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How to apply

Research and Knowledge Development Fund

• Introduction
• Applicant responsibilities
• General application components
• Research projects
• Demonstration projects
• Knowledge transfer projects
• Checklist

Introduction

Through the Research and Knowledge Development Fund (RKDF), the National Crime Prevention Centre (NCPC) encourages applicants to think about how their knowledge and expertise might help advance crime prevention in Canada.

There are three major types of project applications under the RKDF:

• Research
• Demonstration
• Knowledge transfer

Project proposals must be developed with the intention of providing evidence of effectiveness and contributing to the most recent knowledge on the specified issue. Each of the project types has slightly different application requirements, criteria and review processes. The following document explains these differences.

Funding for projects of this nature is very competitive; therefore, organizations should ensure that project proposals are clear and the objectives and outcomes are achievable over the defined period of time.

Before applying, we encourage you to contact an NCPC official to obtain as much information as possible before you begin. We are available to advise you about the eligibility of your organization and initiative, answer your questions and link you with others doing similar work, if necessary.

Applicant responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the applicant to submit a clear and complete application by the specified closing date. Applicants are responsible for costs of preparing and submitting applications. Applicants are expected to respond to inquiries or requests for information from the NCPC and/or advise the NCPC of changes or revisions to their application.

Applications must:

• be received in both electronic and hard copies by the specified date
• include all requested information (see the checklist at end of this section)
• address the criteria set out in the request
• be signed by an authorized officer
• be accompanied by a proposal signed by an authorized officer and, in the case of demonstration projects, an evaluator

General application components

Application form

• Duly completed form with signature of authorized officer
• Summary budget information

Proposal

• Description of project, with a statement on how your project meets the objectives of the program, signed by authorized officer
• Detailed work plan
• Detailed budget

Supporting documents

• Results of your organization’s ethics review OR application for NCPC ethics review, if applicable (Please see document entitled Ethics Review Policy. To obtain a copy, contact the NCPC office nearest you)
• Letters of support and commitment
• List of partners (confirmed and potential), their roles and letters of support, and evidence of community support for the project, if applicable
• Curriculum vitae of project principals, researchers and (where applicable) evaluators
• Background material on organization (e.g., annual report, brochures, by-laws, membership)
• Funding history and credentials of organization (e.g., statement of incorporation)
• Audited financial statement of your organization’s previous year’s income and expenses, along with the auditor’s name and address, and your organization’s forecast budget for the current year; OR, if an audited financial statement is not available, provide your organization’s latest financial statement, signed by your President and Treasurer
• Evidence that your organization has the capacity to complete the proposed project and has resources available to carry out the work
• List of previous relevant work

Results of proposal review

• If your proposal is successful, a grant or contribution agreement will be developed with your organization. The Minister of PSEPC ultimately approves these agreements. Please note that the Minister’s decision is final.
• Successful projects will be announced by the Minister
• The number of proposals that are successful will depend on the number of quality applications received, the amount of funding sought and the funding available.
• Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing.

Research projects

The primary purpose of research projects is to help advance basic crime prevention knowledge, policy and/or practice.

By funding different types of crime prevention research activities in different settings, the RKDF stimulates knowledge about what works in crime prevention. Research activities eligible for funding include, but are not limited to:

• Basic research
• Applied research
• Comparative research
• Secondary analysis
• Systematic reviews
• Meta-analyses
• Evaluation research and outcome studies
• Economic analyses (e.g. cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit analysis)
• Feasibility studies
• Development of research and evaluation tools, instruments or databases

Before applications are submitted, applicants may wish to discuss their research plans or the proposal review process with members of the RKDF program staff.

Application requirements

In addition to the general application components, a proposal for research funding must include statements or documents that:

• Identify the research issue/topic, its relevance to crime prevention and the Canadian context
• Identify how the research will contribute to the most recent knowledge on the specific issue
• Describe the goals of the proposed research, adequacy of the approach and the methodology
• Provide a brief literature review, facts and statistics to support the research
• Identify whether the proposed research or similar research is being, or has been carried out elsewhere and provide details about its results
• Identify how your researchers will ensure that ethical issues related to the privacy, physical safety and psychological well-being of any participants will be addressed over the course of the research (Please see document entitled Ethics Review Policy. To obtain a copy, contact the NCPC office nearest you)

Review process

Research submissions will be acknowledged in writing.

