PowerPoint Presentation

SSHRC Information Session Insight DevelopmentGrant1OverviewIntroductionsSSHRC funding programsChoosing a funding opportunityInsight Development GrantEligibilityAdjudicationElements of a strong proposalSubmitting your applicationTips & Resources Q &A

2Introductions SSH Team Research Services Office

Krista Montgomery Research Funding Manager - PartnershipsSarah Scott Research Funding Officer -Individual & informal teamChristine Kwan Research Funding Administrator 3SSHRC Program StructureThree Programs:TalentInsightConnection

Two Funding streamsIndividual researchers and informal groups/teamsFormal partnershipsInsight Insight Grants &Insight Development GrantsPartnership Grants &Partnership Development Grants4Insight ProgramBuild 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 non-academic audiences, with the potential to lead to intellectual, cultural, social and economic influence, benefit and impact.5IDG compared with IGInsight DevelopmentInsightDuration1 to 2 years3 to 5 yearsValue$7,000 to $75,000$7,000 to $500,000Maximum annual budget$75,000$200,000International co-applicantsYesNoSSHRC deadlineFebruary 1October 15Evaluation Challenge:50%40% Feasibility:20%20% Capability:30%40%New Scholar funding50% of competition fundsNo separate funding poolProject descriptions for New and Regular ScholarsDifferent descriptionsNo differenceEach type of award carries an automatic one year extension.6New Scholarhas 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.

7IDG or IG?New ScholarProjects to develop new research questions/approachesMay build on graduate work and/or represent a continuation of overall research trajectoryRegular ScholarNew research questions/approaches that are distinct from applicants previous or ongoing researchProjects should be clearly delimited and in early stagesIDG is not intended to support ongoing research for Regular Scholars8IDG or IG?New Scholars: duration of project, ability to complete meaningful work in 2 years, international co-appsRegular Scholars: project must explore new research questions/approaches distinct from past/current workOTHER CONSIDERATIONSCan only apply to one in a given calendar yearCan apply for an IG in October and an IDG the following February BUT objectives must differCan act as co-applicant on another researchers grant at any time

9Some statistics2011 IDGTotal 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%UofTNew Scholars: 13 successful, 9 recommended, 5 unsuccessful (27)Regular Scholars: 9 successful, 15 recommended, 6 unsuccessful (30)

10Eligibility to apply

Academic status at time of applicationPaid academic appointmentStatus-only appointmentSenior lecturerProfessor emeritusPostdocs and PhD students can apply directly through SSHRCOther statuses please contact your Chair and Research ServicesCo-applicant from UofT same as aboveCollaborator no affiliation required

11AdjudicationPeer-review committees, no external assessors5 Research GroupsCommittees created as needed within groupsMulti-disciplinary review possible upon request

If in doubt about research group, contact a SSHRC program officer

12AdjudicationThe 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. 13Priority AreasPriority areasAboriginal ResearchCanadian Environmental IssuesDigital EconomyInnovation, Leadership and ProsperityNorthern Communities: Towards Social & Economic Prosperity

14Getting startedAhead of time (i.e. now)get your SSHRC ID and passwordcomplete CV and prepare Research Contributions documentcheck departmental deadlines and supportif you are unsure about your eligibility contact your Chairmake sure your subject matter is eligibleContact your co-applicants and collaborators15SummaryThis is the one section which all members will readWrite for non-specialistsClearly state the research question or problem and the significanceWhere will the benefit and impact be?Why is it important and why are you the right person or team to do it?Dont repeat text from the Detailed Description

16Detailed DescriptionClear and precise objectivesClear theoretical or conceptual framework Define all key terms or conceptsProvide a complete literature reviewExplain and justify methodology

Fit between objectives / hypotheses and methodologyAddress the evaluation criteria

17Research Team, Student TrainingJustify team approachDescribe contribution, role, value added by each team member (applicant, co-applicants, collaborators) - use percentages to indicate contribution to project and time spentIf including international co-applicants, give clear rationaleWhat 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?

