Instructions for completing a Collaborative Research and Training Experience program application (form 102)

On this page

• General information
• Completing the application
• Co-applicants
• Signatures
• Notification of decision

General information

About the program

Read the Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) program description before completing the application.

Who completes the application?

The applicant must complete the application and include all required documentation using the online system. In addition, the personal data form (form 100) must be completed by applicants and linked to the application form. Co-applicants may submit a personal data form (form 100), a Canadian Common CV (CCV) or other type of CV, which the applicant must include as an attachment.

Presentation standards

You are responsible for submitting a complete application that conforms to the NSERC online presentation and attachment standards. Incomplete applications and applications that do not meet the presentation standards may be rejected or be at a disadvantage compared to those that are complete and respect the presentation standards. Where page limits are stated, pages over the number permitted will be removed. Information that is not required, based on the application instructions, will also be removed.

Application deadlines

Your application must be received at your institution’s research grants office by its internal deadline; contact your research grants office for those deadlines.

The application is submitted by the research grants office and must be received at NSERC before 8:00 p.m. (ET) on the deadline date.

Collection and use of personal information

The information you provide in the application is collected under the authority of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Act. The collection, use, disclosure, retention, and disposal of your personal information are outlined in the following policy statements:

• Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act
• Data retention information
• Privacy notice

For more information, refer to the Personal Information Banks described in NSERC's Info Source.

Collection of self-identification data

NSERC collects self-identification data from all applicants and co-applicants, which provides information on the diversity of the population applying for and receiving agency funds. This data is important for monitoring the fairness of our programs and informing future measures to increase equity, diversity and inclusion among all those involved in the research enterprise. The questionnaire covers age, gender, Indigenous identity, and identity as a member of a visible minority group and/or as a person with a disability.

During the CREATE full application phase (on the NSERC On Line System), the applicant and co-applicants will receive a system-generated email at the email addresses provided with a unique link, inviting them to complete the self-ID questionnaire. If you do not want to self-identify, you can choose “I prefer not to answer” for each question, but you must select a response for the questionnaire to be marked as complete.

For more information, refer to the Frequently asked questions about the self-identification questionnaire.

Eligibility

Eligibility conditions for applicants, co-applicants and institutions apply. CREATE grants are tenable only at NSERC-eligible Canadian universities, and the applicant must hold an eligible full-time position at that university. Researchers at non-eligible organizations may participate as collaborators. Ensure that you consider the eligibility requirements for applicants, co-applicants and collaborators described on NSERC’s website under Eligibility criteria for faculty. The 1-year COVID-19 extension to CREATE grants is added to the grant duration and affects the eligibility of applicants or co-applicants for new applications to the CREATE program. Contact the CREATE team if you are unsure about the eligibility of applicants, co-applicants or institutions.

Whom should I contact for help?

• For program-related information, contact the CREATE team at CREATE@nserc-crsng.gc.ca
• For matters related to the online system, contact the Online Services Helpdesk by email at webapp@nserc-crsng.gc.ca; by telephone at 1-855-275-2861, select Technical Support when prompted and provide your email address and telephone number in your message; or complete an online services support request

Completing the application

Application profile

Title of proposal

The title will be used for publication purposes. It must follow the format “NSERC CREATE in/for [the discipline of the training program].” Spell out scientific symbols and acronyms. The title must not contain a company or trade name and should be the same as in the letter of intent (LOI) stage. For international stream applications, the title must reference the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) international stream.

Area(s) of research

Research subject codes

Select at least one primary research code.

Area of application codes

Select at least one primary area of application code.

Keywords

Provide a maximum of ten keywords that describe the training program’s research area and objectives.

Applicant

The applicant must hold an eligible full-time position at their university. The applicant must be from a natural sciences and engineering (NSE) field. Consult the CREATE FAQ for more information about determining the NSE status of a researcher. Contact the CREATE team if you require assistance in determining the NSE status of a researcher.

The applicant must submit a form 100 CV. No other CV formats are permissible.