Initial screening to assess the applicant’s eligibility for funding and the application’s completeness will be conducted by NCPC staff members. An official assigned to your file will make further inquiries for clarification if necessary. The NCPC reserves the right to declare ineligible any applications that are incomplete or do not meet the application requirements.

An expert review process will be undertaken to assist in the assessment and selection of research proposals. To help the NCPC benefit from diverse expertise and achieve broad exposure, we have purposely recruited crime prevention practitioners and scholars from across the social sciences to act as expert reviewers for proposals in their respective areas of expertise.

Review criteria

Expert reviewers will assess the proposed project’s merits against selection criteria and provide comments and funding recommendations to the NCPC. Reviewers will use the following criteria, where applicable, for assessing proposals submitted under the research funding stream of the RKDF:

• Relevance to the field of crime prevention and the Canadian context
• Compatibility with the goals, objectives, priorities and requirements of the RKDF, as described in these guidelines
• Contribution to the research knowledge base
• Adequacy of the approach and methodology for the proposed research
• Experience and expertise of principal investigator(s) and key personnel
• Availability of resources necessary to carry out the research
• Appropriateness of the budget and the proposed duration of the research in relation to the goals of the project
• Other sources of funding
• Adherence to principles of ethical research

Demonstration projects

The purpose of demonstration projects is to test the theory underlying a program and to determine its effectiveness. The necessity of testing the efficacy of the program requires that the project be structured to allow for a strong evaluation design (i.e. one that rules out other explanations for the results identified in the evaluation and assures these results can be generalized beyond the specific intervention under study). For more details about anticipated evaluation designs, see the document entitled NCPC Evaluation Strength Assessment Scale.

Application for funding under the RKDF for a demonstration project is a two-phase process. The first phase is considered developmental and will involve a maximum period of nine months. During the developmental phase, the applicant will work together with an evaluator/researcher to develop a project and evaluation plan. The primary deliverable for Phase One will be the project plan and associated evaluation plan. Based on the outcome of this work, a determination will be made as to whether the project and attendant evaluation would continue to a full implementation phase.

Applicants should expect a three- to six-month period between the end of Phase One and the commencement of Phase Two to accommodate the review process.

Funding during the developmental phase is provided for costs associated with development-related activities and does not include full-scale implementation costs. It does cover developmental costs such as salary for a project developer/coordinator plus evaluator costs. Support for Phase Two is conditional upon review and approval of the proposal submitted at the completion of the developmental phase.

Phase One application requirements

In addition to the general application components, a proposal for Phase One (or developmental phase) of a demonstration project must include statements or documents that:

• Identify the need for the project and how you know the need exists in the community (a needs assessment)
• Identify how this project and its evaluation will contribute to the most recent knowledge on the specific issue
• Identify the expected outcome(s)
• Provide a description of the model that shows the link to crime prevention by indicating which risk, protective or situational factors will be addressed
• Provide a brief literature review, facts and statistics to support the model
• Identify whether the proposed model or a similar model is being, or has been, implemented elsewhere and provide details about its results
• Provide evidence that your organization has the capacity to deliver the proposed project with the consistency and attention to data collection needed for rigorous evaluation.
• Provide a detailed budget for the developmental phase only

Phase One funding review process

Phase One submissions will be acknowledged in writing.

Initial screening to assess the applicant’s eligibility for funding and the application’s completeness will be conducted by NCPC staff members. An official assigned to your file will make further inquiries for clarification if necessary. The NCPC reserves the right to declare ineligible any applications that are incomplete or do not meet the application requirements.

An expert review process will be undertaken to assist in the assessment and selection of Phase One proposals. To help the NCPC benefit from diverse expertise and achieve broad exposure, we have recruited crime prevention practitioners and scholars from across the social sciences to act as expert reviewers for proposals in their respective areas of expertise.

