Internal Funding Programs

Purpose

The University of Toronto Scarborough (U of T Scarborough) Postdoctoral Fellowships are designed to provide outstanding recent doctoral students advanced training in their field of study. These fellowships are not discipline-specific, but rather can be held in any department or research unit across U of T Scarborough (http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/home/academic-departments-and-programs). Applicants must secure sponsorship of a supervisor (or supervisors) from the professoriate at U of T Scarborough.

Eligibility to Apply

1. Applicants must have recently (normally within two years) been awarded a PhD or equivalent degree.  Any special circumstances including sick or parental leaves will be taken into consideration. 

2. Applicants cannot currently hold a tenure-track or continuing faculty position at a college or university.

3. Applicants can be citizens of any country, and from any university. Successful international candidates must meet all Canadian immigration requirements.

4. Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents must have completed all of the requirements for their doctoral degree no later than six months after their start-date of the Fellowship. International applicants must have completed all of the requirements for their doctoral degree before the start date of the Fellowship.

       NB: Completion does not mean convocation, but rather the completion of all the requirements necessary to receive their doctorate.

5. The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

Value and Duration

Each award will provide $45,000 (plus benefits) per year for a maximum of two years and are tenable only at U of T Scarborough. Both fully funded and partially funded fellowships are available. Fully funded fellowships will provide $45,000 (plus benefits) per year. Partially funded fellowships require supervisors and/or units to contribute half the stipend ($22,500) plus benefits per year. Supervisor and/or unit contributions to a partially funded fellowship must be paid from an account held at UTSC, as the primary research site for the Postdoctoral Fellows is on the UTSC campus. Supervisors can supplement the fully funded and partially funded fellowship stipends with additional funding, so the total amount paid to the postdoctoral fellow may exceed $45,000 (plus benefits).

1. Fully funded fellowships or a combination of fully and partially funded fellows awarded will normally be dedicated to applicants from each of the disciplines including the physical and life sciences, social sciences and humanities disciplines.

2. Applicants can apply for a fully funded fellowship, a partially funded fellowship, or indicate a willingness to accept either.

3. Given the competitive nature of the program, faculty can only support ONE Postdoctoral Fellow application each year.

4. While U of T Scarborough Postdoctoral Fellows may not concurrently hold another postdoctoral fellowship, Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent resident applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for the appropriate NSERC, SSHRC, or CIHR postdoctoral fellowship in addition to applying for a U of T Scarborough Postdoctoral Fellowship.

Application Process

The application deadline is November 1 (should that date fall on a weekend or public holiday, the submission deadline will be the next business day), with start dates for the postdoctoral fellows no earlier than March 1, and no later than November 1, of the year following application. Incomplete applications or late submissions will not be considered.

Decisions will be made in February, and successful applicants will have two weeks from the time the decisions are announced to accept or decline the fellowship.

Applicant Components:

1. Applicants must submit their CV and a completed U of T Scarborough Postdoctoral Fellowship application form (http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/research/internal-funding-programs) in a single PDF document to the Office of the Vice-Principal Research (researchoffice.utsc@utoronto.ca). Any questions regarding the Postdoctoral Fellowship program should be directed to researchoffice.utsc@utoronto.ca

i. The form includes a one-page proposal in which the applicant should describe their proposed research project in clear, non-specialist language suitable for an interdisciplinary audience, highlighting the importance and impact of the research and how it fits into their academic/professional goals. Reference lists or bibliographies are not necessary for the proposal.

2. Applicants must arrange for their proposed supervisor(s) to send their completed U of T Scarborough Postdoctoral Supervisor form to the Office of the Vice-Principal Research (researchoffice.utsc@utoronto.ca).

i. Proposed supervisor(s) must have a tenure-track or tenured (primary) appointment at U of T Scarborough.

NB: Only applications that have the U of T Scarborough Postdoctoral Supervisor form submitted by the deadline will be considered.

