Connaught New Staff Matching Grants

Congratulations to the following faculty members, who received Connaught New Staff Matching Grants.

• Tim Barfoot, University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies
• Axel Guenther, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering  
• Olivera Kesler, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
• Joyce Poon, The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Canada Research Chair Renewals

Congratulations to the following faculty members, who had the renewal of their Canada Research Chairs announced last week in Ottawa:

• Frank Kschischang, The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering - Chair in Communication Algorithms
• Wei Yu, The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering - Chair in Information Theory and Digital Communications
• David Zingg, University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies - Chair in Computational Aerodynamics and Environmentally-friendly Aircraft Design

NSERC Publishes Results of the Grant Selection Committee (GSC) Structure Review

Today, NSERC published the recommendations of its Grant Selection Committee (GSC) Structure Review Advisory Committee. Chaired by Dr. Adel Sedra, Dean of Engineering at the University of Waterloo, the Committee was charged with an in-depth investigation of the challenges facing the Discovery Grants peer review system, specifically the rapid emergence of new areas, proposals that cross traditional boundaries and the growing workload faced by many GSCs.

Key among the report recommendations is that NSERC adopt a Conference Model for the review of applications. The new Model would be developed from a system that four GSCs have already implemented successfully. Its primary advantage is its much more flexible and dynamic approach to grant review, allowing the system to adapt quickly to changes in the research environment and to accommodate proposals that cross disciplines.

The report of the Advisory Committee made other recommendations including:

• Separation of scientific evaluation and funding recommendations.
• "Binning" of proposals based on scientific/engineering merit, without reference to prior grants.
• "Cost of research" to replace "need for funds" as a factor in the award amount.

"We heard from many researchers about their perception of the strengths of the current system, so we were very conscious of the need to build on these positive features," said Dr. Sedra. "What we recommend is not quite a complete re-design—there are many evolutionary elements—but it is also not just a fine tuning."

Isabelle Blain, NSERC's Vice President of Research Grants and Scholarships, said that NSERC's Committee on Research Grants (CORG) and the Discovery Grant Program Management has accepted in principle the Review Committee's main recommendations, and that NSERC is now developing and refining the processes in order to implement the new structure for the 2010 Discovery Grant Competition. "We believe the new system will spur even more creativity, since researchers will feel less constrained to fit proposals within the traditional boundaries of research," she said.

The decision was supported by NSERC President Dr Suzanne Fortier. "The GSC Structure Review Committee has provided an exceptionally valuable service to the natural sciences and Engineering research community and to NSERC. Our capacity to recognize and support excellence is critical to our vision of making Canada a nation of discoverers and innovators. These new measures will assure us, and our funders, that our peer review systems are evolving to accommodate changes in the research environment and that we will continue to have the rigour and the ability to evaluate excellent proposals."
The new model and processes will be subjected to further extensive focus testing and proving over the summer and fall.

The GSC Structure Review is the second major review of the Discovery Grants Program released recently. Last month, NSERC published the Report of the International Review Committee. This Report endorsed the philosophy of the Program and the quality of the research and training it supports.

Funding Opportunities

NSERC Accelerator Supplements

Objective

The Discovery Accelerator Supplements will provide substantial and timely resources to a small group of outstanding researchers who have a well-established research program and who are at a key point in their careers at which they can make, or capitalize on, a significant breakthrough, but who are being held back by insufficient funds.

Who is Eligible?

The Supplements will be awarded to selected applicants whose Discovery Grants have been recommended for a substantial increase at the time of renewal. First-time applicants are eligible for the supplement if they meet the objectives of the Discovery Accelerator Supplements program. Normally, these applicants’ Discovery Grants would have to be recommended at a level higher than the average of their normal peer group in order to be nominated for a Discovery Accelerator Supplement. Researchers who receive a reduction in their grant will not be considered for the Supplements. Note also that the Supplement may not be held concurrently with an EWR Steacie Memorial Fellowship.

Application

Researchers do not apply for Discovery Accelerator Supplements. Discovery Grants recipients may be nominated during the annual competition for Discovery Grants by their respective GSC, if they have been recommended for a substantial increase in funding. 

What is the duration and value?

$120,000 over three years. The Supplement is awarded in addition to the Discovery Grant and will be administered in a separate fund. There will be up to 100 Supplements awarded per year from which 50 must be in one of the three areas identified as a priority in the 2007 federal Science and Technology Strategy: information and communications technologies, energy, and environment.

Can you request a reduction in the duration of a current Discovery Grant in order to reapply sooner and be considered for a Supplement?

The University, through the Office of Research Services, will be allowed to request a reduction in the duration of the Discovery Grant of a small and limited number of our researchers who it believes would meet the selection criteria for the supplements. NSERC will accept a maximum of 8 requests from the University. Please carefully consider the following points before contemplating such a request:

NSERC Inter-American Collaboration in Materials Research (CIAM) Initiative

Deadline for Letters of Intent for Research Projects and Notice of Intent for Collaborative Mobility Grants: August 29, 2008.

NSERC is soliciting collaborative research proposals from NSERC-eligible researchers as part of the Special Research Opportunity (SRO) program to support opportunities for collaborations between materials science and Engineering researchers. Proposals must have materials-related applications in processing, design and manufacturing.

NSERC expects to support a limited number of high-quality Research Projects, of up to three years duration, that present an opportunity for inter-American collaboration. New in 2008 is a cap on the amount of funding that can be requested.

The maximum allowable requested amount from NSERC for a single project is $60,000 per year for three years. As part of this Request for Proposals, NSERC will also entertain proposals for Collaborative Mobility Grants that aim to establish new inter-American collaborations, support international mobility and/or support networking efforts between scientists who wish to use their respective existing grants to support their collaborative research work.

Researchers participating in collaborative projects through the Inter-American Collaboration in Materials Research (CIAM) receive funding from their respective country. Proposals from individuals or teams based at NSERC-eligible institutions must be submitted directly to NSERC.
For more information on the program, please refer to: NSERC - Request for Proposals – Inter-American Collaboration in Materials Research.

The Newton International Fellowship

The Newton International Fellowship scheme, run by The British Academy, The Royal Academy of Engineering and The Royal Society, aims to attract the world’s best postdoctoral researchers to the UK. The two-year Fellowships cover the broad range of the natural and social sciences, engineering and the humanities. The Fellowships include £24,000 per annum to cover subsistence and £8,000 to cover research expenses, plus a one-off relocation allowance of £2,000.

Funding, worth £6,000 per year for ten years after the Fellowship ends, will support follow-on activities to enable Newton Fellows to build long-term links with the UK.

In addition, Newton Fellows will also become members of the international alumni scheme run by Research Councils UK.

The deadline for applications is Monday, 4 August 2008. More details can be found on the Newton International Fellowships website.

Research Funding for Climate Change and Marine/Coastal Ecosystems

Funding Agency

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce.

Funding type and priorities

For extramural research, innovative projects, and sponsorships (e.g., conferences, newsletters, etc.) that address one or more of the following mission goal descriptions:

• Protect, Restore, and Manage the Use of Coastal and Ocean Resources through an Ecosystem Approach to Management.
• Understand Climate Variability and Change to Enhance Society's Ability to Plan and Respond.
• Serve Society's Needs for Weather and Water Information.
• Support the Nation's Commerce with Information for Safe, Efficient, and Environmentally Sound Transportation.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov. For more information about the program, please visit U of T's research site.

Deadline: September 30, 200.

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