Strategic Opportunities Fund

• Funding will not be provided for an expired internal award.
• Funding cannot be used to seed projects or keep a researcher afloat while developing applications.
• Unsuccessful applications whose primary purpose is to host outreach events are not eligible. 
• Letters of Intent will be considered on a case-by-case basis pending availability of funds.

• If you are seeking funds to support a research project, please submit an application to the CREDO fund, SSHRC Explore, or University of Lethbridge Research Fund.  
• Funds cannot be used to cover the required supervisor supplement for undergraduate student awards (AI Studenship, Chinook Summer Research Award, NSERC USRA etc.)
• Requests for funds to support research assistants, technicians etc. already employed by the PI will not be considered.

• Must submit a reapplication to the external agency within the next two grant competition years.
• Must agree to work with a grant facilitator within the Office of Research and Innovation Services to develop a stronger application.
• SOF funds are expected to be spent within 12 months. If more time is required, arrangements must be made at the time of award.

• SOF coversheet
• A narrative detailing plans to address the reviewer feedback and strengthen the application
• Complete unsuccessful external application
• Feedback from the selection committee/panel

To foster or enhance collaborative research and creative partnerships.

• Project teams must be led by a U of L research and involve collaborators beyond academia.  
• Partners in all disciplines and sectors (the public, private, commercial, and not-for-profit) are eligible.
• All applications must demonstrate potential to attract/increase external funding within 1-2 years.

Grant funds can be used to support the costs of developing or enhancing a research partnership.  Eligible activities may include the following:

• Activities that enable the team to work together to identify research questions, emerging issues and/or priorities that could form the basis of a grant application;
• Initial planning and discussion of a research project among potential team members to assess the viablility of the research project and partnership; or
• Gatherings of reseachers, partners, and end users where the main objective is to facilitate collaboration among individuals/groups from a variety of backgrounds interested in applying to a funding opportunity.

• Direct costs of research including student/trainee salaries/scholarships/stipends are ineligible. If you are seeking funds to support a research project, please submit an application to the CREDO fund, SSHRC Explore, or University of Lethbridge Research Fund.
• If you are seeking funds for a workshop, conference, symposia, etc., please submit the request under the "Outreach and Knowledge Mobilization" stream.
• If you are seeking funds to offset the travel costs of attending a professional meeting or conference, please submit an application to the University of Lethbridge Travel Fund.

• Must submit an application to an external funding agency within 1-2 years.
• Must agree to work with a grant facilitator within the Office of Research and Innovation Services in the development of the application.
• SOF funds are expected to be spent within 12 months. If more time is required, arrangements must be made at the time of award.

• SOF coversheet
• A narrative discussing (1) the partnership and the anticipated contribution of each member to the project, (2) details on the targeted funding opportunity and the deadline for applying, (3) an activity plan with a timetable, (4) details on how the funds will be used to achieve the expected outcomes.

To provide institutional support for proposals that require matching funds or other contributions to the total project cost.

• Applications must be led by U of L researchers.  If the project lead is not at the U of L, requests will be considered only if the application guidelines have a required or expected institutional matching component from all collaborators. 
• The sponsor must require matching funds as a condition of funding.
• Matching funds will not be provided for an internal award.
• If you are preparing an application that requires matching funds, the request should be considered in the early stages of proposal preparation to ensure there is sufficient time to consider the request.

• SOF coversheet
• Application details, namely (1) is it led by a U of L researcher? (2) does it include other U of L researchers?
• Details on the funding program, namely (1) are matching funds required? and if so, (2) what is the required level of matching funds?
• Details on additional funding secured for the project.

Expenses related to disseminating research work via publication or travel to support presentations at learned societies, professional associations or similar groups.   

If requesting funds to travel to a conference,

• The applicant must provide confirmation of acceptance for the presentation or poster. If this information isn't available at time of application, proceed with the application and note that awards will be made conditional on confirmation of acceptance. 
• Requests for reimbursement must be submitted within 30 days after the conference date.

• SOF coversheet
• An abstract of the research to be presented, published, or promoted.
• If requesting funds to support publication, (1) confirmation from the publisher that the work was accepted for publication and (2) documentation confirming the cost for which funding support is sought (e.g., page indexing, publication subvention)

To support research-related activities that stimulate knowledge transfer and exchange, as well as enhance the visibility of U of L research. Funding is available for two types of projects:

• Events (e.g., visiting scholars/artists, speaker series, conferences, and public lectures)
• Dissemination (e.g., workshops, symposia, publications, and exhibitions)

Preference will be given to:

• applications that are organized by a member of the U of L community;
• have confirmed contributions from other U of L units;
• are held on campus or in southern Alberta; and
• enhance the visibility of the U of L, its researchers, and students.

• Administrative costs to organize the event (e.g., supplies, materials, salaries for event coordination)
• Travel for invited scholars to participate in the event,
• Honoria for external speakers
• Translation
• Publication costs

• Travel and registration fees for U of L researchers and students
• Capital equipment
• Book launches
• Alcohol

SOF funds are expected to be spent within 12 months. If more time is required, arrangements must be made at the time of award.

• SOF coversheet 
• A narrative addressing (1) the objectives and expected outcomes of the project, (2) the importance of the project in fostering research synergies and/or increasing the visibility of the U of L, and (3) the target audience and (4) anticipated contribution of U of L faculty and students.