OVERVIEW |
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Value |
Varies depending on the request |
Duration |
Not to exceed 12 months |
Application Deadlines |
March 1 - EXTENDED TO MAY 24 |
Notice of decision |
June |
ORIS Contact |
Penny Pickles (pickpj@uleth.ca) |
Please note: ORIS is restructuring its internal grants. The final intake for SOF requests will be May 24.
The Strategic Opportunities Fund (SOF) supports activities that develop, increase, or strengthen research excellence at the University of Lethbridge. Due to a large number of applications and limited funds, the fund cannot support all requests. Awards are not automatic or guaranteed.
ELIGIBILITY
Full-time University of Lethbridge faculty are eligible to apply. All members, as defined in the U of L Faculty Association Handbook , who have research duties as part of their appointment may be eligible. Instructors who have research duties as part of their appointment may be considered on a case by case basis. Applicants may submit only one Strategic Opportunities Fund request per competition and are limited to 1 award per calendar year, excluding any requests for matching funds.
Please note the following: Departments and Centres and Institutes are limited to 1 award per year. Requests must be submitted by the Department Chair or Centre/Institute director, respectively.
Normally, applicants cannot hold more than one award from internal funding sources such as CREDO, SSHRC Explore, Strategic Opportunities Fund, or ULRF at the same time. Applicants are allowed to hold a University of Lethbridge Travel Fund award concurrently with internal research funding. In instances where the applicant holds internal funds, but is also requesting funds from the Strategic Opportunities Fund, the applicant must outline how the request differs from projects already funded from internal sources.
ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES
The Strategic Opportunities Fund is a flexible program designed to provide support for a wide range of activities, provided the activities align with the goals outlined in the Strategic Research Plan. Requests for which other internal funds are available will not be considered. For example, requests for research support should be directed to the University of Lethbridge Research Fund. The exception to this are application enhancement requests where external reviews have recommended additional research to strengthen an application (reviews should be submitted with the application).
Requests should be considered one-time contributions and are non-renewable.
Activities eligible for funding under the Strategic Opportunities Fund are as follows, listed in order of priority:
Application Enhancement
Purpose |
To support researchers that wish to improve and resubmit applications that were unsuccessful in a preceding external funding competition. |
Special Considerations |
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Eligible Expenses |
All expenses must be essential for the activities being proposed and adhere to the “Use of Grant Funds” guidelines outlined by the Tri-Council (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR). |
Ineligible Expenses |
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 Available |
Although no maximum size of grant is identified, applicants are advised to keep their budgets reasonable. |
Award Conditions |
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Application Requirements |
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Partnership Development/Enhancement
Purpose |
To foster or enhance collaborative research and creative partnerships. |
Special Considerations |
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Eligible Expenses |
Grant funds can be used to support the costs of developing or enhancing a research partnership. Eligible activities may include the following:
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Ineligible Expenses |
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Funds Available |
Although no maximum size of grant is identified, applicants are advised to keep their budgets reasonable. |
Award Conditions |
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Application Requirements |
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Matching Funds
Purpose |
To provide institutional support for proposals that require matching funds or other contributions to the total project cost. |
Special Considerations |
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Eligible Expenses |
All expenses must be essential for the activities being proposed and adhere to the “Use of Grant Funds” guidelines outlined by the Tri-Council (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR). |
Ineligible Expenses |
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Funds Available |
Although no maximum size of grant is identified, applicants are advised to keep their budgets reasonable. |
Award Conditions |
SOF funds are expected to be spent within 12 months. If more time is required, arrangements must be made at the time of award. |
Application Requirements |
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Dissemination Grant (Postdoctoral Fellows)
Purpose |
To assist postdoctoral fellows engage in activities that promote their research and enhance the profile of the University of Lethbridge |
Special Considerations |
The applicant must be a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Lethbridge. The research work that is being presented, published or otherwise disseminated should be work that has been conducted during the applicant's postdoctural tenure at the University of Lethbridge. |
Eligible Expenses |
Expenses related to disseminating research work via publication or travel to support presentations at learned societies, professional associations or similar groups. |
Ineligible Expenses |
If you are in doubt as to the eligibility of your request, please contact us prior to submitting your application. |
Funds Available |
Up to $1,000 |
Award Conditions |
If requesting funds to travel to a conference,
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Application Requirements |
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HOW TO APPLY
Interested applicants must complete the Strategic Opportunities Fund application form (link to form is available at the bottom of the page). Requests for funding must be submitted to the Office of Research and Innovation Services using oris@uleth.ca by March 1, June 1, September 1 or December 1 to be considered. If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline will be the next working day. Late or incomplete forms will not be considered. Funding will not be provided retroactively.
Applicants may submit only one application per competition and receive one award per calendar year.
CONDITIONS OF AWARD
- Term. Grants term will be for one year from the date the award is approved. Any funds remaining at the end of the term of the grant will be returned to the source. Extensions will not be granted.
- Use of Funds. Grant funds may be used only for the project and purposes described in the application, subject to any special conditions such as human subject research or animal welfare approval. Funds will be managed in accordance with the standard terms/conditions for Tri-Council funding. Minor transfer of funds from one budget category within the grant fund to another may be permitted. Major transfers (greater than 10% of the total grant award) or the use of funds for a previously unspecified expenditure requires prior approval by the Office of Vice-President (Research).
- Reports[PP3] . A final report on the activity funded by the Strategic Research Fund must be submitted within six months of the termination date. Subsequent applications will be considered only after receipt of a final report for previous or existing grants.
- Equipment and Library Acquisitions. Equipment or library materials acquired with grant funds remain as property of the University of Lethbridge in accordance with university policy.
- Personnel. Personnel employed with grant funds are not regular University employees and are not covered by the provisions of the collective agreement with support staff.
EVALUATION PROCESS AND CRITERIA
The adjudication committee is the Vice-President (Research) and Associate Vice-President (Research) with input from staff in the Office of Research and Innovation Services.
The adjudication committee will review all requests and may decide to provide full, partial or no funding based on considerations to the following questions:
- Are there other sources of funding available to support the request?
- Has the applicant secured other sources of funding or attempted to secure additional funds?
- What are the potential benefits to the advancement of the U of L's Strategic Research Plan?
- Has the applicant received funding from the Strategic Research Fund previously?
- What is the overall merit of the request?
Final funding decisions rest with the Vice-President (Research). Due to limits on funding availability, appeals will not be considered.