Applicants who successfully completed Phase One will be invited to prepare a proposal for Phase Two (the implementation phase).

Phase Two application requirements

In addition to the general required components, a proposal for Phase Two funding must include statements or documents that:

• Describe the issue(s) or need for the project, the risk and protective factors being addressed, the activities to be undertaken and the expected results, accompanied by a logic model
• Provide a detailed description of project deliverables to be developed by the project and a dissemination plan for the deliverables
• Provide evidence that your organization has the capacity to deliver the proposed project with the consistency and attention to data collection needed for rigorous evaluation
• Provide a detailed budget for the implementation phase

• Provide a detailed evaluation plan, including:

  • A theory of change that identifies expected outcomes and demonstrates the links between the outcomes and project activities. (A “theory of change” is a model that clearly articulates assumptions about how and why an initiative should work. It shows how project activities are expected to lead to desired short-term and long-term outcomes. The model is ideally developed in concert with project staff and accompanied by a discussion stemming from a review of the research literature to support the theory.)
  • Comprehensive literature review which situates the project in the context of earlier work and supports the theory of change
  • Evaluation design and methodology
  • Projected number of project participants and projected number for a comparison group for evaluation purposes along with a strong rationale to support these numbers
  • Data collection instruments to be used in the evaluation
  • Proposed methods of analysis
  • Detailed work plan including tasks, timelines and responsibilities
  • Detailed description of evaluation deliverables
  • Results of applicant organization’s ethics review OR application for NCPC ethics review (Please see document entitled Ethics Review Policy. To obtain a copy, contact the NCPC office nearest you)

Phase Two funding review process

Phase Two submissions will be acknowledged in writing.

Initial screening to assess the applicant’s eligibility for funding and the application’s completeness will be conducted by NCPC staff members. An official assigned to your file will make further inquiries for clarification if necessary. The NCPC reserves the right to declare ineligible any applications that are incomplete or do not meet the application requirements.

An expert review process will be undertaken to assist in the assessment and selection of Phase Two proposals. To help the NCPC benefit from diverse expertise and achieve broad exposure, we have recruited crime prevention practitioners and scholars from across the social sciences to act as expert reviewers for proposals in their respective areas of expertise.

Review criteria – Phases One and Two

Expert reviewers will assess the proposed project’s merits against selection criteria and provide comments and funding recommendations to the NCPC. Reviewers will use the following criteria, where applicable, for assessing proposals submitted under the demonstration project funding stream of the RKDF:

• Relevance to the field of crime prevention and the Canadian context
• Suitability of the proposed demonstration project design
• Suitability of the evaluation design to the proposed demonstration project
• Quality, general soundness and feasibility of the project and evaluation plan
• Compatibility with the goals, objectives, priorities and requirements of the RKDF, as described in these guidelines
• Contribution to the knowledge base
• Experience and expertise of the organization, principal investigator(s) and key team members and their potential to carry out the work
• Appropriateness of the budget and other sources of funding
• Adherence to principles of ethical research

Knowledge transfer projects

Knowledge transfer activities are intended to ensure widespread distribution, in usable formats, of practical crime prevention information and knowledge generated by research and demonstration projects. The effective dissemination and utilization of crime prevention research and demonstration project results are critical to achieving the NCPC’s mission. Research and demonstration project findings can improve the quality of life of people and enhance community safety. These benefits are achievable only if the findings are disseminated appropriately.

The purpose of knowledge transfer projects is to ensure that what is learned from research and demonstration projects is shared with a range of audiences interested in crime prevention, including researchers, policy-makers, and practitioners. There are two ultimate aims of knowledge transfer projects:

• To influence crime prevention practice (e.g. planning, policy-making, program development and delivery) through the transfer of knowledge
• To influence the future research agenda through engaging with practitioners and determining their knowledge needs

In projects funded under this stream, the knowledge in question will generally come from a variety of projects or studies, the results of which will be synthesized and linked to other evidence and experience to make it relevant to the needs of users.

