Message from the Vice-Dean, Research

This newsletter contains a great deal of information; probably more than you feel you have time to read! However, I do urge you to take the time to read this, as it contains important information about current CFI, ORF and NSERC competitions. As always, please feel free to contact me at vdr@ecf.utoronto.ca if you have any questions or concerns.

Recent Research Awards

Congratulations to the following colleagues, who were recently awarded NSERC Strategic Supplements:

• Professor Tarek Abdelrahman, The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Professor Tim Bender, Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry
• Professor Ashvin Goel, The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Professor Amr Helmy, The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Professor Reza Iravani, The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Professor Donald Kirk, Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry
• Professor Ben Liang, The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Professor Emma Master, Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry

Funding Opportunities

CFI LEF/NIF Competition 2009 - U of T Timeline

Launch of Ontario Research Fund: Research Excellence Round 3

The Ministry of Research and Innovation has just released information on Round 3 of the Ontario Research Fund-Research Excellence (ORF-RE) program.

While research proposals in all disciplines are eligible for ORF-RE Round 3, the Ministry particularly encourages collaborative projects across institutions and disciplines from the following focus areas:

• Clean technologies and products
• Creative industries and digital media
• Health and bioscience industries

The ORF-RE focuses on scientific excellence and strong commercialization and targets new, leading-edge research initiatives. As a general rule, the minimum support provided by the ORF-RE to a project is $1 million and the maximum support provided is $8 million. ORF-RE investment constitutes one-third of the total project budget, and requires a $1-$1 match from the institution and from a private sector partner or partners. Strong participation by industry is a significant part of the ORF-RE’s mandate and applications with meaningful private sector commitment will be given additional consideration in the Ministry’s assessment process.

The internal deadline at GRIP for Notices of Intent (NoIs) is Apr. 22, 2008. GRIP will submit all U of T NOIs to the Ministry for their Apr. 29, 2008, deadline. The GRIP office will work with applicants and their division heads to finalize full submissions. Internal deadlines for staged development of proposals will be established in consultation with project teams. The Ministry’s deadline is Jul. 30, 2008.
Forms and additional information on the competition can be found on the Ministry’s website. Regional information sessions are proposed for March/April 2008. Details are forthcoming.

Questions may be directed to MayLiza Baak (416) 978-7605 or m.baak@utoronto.ca.

April 2008 NSERC Idea to Innovation (I2I) Program

Applicants for the Apr. 2008 deadline should notify Debbie Bilinski in advance of the internal deadline. She will forward a copy of our I2I Application checklist and sample forms.

Internal Deadline: Tuesday, Mar. 25, 2008
NSERC Deadline: Apr. 4, 2008

The NSERC Idea to Innovation (I2I) Program is a highly focused program intended to assist researchers working with their Industry Liaison Office (ILO) to accelerate the pre-competitive development of promising technology and promote its transfer to Canadian companies. Researchers must first make an invention disclosure to the University (for campus-based faculty) or the hospital (for hospital-based faculty). I2I applications must be supported by the University's ILO or the hospital equivalent (hospital-based faculty) in order to be eligible for this program. For campus-based faculty, the University's ILO is The Innovations Group (TIG). The TIG officer or hospital equivalent officer involved in the application must be identified in the technology transfer section of the proposal.

The disclosure, technology assessment and application preparation are lengthy processes, which can't be completed at the last minute. These applications involve Research Services (UTRS), the ILO (TIG or hospital equivalent) and a partner if it is a Phase II application, as well as the applicant. Please allow enough time to ensure all these steps have been taken and that application is prepared well in advance of the internal deadline.

Applicants with a potential health sciences focus in their proposals are encouraged to consult either an NSERC of CIHR Program Officer in advance of submission. The Program Officer will assist you in determining whether or not the proposal should be directed to I2I or CIHRs Proof of Principle (POP) Program.

Program Description
Application Instructions



2008 NSERC Strategic Projects Competition

Internal Deadline (optional proposal review): Before or by Friday, Mar. 28, 2008
(email proposals to Debbie Bilinski)
Internal Deadline (application review and signature): Monday, Apr. 7, 2008
NSERC Deadline: Tuesday, Apr. 15, 2008

Strategic Project Grants program goal: To increase research and training in targeted areas that could strongly enhance Canada’s economy, society and/or environment within the next ten years.

The Strategic Project Grants program funds early-stage project research in targeted areas. Research project requirements:

• The project must support the goal of the SPG program and fall within one of the seven targeted
  areas as listed in the program description.
  
• The objectives and scope of the project must be well defined. The duration may be from 1-3 years.
  
• At least one academic researcher and at least one supporting organization must collaborate on the project.
  
• The supporting organization must be actively involved in all stages of the project; therefore, in-kind contributions are required, but cash is not.
  
  Please see the following links for more information:
  
  Strategic Projects program description
  Strategic Projects application instructions
  Strategic Projects Information Session Handouts
  
  
  

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