Proposal Format Guidelines

R&D Main Page | Annual Call for Proposals | Important Dates | Proposal Format Guidelines | Before you apply | Frequently Asked Questions

Your research proposal must contain the information listed in these guidelines in order to be considered for funding through the Research and Development Program.

Each proposal is divided into 2 sections: the Proposal Cover Sheet and the Proposal.

1. The Proposal Cover Sheet

The proposal cover sheet must provide the following information.

1. Title of the research project
2. Name of lead researcher
3. Mailing address, e-mail address, telephone number, and fax number of the lead researcher
4. The priority area the research project addresses
5. Objectives of the research project
6. Brief summary of research methodology
7. The amount of funding requested from the Agency

2. The Research Proposal

The proposal is limited to a maximum of 15 pages and must contain the following:

1. A clear and up-to-date description of the issue to be addressed.
2. The objectives of the research project.
3. A description of the relevance of the proposed research to the priority area in which it is intended to advance knowledge. There must be a clear disctinction between the primary priority area and any secondary priority areas of the proposal.
4. How the proposed research will contribute towards improving the practice of environmental assessment.
5. A description of the research methodology.
6. A work plan containing key project milestones, including specific activities and associated dates.
7. The business plan and proposed budget, indicating whether the expenditure is for salaries, equipment or facilities, materials and supplies, travel or other purposes. (The Frequently Asked Questions can provide more information on allowable expenses).
8. The total amount of funding requested from the Agency.
9. Evidence, if any, of other sources of funding, including from other federal departments or agencies, and the respective amounts.
10. The project's contribution to the training of future researchers (where applicable).
11. A list of participants in the research project indicating the key personnel and their background in environmental assessment.
12. A brief summary of past research activities of the key members of the research team and other qualifications relevant to the proposal, where applicable. Do not append resumes if this exceeds the 15 page limit.
13. Acknowledgment by the lead researcher that the proposal involves research yet to be undertaken, and that the proposal does not describe research in progress or already completed.
14. Acknowledgment by the lead researcher(s) that they have read the Agency's R&D Guidelines for Authors and, if the proposal is selected for funding by the Agency, they agree to follow these guidelines. (Note: The Guidelines for Authors may also help you prepare steps 6 and 7 above.)
15. Acknowledgment by the applicant(s) and a person with signing authority for the organization(s) that they have read the sample Contribution Agreement and, if the proposal is selected for funding by the Agency, they will sign the agreement as posted on the Web site.
16. If your research proposal involves a partnership with another organization, please include a letter confirming the partnership. For more information on what constitutes a partnership please see "Emphasis on Collaboration" under Program Design.

Other Relevant Information

• Proposals received by fax or e-mail will not be accepted.
• The Agency is unable to confirm receipt of proposals and the cost of preparing the proposal will not be refunded by the Agency.
• All candidates will be notified, in writing only, of the outcome of the selection process within four months of the closing date for the Call for Proposals. Telephone calls related to the status of applications will not be accepted.
• Given the nature of activities covered by this Program, most proposals will not be subject to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. However, the Agency will review each proposal to determine whether the Act applies. In the event that a proposal does involve a "project" as defined in the Act, the applicant must submit an environmental assessment of the project satisfactory to the Agency. Funding will be provided only to those projects which do not have significant adverse environmental effects.
• Refer to the Frequently Asked Questions section for more information about the application process. The FAQ include, among other things, information on the criteria used by the evaluation committee to assess your proposal.