NSERC - Summary of Changes – 2012-13 Program Guide for Professors

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

Summary of Changes – 2012-13 Program Guide for Professors

Programs (in alphabetical order)
ARD – Applied Research and Development Grants Revision: November 3, 2011 Applicants for Applied Research and Development (ARD) Grants will see the following modifications: Company participation: Duration of the Level 1 grants have been specified; a maximum of $150,000 per year has been established for Level 3 proposals; and clarifications on partner eligibility. Proposal: Applicants now have to indicate the new partnership in their project description for Level 1 grants; and circumstances for the hiring of consultants have been described. Budget Justification: Applicants now have to indicate who will receive salary support from the ARD Grant.
ARTI- Applied Research Tools and Instruments Grants Revision: May 1, 2013 A new Applied Research Tools and Instruments Grants competition has been launched. The application deadline is December 10, 2013.
CDE – Chairs in Design Engineering Revision: February 26, 2013 Applicants for Chair in Design Engineering (CDE) Grants will see the following modifications: A new form-fillable F101 has been created specifically for the CDE grant and must be used in the full application process The instructions have been restructured
CHRP – Collaborative Health Research Projects Revision: March 21, 2012 CHRP is now being administered by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
CREATE – Collaborative Research and Training Experience Program Revision: April 4, 2011 Changes are explained in a separate document.
CTRMS - Collaborative and Thematic Resources Support in Mathematics and Statistics Creation: February 7, 2013 The objective of the Collaborative and Thematic Resources Support in Mathematics and Statistics (CTRMS) Program is to enable the development of research activities and foster training and collaboration, within and among national or international (based in Canada) thematic resources in mathematical and statistical sciences. This is a new program that will be offered periodically. The submission date for Letters of Intent for the first call for proposals is May 1, 2013.
CU-I2I – College-University Idea to Innovation Grants Revision: May 17, 2012 CU–I2I Grants now have an application deadline. The next deadline is October 1, 2012.
DF – Discovery Frontiers Calls for Proposals: Exploring Big Data Created: Febuary 5, 2013 The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) is pleased to launch calls for proposals for two unique funding opportunities under the Discovery Frontiers Program. Our research community is encouraged to consider applying for innovative funding opportunities that will see new groups of researchers from a variety of disciplines tackle major research challenges related to mining large volumes of data. The umbrella program for these new calls is Discovery Frontiers, a program that features a limited number of large international activities, opportunities or projects that are of high priority in the context of advanced research in Canada. They are led by world-class researchers and include teams that generate substantial impact, for the benefit of Canadians.
DG – Discovery Grants Program Revision: May 8, 2013 NSERC is implementing major changes to its application submission process for the Discovery Grants program. See the Important Notice from NSERC – Notification of Intent to Apply (NOI) for a Discovery Grant for more information.
DG-NRS – Discovery Grants – Northern Research Supplements Program Revision: August 10, 2012 Starting with the 2012 competition, supplement awards now range in value up to $25,000 per year and all applications will be assessed against a new criterion: Education, Outreach, and Communication Initiatives. With the addition of this extra element to the NRS Program, applicants now have a three-page proposal limit (previously a two-page limit) to further detail their plans for outreach and interaction with Northern communities. An expanded definition of salaries and more details on special needs related to outreach can be found in the re-worked NRS Program description instructions.
G8 Research Councils Initiative on Multilateral Research Funding and Belmont Forum Revision: April 17, 2012 The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will serve to combine the resources of the G8 Research Councils Initiative on Multilateral Research Funding and the Belmont Forum to launch the first ever International Opportunities Fund (IOF). This International Opportunities Fund aims at supporting excellent research on topics of global relevance which can best be tackled by a multinational approach. Each consortium must consist of at least one academic participant from a minimum of three different countries represented by the participating partner organizations. Each consortium must show clear links to users and include collaboration between the natural and social sciences, and other sciences where relevant.
I2I – Idea to Innovation Grants Revision: November 16, 2011 As a pilot in the Market Assessment portion of an I2I Grant, NSERC will cover the costs of University Industry Liaison Offices (UILO) to conduct a market assessment internally. A copy of the offer of service and CV of the person to be hired to conduct the assessment must be attached to the application. See the I2I Grants description and instructions for more information.
IF - Innovation Frontiers Revision: February 5, 2013 This grant is no longer available. Applicants are encouraged to consult the Collaborative Research and Development (CRD) grants or Strategic Network Grants (SNG) pages.
