The Research Support Services (RSS) unit within the Research Services Office supports researchers through the process of finding funding opportunities; creating proposals and budgets; submitting applications; finalizing awards and negotiating agreements; and continues through to setting up accounts for funded research.

Where can I find funding opportunities?

• Office of Research website - Funding Opportunities list [1]
  • Research Support Services team produces content related to funding opportunities
  • Our aim: effective and timely communication
• What are the requirements for specific funding programs?
  • Specific requirements are usually described in the documentation provided by the sponsor, e.g. competition guidelines, request for proposals, application form, instructions, etc.
  • These requirements are either listed in the RSS-issued funding opportunities, or available from the sponsor’s website
  • As an example, requirements for Tri-Agency (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) are described in the Agreement on the Administration of Agency Grants and Awards by Research Institutions [2]  and the Tri-Agency Financial Administration Guide [3]
• If an opportunity isn’t listed on RSO website,please email Research Support Services [4] for more information.

How do I apply for funding?

• Who is authorized to apply for and hold research funding?
  • Regular, full-time faculty (UGFA) and CARG members
  • P&M or other staff with special approval from Dean. Please email Research Support Services [4] for more information
• Plan your application early
  • Review program guidelines and instructions
  • Download or review forms and templates
  • Prepare a realistic budget
    • Indirect costs [5]
    • RSO Budget Tips [6]
    • RSS Budget Template [7]
  • Prepare a proposal based on sponsor’s requirements, or consult RSS Proposal Template [8]
• Check deadlines
• Seek mentorship opportunities
  • Successful colleagues or peers may be able to review your ideas and provide feedback
  • Mentors may also be able to review drafts of applications, provide critical internal feedback you may wish to incorporate before you “submit”…
  • Some colleges have internal review procedures so be sure to ask the Associate Dean Research or College Research Manager [9] of your college
• Connect with sponsors
  • Program officers, representatives of funding agencies who are familiar with the process once your application is submitted, are often available
  • Program officers at the Tri-Agencies (CIHR, NSERC,SSHRC) can become great sources of feedback for you. Why not take advantage?
  • We can help you make contact if you’d like to do so – just ask! Contact the front desk in the Research Services Office (research.services@uoguelph.ca [4]) and you will be put through to someone in RSS for assistance
• Plan time to write, review, re-write

Where can I find information about deadlines?

• There are really 2 types of deadlines
• We refer to the different types as INTERNAL and EXTERNAL
• Do not rely on sponsor’s deadline, which is the EXTERNAL deadline!
• Instead, refer to the internal deadlines posted on RSO website within our funding opportunities [1] or as found in Table 1 of the Minimum Processing Times guidelines [10]
  • The internal deadline is the real deadline by which you must have your application complete and submitted

How can I submit to Research Services Office?

• In person to University Centre, Room 437
• Electronically to research.services@uoguelph.ca [4]
• OR-5 Form [11] and why is it required for my proposal?
  • University approval policy [12]
  • Meanings of Signatures on OR-5 Form, Applications and Proposals [13]
• You might be wondering, what happens when you submit to the Office of Research?
  • Why do you need to submit earlier than the sponsor requires?
  • We review your application depending on the opportunity
  • More complicated programs = more detailed review
  • We recommend any revisions to improve the completeness and/or accuracy of your application
  • Once the final version is ready to go, your application can be submitted
• Final submission to sponsor
  • In most cases, final submission is the researcher’s responsibility (see below)
  • Process varies across opportunities
  • Refer to opportunities posted by RSS for more information
• Researcher to submit
  • In some cases, once your application has been approved, we let you know
  • You pick up your signed application and are responsible for submission
  • Research Support Services submits on your behalf
  • In other cases, mostly for Tri-Agency (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) grants, our office submits your application electronically
  • Our “submitting” confirms approval and official endorsement by the University
• At the end of the submission process, we then wait for the sponsor’s decision

What happens when I’m awarded funding, or my project is approved to proceed?

• What documentation do I provide (or is provided by the sponsor) to RSS?
  • See major sponsors [14]or internal programs [15] listings
• What agreement templates are recommended?
  • University of Guelph Agreement Templates [16]
  • Other? Please contact Research Services Office for suitable templates (e.g. NSERC CRD, OCE, etc.) [4]
• How long will I expect to wait for my account to be set up? [17]
• Early account set up [18]
• What happens if my research requires certifications or regulatory approvals?
  • Research Ethics Board [19] - for using human participants in research
  • Animal Care Services [20] - for using live animals in research
  • Biosafety Committee [21] - for using biohazards in research
  • Radiation Safety Committee [22]
  • Others [23]

What policies do I need to know?

• We see our role as helping you understand which policies might apply to you, and why
• If you have questions at any time, please ask
• There are many policies researchers are required to adhere to
• While we can’t waive policy, we can guide you through it
• We help interpret policy and what it means for you
• The most commonly-referred to policies are:
  • Anticipating deadlines
    • Office of Research Review and Minimum Processing Times [10]
  • Applying for funding
    • Proposal approvals [12]
    • OR-5 Form [11]
    • Meaning of Signatures [13]
  • Planning your budget
    • Indirect cost policy and rates [5]
  • Intellectual property [24]
  • Publications [25]

Where can I get more information?

• Faculty Information Exchange [26] (monthly seminars on a wide range of topics to support researcher success)
• Office of Research staff [27] in other units
  • Regulatory compliance
    • Animals [20]
    • Human participants [19]
    • Biohazards [21]
    • Radiation [22]
    • Others [23], e.g. transgenic plants and animals
  • Risk management
  • Industry liaison and intellectual property management (Research Innovation Office)
  • Strategic partnerships (Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance)
  • Research communications
• Office of Research web site - Forms, guidelines, policies and other materials [28]
• Associate Deans Research and College Research Managers [9]
• Other U of G resources [29]
  • Research Financial Services [30] (for help with managing funding after receiving a research award)
  • Library [31] (for help with data management plans)
  • Physical Resources [32] (for help with getting cost estimates and undertaking construction or renovations to research space)