18Knowledge Mobilization, Intended OutcomesKnowledge Mobilization Plan attachmentTraditional and innovative, taking advantage of digital technologiesCan refer to teaching, curriculum and pedagogy developmentCross-discipline, -sector, international, open-accessPlan, time-line and goalsIntended outcomes moduledropdown lists and text boxthe final research report will expect comment on these outcomes19Writing your InsightDevelopment GrantConvey 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

20BudgetIMPORTANT: the appropriateness and justification of the budget is now an evaluation criterion it will count towards your overall score under FeasibilityBudget and Budget Justification are about more than the funds you request:Management of researchClarity and thoroughness of planningTraining of studentsDissemination21Budget DOsFollow structure of SSHRC formEnsure that budget relates closely to methodology in proposalExplain how amounts are calculatedFollow institutional guidelines where applicable compensation: ask business officerper diems: UofT ($55 in Canada, $75 international)Indicate that hourly compensation includes benefits and vacation payPayment by stipend must be justifiedno limit on stipend amounts: ask business officerExplain what each student will be doing

22Budget DONTsAvoid including items that are not clearly related to the project e.g. travel for dissemination early in the projectDont include ineligible items smartphones, tablets, connection of phone linesCell phones are only allowed if needed for data collection or safetyDo not include overheadAvoid math errorsAvoid multiple trips to one destination without justificationAvoid hiring non-students without a clear justification

23CV and Research ContributionsCV form is completed online, can be maintained and updated at any timeYour CV form will be captured when you click on SubmitNote that for co-applicants, their CV form is captured when they accept invitation follow instructions on SSHRC site to refresh

24Research ContributionsNow an attachment to the application formEnsure that you follow SSHRC presentation specificationsUse SSHRC categoriesIndicate SSHRC-supported contributions by * in marginLast 6 years (Feb 2006 to present) period can be lengthened if you have had a career interruptionExplain periods of low productivity due to special circumstancesWhere co-authored, indicate student authors25Research ContributionsInclude citation figuresWhere appropriate, add textDo not include work not yet submittedprevious & ongoing researchMost Significant Career contributions (for Regular Scholars only)Goes back before the 6-year cut-offDescribe impact and significance of each26Text attachmentsFormattingminimum Times New Roman 12 pointminimum 3/4 marginsReadabilityHeadings, white space, judicious use of bold and italicsENSURE THE CORRECT DOCUMENT IS ATTACHED

Text boxesunformatted textUSE PREVIEW to ensure text is visible - the character counter is unreliable

27Common weaknessesSSHRC committees: top 4 critiquesIncomplete 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

28Writing your InsightDevelopment GrantPrepare your proposal with the Committee in mind anticipate their questionsEnsure you have met the program and evaluation criteriaFollow the application and CV instructionsInvest time in preparing your proposalEnsure there are no errorsPresent a well-written and carefully crafted proposalHave your grant proposal read by colleagues who have been successful in previous competitions

29How to submitNo 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 research.services@utoronto.ca

RIS forms from UTM and UTSC also require signature by Vice-Principal ResearchNote that departments/faculties have earlier internal deadlines30ResourcesSSHRC Insight Development Grant descriptionhttp://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/funding-financement/programs-programmes/insight_development_grants-subventions_de_developpement_savoir-eng.aspxSSHRC IDG application instructionshttps://webapps.nserc.ca/SSHRC/Instructions-Help/idg_instr_e.htm Tri-Agency Financial Administration Guidehttp://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Professors-Professeurs/FinancialAdminGuide-GuideAdminFinancier/index_eng.asp 31ResourcesDepartmental business officerDepartment or divisional research managerResearch Services staff

UofT Guide to Financial Managementhttp://www.finance.utoronto.ca/gtfm.htmResearch Services websitehttp://www.research.utoronto.ca/research-funding-opportunities/insight-development-grant/32Your questions33