INNOVATION THEME 2016 2017 Research Acceleration Guidelines
PROGRAM GUIDELINES 2016 2017 RESEARCH ACCELERATION 2 For more information please contact: Department of Agriculture Programs and Business Risk Management 60 Research Drive, Suite A Bible Hill, Nova Scotia B6L 2R2 Tel: 902-893-6377 Toll free: 1-866-844-4276 Fax: 902-893-7579 Email: prm@novascotia.ca novascotia.ca/agri/prm
PROGRAM GUIDELINES 2016 2017 RESEARCH ACCELERATION 3 OVERVIEW The Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture (NSDA) and Agriculture and Agri Food Canada (AAFC) entered into a five year (2013 2018) bilateral agreement to implement Growing Forward 2, the policy framework for agriculture. Under the Growing Forward 2 bilateral agreement, $37 million in federal and provincial funding will be invested over five years towards strategic initiative programming. Over the five years Growing Forward 2 and Homegrown Success programs will focus on three thematic areas: 1) Innovation 2) Competitiveness and Market Development 3) Adaptability and Industry Capacity With the strength of our partnership with Agriculture and Agri Food Canada and the funding for programming under Growing Forward 2, the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture is well positioned to provide assistance for the tools needed to improve profitability and competitiveness in Nova Scotia. INNOVATION The innovation theme supports and promotes a market-oriented, consumer-driven agricultural industry by investing in initiatives that will improve the competitiveness and profitability of Nova Scotia s agriculture, agri-food and agri-based product sector. The innovation theme provides support through the following four initiatives: The Research Acceleration initiative, which supports the development and adaption of new and leading agricultural technologies and knowledge to enhance the competitive position of Nova Scotia s agriculture and agri-food industry. Specifically, this initiative supports research positions and applied research projects identified as key priority areas by industry and educational institutions. The Farm Innovation initiative supports the assessment, adoption and implementation of innovative technologies on the farm to improve profitability and competitiveness. Projects should also provide benefits for the industry and/or community. Innovative projects should be new and not currently available or adopted in Nova Scotia. Projects will be classed as either innovative projects or as crop and livestock management projects. The Agri-Products Innovation and Commercialization initiative supports the creation and commercialization of new innovative opportunities to strengthen the competitiveness of Nova Scotia s agriculture, agri-food and agri-based product sectors. The Atlantic Agriculture Research and Innovation Initiative encourages Atlantic Canadian collaboration and provide financial assistance on research and Innovation projects, of mutual benefit, which can lead to improved profitability, competitiveness, and sustainability of the agriculture, agri-food, and agri-product sectors in Atlantic Canada.
PROGRAM GUIDELINES 2016 2017 RESEARCH ACCELERATION 4 Project objectives should: Research Acceleration support technological research opportunities identified by the agriculture and agri-food industry, increase industry awareness of the value of research, encourage industry participation in the support of research, communicate research results and encourage industry adaptation of technology, support priority areas such as climate, soil, water, mechanization, and agricultural management systems. Who Can Apply Eligible applicants include individuals, partnerships, corporations, co-operatives, colleges, universities and foundations, farm organizations, and commodity organizations. Note: Not-for-profit organizations must provide Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) documentation to substantiate their not-for-profit status. RESEARCH PROJECTS How to Apply Submit a 2016 Research Acceleration Research Project Application Form and a detailed proposal to the Programs and Business Risk Management (PBRM) office of the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture by March 15, 2016. Continuation of previous work must be identified. Proposals should be no more than five pages (excluding references, CVs, appointments, team description, and letters of support) and will be evaluated on: comprehensive project description; project impact; experimental design, timeline, and action plan; budget and financing; identify the industry s financial contribution; project management plan and expertise; and letter(s) of support from the industry expressing the benefit(s) and/or issue(s) the proposal will address. Selection Process Projects proposals are reviewed and rated for funding approval by a Selection Committee of industry peers and/or subject matter experts. Ratings are based on the Selection Criteria and Weighting attached to the application form. Submissions are pre-screened for eligibility. Financial Information For applied research projects, assistance on eligible costs may be up to 75 per cent of eligible cash expenditures to a maximum of $30,000 per year, up to two years. The remaining 25 per cent of eligible cash expenditures must be an industry contribution.
PROGRAM GUIDELINES 2016 2017 RESEARCH ACCELERATION 5 Once approved, a Letter of Agreement (LOA) will be sent to the applicant and the project will then be eligible for a one-third advance upon receipt of a copy of the signed LOA by the applicant. Example Eligible Expenses salaries for term employees: graduate students, post-doctorate fellowships, contract technicians, and summer students directly related to the project consumable supplies/disposables communications, publications, technology transfer laboratory analysis HST for qualifying not-for-profit organizations and universities Ineligible Expenses capital expenditures (machinery and equipment) travel to conferences administration and general overhead Claiming All claims must be submitted to the PBRM office no later than March 1 of each fiscal year. Interim claims can be submitted any time. All projects must be paid for and completed by March 1. The claim must include copies of all invoices for eligible project costs incurred and paid by the applicant. Applicants must include proof of payment to support completed approved project activities (e.g., debit slips or official invoices marked paid and signed by supplier, cancelled cheques, credit card statements). Written Reports Approved research projects require reports to be submitted electronically to the PBRM office. Interim reports for research projects are due by March 01 of each approved year. Final written reports for research projects are due 90 days after the project end date. Reports shall be a two-page summary or factsheet of the project and findings. Failure to submit a final report will affect future funding considerations by the PBRM office. Reports may be made available publically on the department s website. Project Extension Requests Extension requests must be made to the PBRM office prior to the end date, as identified in the Letter of Agreement. The request must provide the reason/justification for the extension, and where applicable, a revised work plan including timelines, and any proposed changes in the budget allocation. NOTE: Only one extension per project may be granted.
PROGRAM GUIDELINES 2016 2017 RESEARCH ACCELERATION 6 RESEARCH POSITIONS How to Apply Complete the 2016 Research Acceleration Research Position Application Form. Submit the application to the Programs and Business Risk Management (PBRM) office of the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture. Research position applications will be accepted on an on-going basis, until all funds are committed. Selection Process Research positions are reviewed and rated for funding approval by a Selection Committee of industry peers and/or subject matter experts. Financial Information The maximum annual contribution is $45,000 per program year for an individual chair position, which must be matched by an industry cooperator. Each annual allocation is subject to budget approval. Claiming All claims must be submitted to the PBRM office no later than March 1 of each fiscal year. The claim must include proof of expenditure was paid by the applicant. Written Reports Approved research chair position require reports to be submitted electronically to the PBRM office annually according to the Letter of Agreement. Failure to submit any report will affect future funding allocations by the PBRM office. Reports may be made available publically on the department s website.