SSHRC Grantsmanship Presentation Standard Research Grant Program

1. SSHRC Grantsmanship Presentation Standard Research Grant Program

2. The Presentation Overview • What’s new at SSHRC? • Standard Research Grants Program • Overview • The evaluation process • Tips • SPJI programs (Strategic Programs & Joint Initiatives)

3. What’s New at SSHRC? 3

4. What’s New at SSHRC • Blue Ribbon Panel • Targeted research funding • Aboriginal Research Grants • Environment and the North • Innovation, Leadership & Prosperity • Strategic Review • RTS • Funding related to health research • SRG Online in 2009 4

5. Blue Ribbon Panel • SSHRC’s Peer-Review process - evaluation by an independent, arm’s length group composed of internationally recognised experts on peer-review • Extensive consultations were conducted with experts, in addition to a survey completed by more than 6000 researchers in the SSH community • Conclusion: Peer-Review at SSHRC is up to the best practices and highest international standards • Nonetheless, changes were recommended, and we are working towards their implementation • Available online at http://www.sshrc.ca/site/about-crsh/peer-pairs/index-eng.aspx 5

6. CFI’s Leaders Opportunity Fund (LOF) for SSHRC programs • CFI is there for SSH researchers too • LOF and SRG: Joint review process • For BOTH research and infrastructure funding • Less paperwork: one CV, short CFI application • More to come on SSHRC and CFI • Additional opportunities for SSH researchers at CFI • Talk to CFI program officers and your research office http://www.innovation.ca/en

7. Targeted Research Funding • Northern Communities: Towards Social & Economic Prosperity • Programs TBA • Jacques Critchley, 613-992-5145 • jacques.critchley@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca • Canadian Environmental Issues • Programs TBA • Mathieu Ravignat, 613-947-3724 • mathieu.ravignat@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca • Innovation, Leadership & Prosperity • Programs TBA • Gail Zboch,613-943-1148 • gail.zboch@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca 7

8. Targeted Research Funding • Aboriginal Research Grants • Development Grants – up to$25,000over a maximum of two years. • Research Grants – up to $100,000 annually, for a maximum of $250,000 over three years. • applicants from universities, colleges; Aboriginal & community organizations Anna TorgersonMathieu RavignatProgram Officer Senior Program Officer613-947-9652 613-947-3724anna.torgerson@sshrc-crsh.gc.camathieu.ravignat@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca Deadline – September 30, 2009

9. Strategic Review • A process which requires all government departments and agencies to review all program spending and: • to assess how and whether these programs are aligned with core mandates; and • how they are effective, efficient and meet the priorities of Canadians. • SSHRC, CIHR and NSERC all underwent the process this past year. 9

10. Results of Strategic Review - RTS • Research Time Stipends (RTS) are no longer available in any of our programs • Note that: • RTS granted prior to April 1, 2009 will be respected • this decision does not affect salary replacements for non-academic participants in SSHRC-funded research projects (for example, staff in community organisations participating in CURA projects). 10

11. Results of Strategic ReviewFunding to Health Related Research SSHRC funding is reduced for health-related research that is eligible under the mandate of CIHR: • Spending reductions will apply to all SSHRC programs: research grants, knowledge mobilization and communication grants and fellowships. • Modification of SRG committee structure • Cmts 27 and 20 no longer exist • One psychology committee (Cmt 10 – Psychology) • Cmt 30 – Social Work, library/information science, career guidance • Please consult our website throughout the summer and fall for information about how our programs will be affected 11

12. SRG Online • SRG Competition is now fully online for Fall 2009 submission • Supports SSHRC strategic priority to improve client service delivery through communication and technology • This will: • Eliminate paper attachments (including CVs) • Allow E-Signatures as required • Centralise approval process within institutions • Adapted from NSERC e-submission process used for Discovery grants NO MORE PAPER COPIES!!!

13. Standard Research Grants Program 13

14. 32.7% Overall Success Rate for SRG 2009 • more detailed statistics on winning research are available on the SSHRC website: http://www.sshrc.ca/site/winning-recherche_subventionnee/stats-statistiques/program-programme-eng.aspx

15. Objectives of the Standard Research Grants Program To support: • Programs of research • Training of future researchers • New theoretical or methodological approaches • Disciplinary and multidisciplinary research • Communication of research results both within & beyond academia

16. Characteristics • Team and individual applications • Three-year cycle • Maximum $100,000 per year / $250,000 over 3 years • Minimum of $7,000 in at least one of the three years • Peer-reviewed

17. Research Office Notice of Intent SSHRC External Review Committee Members Communication of Results Committee Adjudication Steps in the Peer Review Process 17

18. Program Officers • Provide advice & guidance to applicants • Select committee members • Determine eligibility of files • Select external assessors • Coordinate committee work • Prepare results 18

19. External Assessors • Goal - 2 Assessors per file • How they are chosen: • Assessors’ expertise • Suggested assessors & list of references • Exclusion of external assessors • Must adhere to conflict of interest guidelines

20. Committee Members • Overall competence and credibility; scholarly stature • Appropriate representation on the basis of: • areas of expertise • university size (small, medium, large) • geographical region (Canada & abroad) • language • gender • must adhere to conflict of interest guidelines • normally serve 3 years, voluntary service

21. Conflicts of Interest • Conflicts of interest • a close friend or relative • a research collaborator • an institutional colleague • a student previously under the applicant’s supervision • a person with whom the applicant is involved in a dispute • a person with whom the applicant is involved in a partnership • http://www.sshrc.ca/site/about-crsh/peer-pairs/conflicts-conflits-eng.aspx 21

22. Pre-Adjudication • Assignment of Readers A & B • Teleconference • Preliminary Scores for: • Record of Research Achievement • Program of Research • Flagging of files

