NSERC 2015 Strategic Network Grants – Call for Preliminary Applications

Sponsor

Program

Description

Strategic Network Grants (SNGs) fund large-scale, multi-disciplinary research projects that require a network approach and that involve collaboration between academic researchers and Canadian-based organizations. SNGs fund projects in the following target areas: (i) Environmental Science and Technologies, (ii) Information and Communications Technologies, (iii) Manufacturing, and (iv) Natural Resources and Energy. The objective of SNGs is to increase research and training in targeted areas that could strongly enhance Canada’s economy, society and/or environment within the next 10 years.

Eligibility

•    The network must support the SNG objective and fall within the identified targeted areas of the competition year.
• The objectives and scope of the network must be well-defined and the research results achievable within a five-year time frame.
• The network must involve a minimum of five academic researchers who are eligible to receive NSERC funding, from at least three separate departments, faculties or institutions.
• The network must have the strong commitment and active involvement of Canadian-based partners from relevant sectors (industrial, government), as appropriate for the research area. These organizations must be involved in all stages of the network, from development of the proposal to exploitation of the research results for the benefit of Canada.
• The network must offer opportunities for enhanced training of highly qualified personnel that takes advantage of the multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral environment of a network.
• The network must have an appropriate management structure to direct, manage and integrate its activities.
• The network must have a strategy for knowledge and technology transfer to all stakeholders and the general public, as appropriate, that conforms with NSERC’s Policy on Intellectual Property (IP).

Funding Availability

  This program supports two application categories: (A) research that has never been funded through SNGs, a Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) grant, or other federal or provincial network-scale granting programs, or (B) research that builds upon a collection of research objectives that have been previously funded through SNGs, an NCE grant, or other federal or provincial network-scale granting programs.

• Category A: $500,000 - $1,000,000 per year for five years, for a maximum request of $5,000,000
• Category B: $500,000 - $1,000,000 per year for five years, for a maximum of $5,000,000; however, NSERC requires a cash leverage of $1 from industry and government partners for every $3 from NSERC
• The anticipated budget for the 2015 Strategic Network Grants competition is expected to result in two (2) awards across the four target areas

Indirect Costs

No indirect costs are required on the amount requested from NSERC; however, indirect costs may apply on amounts requested from partners.

Project Duration

5 years

How to Apply

Preliminary Applications cannot be submitted on-line.

• Applicants are invited to prepare an “Application for a Grant”(Form 101, pages 1 and 2 only) using the electronic submission system.
• Applicants must print and mail two copies of the paper version, together with an electronic copy (USB key, CD, etc.) of the complete Preliminary Application package to NSERC by April 1, 2015.
• Note: NSERC will invite applicants to submit full applications based on the strength of the Preliminary Application in the following criteria: (i) the strategic importance of the proposed research topic; (ii) the need to investigate the topic through a network approach; (iii) the scientific merit of the proposed research; and (iv) the proposed leadership skills and expertise of the Principal Investigator and theme leaders. If invited, applicants must submit a full application within six months of NSERC’s notification of acceptance of the Preliminary Application.