IRC – Industrial Research Chairs Revision : February 16, 2012 Applicants for Industrial Research Chairs should note the following modifications/updates: Universities may still nominate several Chair candidates jointly in one application, but they can no longer link an Associate Chair candidate to a Senior Chair candidate. They must also identify all proposed Chair candidates. Each Chair candidate in a joint application will be assessed to the same standards of excellence and self-reliance as if nominated individually. Renewing Chairs: Requirements to report on the impact of the research to-date have been enhanced. A stature table has been added to help assess the background and experience of potential candidates against the requirements of each Chair type before application. Guidelines for the mandatory creation of incremental tenure or tenure-track positions have been clarified. Salary level calculations at renewal, and industrial contribution ratios between salary and project components of a grant, have been clarified. Letters of reference are now required for Associate Chairs renewing as Senior Chairs.
IRCC – Industrial Research Chairs for Colleges Grants Revision: May 17, 2012 Applicants for the Industrial Research Chairs for Colleges (IRCC) Grants should note the following: A second competition is being launched. This competition will fully invest the balance of funds provided in Budget 2011. Applications are due October 15, 2012. Applications must identify a Chair candidate at the time of submission.
MRS – Major Resources Support Program Revision : April 19, 2012 As part of the Government of Canada's efforts to return to balanced budgets, the NSERC Major Resources Support (MRS) Program will no longer be accepting new applications at this time. Commitments for existing instalments will be honoured, however there will be a moratorium on the MRS Program.
PWG - Partnership Workshop Grants Revision: April 8, 2013 NSERC will now accept applications for Partnership Workshop Grants that are led by eligible Canadian community colleges. Applications require a Form 101 and a Form 103CV and must be submitted to NSERC by mail as a paper application. See the Partnership Workshop Grants description and instructions for more information.
RTI – Research Tools and Instruments Grants Program Revision: : August 10, 2012 Eligibility of Expenditures NSERC has made changes to its Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) Grants Program to reflect updated requirements for eligible costs. Applications to the RTI Grants Program cannot include equipment purchased prior to the application deadline or request funding for expenditures incurred prior to the application deadline. Limit on the Number of Applications In light of reductions in available program funding for the RTI Grants Program, individuals can only be included in one application, either as applicant or co-applicant. Consultation on the Future of the RTI Grants Program NSERC is currently consulting the research community on the future of the RTI Grants Program, given its reduced funding envelope. It is hoped that the outcome of our consultations will shape future investments in the RTI Grants Program. A consultation document, including options for the future of the RTI Grants Program, is available for comment by the research community until September 28, 2012. NSERC also plans to host further consultations with the research community through meetings, teleconferences and other channels. To learn more about these consultations and to comment on the proposed options for the RTI Grants Program, please visit Connect with NSERC or contact connect@nserc-crsng.gc.ca.
SAP-DG – Subatomic Physics Discovery Grants Program (Individual, Team, Project) Revision: May 8, 2013 NSERC is implementing major changes to its application submission process for the 2014 Research Grants Competition of the Subatomic Physics (SAP) Evaluation Section. See the Important Notice for Potential Applicants to the 2014 Research Grants Competition of the Subatomic Physics Evaluation Section for more information.
SAP-MRS –Subatomic Physics Major Resources Support Program Revision: May 8, 2013 NSERC is implementing major changes to its application submission process for the 2014 Research Grants Competition of the Subatomic Physics (SAP) Evaluation Section. See the Important Notice for Potential Applicants to the 2014 Research Grants Competition of the Subatomic Physics Evaluation Section for more information.
SAP-RTI – Subatomic Physics Research Tools and Instruments Grants Program Revision: May 8, 2013 NSERC is implementing major changes to its application submission process for the 2014 Research Grants Competition of the Subatomic Physics (SAP) Evaluation Section. See the Important Notice for Potential Applicants to the 2014 Research Grants Competition of the Subatomic Physics Evaluation Section for more information.
SNG – Strategic Network Grants Revision: January 15, 2013 Strategic Network Grants submission deadline for preliminary applications is June 1, 2013.
SPG– Strategic Project Grants Revision: February 5, 2013 The following modifications have been made for the 2013 Strategic Project Grants competition: La Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP), Brazil, is now included in the International Collaborations – Concurrent Call for Joint Research Projects. The Agence nationale de la recherche (ANR) in France has replaced the Programme blanc international with their theme-driven programs for the Concurrent Call for Joint Research Projects.
TAC –Technology Access Centres Revision: April 23, 2013 A new Technology Access Centres Grants competition has been launched. The Letter of Intent deadline is July 3, 2013.
ST – Ship Time Program Revision: May 1, 2012 Note the new application deadline date is September 1.