Supervisor Components:

1. Supervisor(s) must have a tenure-track or tenured (primary) appointment at U of T Scarborough.

2. The primary research site for the Postdoctoral Fellows is on the UTSC campus.

3. Supervisors must submit by November 1 (should that date fall on a weekend or public holiday, the submission deadline will be the next business day), a completed U of T Scarborough Postdoctoral Supervisor form (http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/research/internal-funding-programs) to the Office of the Vice-Principal Research (researchoffice.utsc@utoronto.ca). Please include name of Postdoctoral fellow on the subject line of the email. Any questions regarding the Postdoctoral Fellowship program should be directed to Michael Manley by email (researchoffice.utsc@utoronto.ca).

i. Prior to its submission, the form must be signed by the Chair or Director of the supervisor’s unit. Co-supervision requires signatures of the Chairs and/or Directors from the units of all supervisors.

4. In the space provided on the form, the proposed supervisor(s) are expected to comment, in clear, non-specialist language suitable for an interdisciplinary audience, on the applicant’s research potential, the quality of the proposed research, the research environment and resources that will be available to the applicant, and how the fellowship will advance the applicant’s career development.

Selection Criteria

Applicants will be assessed based upon the following criteria:

1. Excellence of the applicant:

i. Experience of the applicant relative to career stage and discipline

ii. Quality, quantity and significance of past research activity and published output relative to career stage

iii. The ability of the fellowship to advance the applicant’s career development

2. Quality of the proposed research project:

i. Significance and expected contributions to research

ii. Appropriateness and feasibility of the approach

3. Environment for the Research

i. Suitability/sufficiency of the research environment and available resources at UTSC   

Selection Process

Departmental Chairs and Directors will be asked to rank applications from their department based on the selection criteria above. The recommended candidates will be provided to the UTSC Research Advisory Board (RAB) for consideration.  Sub-committees of RAB will be organized by discipline to assess applications. The full RAB will meet to evaluate and recommend top candidates.

Other Important Information

1. Please consult the information regarding postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Toronto on the website of the School of Graduate Studies (https://postdoc.sgs.utoronto.ca).

2. Employment as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto is governed by the terms of the CUPE Unit 5 Collective Agreement (http://agreements.hrandequity.utoronto.ca/#CUPE3902_Unit5). As such, the U of T Scarborough Postdoctoral Fellowships are posted in accordance with the CUPE Unit 5 Collective Agreement.

Competition Results

Results of the competition will be made available in February 2020 and will be e-mailed to the Supervisors by the Office of the Vice-Principal Research (OVPR). Successful applicants will have two weeks from the time the decisions are announced to accept or decline the fellowship.  Individual scores/rankings cannot be provided, but if reviewers provide comments in their adjudication documents, that feedback can be shared with applicants upon request.

Post-Award Details

Funding: The Postdoctoral Fellowship award will be transferred to the UTSC Supervisor’s commitment fund centre (CFC).  

Final Report: UTSC Postdoctoral Fellowship recipients must submit a 1-2 page final report, describing what was accomplished and impact of the research to the Office of the Vice-Principal Research after the two-year fellowship has been expended. 

Acknowledgment: The UTSC affiliation of researchers and support from the OVPR should be acknowledged in any research outputs arising from this award.

Contact & Resources

For information regarding the selection process, please contact researchoffice.utsc@utoronto.ca

Download Guidelines in pdf

Download Guidelines in Word

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. 

Download Guidelines in PDF

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 $5,000 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. Ineligible costs include, but are not limited to, costs incurred to attend conferences, workshops or research institutes, and including registration fees.  

3. There is one submission deadline per academic year:

• April 1 – The submission deadline will be 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 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 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.

Download Guidelines in PDF

Purpose

The purpose of the UTSC Plots for Research initiative is to provide UTSC tenure stream research faculty and their students an opportunity to carry out research studies on the north side of campus. The research plots are 5m x 5m square plots.

