Regular Scholars IDG or IG? New Scholars: duration of project, ability to complete meaningful work in 2 years, international co-apps Regular Scholars: project must explore new research questions/approaches distinct from past/current work OTHER CONSIDERATIONS Can only apply to one in a given calendar year Can apply for an IG in October and an IDG the following February BUT objectives must differ Can act as co-applicant on another researcher’s grant at any time Some statistics… 2011 IDG Total SSHRC budget $13.1 m (New: $7.0m; Reg $6.1m) National success rate for New Scholars 39.7% National success rate for Regular Scholars 38.3% UofT New Scholars: 13 successful, 9 recommended, 5 unsuccessful (27) Regular Scholars: 9 successful, 15 recommended, 6 unsuccessful (30) Eligibility to apply Academic status at time of application • Paid academic appointment • Status-only appointment • Senior lecturer • Professor emeritus Postdocs and PhD students can apply directly through SSHRC Other statuses – please contact your Chair and Research Services Co-applicant from UofT – same as above Collaborator – no affiliation required Adjudication Peer-review committees, no external assessors 5 Research Groups Committees created as needed within groups Multi-disciplinary review possible upon request If in doubt about research group, contact a SSHRC program officer Adjudication The application is scored on the evaluation criteria listed in the grant description: Challenge 50% Feasibility 20% Capability 30% Must achieve at least 3/6 on each criterion to be recommended for funding. Priority Areas Priority areas • Aboriginal Research • Canadian Environmental Issues • Digital Economy • Innovation, Leadership and Prosperity • Northern Communities: Towards Social & Economic Prosperity Getting started Ahead of time (i.e. now) • get your SSHRC ID and password • complete CV and prepare Research Contributions document • check departmental deadlines and support • if you are unsure about your eligibility contact your Chair • make sure your subject matter is eligible • Contact your co-applicants and collaborators Summary This is the one section which all members will read Write for non-specialists Clearly state the research question or problem and the significance Where will the benefit and impact be? Why is it important and why are you the right person or team to do it? Don’t repeat text from the Detailed Description Detailed Description Clear and precise objectives Clear theoretical or conceptual framework Define all key terms or concepts Provide a complete literature review Explain and justify methodology Fit between objectives / hypotheses and methodology Address the evaluation criteria Research Team, Student Training Justify team approach Describe contribution, role, value added by each team member (applicant, co-applicants, collaborators) - use percentages to indicate contribution to project and time spent If including international co-applicants, give clear rationale What will each student be doing, how will it complement their academic training, how will they be supervised, will they possess or develop any special skills? Knowledge Mobilization, Intended Outcomes Knowledge Mobilization Plan attachment Traditional and innovative, taking advantage of digital technologies • Can refer to teaching, curriculum and pedagogy development • Cross-discipline, -sector, international, open-access • Plan, time-line and goals Intended outcomes module dropdown lists and text box the final research report will expect comment on these outcomes Writing your Insight Development Grant Convey and inspire confidence Present a challenging topic Clearly establish the need for the research Demonstrate its importance and originality Strike a balance between ambition and realism Budget IMPORTANT: the appropriateness and justification of the budget is now an evaluation criterion – it will count towards your overall score under Feasibility Budget and Budget Justification are about more than the funds you request: • Management of research • Clarity and thoroughness of planning • Training of students • Dissemination Budget DO’s Follow structure of SSHRC form Ensure that budget relates closely to methodology in proposal Explain how amounts are calculated Follow institutional guidelines where applicable compensation: ask business officer per diems: UofT ($55 in Canada, $75 international) Indicate that hourly compensation includes benefits and vacation pay Payment by stipend must be justified no limit on stipend amounts: ask business officer Explain what each student will be doing Budget DON’Ts Avoid including items that are not clearly related to the project e.g. travel for dissemination early in the project Don’t include ineligible items – smartphones, tablets, connection of phone lines Cell phones are only allowed if needed for data collection or safety Do not include overhead Avoid math errors Avoid multiple trips to one destination without justification Avoid hiring non-students without a clear justification CV and Research Contributions CV form is completed online, can be maintained and updated at any time • Your CV form will be captured when you click on Submit • Note that for co-applicants, their CV form is captured when they accept invitation – follow instructions on SSHRC site to refresh Research Contributions Now an attachment to the application form Ensure that you follow SSHRC presentation specifications Use SSHRC categories Indicate SSHRC-supported contributions by * in margin Last 6 years (Feb 2006 to present) – period can be lengthened if you have had a career interruption Explain periods of low productivity due to special circumstances Where co-authored, indicate student authors Research Contributions Include citation figures Where appropriate, add text Do not include work not yet submitted • previous & ongoing research Most Significant Career contributions (for Regular Scholars only) • Goes back before the 6-year cut-off • Describe impact and significance of each Text attachments Formatting minimum Times New Roman 12 point minimum 3/4” margins Readability Headings, white space, judicious use of bold and italics ENSURE THE CORRECT DOCUMENT IS ATTACHED Text boxes unformatted text USE PREVIEW to ensure text is visible - the character counter is unreliable Common weaknesses SSHRC committees: top 4 critiques Incomplete or outdated literature review Lack of theoretical rationale Lack of specificity and justification in the methodology No link between the conceptual framework and the methodology Writing your Insight Development Grant Prepare your proposal with the Committee in mind – anticipate their questions Ensure you have met the program and evaluation criteria Follow the application and CV instructions Invest time in preparing your proposal Ensure there are no errors Present a well-written and carefully crafted proposal Have your grant proposal read by colleagues who have been successful in previous competitions How to submit No later than noon, Monday, January 30, 2012 1. Submit SSHRC application online 2. Submit to Research Services a completed RIS form, signed by applicant and Chair or Dean to [email protected] RIS forms from UTM and UTSC also require signature by Vice-Principal Research Note that departments/faculties have earlier internal deadlines Resources SSHRC Insight Development Grant description http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/funding-financement/programsprogrammes/insight_development_grantssubventions_de_developpement_savoir-eng.aspx SSHRC IDG application instructions https://webapps.nserc.ca/SSHRC/InstructionsHelp/idg_instr_e.htm Tri-Agency Financial Administration Guide http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ProfessorsProfesseurs/FinancialAdminGuideGuideAdminFinancier/index_eng.asp Resources Departmental business officer Department or divisional research manager Research Services staff UofT Guide to Financial Management http://www.finance.utoronto.ca/gtfm.htm Research Services website http://www.research.utoronto.ca/research-fundingopportunities/insight-development-grant/ Your questions