Policies and Guidelines (in alphabetical order)
Agreement on the Administration of Agency Grants and Awards by Research Institutions Created: December 31, 2012 The Memorandum of Understanding on the Roles and Responsibilities in the Management of Federal Grants and Awards has been updated and renamed the Agreement on the Administration of Agency Grants and Awards by Research Institutions.
Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality Policy of the Federal Research Funding Organizations Created: March 1, 2013 The Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, NSERC and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada have launched the Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality Policy of the Federal Research Funding Organizations.
Eligibility Criteria for Faculty Revision: August 10, 2012 The eligibility criteria for faculty members who hold their primary position outside Canada have been changed.
Environmental Assessment Revision: February 26, 2013 On July 6, 2012, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) came into force. As a result, the following changes to NSERC’s literature and forms have been implemented: (a) the NSERC Policy on Environmental Assessment has been revoked and replaced by NSERC’s Guidelines on Environmental Review and Assessment; (b) the environment-related question under Certification/Requirements on page 1 of the Grant Application Form has been revised; (c) Appendix A (Environmental Information) has been completely redesigned to address the requirements of the new legislation; and (d) the former Appendix B (CEAA Pre-Screening Checklist) has been removed from the system and is no longer required.
Frequently Asked Questions Revision: August 10, 2012 The “What do the electronic or original signatures on the application mean?” section was revised to reflect the Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research. The “Do I need any certificates, licences or special forms?” section was revised to reflect the new Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012).
Policies and Guidelines Revision: February 26, 2013 The list of policies and guidelines for professors, for students and fellows and for institutions and colleges has been updated and renamed Policies and Guidelines.
Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research Created: December 5, 2011 NSERC, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research launched the new Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research. This new Framework replaces the previous integrity policy and related documents, including the Tri-Agency Policy Statement: Integrity in Research and Scholarship (TCPS-I, 1994), the Framework for Tri-Council Review of Institutional Policies Dealing with Integrity in Research (1996) and the Tri-Agency Process for Addressing Allegations of Non-compliance with Tri-Agency Policies (2010). All researchers and institutions will be required to adhere to the Framework and to the policies referenced in it.
Forms and Instructions
Forms 101 and 102 Instructions Revision: August 10, 2012 The Signatures section in the instructions has been revised. When submitting an application, applicants will be required to agree to the terms and conditions described in the Signatures section.
Forms 103 Instructions Revision: November 20, 2012 The Signatures section in the instructions has been revised. When submitting an application, applicants will be required to agree to the terms and conditions described in the Signatures section.

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Summary of Changes – 2012-13 Program Guide for Professors