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Program Purpose

The purpose of the University of Toronto Scarborough Research Competitiveness Fund (RCF) is to enhance the competitiveness of new external operating grant applications submitted by University of Toronto Scarborough faculty members, with an emphasis on Tri-council grant applications. Applications will be adjudicated by members of the U of T Scarborough Research Advisory Board according to the Selection Criteria outlined in the Guidelines below. Preference will be given to those proposals that show scientific/scholarly merit, demonstrate need and have strong potential to generate external support. Normally, the funds awarded will be in the $5,000-$10,000 range for individual applicant proposals. This Fund is not intended to provide continuous support for on-going research, nor as support for infrastructure or equipment, nor as bridge funding for already submitted external applications for which the outcome is not yet known.

Guidelines

1. Full-time U of T Scarborough faculty members eligible to submit Tri-council research grant applications (e.g. CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC) may apply to this Fund. In the case of a group application, a U of T Scarborough faculty member must be the lead applicant.
2. There is one submission deadline per year:
   • November 1 at 5pm - The submission deadline will be 5pm the next business day if the deadline falls on a weekend or public holiday.
3. Frequency of Application: Previous Research Competitiveness Fund recipients will be ineligible to reapply for a period of 24 months following receipt of an RCF award unless they meet one of the following conditions:
   • The final report from the previous RCF award has been submitted
   • The application is a multi-investigator initiative in which they are not the lead applicant
   • The application is for an entirely different purpose
   • The award will be used as a matching/institutional contribution for an external application
4. The Applicant must justify the request for funding. Eligible activities may include:
   • Institutional contributions to external partnerships and other programs (e.g. NSERC Strategic Projects Grants, NSERC Strategic Networks Grants, SSHRC Partnership Development Grants, SSHRC Partnership Grants) in which an institutional commitment will provide a competitive advantage to the application. Please note NSERC RTI’s are not eligible.
   • Short-term support for early stage research leading to the future submission of a specific external sponsor application. This may include a provision of funds for student training opportunities to assist a faculty member in enhancing their highly qualified personnel (HQP) training record to become a more competitive applicant to an external grant program (e.g. undergraduate student research assistantships). Applicants must be able to complete the work proposed prior to the sponsor’s deadline.
5. Selection Criteria:
   • Excellence of the applicant:
     • Experience of the applicant relative to career stage and discipline
     • Quality, quantity and significance of past research activity and published output relative to career stage
   • Quality of the proposed research project:
     • Significance and expected contributions to research
     • Appropriateness and feasibility of the approach
     • Appropriateness of, and justification for, the budget
   • Benefits of the proposed contribution from the RCF to the competitiveness of the proposed research activity
6. For those requests tied to a specific external grant application (i.e. with an institutional contribution), RCF recipients must submit the proposed application to the applicable external sponsor. Recipients must promptly notify the Office of the Vice-Principal Research if the application is not submitted. The RCF funds will be awarded upon notification that the proposal has been funded.
7. Certifications: University certifications for research using human subjects, animal subjects, or biohazards are required. Certifications need not be appended at the time of application; however, funding will not be released until confirmation of the necessary certification is received by the Office of the Vice-Principal Research.
8. Successful recipients will be advised of fund transfer arrangements in the award letter.
9. Acknowledgement: Support from the RCF should be acknowledged in any research output arising from this award.
   • Report: Recipients must submit a final report of one to two pages in length describing what was accomplished and how the funds were expended. Final reports are to be submitted to the Research Operations and Financial Officer no later than November 15th of the year following the November 1st competition.
10. These guidelines are subject to periodic review.

How to Apply

A complete RCF application package includes:

1. Completed and signed RCF Cover Sheet. 
2. Proposal: 2 pages maximum, in clear non-specialist language, under these headings:
   • Background/Summary
   • Hypothesis/aims
   • Research methods and materials
   • Impact
   • Rationale – how the funds will be used for the purpose(s) of the request as identified, (e.g. institutional contribution, partnership, early stage, etc.)
   • Itemized budget and justification (1-page maximum)
   • A description of the lead applicant’s most significant research contributions related to the RCF proposal (half page maximum)
   • Lead applicant’s up-to-date personal data form/CV
   • Co-applicants’ up-to-date personal data forms/CVs in the case of collaborative proposals

Application Submission

Please convert your complete application package to PDF format and forward it electronically in one attachment to researchoffice@utsc.utoronto.ca. Any questions in regards to the RCF competition please contact Michael Manley, Research Operations & Financial Officer.

