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Discovery Grants “Delivering on NSERC’s Commitment to Excellence”

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Discovery Grants. “Delivering on NSERC’s Commitment to Excellence”. The Discovery Grants (DG) Program. Excellence of Discovery Grants Program validated in two major independent reviews Strong support for existing program criteria to measure excellence Recommendations for enhancement: - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: Discovery Grants

Discovery Grants

“Delivering on NSERC’s Commitment to Excellence”

Page 2: Discovery Grants

The Discovery Grants (DG) Program

Excellence of Discovery Grants Program validated in two major independent reviews

Strong support for existing program criteria to measure excellence

Recommendations for enhancement:– New rating principles and measures to allow the

peer review system to respond more dynamically to applicants’ performance

– New committee structure to give all applicants a higher quality, more focused review (as of 2010)

Page 3: Discovery Grants

To Be Eligible, You Must:

Hold, or have a firm offer of, an academic appointment at a Canadian institution (minimum three-year term position) as of September 1, 2011

Be in a position that requires independent research and allows supervision of Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP)

Spend a minimum of six months per year at an eligible Canadian institution (if holding a position outside Canada)

Guidelines can be found on NSERC’s Web site

Page 4: Discovery Grants

Eligibility of Subject Matter

Discovery Grants support:– Research programs in the natural sciences and

engineering (NSE)– Interdisciplinary research that is predominantly in NSE

Significance, impact, advancement of knowledge or practical application in NSE

Eligibility Guidelines can be found on NSERC’s Web site for:– Health Research – Interdisciplinary Research

Consult NSERC or your RGO – applications deemed more appropriate for another agency will be rejected.

Page 5: Discovery Grants

Evaluation Process Overview

Two-step process separates merit assessment from funding recommendations

Merit assessment uses six-point scale to evaluate:– Excellence of the Researcher– Merit of the Proposal– Contributions to the Training of HQP

Applications grouped in “bins” of comparable quality Funding recommendations ─ similar overall ratings

within a group receive comparable funding Greater consistency in process between Evaluation

Groups and between competition years

Page 6: Discovery Grants

Two-Step Review Process

Exc

eptio

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Out

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Insu

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Fund

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"Bin

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A (L, N, H) B (L, N, H)

C (L. N. H) D (L, N, H).

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N O P

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"Bin

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Excellence of researcher

Merit of proposal

Contribution to training of HQP

Cost of research High Normal Low

Exc

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Out

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Ver

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tron

g

Str

ong

Mod

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Insu

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Fund

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"Bin

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A (L, N, H) B (L, N, H)

C (L. N. H) D (L, N, H).

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N O P

Exc

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Out

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Ver

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Str

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Mod

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Insu

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"Bin

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Excellence of researcher

Merit of proposal

Contribution to training of HQP

Cost of research High Normal Low

Merit assessmentFunding

recommendation

Page 7: Discovery Grants

The Conference Model

The 28 former Grant Selection Committees (GSCs) were replaced by 12 Evaluation Groups in 2010

Similar to a scientific conference, where several sessions occur in parallel streams

Members are assigned to various sections on the basis of the match between members’ expertise and the subject matter– Members may participate in reviews in several groups

Flexibility allows applications at the interface between Evaluation Groups to be reviewed by a combination of members from relevant groups

Page 8: Discovery Grants

Evaluation Groups Genes, Cells and Molecules (1501) Biological Systems and Functions (1502) Evolution and Ecology (1503) Chemistry (1504) Physics (1505) Geosciences (1506) Computer Science (1507) Mathematics and Statistics (1508) Civil, Industrial and Systems Engineering (1509) Electrical and Computer Engineering (1510) Materials and Chemical Engineering (1511) Mechanical Engineering (1512)

Page 9: Discovery Grants

How Does the Conference Model Work?EVALUATION GROUP A

Group Chair~ 30 members

Four Stream Chairs

EVALUATION GROUP BGroup Chair

~35 membersFour Stream Chairs

EVALUATION GROUP CGroup Chair

~25 membersThree Stream Chairs

Sec

tion

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2R

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Page 10: Discovery Grants

Advantages of the Conference Model

Provides a system with the flexibility to:– Ensure that applications have the best possible

review– React to the emergence of new research areas– Enable "traditional" disciplines or well-defined

areas to remain together

Reviews benefit from a larger pool of expertise than in the former system

Page 11: Discovery Grants

Applying to the Discovery Grants Program

Page 12: Discovery Grants

Life Cycle of a DG Application

August 1Submission of Form 180

September-OctoberInitial assignment to EG and contacting of Referees

November 1Submission of Grant Application

Mid-NovemberApplications sent out to Referees

Early DecemberEvaluation Group Members receive applications

FebruaryGrants Competition

March – AprilAnnouncement of Results

Page 13: Discovery Grants

Notification of Intent to Apply for a Discovery Grant (Form 180) Deadline: August 1