23. Flagging Criteria • Significant discrepancy between scores of both readers; • Significant discrepancy between scores and assessors’ comments; • Research tools; • No external assessment; and, • Any other issue raised by a committee member or program officer. 23

24. 2009 - Adjudication in Ottawa • No discussion of files in top 15% after initial ranking unless flagged – except for budget • No discussion of files in bottom 35% after initial ranking - unless flagged • Final ranking and scores 24

25. 2009 Standard Research Grants Competition Results • 2,880 eligible applications, 941 awards (including 26 awards to New Scholars in Environment and North) • Overall success rate of 32.7% (variation across committees) • Average three-year award of $83,712 • Limits placed on the number of applicants in the alternate (4A) list

26. What to consider when applying • Eligibility • Committee selection 26

27. Eligibility Requirements • Research subject must meet SSHRC’s mandate • Affiliation with a Canadian post-secondary institution (no citizenship requirement) • PostDocs must be affiliated by April 15 • PhD candidates in final year (file will be flagged) • Submission of Final Research Report

28. Choosing a Committee • Choose from the adjudication committee list • http://www.sshrc.ca/site/about-crsh/committees-comites/standard_research-ordinaire_recherche-eng.aspx • Membership available on line • Committee 15 (inter- and multi-disciplinary committee) • Not a “catch-all” committee • Fully explain the inter- or multi-disciplinary nature of proposal • SSHRC reserves the right to determine committee placement

29. Changes in SRG Committees 2009-2010 • Because of an increasingly large number of applications, & due to funding changes to health-related research 4 Committees have been restructured • Cmt 2 (History) – two panels • Cmt 24 (Political Science) – now Cmts 24 & 31 • Cmt 20 (Health Studies & Social Work) – now Cmt 30 • Cmts 10 and 27 (Psychology) – now Cmt 10, two panels • Please consult our website for the latest information on committees, their subject matter content & membership 29

30. New Scholars vs. Regular Scholars • Score weighting – 60/40% or 40/60% New Scholars: • Must not have been awarded as a principal investigator (an SRG, MCRI or Strategic Grant) AND • Must have completed highest degree less than five years OR • Held tenure-track position less than 5 years OR • Never had a tenure-track position OR • Had career interrupted or delayed for family reasons

31. Career Interruptions & Special Circumstances • Productivity stopped/productivity slowed • Personal reasons - serious health problems, death in family, maternity or parental leave • Professional reasons - heavy teaching load, along with administrative duties • Committee discretion

32. Evaluation of the Record of Research Achievement • Contributions from last 6 years, unless career was interrupted • Quality and significance of published work • Originality and impact of previous research • Quantity of research activity • Importance of other scholarly activities • Recentness and consistency of output • Dissemination to non-academic audiences (where relevant) • Productivity from previous grant (s) • Training of future researchers

33. Presenting your Curriculum Vitae • Follow the instructions re: format and page limitations • Categorize your publications: refereed, non-refereed, etc. • Avoid “inflating” the CV • Indicate productivity from previous grants • Be honest and specific about forthcoming items

34. Team Applications • Applicant should demonstrate need for team & outline each person’s role & responsibilities • Each team member assessed; however, collaborators do not factor into track record score • Applicant must be qualified; cannot rely on experience of co-applicant (s)

35. Evaluation of the Program of Research • Originality & contribution to advancement of knowledge • Quality of the literature review • Appropriateness of the theoretical approaches/framework • Appropriateness of the research strategies/methodologies • Suitability of plans to communicate research results • Nature, extent and benefit of research training

36. Presenting your Program of Research • Clear and precise objectives • Clear theoretical framework or conceptual approach • Explain and justify methodology (where appropriate), establish relationship between objectives, methodology and budget • Define all key terms or concepts • Include a complete literature review • Append a bibliography / list of references

37. Summary Page • Clearly indicate the purpose, the objectives, the context for and potential impact of the proposed research • Used by committee members and for publicity purposes; think generalists! • Avoid jargon or technical terms

38. Budget • Reasonable and fully justified budget • Check Tri-Council list of eligible & ineligible expenses • http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Professors-Professeurs/FinancialAdminGuide-GuideAdminFinancier/index_eng.asp • Explain and justify costs • Link between research objectives and budget

39. Characteristics of a Successful Application • Clarity: application is well written, well organized and error free • Originality: application is challenging, interesting, ambitious yet feasible • Importance of research is clear • Potential Impact is stated convincingly • Presented confidently not boastfully

40. Common Problems • Application is “premature” • Proposal is “exploratory” • Project is too ambitious • Methodology is inappropriate, vaguely described • Theoretical rationale is lacking • Project is not adequately contextualized • Not clear how proposed work differs from previous work

41. Tips • Prepare your proposal with Assessors (experts) & Committee members (possibly non-specialists) in mind • Have your grant proposal read by colleagues who have been successful in previous SRG competitions • Take previous Committee Comments into account • Give evidence of consistent scholarly activity • Established scholars – avoid submitting a “Trust Me” application, a strong record will not compensate for a weak program

42. Tips • Present a modest, reasonable budget (think “minimum essential funding”) • Avoid, whenever possible, budgeting for professional services • Link dissemination plans to research agenda • Link student training to research needs • Use a reasonable font size; and maintain reasonable margins

43. Deadlines • NOI – Notice of Intent to Apply – August 15 • Optional & Not Binding • Very brief, easy to fill-out • Internal Deadline at your university • Application Deadline – October 15 • Application available online • http://www.sshrc.ca/site/apply-demande/faculty-professeurs-eng.aspx#a1

44. Contacts Program Officers Research Grants & Dissemination Division Committee and/or Discipline http://www.sshrc.ca/site/about-crsh/committees-comites/standard_research-ordinaire_recherche-eng.aspx