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Program Purpose

Each Working Group will be led by at least one University of Toronto Scarborough research stream faculty member. Senior U of T Scarborough undergraduates, faculty from other University of Toronto divisions or other universities along with postdoctoral fellows and graduate students may be involved.

Guidelines

The Group will work towards common scholarly and research goals identified and intended to tackle specific topics of interest. Activities of the Working Group may include but are not limited to readings and discussion of papers; field trips to collections or archives; collaborative research, publication, or grant applications; or hosting distinguished visitors. Interdisciplinary or discipline specific proposals are welcome. The U of T Scarborough campus will be the host site of activity for the Working Group, but some events may be held at other locations if appropriate.

Working Groups are funded for one (1) year, with the possibility of renewal. Working Groups may be linked to other conferences or seminars. Up to three (3) Working Groups may be sponsored each academic year, each receiving $3,000. Applications will be reviewed by members of the U of T Scarborough Research Advisory Board.

How to Apply

         A complete application package includes the following material:

1. Proposal: 2 pages maximum (single space, 12pt New Times Roman), in clear non-specialist language, under these headings:
   • Description of research and scholarly activity to be undertaken by the Working Group, including aims and outcomes of the Working Group
   • Organization and leadership for the Working Group
   • Timetable of events and activities for the year
2.  List of participants in the Group and their affiliations, which can include anticipated participants (1 additional page maximum for the participant table) with the following columns:
   • Name
   • Affiliation
   • Faculty/ Postdoc/ Grad Student/ Undergraduate 
3. Itemized budget and justification (additional 1-page maximum)

Important Dates

Applications are due by December 1 at 5pm. The submission deadline will be 5pm the next business day if the deadline falls on a weekend or public holiday.

Application Submission

Please submit proposals in one pdf to Michael Manley at researchoffice@utsc.utoronto.ca.

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Program Purpose

The purpose of the University of Toronto Scarborough Research Impact Fund (RIF) is to provide financial assistance to University of Toronto Scarborough research faculty members to support the presentation or publication of research results in high quality venues and to enhance the profile of U of T Scarborough in the scholarly community.

Applications will be reviewed by the Office of the Vice-Principal Research according to the Selection Criteria outlined in the Guidelines below.

This Fund is intended to reimburse the costs associated with faculty presentation of U of T Scarborough research at research conferences or defray the cost of publication of U of T Scarborough research in peer-reviewed literature. In situations in which applicants are ranked equally, preference will be given to junior faculty.  

Award Value

The RIF will reimburse up to a maximum of $500/calendar year for each successful applicant.

Guidelines

1. Individuals holding full-time continuing academic appointments (tenured or tenure-track) at the U of T Scarborough with explicit research expectations are eligible. Individuals holding full-time non-tenured or otherwise contractually limited appointments at the U of T Scarborough are eligible provided the terms of the appointment explicitly include the expectation of independent research and the supervision of graduate students. The U of T Scarborough faculty member must be the presenter and/or senior/corresponding author. Teaching stream faculty members are not eligible for this program.  
2. Eligible activities are those conferences/publications that occur in the six months following the applicable submission deadline and in which the affiliation with the U of T Scarborough is clearly indicated.  
3. There will be two submission deadlines per year:
   •  January 15 - The submission deadline will be the next business day if the deadline falls on a weekend or public holiday. 
   •  July 1 -  The submission deadline will be the next business day if the deadline falls on a weekend or public holiday. 
4. The applicant must justify the request for funding. Activities eligible for reimbursement include:
   • Support for attendance at high impact research conferences at which the applicant is a presenter
   • Support for publication costs (including open access options) in high impact literature appropriate to the applicant’s area of research for which the applicant is the senior/corresponding author
5. Selection Criteria:
   • Appropriateness of the conference/publication
   • Enhancement of U of T Scarborough’s profile in the scholarly community
   • Enhancement of the faculty member’s research record
   • Need for funds   
6. Successful applicants will be notified by the Assistant to the Vice-Principal Research regarding the process for reimbursement of the conference/publication costs.  
7. Awards will be approved for reimbursement in advance of the activity. Actual reimbursement can be done by Journal entry or Expense Reimbursement form accompanied by original receipts as well as confirmation of acknowledgment of U of T Scarborough affiliation in the publication or presentation (e.g. conference program page, abstract, first page of the publication, etc.). The documents must be submitted after the expense has been incurred in order to be reimbursed.  
8. These guidelines are subject to periodic review.

