KTT Funding Program: Getting Science Off the Shelf

Call status:

• KTT research stream – CLOSED
• KTT mobilization stream – CLOSED
• KTT initiatives stream – OPEN CALL

Knowledge Translation and Transfer (KTT) encompasses a suite of activities used to foster two-way communication between researchers and research users. The Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance defines KTT as the transformation of knowledge into use through synthesis, exchange, engagement, dissemination, dialogue, collaboration and brokering among researchers and research users. 

The goal of KTT is to enhance the impact of research by “getting science off the shelf” and into the hands of people who need it. KTT builds on a long history of agricultural extension and works to foster early and consistent collaboration between researchers and research users.

KTT Funding Program accelerates the process

The Alliance KTT Funding Program advances research in the field of KTT and accelerates the transfer of research knowledge into use. The program aims to:

• Advance the synthesis, exchange, engagement, application and dissemination of agri-food and rural research knowledge by fostering relationships with knowledge-users and communities
• Explore the science of KTT to identify best practices that enhance the positive impact of research and innovation
• Use and evaluate KTT methods and best practices to support the awareness and impact of research knowledge

Eligible projects

Eligible projects must relate to an established OMAFRA research priority and demonstrate a high likelihood of contributing to the health, sustainability, and/or competitiveness of Ontario’s agri-food sectors and/or rural or Indigenous communities.

Projects must fit within one of three streams:

1. KTT research (KTT-R) funding (available every two years through call for proposals)
   • Supports research projects that advance the science of KTT in the agri-food and rural sectors.
   • Must contribute to scholarly literature by developing or assessing KTT activities and/or approaches that support future evidence-informed KTT practice
   • Advance the science of KTT by identifying and evaluating methods designed to enhance and accelerate the impact of research
2. KTT mobilization (KTT-M) funding (available every year through call for proposals)
   • Supports activities that disseminate research findings, or engage audiences in research.
   • Designed to drive the transformation of research knowledge into use, including synthesis, exchange, engagement, dissemination, dialogue, collaboration and brokering between researchers and research users and communities.
   • May also be used to support projects that target capacity building or enhancing partnerships/networks for supporting effective KTT in Ontario’s agri-food sector,  rural or Indigenous communities.
3. KTT initiatives funding (open call, available on an ongoing basis)
   • Provides one-time financial support of up to $5,000 for a product or strategy that translates and transfers research that benefits Ontario’s agri-food sector or rural or Indigenous communities
   • Includes pre-research engagement and partnership activities
   • Proposed initiatives must be completed within a year of award
   • Applications will be accepted and reviewed on an ongoing basis

How to apply

The Alliance Research Program uses the Research Management System (RMS) for receiving and adjudicating research proposals.

If you have not used the RMS since October 2019, select “Forgot Password” on the RMS login page and enter your uoguelph.ca email address. Please contact rescoord@uoguelph.ca if you experience any difficulties logging in.

Details on using the RMS are available in the program guides, available below.

Eligibility

University of Guelph faculty members are eligible to be the Lead Applicant and/or a Co-Applicant on KTT Funding project. Adjunct faculty members may also apply if they are eligible to hold research funding at the University of Guelph and are not employed by or have a financial interest in any of the collaborating organizations or co-funders. Consult the program guide for more details.

Applicants must be fully compliant with all reporting requirements prior to a new proposal being reviewed under any Alliance Research Program.

Past projects

Projects funded between 2020 and 2023

For more information, contact: 

Knowledge Mobilization Manager, Office of Research, Agri-Food Partnership at kttadmin@uoguelph.ca.