The following table describes the criteria that the selection committee will use to evaluate each submission. Note that your submission must clearly demonstrate how your proposal meets each criterion. It is highly recommended that you address all indicators and provide all relevant requested evidence in your application. New organizations/pilot programs must include strong evidence of the feasibility and anticipated impact of the activities through support letters and/or data from similar successful programs.
In your application, use the criteria and indicators as headings and subheadings to structure your proposal.
NSERC is committed to promoting the integration of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in its practices. As a result, EDI considerations have been integrated into the selection criteria and are outlined in the table below.
Additionally, the following elements are important to consider when developing targeted programming for Indigenous youth, and should be discussed, as appropriate, in the proposal:
Establish meaningful engagement with First Nations, Inuit, Métis, or other Indigenous Peoples, nations, communities, societies or individuals.
Ensure the programming aligns with and responds to the goals and needs of the Indigenous communities involved.
Promote the participation of community members and foster a culturally safe, equitable, inclusive and accessible environment.
Integrate and respect Indigenous ways of knowing throughout the programming.
Engage and recognize the role of Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and/or Knowledge Holders, and ensure appropriate remuneration for their contributions.
Detailed description of the program(s) and what participants will do
Suitability for intended audience (e.g., integration of Indigenous knowledge, roles of appropriate contributors/mentors especially for programming involving underrepresented youth)
Focus on the natural sciences and engineering
Differences from other groups (i.e., originality/creativity)
Criterion – Impact and reach (40%)
Indicator
Evidence to be provided in the application
Impact of program(s) on audience
Quality of the program interaction (number and depth of interactions per participant)
Success stories
Evaluation plan and highlights from past program evaluations
Explanation of the added value or benefits that funding will bring to the organization, its program(s) and, ultimately, its participants
Audience
Profile of participants (age, numbers reached)
Geographical reach (i.e., national, provincial)
Transferability to other geographical areas
Focus on underrepresented groups (include evidence relevant to your strategy)
Plans and strategies to make activities inclusiveFootnote 1
for participants
Plans and strategies to reach specific groups based on gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, language, geographical location and/or socio-economic status, as applicable
Plans and strategies to include members of Canada’s Indigenous communities (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), if applicable
Letter of reference from organization linked to underrepresented audience, if applicable