Guidelines

1. Requests for using UTSC Plots for Research will be reviewed by a small committee that will be chaired by the Vice-Principal Research or designate. The committee will include membership from the university including member(s) of the UTSC Plots Steering Committee, Campus Farm Coordinator, representative from the UTSC Environmental Health and Safety Office, relevant departmental Chair(s) and faculty plot users or faculty with relevant expertise.
2. Application deadline will be December 15 and May 1 of each year. Should the deadline date fall on a weekend or public holiday, the submission deadline will be 5pm the next business day. Requests should be sent to researchoffice.utsc@utoronto.ca
3. Complete application package includes the following items. Provide details in clear non-specialist language using the following headings:

1. Personnel

• Name of Principal Investigator
• Researcher(s) directly responsible (Post-docs, students, technicians, etc.) Copy and paste as many entries as necessary:
  • Name:
  • Address:
  • Email:
  • Phone:
  • Name:
  • Address:
  • Email:
  • Phone:

2. Project Details

• Include project title and purpose of research: Outline briefly the purpose of the research to be carried out on plot. Please limit to 100 words.
• How is the research going to be funded: Specify grant or other source of funding
• Is this a new project or continuing work?
• Supply information on methods, impact on land, other uses of the plot, and likely duration of the project. Please limit to 100 words
• Expected starting date and expected completion date
• Describe any risks posed by the project in relation Public Health, Security, Research Ethics, Environmental and Health & Safety (e.g. chemical safety, biosafety, etc.) Standards: Including the use of chemicals, biologicals, radiation, X-ray, Ultraviolet, Electromagnetic frequencies or Laser, imported soil, non-native plants/animals, imported or invasive parasites, invertebrates, genetically-modified plants or organisms and energized equipment. Additionally, including generation of hazardous waste and impact to the environment (e.g. noise, emissions and effluents to air, water or land, etc.). Indicate any compliance efforts you have worked towards with regulatory bodies.
• If your work requires permits, provide details and certify that you have obtained them: Enter N/A if permits are not required

3.  Space and Resource Requirements

• Field space requirements (approximate dimensions in meters): The research plots are 5m x 5m.
• Type of habitat required (e.g. field, pond, forest understory):
• How does your research impact other research being carried on the plots?
• How would your proposed research be impacted by other research being carried on the plots?
• Describe potential impacts, and restoration if necessary: Including tillage, fencing, use of isotopes, biocides, or fertilizers, collection/removal, addition, or moving of organisms (including propagules), and use of genetically modified organisms.
• Other requirements: Logistical support is available for a fee on a limited basis.  If you anticipate such needs, please indicate (enter NONE) if support is not required):
• Are there any on-site storage requirements for equipment, tools etc?
• Any other requested assistance: Use of site equipment, electricity, water delivery, etc.

4. Please convert your complete application package to PDF format and forward it electronically in one attachment to researchoffice.utsc@utoronto.ca. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
5. Selection Criteria:

Submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

a) The project must:

• Meet all safety and logistical requirements
• Define the funds to achieve and complete proposed research

b) Each submission will be evaluated for:

• The potential impact of the plot use on the applicant’s research program.
• The potential for high quality personnel (HQP) training opportunites at UTSC
• The potential for research output (publications, policy-ready documents, international collaborations, funding leverage).

6. Brief report: Recipients must submit a brief report of one to two pages in length describing accomplishments and how the plots were used. The report should be submitted to the Office of the Vice-Principal Research each year by November 15. The report should be submitted to researchoffice.utsc@utoronto.ca.
7. Acknowledgment: Support from the UTSC Research Plots initiative is to be acknowledged in any research output arising from this support.

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 Anika Mifsud; for NSERC RGEF support, please contact Jason Darby

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.

To complete your application, Please login to the RGEF Application Portal using your UTORid and Password. 

The mandate of the UofT Institutional Strategic Initiatives (ISI) portfolio is to seed, launch and sustain large-scale interdisciplinary strategic research networks with scholars from multiple units and divisions; meaningful tri-campus representation; the potential for high impact scholarship and training; and the potential to secure external funding. The portfolio coordinates university-wide and divisional resources to support two main activities.

1.       Seeding and building potential initiatives

2.       Supporting large-scale research initiatives

General Inquiries, Institutional Strategic Initiatives Office: strat.initiatives@utoronto.ca

UTSC OVPRI Contact: Suhail Asrar