Co-applicants

Important information regarding co-applicants

• You must have a minimum of one to a maximum of ten co-applicants
• For multi-institutional applications, you must include at least one co-applicant from each participating university
• At least 70% of the co-applicants must be from an NSE field. Consult the CREATE FAQ for more information about determining the NSE status of a researcher. Contact the CREATE team if you require assistance in determining the NSE status of a researcher
• Teams should strive for a diverse group of co-applicants, including gender representation
• Your list of co-applicants should be the same as was presented in your LOI—if changes are required, please contact the CREATE team at CREATE@nserc-crsng.gc.ca

Information required from co-applicants

Co-applicants in the NSE must submit form 100 or Canadian Common CV.

Co-applicants not in the NSE must submit a personal data form (form 100), a Canadian Common CV, or a short curriculum vitae (maximum five pages per co-applicant).

Submitting information from co-applicants

Co-applicants submitting form 100

Enter information related to co-applicants who will submit a personal data form (form 100). Once a co-applicant links form 100 to the application, their personal information will appear in the Co-applicant page, and the status will change to Linked. At this point, you must enter the time in hours per month each co-applicant will devote to the proposed research/activity. Co-applicants submitting form 100 do not fill out the terms and conditions of the form. The linking of the form 100 to the application constitutes their agreement to the terms and conditions.

Co-applicants submitting a Canadian Common CV or other CV

Enter the required information related to co-applicants who will submit a Canadian Common CV or other CV. Upload a single portable document format (PDF) file with all Canadian Common CVs and/or regular CVs of co-applicants.

• All co-applicants submitting a Canadian Common CV or other CV must agree to and sign the Terms and conditions of applying form. These forms must be included as part of the single PDF file upload
• It is each co-applicant’s responsibility to retain a copy of the agreed-upon terms and conditions for their records
• Co-applicants who submit a CCV will not be able to see the application on the online system

Collaborators

If applicable, list each collaborator’s name, the time in hours per month each will devote to the proposed training program (mandatory), and their organization and department.

The collaborator list should include key participants in your proposed CREATE training initiative and may include, as appropriate, other academics who are not listed as co-applicants but have a supportive role to play; research scientists from other research institutions who will actively participate in the training; and/or representatives from other stakeholders including government or industry who are potential employers of the CREATE trained graduates. The roles and responsibilities of the collaborators and any contribution in cash or in-kind they plan to make should be elaborated on in the description of the training program and in letters of support.

By submitting this form, the applicant certifies that the individuals listed as collaborators have been informed of the precise uses and disclosures of their personal information by NSERC (see Use and disclosure of personal information provided to NSERC) and have authorized the release of the information by the applicant.

Supporting organizations

Enter information about each co-applicant organization’s signing officer (other than the applicant’s organization). For supporting organizations such as an industrial partner or a government department, enter information about the authorized representative(s).

The applicant must ensure that co-applicants from other institutions obtain the appropriate signature from the authorized officer of their organization prior to submitting the application to NSERC. NSERC will ask for these signatures if the application is selected for a grant. See the Signatures section within this document for more information.

Summary of the training program

Provide a summary description of the CREATE project, including the research theme and key training and mentoring features, in a manner that will be informative to a multidisciplinary selection committee and the public. Also, describe how the training program responds to the specific CREATE program objectives.

If you wish, you may also provide a summary in the other official language in the text box identified for that purpose.

Proposed expenditures

Before completing this page, consult the CREATE program description and the Use of grants funds section of the NSERC Program guide for professors for information about the eligibility of expenditures and the regulations governing the use of grant funds.

In a table format, list each budget item and separate the NSERC amount requested from the funding obtained from other sources (cash contributions).

Total cash contributions from universities, collaborators and other sources refers to the sum of all expenses, including, for example, the cash value of in-kind contributions and top-ups to CREATE stipends.

The Total amount requested from NSERC equals the Total proposed expenditures minus the Total cash contributions from all other sources. This amount will appear on page one of form 102.

Candidates must ensure that the amounts entered on the Budget page match the financial contribution from other sources indicated in the letters of support.

Training program proposal

Fourteen pages maximum covering Section 1 to Section 4.5, plus one additional page of references.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

NSERC is acting on the evidence that achieving a more equitable, diverse and inclusive Canadian research enterprise is essential to creating the excellent, innovative and impactful research necessary to advance knowledge and understanding, and to respond to local, national and global challenges. This principle informs the commitments described in the Tri-agency statement on equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and is aligned with the objectives of the Tri-agency EDI Action Plan for 2018–2025.

