College and Community Innovation Program – Applied Research Tools and Instruments Grants

Important Information

• College and Community Innovation Program
• College and Community Innovation Program Financial Administration Guide

The College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program is managed by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC ). Applied Research Tools and Instruments (ARTI) grants can be across the spectrum of the natural and social sciences, engineering, humanities and/or health. All applications must be submitted to NSERC. Grants are made by NSERC, with the exception of funded proposals exclusively in the social sciences, humanities and/or health sciences, which will be made by SSHRC or CIHR, as appropriate.

Objective

ARTI grants support the purchase of research equipment and installations to foster and enhance the ability of colleges to undertake applied research, innovation and training in collaboration with local companies.

Description

ARTI grants are one-year awards that assist in buying applied research equipment that costs between $7,000 and $150,000. The proposed equipment can be a single item or a collection of items targeted at a particular applied R&D capability. Only one application per college per applied research area will be permitted. Multiple applications are eligible only if the college has equipment needs for projects with companies in a variety of applied research areas.

NSERC will accept applications for research 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. This funding must be in place and confirmed at the time that the application is submitted. The use of other NSERC grants may be permitted, provided that the proposed equipment is aligned with those NSERC grants, and prior written authorization is obtained from NSERC.

NSERC grants can be used to 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 college will be responsible for any amount in excess of $150,000.

ARTI grants must be used only to purchase the specific type of equipment for which the grant was awarded. Grantees who wish to purchase equipment different from that specified in the application must obtain written permission from NSERC prior to its purchase. Grantees may, however, buy a model different from that requested in the application without prior NSERC approval.

NSERC will accept applications only for equipment that has not yet been purchased. All applications are reviewed on a competitive basis.

Eligibility

Canadian colleges that have been declared eligible to administer grants according to the eligibility requirements for colleges of at least one of the three federal granting agencies (NSERC, CIHR and/or SSHRC) may submit an application. If the proposed research and knowledge/technology transfer activities lie entirely within the mandate of a single agency (NSERC, CIHR or SSHRC) the college must be declared eligible to receive funding from that granting agency.

• The college must offer programs in the natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities and/or health sciences and in line with the applied research area proposed.
• The college’s faculty members involved in ARTI grants are engaged in research in the natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities and/or health sciences.
• The college will provide the space, basic facilities (including insurance) and services to enable its natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities and/or health sciences faculty members to fully utilize the equipment for the purposes of research.

Eligible Expenses

The table below describes the eligible expenses for Applied Research Tools and Instrument grants.

Application Procedures

To apply, submit an Application for a College and Community Innovation Grant (Form 103).

If a cash contribution towards the purchase of the equipment is provided by an organization (other than the applicant's institution), a letter is required from the organization confirming this commitment.

Letters from supporting organizations should clearly explain the support that the organizations will provide, including their financial contribution (cash or in-kind) to the purchase and installation of the equipment and their anticipated involvement in applied research and innovation activities with the college using the proposed equipment.

Selection Criteria

Criteria for review are as follows:

• potential for the proposed equipment to foster, stimulate or enable collaborations with (one or more) local companies;
• fit of the research equipment request with the college strategic plan and existing infrastructure and equipment;
• college applied research capacity and expertise to use equipment;
• merit of the proposed applied research activities that require the proposed equipment;
• need and urgency for the research equipment, including availability of, and access to, similar research equipment;
• suitability of the proposed research equipment for the existing and proposed applied research program(s) and collaborations; and
• importance of the research equipment for the training of highly qualified personnel.

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