– Electronic submission only– Can have adverse consequences if not submitted

Includes:– Form 180, listing up to five Research Topics in priority order– List of Contributions (2004-2010)– List of Co-Applicants and their Contributions

(for Team Grants)

Facilitates preliminary assignment to an Evaluation Group and selection of external referees

Page 14: Discovery Grants

F180s Are Used To Determine:

The most appropriate Evaluation Group to

review

Potential benefits of a joint review between

Evaluation Groups

Referees for the application

Page 15: Discovery Grants

A Complete Discovery Grant Application Includes:

1. Application for a Grant (Form 101) with supporting documentation*

2. Personal Data Form (Form 100) for the applicant and all co-applicants

3. Samples of Research Contributions (reprints, pre-prints, thesis chapters, manuscripts, patents, technical reports, etc.)

4. All required Appendices

* Note that applications, including samples of research contributions, are to be submitted electronically

Page 16: Discovery Grants

Evaluation of Discovery Grant Applications

Page 17: Discovery Grants

Evaluation Criteria

Scientific or engineering excellence of the researcher(s)

Merit of the proposal Contribution to the training of highly qualified

personnel (HQP)

Page 18: Discovery Grants

Scientific or Engineering Excellence of the Researcher(s)

Knowledge, expertise and experience Past and potential contributions to research Importance of contributions Complementarity of expertise and synergy

(for team applications)

Page 19: Discovery Grants

Merit of the Proposal Originality and innovation Significance and expected contributions

to research; potential for technological impact Clarity and scope of objectives Clarity and appropriateness of methodology Feasibility Extent to which the proposal addresses all relevant

issues Appropriateness and justification of the budget Relationship to other sources of funding

Page 20: Discovery Grants

Contributions to Training HQP

Quality and impact of contributions to training during the last six years

Proposed plan for future training of HQP– Describe the nature of the training, e.g. length, outcome– New applicants should demonstrate the potential and

soundness of their plan

Enhancement of training arising from a collaborative or interdisciplinary environment (where applicable)

Read the Policy and Guidelines on the Assessment of Contributions to Research and Training

Page 21: Discovery Grants

Relative Cost of Research

Determined by the reviewers as Low, Normal or High as compared to the norm for the research areas represented in the applications considered by the Evaluation Group(s).

Factors considered include: – Salaries and benefits– Equipment and/or facilities– Materials and supplies– Travel– Dissemination

Page 22: Discovery Grants

Discovery Grant Indicators

Page 23: Discovery Grants

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

Page 24: Discovery Grants

Grant Proposal: Tips

Describe plans for quality HQP training Prepare realistic budget Discuss relationships to other

research support Consider recent evaluation comments/

recommendations (previous Messages to Applicant)

Form 101

Page 25: Discovery Grants

Personal Data Form: Tips List all sources of support Describe up to five most significant research

contributions List all other research contributions (2004-10) Describe contributions to HQP training (2004-10)

– Describe nature of HQP studies (master’s and undergraduate)

Clearly define your role in any collaborative research and joint HQP training

Form 100

Page 26: Discovery Grants

Personal Data Form: Tips Make sure the HQP training numbers in the table on

page 1 match the names and status of the students listed in the table on page 4

Include as much information as possible List your student’s names in bold font in the list of

contributions Give other evidence of impact of work Explain any delays in research activity or particular

circumstances that might have affected productivity or contributions to HQP training

Form 100

Page 27: Discovery Grants

Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) - Category 1

Deadline – October 25 NSERC will accept requests up to $150,000

(equipment value can be up to $250,000) Must already hold or be submitting an

application for an NSERC research grant (not necessarily a Discovery Grant)

Page 28: Discovery Grants

RTI Applications: Tips

Describe the research that will be done with the equipment

Explain the need and urgency of the request Justify each item Illustrate the suitability of the proposed

equipment for research program Indicate the impact on HQP training Give alternative configurations and

pricing options

Page 29: Discovery Grants

Final Advice

Read all instructions carefully and follow presentation standards

Use all the space allotted to you, with clear headings and good layout

Respect guidelines for font size, margins and page limits

Identify students’ contributions in bold Consult the Peer Review Manual (Chapter 6)

Page 30: Discovery Grants

Final Advice, cont.

Remember that two audiences read your application – expert and non-expert

Ask colleagues and/or your Research Grants Office for comments on your application

Read other successful proposals Ensure completeness of application

Page 31: Discovery Grants

NSERC ContactsEvaluation Group (EG)

Program Officer

[email protected]

Deadlines, Acknowledgement of Applications, Results

Your university Research Grants Officer (RGO)

Your Account, Grants in Aid of Research Statement of Account (Form 300)

Your university Business Officer (BO)

NSERC Web site www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca

Discovery Grants (including eligibility)

[email protected]

613-995-5829

Use of Grant Funds [email protected]

On-line help [email protected]