CREATE initiatives are expected to increase the inclusion and advancement of underrepresented groups in the NSE as one way to enhance excellence in research and training. Where applicable, consideration of EDI in the research process should be addressed in the proposal. Please refer to the NSERC guide on integrating equity, diversity and inclusion considerations in research for guidance. Equity, diversity and inclusion considerations should be developed into the rationale of the composition of the group of trainees and their supervisors, role models and mentors.

Describe the research training and mentoring program using the headings below to address the CREATE program's review criteria.

1. Introduction

2. Proposed training program

2.1 Rationale

Explain the rationale for the training program.

2.2 Training program objectives

Clearly outline the objectives of the training and mentoring program, both short- and long-term.

Include information on the number of students and postdoctoral fellows, whether expected to be funded through NSERC CREATE funds or not*, whom you are planning to recruit and have fully participated in the program on an annual basis, in tables similar to the examples below:

Planned recruitment of highly qualified personnel (HQP) by year (non-NSE HQPs in brackets)

Example:

Planned cumulative number of participants in the CREATE program by year

Example:

Clearly indicate how you will meet the training and mentoring needs for each category of trainees listed.

2.3 Technical skills

Describe how the training program will provide opportunities for all trainees to develop technical skills and receive mentoring. Examples of technical skills can be, but are not limited to: the use of scientific equipment and facilities, attending technical workshops, developing new methods and techniques, engineering design, laboratories, field work, how to conduct sampling, following a course, etc. Describe the training requirements for each level of trainee, including what technical skills will be taught, how they will be taught and if training activities are optional or mandatory.

Explain how the attainment of technical skills will be integrated with the research program to ensure that the time to degree completion is not unduly lengthened. Clearly demonstrate how the proposed technical skills differ from those attained from a regular graduate experience.

2.4 Professional skills

Describe how the training program will provide opportunities for all trainees to develop professional skills and receive mentoring. Examples of professional skills can be, but are not limited to: project management, program management, written and verbal communication skills, EDI workshops, legal obligations, networking, etc. Describe the training requirements for each level of trainee regarding the professional skills activities, including optional vs. mandatory training activities.

Explain how the attainment of professional skills will be integrated with the research program to as to ensure that the time to degree completion is not unduly lengthened. Clearly demonstrate how the proposed professional skills differ are different from those attained from a regular graduate experience.

2.5 Future career possibilities for trainees

In order to judge the extent to which the training and mentoring program will facilitate the transition of trainees into the workforce, whether in industry, government, non-governmental organizations or academia, describe the possible career trajectories for the CREATE graduates and attempt to quantify the potential demand for such graduates within Canada. A description of the potential employers and a qualitative assessment of the job prospects for trainees must also be included.

Describe the desirable skills, above and beyond technical research skills, and research experiences that will be judged as valuable by these future employers. Explain the value-added training and mentoring the trainees will receive through participating in the proposed initiative.

Explain how the training and mentoring program will promote interaction between trainees and non-academic sectors, such as private companies, industry associations, not-for-profit organizations, government departments, etc., as appropriate.

2.6 Research objectives and projects

Explain how the research relates to the current scientific and/or technical developments in the field with references to the current literature. Briefly indicate the type of research that the trainees will be involved in during the training program.

Where applicable, consideration of sex, gender and diversity in the research design should be addressed in this section. Researchers applying in a research area already supported by other active CREATE grants must clearly describe how their application differs from those already funded.

2.7 Interdisciplinary research

If there is interdisciplinary research within the NSE, or at the interface between NSE and health and/or social sciences, to be accomplished, describe clearly how the CREATE students from different disciplines will interact and gain from the different training environments proposed.

2.8 Mobility—national and/or international opportunities

All M.Sc. and Ph.D. trainees are required to conduct a mobility experience (internship, exchanges, etc.) of a minimum of one month and two months, respectively. These can occur in industry, government, non-governmental organizations and/or academia in or outside Canada. Mobility experiences are encouraged for undergraduate or postdoctoral fellowship trainees but are not mandatory.

Explain the reasoning behind the type and location of mobility experience you chose for the trainees, including how it relates to your field of study and the objectives of your program.

