For Professors – Overview – Research Tools and Instruments and Infrastructure Programs

Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) Grants

Awards Available	Application Deadline	How to Apply
Research Tools and Instruments – Category 1	October 25	Forms 101 and 100
Research Tools and Instruments – Category 2	October 1	Forms 101 and 100
Research Tools and Instruments – Category 3	October 1	Forms 101 and 100
Program Contacts		Apply on-line

Important Information

• List of Grant Selection Committees (GSC)
• Peer Review Manual

Objectives

Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) Grants foster and enhance the discovery, innovation and training capability of university researchers in the natural sciences and engineering by supporting the purchase of research equipment and installations.

Description

RTI Grants are one-year awards that assist in buying or developing research equipment that costs more than $7,000. In exceptional cases, multiple-year requests will be accepted. The onus is on the applicant to clearly explain the rationale. Items costing less than $7,000 each can be purchased with Discovery Grant funds or be included as a complement to a main piece of equipment being requested.

RTI grants are divided into three categories according to the total net cost of the equipment, i.e., excluding taxes, shipping, and handling. These categories are:

• RTI – Category 1: $7,001 to $150,000;
• RTI – Category 2: $150,001 to $325,000; and
• RTI – Category 3: more than $325,000.

A moratorium on Categories 2 and 3 is in effect. ¹During this moratorium, NSERC will accept applications under Category 1 for equipment whose total net cost is up to $250,000, provided that the applicant is able to secure funding from other sources to bring the amount requested from NSERC to $150,000 or less. Such sources may include contributions from NSERC Discovery Grants held by the applicant or co-applicants. The use of other types of NSERC grants is permitted, provided that prior written authorization is obtained from NSERC.

NSERC will pay some or all of applicable taxes, as well as some or all of the shipping and handling expenses, as long as the overall grant does not exceed $150,000. The applicant will be responsible for any amount in excess of $150,000.

NSERC may assign applications to a different category for comparison with similar applications or to ensure the most appropriate review.

The eligibility of specialized facilities such as large environmental chambers and mobile laboratories is considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants or research grants officers should contact NSERC before submitting proposals.

NSERC recognizes that equipment may have to be purchased at any time during the year to avoid an unnecessary delay in a research program. Grantees should explore all possible avenues, such as the institution's General Research Fund, to cover the cost of replacement (refer to the paragraph on Residual Balances in Agency Accounts under Administrative Matters in the Financial Administration section of the Program Guide for Professors).

NSERC will accept applications only for equipment that has not yet been purchased, or that has been purchased within the one-year period immediately prior to the current deadline for receipt of applications. All applications are reviewed on a competitive basis.

NSERC will not accord any preferential treatment for equipment already purchased at the time of application and is under no financial obligation should such an application be unsuccessful in the competition. The applicant must indicate whether equipment has already been purchased and justify why a purchase prior to the application was necessary.

Application Procedures

To apply, submit an Application for a Grant (Form 101) and a Personal Data Form (Form 100) for the applicant and each co-applicant.

Only applications from researchers who currently hold or are applying for an NSERC research grant (e.g., Discovery, Strategic, Research Partnership) at the time of application will be accepted.

For all RTI categories, if a cash contribution towards the purchase of the equipment is provided by an organization (other than the applicants’ institutions(s)), a letter is required from the organization confirming this commitment.

A letter from the department must accompany every RTI – Category 2 application. The letter must indicate the importance and priority that the department places on the proposed equipment and the extent to which the department proposes to provide support.

Applications for RTI – Category 3 Grants must be accompanied by a letter from the university president indicating the importance and priority placed on the proposed equipment or facilities. The letter should explain the support the university will provide, such as the provision of space, financial contributions to the purchase and installation, the purchase of ancillary equipment, funding of technical support staff, etc.

Letters from supporting organizations, if submitted, should clearly explain the support that the organizations will provide, such as their involvement in the research, their financial contribution (cash or in-kind) to the purchase and installation of the equipment, etc.

Review Procedures and Selection Criteria

Applications for RTI – Category 1 Grants are reviewed by Grant Selection Committees (GSCs). Applications for RTI – Category 2 and 3 Grants are normally reviewed by an interdisciplinary committee, with advice from grant selection committees. External reviewers may be consulted and ad hoc visiting committees may be appointed for RTI – Category 3 applications.

Criteria for review are as follows:

• Excellence of the applicant(s)
• Merit of the proposed research program(s)
• Need and urgency for the equipment, including availability of and access to similar equipment²
• Suitability of the proposed equipment for the proposed research program(s)
• Importance of the equipment for the training of highly qualified personnel

Additional criteria for RTI – Categories 2 and 3 Grants are as follows:

• Clearly defined organizational structure that will ensure the equipment is well operated and maintained
• Synergy with existing equipment or facilities. Synergy is defined as the extent to which a grouping of equipment and staff enhances the value and capability of each piece of equipment and enables researchers to obtain results or carry out studies that would otherwise be very difficult or impossible. Synergy of the equipment is viewed as a positive factor, but is not a necessary requirement for funding.
• Accessibility to other users

For more information on eligible expenses under the RTI Program, see the instructions on how to complete an RTI application.

¹ This moratorium does not apply to applications in subatomic physics; these are evaluated within the subatomic physics envelope, and applications in Categories 2 and 3 will still be accepted.

² If you report anticipated use by, or benefit to, other sectors, you should describe the support secured from these sources or demonstrate the efforts made to obtain it.