Science Communication Skills grant (pilot)

Review of your application

All eligible applications will be peer reviewed by the PromoScience/NSERC Awards for Science Promotion Selection Committee. Members are from the science and engineering communication, promotion, and education communities. They are selected on the basis of their stature and expertise, and according to NSERC’s Guidelines Governing Membership of Selection Committees.

Selection criteria

The following describes the criteria that the Selection Committee will use to evaluate your submission. Your submission must clearly demonstrate how your proposal meets each specific criterion. Address all indicators and provide all requested evidence in your application.

In your application, use the criteria and indicators as headings and subheadings to structure your proposal.

Criterion — Organization (30%)

• Ability of organization and its staff to deliver the proposed activity successfully
  • Relevant background of the organization
  • Experience of staff in delivering training in science communication skills
  • Impact of previous training activities
• Networking
  • Examples of sharing best practices with others involved in training in science communication skills
• Financial status
  • Realistic budget and justification
  • Letter of commitment from outside sources, if applicable
  • Ability to raise funds from non-federal sources
  • Evidence of sustainability

Criterion — Quality of the activity (35%)

• Activity design
  • Objectives consistent with those of the Science Communication Skills grant (pilot)
  • Description of training activity and how objectives will be attained
  • Use of evidence-based science communication strategies
  • Suitability for intended audience
  • Plan for recruiting a diverse target audience
  • Approach to ensuring that training activities are inclusive
• Originality/creativity
  • Differences from existing activities

Criterion — Impact and reach (35%)

• Impact and reach of proposed funding
  • Demonstrated need for the activity (including, if applicable, letter(s) from the organization/group hosting the activity (e.g., postsecondary institution))
  • Explanation of the added value or benefits that funding will bring to the organization, its activities and, ultimately, its participants
  • Quality of the activity interaction(s) and planned participation (number of participants)
  • Plan to equip participants for sustained learning and/or practice

What's next?
Starting your funded training activities