Describe the advantages to be gained through the mobility of students and fellows while participating in the program within Canada.

If there is an international component, describe how it will be integrated into the training program and the potential advantages of the resulting international experience for the trainees.

Explain how trainees will benefit from spending time at other academic institutions, within Canada or abroad, and/or interacting with non-academic sectors, such as private companies, industry associations, not-for-profit organizations, government departments, etc., through exchanges, internships, workshops or other ways that may be appropriate for the particular subject and the objectives of your program.

2.9 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) international stream applications

Complete this section only if you are applying to the DFG international stream of the CREATE program. Provide a short description of research activities in Germany and how they align with your research activities in Canada. Confirm that all graduate trainees, whether paid with CREATE funds or not, must complete an exchange of at least one month for an M.Sc. and two months for a Ph.D. trainee at a collaborating laboratory in Germany.

3. Proposed program participants

3.1 Co-applicants

Teams should strive for a diverse group of co-applicants, including gender representation. EDI considerations should be reflected in the rationale of the team composition and, where applicable, in the designated roles within the team. Moreover, the applicants should describe how they have and/or will implement policies and practices to support EDI within the team (e.g., recruitment of team members, management of the team, mentorship). For more information, refer to the NSERC guide on integrating equity, diversity and inclusion considerations in research.

List the names of the core team of investigators involved and describe the expertise, expected roles and contributions of the team members.

Explain the rationale for the team composition, how it has the necessary expertise and experience for the successful execution of the training and mentoring program and, in the case of multi-institution initiatives, how trainees at other university(ies) will be integrated into the program.

Co-applicants at the interdisciplinary frontier between NSE and the areas covered under the umbrella of the two other federal granting agencies—the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR)—may be included in the team. In those cases, you must explain in your proposal how their expertise will be integrated into and complement the team's expertise and how their participation in the team will benefit the initiative.

Discuss the collaborations among team members and the complementarity in the expertise of the group. Indicate if the team members will work together, i.e., will conduct collaborative research and how they will do so.

If any members of the proposed team are or have been participants in another CREATE initiative, an explanation must be provided of how their role in or contribution to the proposed CREATE initiative differs from their role in or contribution to the other CREATE initiatives. In addition, describe how the two initiatives differ from one another. The onus is on the applicant to provide sufficient information to enable the selection committee to evaluate the relationship of researchers with other CREATE initiatives and other sources of support. Failure to do so may put the application at a disadvantage. Researchers can simultaneously participate in two active CREATE training programs as either an applicant or co-applicant.

3.2 Collaborators

List other participants (in tabular form if appropriate) and describe their unique roles.

4. Program management and long-term sustainability

4.1 Management structure

Describe the project management plans for implementing the training program, including the role of the program director and the program coordinator.

Describe the management structure of the program committee (PC), including the PC's composition, role and responsibilities.

CREATE teams should strive for a diverse PC, including gender representation. EDI considerations should be reflected in the rationale of the PC composition and the designated roles within the PC.

4.2 Institutional support and long-term sustainability

Describe the facilities for carrying out the initiative, if applicable.

Explain the institutional commitment to facilitate and further the plans and goals of the CREATE program during and beyond the term of the grant. Also, include reasonable projections for future functioning of the initiative. Elaborate on the details of the steps taken to contribute to the success of the initiative. This support is conditional on the funding of the proposal.

4.3 Trainee recruitment, selection and inclusion

Recruitment and training activities should be focused on graduate-level trainees. Explain which components of the training program apply to undergraduates and postdoctoral fellows. Describe the planned approach to promoting participation from a diverse group of trainees, considering equity and inclusion in recruitment practices, mentorship approaches, and initiatives aimed at ensuring an inclusive research and training environment and trainee growth. Describe qualitatively any challenges or barriers to ensuring an inclusive research and training environment.

Explain the selection process for trainee applicants if the demand for the program is high.

CREATE teams are expected to increase the inclusion and advancement of underrepresented groups in the NSE as one way to enhance excellence in research and training. An inclusive research training environment exists where all people are respected and have access to the same opportunities, where all individuals—including those from underrepresented groups—can reach their full potential, unimpeded by inequitable practices. A commitment from all participants to implement specific actions that acknowledge and address barriers to participation (e.g., physical, procedural, visible, invisible, unintentional) is required in order to increase access to the largest pool of qualified potential participants and the overall excellence of research, across all NSE disciplines.

