Summary of Changes to the CREATE Program for the 2011 Competition

1. Weighting of selection criteria

The weighting of criteria at the full application phase has been revised as follows:

• Merit of the proposed training program: 40 percent
• Excellence of the team of researchers: 30 percent
• Program management and long-term sustainability: 30 percent

2. Selection criteria

The selection criteria entitled “Merit of the proposed training program” has been rewritten.

3. Professional skills

Opportunities for the trainees to develop and acquire professional skills is now mandatory in all proposals.

4. Supplements to stipends

Further clarification regarding stipends and supplements can be found in the section “Award Information.”

5. Training Program Proposal: Number of pages for free-form proposals

Applicants are allowed to submit up to a maximum of 12 pages plus one page of references (reduced from 15).

6. Lead university support letter

One letter of support is required from the lead university including a list of all of the contributions from the university, such as its commitment to the training program (including from the Faculty of Graduate Studies), and describing the details of support for, and involvement in, the training program and its plans to ensure sustainability of the program after the term of the grant. If applicable, the letter should describe any financial commitment and the in-kind contributions (donations of services, materials and equipment) from other universities involved in the proposal.

7. Support to trainees

The research training experience should focus on providing an enriched training experience for graduate (master’s and doctoral) students.

Undergraduate students can be supported and integrated into the training program as potential future graduate students, but a proposal that is focused solely on support of undergraduate students will not be considered.

Postdoctoral fellows may also be supported, as it is recognized that they often play an integral part in the training of graduate and undergraduate students. If postdoctoral fellows are included, their contributions to the training program and the enhanced benefits this group can realize by being involved must be clearly elaborated.

The full proposal will have to indicate clearly how the candidates will meet the training needs for each category of trainees listed.

Applications which focus on support only at the undergraduate level will not be accepted. If the training proposal focuses primarily on one group of trainees, it must be justified.

8. Multi-universities applications

All universities who will be involved in the application must have at least one co-applicant listed in the proposal. This ensures access to CREATE funds for all students/fellows involved at that university. The funds will be administered by the co-applicant on behalf of all the students/fellows whether they are under the co-applicant’s direct supervision or not.