Activities funded under this component of the RKDF could include:

• Synthesizing the results of various studies or projects
• Translating findings from research and evaluations to make them accessible and relevant to the needs of the target audience(s)
• Creating or adapting reports or presentations to meet the needs of particular audiences
• Developing tools and resources such as manuals, “how to” guides, interactive technologies, databases or audio-visual products
• Holding symposia, conferences, workshops, debates and knowledge brokering activities that bring together knowledge generators and knowledge users and provide opportunities for interaction and discussion
• Other creative ideas which include a convincing rationale for how they would contribute to knowledge transfer and, ultimately, knowledge utilization by the intended audience(s)

Application requirements

In addition to the general required components, a proposal for a knowledge transfer project must include statements and documents that:

• Identify the topic area for knowledge transfer
• List specific target audience(s) for the project (including, where appropriate, vulnerable and at-risk populations)
• Provide an explanation of why it is important to connect with the specified audience(s) and why the findings are particularly significant to them (i.e. what need is being met by the project)
• Provide the source(s) of the knowledge (i.e. specific projects or studies, or if the specific studies have not yet been identified, the standards and procedures which will be used in systematically identifying them)
• Identify the methods or approaches proposed, including, where relevant, procedures for analysing and synthesizing information, types of products to be produced, events to be held, etc.
• Provide a description of how the proposed approach is appropriate and likely to be effective for engaging the intended audiences and/or how the activities may increase the capacity of the audiences to understand and utilize research results
• Describe how end-users will be involved in the design and development of knowledge transfer activities
• Identify the expected outcomes of the project, specific performance targets and indicators of achievement

Review process

Knowledge transfer submissions will be acknowledged in writing.

Initial screening to assess the applicant’s eligibility for funding and the application’s completeness will be conducted by NCPC staff members. An official assigned to your file will make further inquiries for clarification if necessary. The NCPC reserves the right to declare ineligible any applications that are incomplete or do not meet the application requirements.

An expert review process will be undertaken to assist in the assessment and selection of knowledge transfer proposals. To help the NCPC benefit from diverse expertise and achieve broad exposure, we have recruited crime prevention practitioners and scholars from across the social sciences to act as expert reviewers for proposals in their respective areas of expertise.

Review criteria

Expert reviewers will assess the proposed project’s merits against selection criteria and provide comments and funding recommendations to the NCPC. Reviewers will use the following criteria, where applicable, for assessing proposals submitted under the knowledge transfer funding stream of the RKDF:

• Relevance to the field of crime prevention and the Canadian context
• Compatibility with the goals, objective, priorities and requirements of the RKDF, as described in these guidelines
• Contribution to the dissemination of knowledge
• Experience and expertise of the principal investigator(s) and key team members and their potential to carry out the work
• Overall soundness of the knowledge transfer plan
• Appropriateness of the budget and other sources of funding

Checklist

• Application form
• Duly completed application form with signature of authorized officer

• Summary budget information

• Proposal
• Description of project, with a statement on how your project meets the objectives of the program, signed by authorized officer
• Detailed work plan

• Detailed budget

• Supporting documents
• Results of your organization’s ethics review OR application for NCPC ethics review, if applicable
• Letters of support and commitment
• List of partners (confirmed and potential), their roles and letters of support, and evidence of community support for the project, if applicable
• Curriculum vitae of project principals, researchers and (where applicable) evaluators
• Background material on organization (e.g., annual report, brochures, by-laws, membership)
• Funding history and credentials of organization
• Audited financial statement of your organization’s previous year’s income and expenses, along with the auditor’s name and address, and your organization’s forecast budget for the current year; OR, if an audited financial statement is not available, provide your organization’s latest financial statement, signed by your President and Treasurer
• Evidence that your organization has the capacity to complete the proposed project and resources available to carry out the work

• List of previous relevant work

• Plus all required documents and statements that are specific to the type of funding (i.e. research, demonstration, or knowledge transfer) for which you are applying

Submit your proposal to:

Research and Knowledge Development Fund
National Crime Prevention Centre
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
Ottawa, Canada
K1A 0P8