Canada Foundation for Innovation - Innovation Fund Shelley Brown, Institutional Strategic Initiatives Dalhousie Research Services February 28, 2018
State-of-the-art equipment, laboratories, databases, specimens, scientific collections, computer hardware and software, communications linkages and buildings necessary to conduct leading-edge research = Research equipment and renovations of research space Trainees, materials and supplies 2
Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) Competitions John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) Major Science Initiatives Cyberinfrastructure Challenge Exceptional Opportunities Fund Innovation Fund 3
Innovation Fund (IF) Innovative research in areas where Canada is, or has the potential to be, globally competitive Transformative infrastructure projects that will underpin cutting-edge, globally competitive research Initiatives that allow institutions and their researchers to build on established capabilities to accelerate or to enhance strategic priority areas 4
Objectives of the 2017 IF: 1. Strive for global leadership by conducting worldclass research or technology development activities in areas of strategic institutional priority; 2. Enhance research capacity by forging productive partnerships within and among institutions, sectors and disciplines for the effective and sustainable use of the research infrastructure and facilities; 3. Generate social, health, environmental and/or economic benefits for Canadians, including better training and improved skills for highly qualified personnel, through appropriate pathways. 5
Objective 1: Global Leadership Institutional Capacity and Track Record The proposal builds on existing capacity and track record of key investments in people and infrastructure in the area of institutional priority Research or Technology Development The research or technology development activities are innovative, feasible, have the potential to lead to breakthroughs, and will enhance international competitiveness Team The team is comprised of established or emerging leaders and has the expertise and breadth, including relevant collaborations, to conduct the research or technology development activities 6
Objective 2: Enhance Research Capacity Infrastructure The infrastructure is necessary and appropriate to conduct the research or technology development activities Sustainability The infrastructure is optimally used within and among institutions, sectors and disciplines and is sustainable through tangible and appropriate commitments over its useful life 7
Objective 3: Benefits to Canadians Benefits to Canadians The research or technology development results will be transferred through appropriate pathways to potential end users and are likely to generate social, health, environmental and/or economic benefits for Canadians 8
Budget CFI will provide up to 40% of the total budget costs Request to Province of NS for 40% matching funds Remaining 20%: In-kind contributions from vendors Cash contributions It is the responsibility of the researcher to ensure the budget is balanced prior to submission of the application 9
2017 IF Results 351 proposals received, requesting a total of $1.2B 117 proposals approved for $425M funding Dalhousie Results: Administrative Lead 1 proposal, $2.7M (Dal Total) Partnered 7 proposals, $10.3M Total Dal CFI funding: >$13M 10
IF Review Process 2017 Innovation Fund: By the Numbers, CFI 11
Scoring System Exceeds Fully Satisfies Satisfies Partially Satisfies Does not Satisfy In general, you must score Exceeds or Fully Satisfies across all criteria and objectives, as assessed by the ECs and the MAC, respectively. 12
What s Required for a Successful Application? World-class team Cutting-edge and globally-competitive research program Defined pathway to realize benefits for Canadians 13
Common weaknesses identified in 2017 IF: Institutional Capacity Lack of cohesion with the proposed research area Research or Technology Development Team Lack of details on activities Feasibility of the approach or methodology Lack of focus, too broad or ambitious, not integrated, not innovative Missing expertise, lacking critical mass of experts Track record as a team 14
Common weaknesses (con t): Infrastructure Not well justified, wrong equipment, not linked to the research program Lack of details on existing or similar infrastructure available elsewhere Sustainability Insufficient infrastructure, access or data management plan Lack of details for costs/revenues, underestimated costs, insufficient revenues Benefits to Canadians Pathways not well defined Overstated or weak benefits 15
2017 Innovation Fund: By the Numbers, CFI 16
IF Internal Application Process CFI allocates an Institutional Envelope Dal envelope for 2017 IF: $29.4M Internal call to Faculties for Expressions of Interest Faculties rank order proposals Senior Administration Committee, led by VPR, reviews proposals Additional details may be requested, in particular for larger proposals 17
Application Development 1. Notice of Intent: 5 pages, no CVs, no detailed budget 2. Full application: 30-35 pages CVs for 10 Principal Users Detailed budget and renovation plans (if applicable) Guidance, oversight and review provided by Institutional Strategic Initiatives Additional support available upon request Internal deadline for complete draft (including final budget) 6 weeks prior to CFI deadline 18
What can you do now to prepare? Anticipate your needs and talk to your Dean/ADR space and/or renovations, matching funds, teaching release or support during application development Build your team of researchers Include a mix of early, mid-career and senior researchers Think beyond your Department/Faculty/Institution Meet monthly to discuss research proposal ideas Think forward to potential benefits for Canadians and end-users 19
What not to do Do not build an equipment wish list Do not create a team based on shared use of the infrastructure Do not wait to contact potential end-users 20
Additional Resources: CFI Website: www.innovation.ca Apply and Manage Awards Innovation Fund (2017 IF): Call for proposals 2017 IF By the Numbers 21
Contact Us Shelley Brown, Manager, Institutional Strategic Initiatives (shelley.brown@dal.ca) Juliana Serroul, Manager, Institutional Programs (juliana.serroul@dal.ca) 22