For Professors – Overview – Partnerships Programs

Research Network Grants (RNG)

Duration	Application Deadline	How to Apply
Up to 5 years	Anytime	Notification of Submission Preliminary Application Forms 101 and 100 Full Application (only if invited by NSERC) Forms 101, 100 and 183A
Active Networks
Program Contact		Apply on-line

Objectives

The objectives of the Research Network Grants program are to foster:

• creation of knowledge and expertise that can most effectively be attained through large-scale multidisciplinary research projects;
• collaboration between university- and/or college-based researchers and Canadian-based organizations;
• transfer of knowledge and expertise to Canadian-based organizations;
• training of highly qualified personnel; and
• social and/or economic benefits to Canada.

Description

Research Network Grants fund large-scale, complex research programs that involve multi-sectorial collaborations on a common research topic. The topic to be investigated can be of local concern, requiring a focused local network, or of regional or national importance, requiring a larger, more complex network.

Research Networks must involve a minimum of five researchers, eligible to receive NSERC funding, from at least three separate departments, faculties or institutions. It is critical to have the appropriate expertise to carry out the proposed research and to have the active involvement and financial support of non-academic organizations. Research Networks should also encourage interaction and exchanges of personnel between postsecondary institutions and partner organizations as part of the training of highly qualified personnel, e.g., reciprocal laboratory visits, joint workshops, and seminars. A management structure is required to direct, manage, and integrate the activities of the network. Research Networks normally require in excess of $500,000 annually from NSERC. Both private- and public-sector partner contributions will be assessed in the determination of an appropriate cost-sharing ratio. Networks are normally funded for five years.

Application Procedures

Notification of Submission

A one-page Notification of Submission must be sent to NSERC before the preliminary application can be submitted. This document must describe the research topic and explain why a network needs to be formed in order to study it. On the basis of this information, NSERC will assign a Program Officer to advise the applicants in the preparation of the preliminary application. There is no deadline for this correspondence.

Preliminary Application*

The purpose of the preliminary application is to provide information on the proposed network in relation to the goals and objectives of the Research Network Grants program. The Research Network Selection Committee will use this application in its screening process in order to determine which applicants will be invited to submit full proposals.

The preliminary application must contain the following NSERC documents:

• Form 101 (page 1 only): name, affiliation and level of participation of the applicant, and the appropriate signatures from the applicant's university. In addition, a description of the research (maximum of 7 pages), which should detail the:
  • proposed research;
  • expertise, involvement and role of the leading researchers in the network;
  • advantages of a network approach to the research;
  • benefit(s) to Canada;
  • involvement of participating organizations;
  • management structure;
  • training of highly qualified personnel;
  • estimated annual budget: funds requested from NSERC and estimated cash and in-kind contributions from the participating organizations.
• Form 100: Personal Data Form for the applicant and the Theme Leaders; and
• Statement of Interest from each non-academic organization involved.

Applicants must consult with their assigned Program Officer in preparing the preliminary application.

* You can prepare your preliminary application using the electronic submission system, but you must print it out and submit the paper version. Preliminary Applications cannot be submitted on-line.

Preliminary Application Review

Preliminary applications are reviewed by the Research Network Selection Committee. Based on this review, applicants may be invited to submit full proposals.

Full Proposal

All applicants invited to submit a full proposal must do so within six months.

The full proposal consists of an Application for a Grant (Form 101), a Personal Data Form (Form 100) for the applicant and each co-applicant, and a letter of support and Form 183A from each non-academic partner organization. (See Completing Form 183A for details.) Partners must demonstrate in writing where the Research Network fits within their priorities, and how they plan on being involved in the research and management of the network. The letter of support should be from someone in an upper management position in the organization. Applicants are encouraged to consult with their Program Officer in preparing the proposal.

NSERC will entertain specific requests for up to $25,000 to assist in defraying the costs of preparing a full Research Network proposal. This should be sent to the assigned Program Officer in the form of a one page itemized request estimating the preparation costs and the portion to be paid by NSERC and the collaborating partners.

Review Procedures

Each Research Network proposal is reviewed by external referees and a Site Visit Committee. The Research Network Selection Committee reviews the proposal, the comments from external referees and the Site Visit Committee report in order to formulate its funding recommendation to NSERC.

Selection Criteria

Research Network proposals are evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:

• Merit of the Research Proposal
  • originality of the proposed research;
  • scientific/technical quality of the research;
  • the feasibility of addressing the research question(s) in the five year timeframe of the network;
  • focus and coherence of the research proposal;
  • quality of the research team, including the appropriateness of expertise and the contribution individual participants will make to the research effort;
  • availability of suitable equipment and facilities; and
  • benefits of the proposed research, and its potential impact, within a reasonable time, on Canada's economy, industry, society and/or environment.
• Interactions and Partnerships
  • nature and extent of the research contributions from participants;
  • level of involvement of supporting organizations in the project;
  • ability of the supporting organizations to exploit the research results to the benefit of Canada;
  • plan for ensuring effective interaction among all participants in the research; and
  • strategy for communicating the results of the project to all interested parties.
• Training (see Policy and Guidelines on the Assessment of Contributions to Research and Training)
  • extent to which all network participants are involved in the training of highly qualified personnel;
  • plan to facilitate the training of highly qualified personnel in settings that encourage interaction with the participants;
  • quality/relevance of the proposed training; and
  • applicants' record in the training of highly qualified research personnel.
• Management and Budgeting
  • level of commitment of the applicant and key researchers to the project and its management;
  • a management structure that will ensure effective research, research planning, financial control, and interaction among all the participants;
  • justification for the level and duration of funding requested vis-à-vis the stated objectives; and
  • appropriateness of the overall budget, which includes justification for the proposed cost sharing between NSERC and the partner organizations.
• Advantages of a Network Approach
  • the extent to which a network approach is needed to carry out the research, and why this research cannot be accomplished through other funding mechanisms.

Reporting

Grantees must submit a mid-term progress report to NSERC. Continuation of funding is contingent upon satisfactory progress. Partner organizations are required to confirm their commitment to the Network annually.

All grantees must submit a final report. NSERC may use the Research Network Selection Committee's assessment of this information when reviewing subsequent Research Partnership Program (RPP) applications. Grantees are informed of the requirements for such reports at the appropriate time.

Contact

Doris Braslins
Tel.: (613) 996-7229
E-mail: doris.braslins@nserc.ca