What are Strategic Project Grants (SPG-SC)?

1. Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council(NSERC)Strategic Project Grants Supplemental Competition (SPG-SC)October 1, 2007August 2, 2007 Office of Research Services

2. What are Strategic Project Grants (SPG-SC)? Held subsequent to the Strategic Project Grants competition already underway. Part of the NSERC suite of U-I partnership programs to: • Maximize benefits of university research to Canada SPG-SC focus on early-stage research projects: • To increase research and training in targeted areas of national importance • Potential to strongly influence Canada’s economy, society and environment within next 10 years Office of Research Services

3. Specific SPG-SC Objectives: • Developing new knowledge or technology • Training of highly qualified personnel • Attracting Canadian-based organizations into early-stage collaborations • Transferring of knowledge and expertise to Canadian-based organizations Office of Research Services

4. Specific SPG-SC Requirements: • Research within one of the 3 SPG target areas • Must include at least one non-academic supporting organization (by year 2) • Significant involvement (in-kind) from the partner • Cash contribution not required, but… • Well-defined objectives, scope and duration Office of Research Services

5. Summary of Changes to SPG-SC • Project term of up to 2 years • Must be less than $100,000 per year • Support from non-academic organization not required at time of submission, but required by Year 2 • Applicants are encouraged to incorporate co-applicants and aspects outside of the natural sciences and engineering. Office of Research Services

6. 3 SPG-SC Target Areas • Advanced Communications and Management of Information • Healthy Environment and Ecosystems • Sustainable Energy Systems (Production, Distribution and Utilization) Office of Research Services

7. Summary of Revisions to Target Areas 1. Advanced Communications and Management of Information: • Additional Research Topics have been included: • Advanced Materials, Devices and Supporting Tools • Software and Computing Systems Office of Research Services

8. Summary of Revisions to Target Areas 2. Healthy Environment and Ecosystems: • The targeted natural resources have been expanded to include estuarine and coastal waters. Office of Research Services

9. Summary of Revisions to Target Areas 3. Sustainable Energy Systems (Production, Distribution and Utilization): • The Research Topic “Fuel Cells” has been expanded to include “Fuel cells and Clean Transportation Systems”.  • Additional Research Topics have been included: • Clean Coal and Carbon Capture and Storage • Low Emission Industrial Systems • Other Renewable Energy Sources Office of Research Services

10. What is a Supporting Organization? • Canadian- based company or government organization • Collaborates in all stages of research • Able to use and apply the results – employment, wealth generation, public policy improvements • NGOs, government research labs, foreign organizations, customers do not qualify Office of Research Services

11. Supporting Organizations: NSERC expectations • In-kind contribution required (access, donations, services…) • Cash contribution not required, but get it if you can • Participation in development of the proposal • Ongoing interaction • Participation in the training (co-supervision, exchanges…) • Guidance on exploitation of results Office of Research Services

12. SPG-SC Application Process: • Application For a Grant (Form 101) Parts I and II • Personal Data Form (Form 100) • Material from participating organizations (Form 183, letter of support detailing involvement). Optional at time of application but will be required prior to Year 2. • Consult NSERC web site for details (www.nserc.ca) Office of Research Services

13. SPG-SC Competition Timetable • ORS deadline: September 24, 2007 • NSERC deadline: October 1, 2007 • External peer review: Fall/Winter 2007 • Panel evaluation: January 2008 • Results announced: February 2008 Office of Research Services

14. SPG-SC Selection Criteria • Originality of the Research • Quality of the Research • Project Work Plan • Quality of the Applicants as Researchers • Training Potential • Interactions with the Supporting Organizations • Benefits to Canada and the Supporting Organizations Office of Research Services

15. For Each Criterion: (e.g. Criterion 1) -Series of points to address: • the novelty of the overall concepts and approach; • how the research relates to the current scientific and/or technical developments in the field with references to the current literature and patents; • the potential for developing new knowledge or technology, including innovative techniques, processes or products; • the extent to which new knowledge or technology is expected to impact on the field of research; and, • the significance of the scientific issues and technical challenges. -1 to 4 scale rating: • includes few or no new concepts of directions. • includes some new concepts or directions with the potential for a significant advance in the field. • includes original concepts or directions with potential for a significant advance in the field. • includes highly original concepts or directions with potential for a major breakthrough. Office of Research Services

16. Brainstorming Session • Challenges/obstacles in preparing SPG-SC proposal? • Programmatic perspective • Proposal development perspective • Internal support perspective • What support mechanisms would be useful? Office of Research Services

17. We are here to help! • Your Department Head/Director • Your Associate Dean (Research) • The Vice-President (Research) Office • Digvir Jayas, Associate Vice-President (Research), 474-6860 • Erin Desjardine, Research Information Officer, ORS, 480-1495erin_desjardine@umanitoba.ca Office of Research Services