Strategic Workshops Program

Overview

Duration	Up to $25,000 for one year
Application Deadline	There is no deadline
How to Apply	See below
Application Forms	Form 100 Form 101 Apply on-line
Program Contact	View Contact Information

Objective

The Strategic Workshops Program (SWP) is intended to fund workshops for building new collaborations between Canadian academic researchers and the industry and government receptor community that will result in future economic, environmental or societal benefits to Canada. The objectives of the program are also aligned with NSERC’s Strategy for Partnerships and Innovation, which provides support for building new relationships in particular between higher education researchers and Canadian businesses. The SWP pilot period has been extended until March 2011.

Workshops are intended for small, highly focused groups, with attendance expected to range from 20 to 40 participants from multiple Canadian universities and non-academic organizations. An award may support the participation of Canadian academics and up to two foreign participants who can provide examples of best practices in the field and help build collaborations among Canadian organizations. The workshops must be held in Canada. Funds may be used to organize a single workshop or several events of more limited participation.

Description

The objective of the SWP is to bring together academic researchers with non-academic end users and create new partnerships through workshops that develop collaborations addressing research and technology needs identified by the user community. The workshops are intended to generate new university-industry-government partnerships that will lead to new collaborative research activities.

The workshops must be organized and championed by at least one university and one non-academic leader. The university leader may hold an academic appointment, or an administrative position at the university. Workshop participation is by invitation only and must include academic researchers and members of non-academic end user organizations.

The workshop discussions must strengthen interchanges between the academic and non-academic participants, and focus on forward-looking collaborations rather than review past accomplishments. Workshop discussions are intended to find common grounds among the participants with topics that include:

• research priorities and knowledge gaps from the perspectives of industry, government and university;
• current research capacity and future needs;
• HQP training and skills needs;
• knowledge/technology transfer potential;
• funding challenges and opportunities;
• existing and potential new collaborations;
• next steps for proceeding toward collaborative activities.

A workshop may be held in conjunction with another professional event, such as a conference. However, applicants must clearly demonstrate how the workshop activities will be distinct from other conferences or meetings and directly relate to the SWP objectives.

An NSERC-funded workshop must take place in the 12 months that follow the announcement of the award.

Application Procedures

Proposals can be submitted at any time by NSERC-eligible applicants and university administrators who do not hold academic appointments (i.e., University-industry Liaison Officers, Research Grant Officers). However, university and non-academic collaborators are expected to work together to prepare proposals.

Full instructions on how to complete an application and use of the on-line submission system are found on NSERC's On-line Services page. Applications should include an Application for a Grant (Form 101), a budget table, a description and justification for expenses, a personal data form (form 100) of the applicant, a curriculum vitae of the non academic leader and a detailed proposal (written in a free-form format, not exceeding five pages in length). The detailed proposal should clearly address the following points:

• rationale for the workshop in the context of industry and government priorities in the targeted areas of research;
• identity and roles of university and non-academic workshop leaders;
• potential workshop participants with a justification for their selection;
• plans for workshop organization;
• proposed workshop activities and methodology;
• expected workshop outcomes (i.e., new university-industry-government collaborations, potential for future research funding proposals); and
• budget and justification for expenses. Proponents must indicate what other sources of funding are committed, or being pursued, and the extent to which NSERC funds are required.

Review Procedures and Selection Criteria

Applications are reviewed internally by NSERC, with input from external experts as required. NSERC will attempt to reach a funding decision within 60 days of receipt of a complete application.

Applications are evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Need for the proposed workshop: Proposals must clearly describe the issues to be tackled and the need for the workshop. The workshop should lead to new cross-sector collaborations with high priority given to one of the above-mentioned targeted areas of research. The level of cross-disciplinary collaborations will be assessed in the context of the workshop’s research area.
• Future benefits to Canada: The proposal should outline potential social and/or economic benefits that will be realized in Canada as a result of the new collaborations.
• Appropriateness of the workshop leaders and participants: The workshop leaders must have demonstrated experience and leadership in their respective professional communities and the ability to organize and lead interactive events. Participants must represent university and relevant non-academic organizations, and should have the expertise, experience and stature to implement the workshop results.
• Workshop plans and budgeting: The workshop plans must include the selection of an appropriate venue, quality logistical plans and highly relevant discussion topics. The budgetary items must be justified and presented in a comprehensive manner.
• Plans for workshop deliverables and outcomes: The workshop proposal should discuss plans for future meetings between university and non-academic collaborators, and for new collaborations in targeted areas of research. Plans for future funding proposals should also be discussed.

Funding

The maximum value of each award is $25,000. Contributions from the non-academic partners are strongly encouraged and give greater credence to the proposal.

Eligible expenses include:

• travel and subsistence costs (meals and accommodation) of the workshop participants from Canadian universities. Requests for support for up to two international participants must be clearly justified and are admissible for individuals who provide unique and key perspectives that will be critical in achieving the overall workshop objectives;
• use of meeting rooms;
• use of audio-visual equipment;
• teleconferencing costs;
• catering;
• administrative support for the planning and execution of the workshop; and
• printing of workshop handbooks and other related material.

An award does not cover the following expenses:

• travel and subsistence costs of non-academic participants. In exceptional cases, NSERC will consider covering such costs for participants from small businesses with limited financial resources;
• costs of attending a conference or meeting that is coincident with a workshop;
• honoraria or consulting fees to workshop participants;
• reimbursement for airfare purchased with personal frequent flyers points programs;
• passports for international participants; or
• costs of alcoholic beverages.

Reporting

Workshop participants will be requested to complete a questionnaire at the end of the workshop to assess the quality of the organization and execution of the event.

A written report from the grantee is required within 90 days following the workshop. The non-academic leader will be asked to provide comments on the workshop’s quality and outcomes. Financial statements will also be requested from the university.

Workshop leaders are required to provide NSERC with an update on the impacts of the workshop(s) 18 months after holding the event.