How to Apply

Complete the one page RIF application form addressing the following points:

• How the conference/publication is the most appropriate venue for the communication of the research
• The impact of the research presentation/publication on the discipline
• The impact of the research presentation/publication on the U of T Scarborough’s profile in the scholarly community
• The impact of the research presentation/publication on the applicant’s research profile
• Why the funds are needed

A complete RIF package includes:

• A completed and signed RIF application form
• The applicant's up-to-date personal data from CV 

Please convert your application package to PDF format and forward it electronically in one attachment to the attention of Kristine Peruzzi to researchoffice@utsc.utoronto.ca. A scanned copy of the signed application form is permitted. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. 

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Program Purpose

The purpose of the University of Toronto Scarborough International Research Collaboration Fund is to provide financial support to U of T Scarborough tenure stream research faculty to establish collaborative relationships with international partners.

Up to $2,500 will be awarded per successful applicant. Up to 6 awards will be given out each academic year with the aim to disperse the awards equitably across the humanities, sciences and social sciences departments at U of T Scarborough. The U of T Scarborough Research Advisory Board comprising of faculty from the humanities, sciences and social sciences departments will adjudicate the applications. Applicants are strongly encouraged to write their applications in clear non-specialist language.

Guidelines

1. Funding will be available to support tenure stream research faculty and/or their graduate student(s) for travel and/or related expenses in the partner country that aim to stimulate research collaboration or the development of joint research projects and/or proposals.  

2. Funding cannot be used to attend conferences.  

3. There is one submission deadline per academic year:

• April 1 at 5pm – The submission deadline will be 5pm the next business day if the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday

4. Faculty applicants or their graduate student(s) must be traveling between June 1 of the year the application is submitted and returning by May 30 of the following year.   

5. Complete application package includes:

a) Research Proposal: 500 words maximum, using the following headings in clear non-specialist language:

• Purpose of research: Outline the purpose of the research and the added value created by the international collaboration
• List of Partner(s): Provide a list of partners including names, affiliations and role of partner(s) in proposed research
• Rationale: Describe how the funds will be used for the purpose of the request as identified 
• Sustainability: Provide details on how the research collaboration will be sustained

b) Itemized Budget: Provide an itemized budget and written justification including other confirmed funding sources if applicable (1-page maximum)

6. Please convert your complete application package to PDF format and forward it electronically in one attachment to the attention of Michael Manley, Research Operations     & Financial Officer to researchoffice@utsc.utoronto.ca. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.  

7. Selection Criteria: 

• Appropriateness and feasibility of research purpose 
• Potential impact and/or value added of international collaboration 
• Sustainability of research collaboration 
• Appropriateness, feasibility of, and justification for, the budget requested

8. Post-Travel Report: Recipients must submit a brief report (maximum of 500 words) describing activities undertaken during the travel and continued plans for developing and sustaining the international collaboration. The post-travel report should be submitted along with original receipts to the attention of Michael Manley, Research Operations & Financial Officer to researchoffice@utsc.utoronto.ca.  

9. Eligible expenses include transportation, accommodation and other research related expenses. Per diem meal allowances are not eligible. All expenses must be supported with original receipts. Expense eligibility will be in accordance with University of Toronto financial guidelines. Following the travel and the provision of original receipts for expenses, reimbursement will be made by electronic deposit.  

10. Successful recipients will be advised of fund transfer arrangements in the award letter. 

11. Acknowledgement: Support from the U of T Scarborough International Research Collaboration Fund is to be acknowledged in any research output arising from this funding.

Please visit the website of the Office of the Vice-Principal Academic & Dean to download the grant guidelines and application cover sheet.

