Subatomic Physics Research Tools and Instruments grants program

Overview

The Subatomic Physics Research Tools and Instruments (SAP-RTI) program is intended for researchers undertaking research in the field of subatomic physics at a Canadian university.

On this page

• Important information
• Objectives
• Description
• Equity, diversity and inclusion
• Research security
• Use of grant funds
• Eligibility to apply
• Application procedures
• Review procedures
• Selection criteria
• Conditions

Important information

• Memo to potential applicants – Notification of intent to apply for a Subatomic Physics Discovery grant

Objectives

The Subatomic Physics Research Tools and Instruments (SAP-RTI) grants foster and enhance the discovery, innovation and training capability of researchers in the field of subatomic physics at a Canadian university by supporting the purchase of research equipment and installations.

Description

The SAP-RTI grants program assists researchers in buying or developing research equipment with a net cost of more than $7,000. Net cost is defined as the purchase cost of the equipment after any discount from the vendor and before taxes, customs and importation fees, transportation and shipping charges, and assembly and installation costs. SAP-RTI grants are divided into three categories according to the total net cost of the equipment. These categories are

• SAP-RTI grants – category 1: $7,001 to $150,000
• SAP-RTI grants – category 2: $150,001 to $325,000
• SAP-RTI grants – category 3: more than $325,000

Under category 1, SAP-RTI grants are one-year awards. In exceptional cases, multi-year requests will be accepted; however, the onus is on the applicant to clearly explain the rationale. Under categories 2 and 3, SAP-RTI grants can be single or multi-year awards.

Regardless of the category, if the applicant can secure funding from other sources to complement the requested support from NSERC, this funding must be in place and confirmed at the time the application is submitted. Other sources may include contributions from NSERC Discovery Grants held by the applicant or co-applicants. The use of other types of NSERC grants is permitted, provided that prior written authorization is obtained from NSERC.

NSERC will only accept the following requests:

• for tools and instruments that form a comprehensive system intended to support NSERC-funded research in the field of subatomic physics
  • a comprehensive system is one in which each tool or instrument forms part of an integrated system of operation to support the research program(s)
  • requests that bundle unrelated tools and instruments together will not be accepted
• for the purchase of new, used or refurbished equipment; the repair, upgrade or rental of equipment; or the fabrication of equipment that is not readily available off the shelf
• for equipment that is purchased or rented after the application deadline.

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).

Considering equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the research process promotes research excellence by making research outcomes more ethically sound, rigorous, reproducible, and useful. It is important to consider EDI through each stage of the research process, including, but not limited to, the research questions, design, methodology, analysis, interpretation and dissemination of results, and integrate these considerations where relevant. For more information, refer to the application instructions and the NSERC guide on integrating equity, diversity and inclusion considerations in research.

Research security

To ensure that the Canadian research ecosystem is as open as possible and as safeguarded as necessary, the Government of Canada has introduced the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC Policy). For more information about research security at the granting agencies, refer to the Tri-agency guidance on research security.

Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern

The STRAC Policy addresses risks related to Sensitive Technology Research Areas performed with research organizations and institutions that pose the highest risk to Canada’s national security. The STRAC Policy applies to this funding opportunity as of May 1, 2024.

To comply with this policy, applicants must identify whether the grant application aims to advance a Sensitive Technology Research Area. If so, the submission of attestation forms will be required from researchers with named roles (for this funding opportunity, these are the applicants and co-applicants) to certify that they are not currently affiliated with, nor are in receipt of funding or in-kind support from, a Named Research Organization (NRO).

Researchers should review the list of Sensitive Technology Research Areas and the list of Named Research Organizations carefully to understand which versions of the lists apply to this competition.

The Tri-agency guidance on the STRAC Policy provides more information on new applicable procedures and requirements, including responsibilities of researchers and institutions.

Use of grant funds

SAP-RTI grants must be used only for the specific type of equipment for which the grant was awarded through the peer review process. 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(e.g., newer or upgraded model).

Eligible costs

Ineligible costs

Costs that are not eligible for any categories of SAP-RTI include:

• insurance costs for equipment and research vehicles
• costs of the construction, renovation or rental of laboratories or supporting facilities
• items that are part of laboratory infrastructure or intended to render other equipment compliant with health and safety standards
• software licensing or upgrades for subsequent years

Eligibility to apply

To be eligible to apply for and hold SAP-RTI funds, applicants and co-applicants must each:

1. MeetNSERC’s Eligibility requirements for faculty to apply for or hold grant funds. Consult Sections 1.1, 2.1, 3 and 4 for university faculty to ensure that they can participate in this grant program.
2. Hold at least one of the following NSERC research grants (either as an applicant or co-applicant):
   • Alliance grant
   • Canada Excellence Research Chairs (NSERC)
   • Canada 150 Research Chairs (NSERC)
   • Canada Research Chairs (NSERC)
   • Discovery Development grant
   • Subatomic Physics Discovery Grant
   • Discovery Horizons grant

Note: Applicants and co-applicants may apply for any of the above grants while concurrently applying to the SAP-RTI program. However, if any applicant or co-applicant does not hold one of the above grants by the SAP-RTI award start date or is not successful in obtaining one of these grants while concurrently applying to the SAP-RTI program, the applicant and/or co-applicant will be deemed ineligible and removed from the application.

