Social Sciences and HumanitiesResearch Council of Canada

Conseil de recherches ensciences humaines du Canada

SSHRC Grantsmanship Presentation

Standard Research Grant Program

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What’s new at SSHRC?

Standard Research Grants Program Overview The evaluation process Tips

SPJI programs (Strategic Programs & Joint Initiatives)

The Presentation Overview

Social Sciences and HumanitiesResearch Council of Canada

Conseil de recherches ensciences humaines du Canada

What’s New at SSHRC?

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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

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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

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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

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

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Targeted Research Funding Aboriginal Research Grants

Development Grants – up to $25,000 over 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 Torgerson Mathieu RavignatProgram Officer Senior Program Officer613-947-9652 613-947-3724anna.torgerson@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca mathieu.ravignat@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca

Deadline – September 30, 2009

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.

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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).

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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

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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!!!

Social Sciences and HumanitiesResearch Council of Canada

Conseil de recherches ensciences humaines du Canada

Standard Research Grants Program

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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

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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

Objectives of the Standard Research Grants Program

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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

Characteristics

Steps in the Peer Review Process

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Notice of Intent

Communication of Results

Research Office

SSHRC

External Review

Committee Members

Committee Adjudication

Program Officers

Provide advice & guidance to applicants

Select committee members

Determine eligibility of files

Select external assessors

Coordinate committee work

Prepare results

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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

External Assessors

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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

Committee Members

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

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Pre-Adjudication

Assignment of Readers A & B

Teleconference

Preliminary Scores for:

Record of Research Achievement

Program of Research

Flagging of files

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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.

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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

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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

What to consider when applying

Eligibility

Committee selection

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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

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Eligibility Requirements

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Choose from the adjudication committee list http://www.sshrc.ca/site/about-crsh/committees-comites/st

andard_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

Choosing a Committee

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

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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

New Scholars vs. Regular Scholars

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

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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

Evaluation of the Record of Research Achievement

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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

Presenting your Curriculum Vitae

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)

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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

Evaluation of the Program of Research

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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

Presenting your Program of Research

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

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Reasonable and fully justified budget

Check Tri-Council list of eligible & ineligible expenses http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Professors-Professeurs/Fi

nancialAdminGuide-GuideAdminFinancier/index_eng.asp

Explain and justify costs

Link between research objectives and budget

Budget

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

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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

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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

Tips

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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

Deadlines

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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

Program OfficersResearch Grants & Dissemination Division

Committee and/or Discipline

http://www.sshrc.ca/site/about-crsh/committees-comites/standard_research-ordinaire_recherche-eng.aspx

 

Contacts