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Program Purpose

The University of Toronto Scarborough Research Grant Enhancement Fund (RGEF) can be used for:

1. Hiring an editor: to assist with the costs of proposal development and editing support for large grants/contracts (>$20,000). A U of T Scarborough faculty member must be the lead applicant. Support from the RGEF for this purpose will normally be limited to up to $500 for individual proposals and $600 for partnership proposals per U of T Scarborough principal investigator. A list of available editors is available from the Office of the Vice-Principal Research. 
2. Preparation support for Awards and Honours Nomination Packages: to assist in the costs for administrative and/or editing support for the preparation of research awards and honours nomination packages. Support will normally be limited to up to $500 per U of T Scarborough nomination package.  
3. Honorariums for proposal reviewers: up to $100 for external peer review of grant proposals with budgets > $20,000.  
4. Hiring assistant for CCV data entry: to provide assistance for the creation of the CCV for Tri-Council funding programs, normally limited to up to $200 per U of T Scarborough faculty member on a one-time-only basis.
5. Large Research Project Planning Support: the Office of the Vice-Principal Research will provide a 2:1 match up to a maximum commitment of $5,000 (department and/or PI must provide a match of $2,500 for a $5,000 match from the Office of the Vice-Principal Research) for planning, development, and coordination of large proposals. Requests must be endorsed by academic Chairs/Directors. 

Application Support

For SSHRC RGEF support, please contact Magdalena Goledzinowska; for NSERC RGEF support, please contact Monica Caverson.

How to Apply

Requests should be made in advance of undertaking the proposed activity. Support for the cost of the activity will be provided on a reimbursement basis subject to prior approval by the Office of the Vice-Principal Research.

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Please submit your RGEF application to researchoffice@utsc.utoronto.ca. Your application will be confirmed by the Office of the Vice-Principal Research.

Download the Sponsorship Request memo in pdf

Request the Sponsorship Request memo in Word by writing to researchoffice@utsc.utoronto.ca

Program Purpose

The Offices of the Vice-Principal Research and the Dean & Vice-Principal Academic will jointly decide on the level of support to be provided.  The Office of the Vice-Principal Research is the first point of contact if the sponsorship request is related to an external research conference grant application (e.g. SSHRC Connections Grant).

When considering these requests, the Office of the Vice-Principal Research will give preference to:

• conferences/symposia/workshops that take place at the University of Toronto Scarborough 
• conferences/symposia/workshops that have a clear research benefit to the faculty and/or students at U of T Scarborough 
• contributions toward the travel costs of a keynote speaker, poster sessions, student travel bursaries, best student poster/ presentation awards or other research related activity.

The Office of the Vice-Principal Research is unable to provide support for pedagogical conferences.

Requests from faculty members/ student groups must have the endorsement of their Department Chair or Centre Director and include details on the support the department centre will be providing towards the costs of the event. 

Guidelines

The Offices of the Vice-Principal Research and the Dean & Vice-Principal Academic regularly receives requests for sponsorship and support for events organized by U of T Scarborough faculty members or student groups that enhance the profile of U of T Scarborough in the wider scholarly community. When considering these requests, preference will be given to conferences/ symposia/ workshops organized by U of T Scarborough faculty/ students that take place on the U of T Scarborough campus. 

Eligible Support

• Support from the Office of the Vice-Principal Research: Preference will be given to conferences/ symposia/ workshops that take place at U of T Scarborough and have a clear research benefit to the faculty and/or students at U of T Scarborough. Preference will be given to contributions towards the travel costs of a keynote speaker, poster sessions, student travel bursaries, best student poster/ presentation awards or other research-related activity. The Office of the Vice-Principal Research is unable to provide support for pedagogical conferences.   
• Support from the Office of the Dean & Vice-Principal Academic: Preference will be given to conferences/ symposia /workshops that take place at U of T Scarborough and have a clear academic benefit to the faculty and/or students at U of T Scarborough. Pedagogical conferences are eligible for funding from the Dean. Funds may also be requested for disability accommodation as needed for a particular event.   
• Faculty and students seeking support from either Office must also seek support from other sources for which they may be eligible (e.g. for faculty - SSHRC Connections Grant; e.g. for students - Partnership Fund, SCSU, GSAS).