For more information on equitable, diverse and inclusive research and training environments, refer to the NSERC guide on integrating equity, diversity and inclusion considerations in research. For some examples of equitable and inclusive recruitment practices, refer to Canada Research Chairs’ (CRC) Equity, diversity and inclusion: A best practices guide for recruitment, hiring and retention.

4.4 Program evaluation

Describe the plans for the evaluation of the program’s performance against stated objectives.

Describe the performance indicators by which the PC will assess the results obtained by the additional funding provided for the training program and how those performance indicators are to be measured, and provide details on the targets to be achieved during the term of the program.

4.5 Summary—Program deliverables

Deliverables are activities required to achieve training objectives. Specify the activity, its duration and frequency, and the minimum participation that graduate trainees must complete to attain each deliverable. The table below will serve as a template for the requested deliverables as part of the award terms and conditions and should be included in the progress reports.

* M.Sc. and Ph.D. trainee mobility is mandatory.

Budget justification

(Two page maximum)

1. Insert a table that clearly shows the number of students/fellows expected to receive NSERC CREATE funds*, similar to the example below:

2. Explain and justify each additional budget item.

Support from other sources

(Two page maximum)

Describe in detail the other sources of financial support for the proposed training program, which could include:

• financial or in-kind support that will be received from collaborators
• institutional contributions toward trainee stipends or training activities
• (co-)applicant contributions toward trainee stipends
• cost-sharing and in-kind arrangements with the other institution(s), industry or other agencies
• institutional expenditures involved in upgrading or constructing facilities to house equipment
• indirect institutional support, such as provision of services and computing resources
• provision of adequate facilities for carrying out the research, if applicable

Summarize information on other support (currently held or applied for) that has budgetary overlap with the CREATE application.

University letter of support

One letter of support is required from the lead applicant’s university, with a list of all the financial or in-kind (donations of services, materials and equipment) contributions from the university, as listed in Section 4.2. The financial commitment should be reflected in and match the information indicated on the Budget page.

If applicable, the letter should describe any financial commitment or in-kind contributions from other universities involved in the proposal.

One of the following university representatives can provide this letter of support:

• Head of the department
• Dean of the faculty
• VP of research

Collaborators’ support

Include up to three letters of commitment from academic or non-academic organizations, highlighting clear commitments of support (e.g., in-kind and/or financial support, training facilities).

These letters should include specific information on the nature of the support that will be offered to the training program.

For uploading purposes, all the documents in this section must be saved into a single PDF file.

Signatures

NSERC does not require original signatures on applications or other documents submitted electronically through its online system. The electronic submission of applications through this system represents approval. Refer to the frequently asked questions in the program guide for professors for more details.

What do the signatures on the application mean?

For applicants

Before you, as an applicant or co-applicant, can submit your application to NSERC or link your personal data form to an application, you must read and agree to the terms and conditions of applying that appear in a pop-up window during the submission process. It is your responsibility to retain a copy of the agreed terms and conditions for your records.

The signatures of the institutional authorities certify that:

• the institution will abide by the roles and responsibilities as set out in the Agreement on the Administration of Agency Grants and Awards by Research Institutions with the three federal research granting agencies, including the Tri-agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research (2021)
• the applicant and co-applicant(s) have met, or will meet, the eligibility requirements
• prior to submission of this application, the institution has obtained written approval from any other institutions involved in the application process
• if the applicant discloses any potential intellectual property (IP) arising from the research, he or she and the institution will endeavour to obtain the greatest possible economic benefit to Canada from the resulting commercial activity

The signatures of authorized officers of other supporting organizations certify that the organization:

• agrees with the content of the application and will provide the committed resources;
• agrees to the release of the public summary of the award and the publication of the organization’s name as a supporter of the initiative.

If you are both the applicant or co-applicant and a principal of a collaborating organization, another senior official must sign on behalf of the organization.

Notification of decision

NSERC will inform the university research grant offices of the CREATE competition results on the GSAP secure site in early March. NSERC will also notify applicants of the results electronically. A list of the successful grantees will be posted on the CREATE website once the new grants are made public.