Notice Board

 The University of Lethbridge AGILITY program is a new university-wide initiative designed to nurture and support innovation and foster entrepreneurship ambition. AGILITY is unique. It is grounded in student-led research, ideas, and creativity. The program draws across all disciplines and faculties and is focused on providing students with resources to enable transformative and innovative research with social, economic, and cultural benefits for Alberta and beyond. One such support is the AGILITY Research and Innvoation Grant in Social Enterprise.

In partnership with the AGILITY program, the Office of the Vice-President (Research) is issuing a targeted call for proposals for projects that will provide outcomes which create added value for the local community. The supported initiative could involve a new product, process or program that generates a positive and collective outcome for the Lethbridge region. The aim is to establish lasting community-based partnerships to devise effective, efficient, sustainable, and innovative solutions to key social challenges on the basis of sound research. We encourage the development of prospective partnerships within the community, as well as proposed social innovations. The submitted proposals should include a plan by which the innovation can sustain itself beyond the life of the grant (e.g., launching a crowdfunding campaign, or competing in a major entrepreneurial contest).  Guidance and mentorship to aid in the project will be available for successful applicants from a leading social innovator.

All proposals should be team based, with considerable student involvement. Proposals may be student- or faculty-initiated.  AGILITY Research and Innovation Grants in Social Enterprise are valued at up to $10,000 over a maximum duration of 18 months. Two grants will be awarded in 2015/16. This competition is open to undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty. Resources about social innovation and social enterprise can be found below.

Please note the following deadlines:

• Notice of Intent – October 30, 2015
• Full proposals – November 20, 2015

All applicants planning to apply for an AGILITY Research and Innovation Grant in Social Enterprise must submit a Notice of Intent to Apply (NOI). The NOI is a mandatory step in the application process. It allows ORIS to start the review process, namely the selection of appropriate external assessors. Applicants must then complete and submit the application. An applicant who has not submitted a Notice of Intent will be ineligible to submit a full application.

More information on this funding opportunity is available on ORIS’s website.