Application procedures

Subatomic Physics – Research Tools and Instruments – category 1

To apply, applicants must submit an application for a SAP-RTI category 1 grant through the Research Portal by the deadline date. Each applicant and co-applicant must also complete a Canadian Common CV (CCV) and link it to the application.

Applicants should strive for a diverse research team. EDI considerations should be reflected in the rationale of the team composition and, where applicable, in the designated roles within the team. For more information, refer to the EDI considerations for research teams.

While applicants are encouraged to provide quotations for all equipment, applicants must include two (2) recent quotations for any individual item(s) over $40,000 net. If the required number of quotations cannot reasonably be submitted, applicants must provide a clear justification in the Budget justification section.

Attachments that do not adhere to the guidelines should not be included and may be removed.

Subatomic Physics – Research Tools and Instruments – categories 2 and 3

To apply, applicants must submit a notification of intent (NOI) to apply for a SAP-RTI grant category 2 or 3 through the Research Portal by the deadline date. Each applicant and co-applicant must also complete a Canadian Common CV (CCV) and link it to the NOI.

The NOI is a mandatory step in the application process for both category 2 and 3 grants.

Applicants must then submit a full application through the Research Portal by the deadline date. Each applicant and co-applicant must also complete a Canadian Common CV (CCV) and link it to the application. The CCV can be updated following the submission of the NOI and before the submission of the full application.

While applicants are encouraged to provide quotations for all equipment, applicants must include two (2) recent quotations for any individual item(s) over $40,000 net. If the required number of quotations cannot reasonably be submitted, applicants must provide a clear justification in the Budget justification section.

SAP-RTI category 2 and 3 applications must include:

• a letter from the applicant’s head of department. The letter must indicate the importance and priority that the department places on the proposed equipment and the extent to which the department will provide support

SAP-RTI category 3 applications must also include:

• a letter from the president of the university or delegated representative. The letter should explain the extent to which the university will provide support, such as the provision of space, financial contributions to the purchase and installation, the purchase of ancillary equipment, funding of technical support staff, etc.

Attachments that do not adhere to the guidelines should not be included and may be removed.

Review procedures

SAP-RTI grant applications are reviewed by the Subatomic Physics Evaluation Section. No external input is sought; however, the Section may request expert input from individual reviewers, if necessary. For SAP-RTI category 3 applications, the Section may receive input from an expert ad-hoc committee that would perform an evaluation and review of the application.

Selection criteria

All SAP-RTI applications are assessed on the basis of the following selection criteria. The onus is on the applicant to thoroughly address each criterion in the application and provide detailed information.

• Need, urgency and suitability
  • demonstration that the equipment is essential for the research and that there are no other more cost-effective ways of obtaining results
  • availability of similar equipment/facilities/services in the vicinity
  • impact of a delay in the acquisition of the equipment on the research and pace of research progress
  • need to upgrade or replace obsolete or failed equipment
  • degree of utilization of the equipment by the applicant(s) and other users
• Feasibility and impact
  • quality and significance of the research program(s), including potential for major advances and impact in the discipline as a result of the equipment
  • feasibility of the plan to use the equipment
  • extent to which the applicant(s) has relevant experience or has presented a training
  • plan to demonstrate how they will gain the ability to fully use the equipment
  • consideration of EDI in the rationale of the team composition
• Training of highly qualified personnel (HQP)
  • quality and extent of training
  • opportunity for hands-on training
  • potential to provide marketable skills for students trained on the equipment
  • consideration of EDI in the training of HQP

For SAP-RTI categories 2 and 3 grant applications, the following additional criterion is also taken into account:

• Organizational structure and accessibility —applicant(s) must demonstrate a clearly defined organizational structure to ensure that the equipment can be operated and maintained efficiently and effectively, as well as providing access for other users; examples of elements to be addressed include
  • suitability and effectiveness of the oversight/management structure and the users’ representative body
  • 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 EDI considerations for research teams
  • plans for effective operation and maintenance of the equipment
  • accessibility for other users—a transparent and fair process to grant access

Demographic data is not requested or required to assess any impacts resulting from the consideration of EDI in the research team and training environment.

The Subatomic Physics Evaluation Section makes the conclusive recommendation to NSERC on any grant application to the SAP-RTI program.

Conditions

For grants whose average award is $500,000 per year or higher, the payment of the second and any subsequent yearly instalment is conditional on the submission of an annual activity report to NSERC. The submission deadline for this report is January 15. NSERC reserves the right to request an activity report for any SAP-RTI category 3, even for grants that are less than an average of $500,000 per year.