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.
Type of awards | Subatomic Physics - Research Tools and Instruments – category 1 Subatomic Physics - Research Tools and Instruments – category 2 Subatomic Physics - Research Tools and Instruments – category 3 |
Application deadline | August 1 (notification of intent to apply – categories 2 / 3) October 1 (application – categories 2 / 3) October 25 (application – category 1) |
Application procedure | See below |
How to apply |
![]() To create or access a notification of intent to apply or an application, select Research portal. To view instructions, select Instructions. |
For more information | Consult the Contact list. |
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.
SAP-RTI grants are awards that assist buying or developing research equipment that costs more than $7,000. SAP-RTI grants are divided into three categories, according to the total net cost of the equipment (before taxes, customs and importation fees, transportation and shipping charges, assembly and installation costs). These categories are
Under category 1, SAP-RTI grants are one-year awards. In exceptional cases, multi-year requests will be accepted. The onus is on the applicant to clearly explain the rationale. Under categories 2 and 3, SAP-RTI grants are typically multi-year awards.
Regardless of the category, if the applicant is able to 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
If requested, NSERC will pay all of applicable taxes, as well as all of the shipping and handling expenses.
SAP-RTI grants must be used only to purchase the specific type of equipment for which the grant was awarded. 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.
NSERC is acting on the evidence that equity, diversity and inclusion strengthen the scientific and engineering community and the quality, social relevance and impact of research. Increasing diversity and gender equity in the research enterprise are key priorities in our current strategic plan, NSERC 2020, and are highlighted in the strategic goal, “Build a diversified and competitive research base.”
Applicants are expected to increase the inclusion and advancement of under-represented and disadvantaged groups in the natural sciences and engineering, as one means to enhance excellence in research and training. Where applicable, consideration of sex, gender and diversity in the research design should be addressed in the proposal. Equity, diversity and inclusion considerations should be developed into the rationale for the composition of research teams, including trainees. For more information, applicants should refer to the application instructions and the
Guide for applicants: Considering equity, diversity and inclusion in your application.
Type of expenditures | SAP-RTI |
SAP-RTI |
---|---|---|
Salaries and benefits | Not eligible | Salaries and training costs of technical support personnel for the initial phase-in period of operations (up to two years) |
Equipment or facility | Purchase or rental | Purchase or rental |
Travel | Not eligible | Travel costs to visit manufacturers to select equipment |
Others (transportation costs for purchased equipment, extended warranty, brokerage and customs charges for the importation of equipment and supplies) |
Eligible | Eligible |
Costs that are not eligible for all categories of SAP-RTI include
Note: All project expenditures are subject to the principles and directives governing the appropriate use of grant funds as outlined in the Tri-agency Guide on Financial Administration.
In addition to NSERC’s eligibility criteria for faculty, applicants and co-applicants must each currently hold or be applying for one of the following NSERC research grants at the time of application: Subatomic Physics Discovery Grant, Discovery Development Grant, Strategic Partnerships Grants, Collaborative Research and Development grants, Canada Research Chairs, Canada Excellence Research Chairs or Canada 150 Research Chairs.
Only applications in the field of subatomic physics, from applicants and co-applicants who currently hold or are applying for an NSERC research grant at the time of application, will be accepted.
Subatomic Physics – Research Tools and Instruments – category 1
Applicants must submit an application for a SAP-RTI category 1 grant through the Research portal by the deadline date. In order to do this, each applicant and co-applicant must complete a Canadian Common CV (CCV) and link it to the application.
Applicants should include:
Letters from supporting organizations, if submitted, should clearly explain the support that the organizations will provide, such as their involvement in the research, their contribution (cash or in-kind) to the purchase and installation of the equipment, etc.
Subatomic Physics – Research Tools and Instruments – categories 2 / 3
The first step in applying to the SAP-RTI program is to submit to NSERC a notification of intent to apply (NOI) for a SAP-RTI grant categories 2 or 3 by the deadline date. In order to do this, each applicant and co-applicant must 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. It allows NSERC to determine the most appropriate review mechanism for the grant application. Researchers who do not submit an NOI will not be allowed to submit a full application.
Applicants must then submit the application through the Research portal by the deadline date. In order to do this, each applicant and co-applicant must complete a Canadian Common CV (CCV) and link it to the application. The CCV can be updated following submission with the NOI, prior to submission with the application.
Applicants should include
Letters from supporting organizations, if submitted, should clearly explain the support that the organizations will provide, such as their involvement in the research, their contribution (cash or in-kind) to the purchase and installation of the equipment, etc.
All applications for SAP-RTI grants are reviewed by the subatomic physics evaluation section on a competitive basis. No external input is usually sought. The section may request expert input from individual reviewers, if necessary. For SAP-RTI category 3 applications, the subatomic physics evaluation section may also receive input from an expert ad hoc committee that would perform an on-site evaluation and review. Furthermore, according to the internal procedures of the subatomic physics evaluation section, applicants submitting SAP-RTI category 3 applications may be invited to make oral presentations during the Large Project Day held every year by this committee.
Any application to the SAP-RTI program is assessed on the basis of the five selection criteria listed below. Each criterion lists factors that will be considered. It is very important to keep in mind that all criteria are taken into account in the assessment of any SAP-RTI grant application. The onus is on the applicants to thoroughly address each criterion in their applications and provide detailed information to the subatomic physics evaluation section.
For SAP-RTI categories 2 and 3 grant applications, the following additional criterion is also taken into account:
SAP-RTI category 3 grants are typically multi-year awards. For grants whose amount is an average of $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 February 1. 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.