Program Design

R&D Main Page | Purpose | Program Design

The R&D Program was designed to assist in the creation of new and innovative research to further the practice of environmental assessment and/or improve the level of understanding of environmental assessment issues in support of sustainable development.

To achieve this, the Program funds research projects on an annual basis.

The main components of the R&D Program:

1. Call for Proposals
2. Peer Review
3. Communication
4. Launch Presentations
5. Emphasis on Collaboration

1. Call for Proposals

The selection of research proposals begins with a Call for Proposals, which remains open for a period of six weeks. The purpose of the Call for Proposals is to solicit a response from interested parties who wish to conduct research in one (or more) of the Program’s priority areas. Detailed guidelines for the format and content of proposals can be found in the How to Apply section. All proposals received are screened by staff at the Agency and those that pass the initial screening are forwarded to the Agency’s evaluation committee.

The evaluation committee evaluates and recommends proposals for funding against the following criteria:

• The degree of congruence and relevance of the proposed activities to program objectives and the Agency’s priorities;
• How and the extent to which the proposed research or activities contribute towards the development and promotion of sound environmental assessments;
• The quality of business plan and proposed budget; and
• Evidence of other sources of funding and the respective amounts, or demonstration of the applicant’s ability to raise funds from sources other than the federal government.

The agency will fund up to two projects per year, for approximately up to $75,000 per project. Key information about selected proposals is made available to the public. Once the selected proposals are approved for funding, contribution agreements are drafted and signed by the researchers and the Agency. The contribution agreements stipulate the dates on which deliverables are due from the researchers and the schedule of funding payments to the researchers.

Once contribution agreements are signed, authors can begin their research project. On average, researchers have up to one year to complete their report. All final reports are posted on the Agency's Web site in both official languages as part of the monograph series for the year the contribution was awarded.

2. Peer Review

Peer review is recognized as fundamental to building excellence in the R&D Program and ensuring its relevance. It is incorporated into the Program at two key points:

• First, during the selection of research proposals, all proposals that pass the initial screening are evaluated by an evaluation committee against set criteria.
• Second, during the review of draft research reports, the peer reviewers provide comments on the content and style of the report. The author is required to address these comments before submitting a final draft to the Agency.

The peer review process is double-blind so neither the researcher nor the reviewer are aware of each other's identity.

3. Communication

Effective communication is a cornerstone of the R&D Program. Disseminating the results of the research conducted under this Program to environmental assessment practitioners, policy and decision makers can improve the practice of environmental assessment and address emerging issues. One way the Agency promotes the Program is by sending out announcements to its distribution list (add me to the distribution list).

Under the renewed R&D Program (2006), researchers will be invited to present the findings of their projects. The Agency will post the dates of presentations under Important Dates, send an electronic invitation to members of the R&D distribution list and confirm attendance on a first come, first served basis.

4. Launch Presentations

Under the renewed R&D Program (2006), researchers will be invited to present the findings of their projects. The Agency will post the dates of presentations under Important Dates, send an electronic invitation to members of the R&D distribution list and confirm attendance on a first come, first served basis. To be added to the distribution list, e-mail rd@ceaa-acee.gc.ca.

5. Emphasis on Collaboration

The input and support of its partners, stakeholders and other federal departments is essential to the ongoing success of the Program. Collaboration allows partners to boost the scope of their activity by leveraging additional financial, human and information resources.

The Agency's partners in the delivery of the Program include other federal departments, other levels of government, Aboriginal organizations, environmental assessment boards, industry, environmental non-governmental organizations, universities, foundations and international organizations. Partnerships may focus on financial support, the contribution of human resources, or information sharing on a research project. Collaboration is also possible around various events, such as conferences or workshops, on topics of mutual interest. If there is an event you want us to be aware of, email us at rd@ceaa-acee.gc.ca.