Procedure

1. Each event must have a sponsor, normally from the host unit. Requests from faculty member/ student groups must have the endorsement of their Department Chair/Centre Director, who will forward the request to the Dean's office or the Office of the Vice-Principal Research.   
2. Requests must include the following information:
   • Overview of the event, including location. 
   • Rationale for support (e.g. how the event is the most appropriate venue for the communication of the research; impact of the event on the discipline; impact of the event on U of T Scarborough's profile in the scholarly community). If the event is not being held at U of T Scarborough, please address this in the rationale. 
   • Involvement of U of T Scarborough faculty/ students 
   • Specific details on the needed U of T Scarborough sponsorship, including a rationale for the need and identification of costs.   
3. Requests will be evaluated using the following criteria:
   • Appropriateness of the event, with specific reference to the department's academic plan and/or U of T Scarborough's Strategic Plan
   • Enhancement of U of T Scarborough's profile in the scholarly community 
   • Need for Funds   
4. The Vice-Principal Research and the Dean & Vice-Principal Academic will jointly decide on the level of support to be provided.   
5. The decision will be communicated to the Department Chair/Centre Director under the signature of the Vice-Principal Research and Dean.   
6. Payment of Support: Transfer to U of T conference account or by expense reimbursement depending upon the nature of the sponsorship
7. The sponsorship of both Offices will be acknowledged on all conference advertising (print, website, etc.).   
8. Report: Recipients must submit a report of one to two pages in length describing what was accomplished and how the funds were expended to the Dean's office or the Office of the Vice-Principal Research no later than two months after the event. Please include information on the impact of the U of T Scarborough support as well as a breakdown of conference attendance number (U of T Scarborough, St. George, International) in order for the Offices of the Vice-Principal Research, and of the Dean & Vice-Principal Academic to assess the impact of their support. 

For any further questions or concerns, please email Michael Manley.

Please submit your Sponsorship request to researchoffice@utsc.utoronto.ca. Your application will be confirmed by the Office of the Vice-Principal Research.

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Program Purpose

Conditions

• Bridge funding is available only for PIs who have full-time research faculty appointments in UTSC departments. Faculty and researchers holding teaching or graduate-only appointments, other types of cross-appointments, or emeritus faculty, are not eligible.
• Applicant must commit to responding to reviewer feedback.
• Applicants must re-apply within the next two Tri-Agency program deadlines. An application to another Tri-Agency Research Council is permitted (e.g. CIHR to NSERC, or NSERC to SSHRC).
• Applicant must commit to submitting their proposal for peer review and/or OVPR review.

Funding and Deadlines

• Department Chairs or Directors are expected to coordinate Bridge Funding within their units and to communicate requests to the OVPR.
• Bridge Funding levels will depend on the grant amount requested in the Tri-Agency proposal and the number of unsuccessful proposals meeting the Bridge Funding eligibility criteria in the given year.
• Applicants can only be eligible for one Bridge Funding opportunity per year.
• As long as the total of all requests for Bridge Funding in a given year does not exceed the total budget available, all eligible proposals will receive bridge funding.
• Funding levels will be communicated to departments and PIs, and funds transferred to PI account.
• Note that funds are limited and availability will be confirmed year-to-year.

Application Process

• Upon receiving results from Tri-Council competitions, Department Chairs and the OVPR will communicate to identify eligible faculty members.
• Department Chairs or Directors will confirm that eligible faculty members wish to be considered for funding.
• Funding levels will be communicated to departments and PIs, and funds transferred to PI account.

Contact

If you have any questions about this fund, please contact Michael Manley in the Office of the Vice-Principal Research.

The Connaught programs are open to emerging and established scholars across disciplinary, career stage, geographic, and sectoral boundaries. Full program details and application materials can be found on the Connaught website.

Questions may be addressed to connaught.secretariat@utoronto.ca or 416-978-3211.

The Major Research Project Management (MRPM) Fund is an initiative designed to enhance the competitiveness of U of T led research funding applications, and to ensure the effective administrative oversight of the project, enabling faculty members to focus on research.

More information

XSeed is a new seed funding program launched by the University of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering and the Faculty of Arts and Science to promote interdisciplinary research. The program is open to full-time researchers at the University of Toronto Scarborough. Please consult the guidelines and download the application linked below.

The UTSC deadline for requesting matching funds for both the UTSC and department component is May 29, 2018. Please contact the VP Research and Dean with a copy to your department Chair with request and draft application.  

If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact the Office of the VP Research at researchoffice@utsc.utoronto.ca

Guidelines in pdf

Application in Word