These guidelines are designed to facilitate the completion of a Networks of
Centres of Excellence (NCE)--Phase II application. Applicants are advised to
read the guidelines that follow and the Phase II--Program Policies and
Guidelines before completing their application. For further information,
consult the NCE office at (613) 995-
6010.
Participants who receive NCE funds must meet the general eligibility conditions
of one of the three granting councils. Participants from the private and public
sectors, while not eligible to receive NCE funds, may have an active role in
the network.
Organizations eligible to receive funds are universities, affiliated hospitals
and research institutes and post-
secondary
institutions having a research mandate.
The complete application package must be received at the NCE office by January
13, 1995.
Networks of Centres of Excellence Program
NSERC
350 Albert Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1 A 1 H5
The following documentation is required from all Networks of Centres of
Excellence--Phase II applicants.
The original plus forty-
five
(45) copies of the complete application package. Each package must be arranged
in the following order.
- An application form with all of the sections completed as outlined in this
document.
- NCE personal data forms for the Phase II Program Leader and all research
participants (additional copies available at above address) .
- An Environmental Impact Statement (Appendix "D" of NSERC form 101), if
necessary.
Print must be in black ink, of letter quality (minimum standard), and single-
spaced
on standard 81/2 x 11 inch paper, with no more than six lines per inch. Type
size is measured in points (pts) or in characters per inch (cpi). If you use a
type size measured in pts, it must be no smaller than 12 pts; if measured in
cpi, it must be no more than 10 cpi. Condensed type is unacceptable.
Enter the name, the mailing address, the telephone and facsimile numbers and
the e-
mail
address for the proposed Phase II Program Leader.
Indicate the title of the network as it will be used for publication and
communication purposes.
Indicate the appropriate target area.
Indicate in dollars the total amount requested from the NCE program for each
year of Phase II funding (should be identical to Line A at the top of page 5).
A four-
year
budget must be submitted.
The original must be signed by the proposed Phase II Program Leader and the
president or CEO of the institution that will host the network secretariat.
Provide a one-
page
abstract describing the network and its proposed research program. Write in a
style suitable for a press release.
The purpose of the strategic plan is to provide a framework for the operation
and the evaluation of the network relative to the identified target area and to
the goals and objectives of the NCE program. The strategic plan must consist of
an integrated research and business management strategy.
The incremental economic and social benefits to Canada of the network and the
network's proposed research in the identified target area must be clearly
spelled out. Discuss the impact, or potential for impact, of this area of
research, over a ten-
year
time frame, on Canada's industrial base, health and social systems.
Discuss the impact, or potential impact, of the university-
based
R&D effort in the selected research area relative to the efforts of other
research performing sectors in the area and the expected impact of the NCE
program funding on the selected area relative to other funded efforts, e.g.,
Provincial Centres of Excellence, other federal NCEs, other research consortia,
or initiatives.
The value added from a network approach to research and research management
must be addressed.
Use a maximum of 5 pages.
The proposed research program should anticipate and respond to problems and
opportunities that relate to Canada's economy, productivity and well-
being.
Network research programs must, therefore, be developed in consultation with
all of the relevant stakeholders, taking into account industry, university and
government priorities. It must be clear how the network directly relates to,
and supports, the identified target area and the goals of the NCE program.
- Discuss the strategic planning process and consultations that resulted in
the proposal.
- Indicate how the research priorities of the participating sectors have
been integrated and incorporated into the network's research plan.
Use a
maximum of 5 pages.
In no more than 10 pages, give an integrated overview of the network's research
program including:
- a brief review of the current state of knowledge in the field;
- the scope of the research program, its focus and general objectives;
- the integration of the research into a coherent program;
- an explanation of the relationship of the research program to similar
scientific work conducted elsewhere in Canada and abroad;
- a description of how this research benefits or would benefit from a
network approach.
Usually, the network's research program is divided into a
few major theme areas. For each major theme area:
- summarize the specific objectives, approaches, research plan, methods,
schedule and milestones;
- provide details on where the research will be carried out, and the roles
of the participants and their ability to contribute to the research;
- describe how the research integrates with, and contributes to, achieving
the objectives of the network.
A maximum of 10 pages may be used to
describe each major theme area. Include, within the page limitations, a
bibliography of all references cited.
Outline the network's strategy to train highly qualified personnel and to
increase the marketability of trainees in relation to the needs of the user
sector for graduates and the capacity to absorb them.
Identify training objectives and targets for each of the four years of
funding.
Use a maximum of 5 pages.
Networking is intended to integrate research teams and research programs and to
promote effective interactions and partnerships with the user sector outside
the university community. Show how increased linkages and networking will
result in sharing equipment and facilities and reduce redundancies in research
efforts.
Discuss the linkages in existence and to be created by the network among
universities, industry and governments; the inclusion of excellent researchers
and facilities across Canada; international collaborations. If foreign
expertise is required, provide details.
Explain why networking and a multidisciplinary, multisectorial approach to the
research are important in achieving the network's objectives.
Describe the nature and extent of involvement of the user sector in the
research and in the research planning, direction and management.
Discuss how the network will create an environment that encourages
opportunities for collaboration with the private sector such as the application
of research to technology or market development.
Provide a rationale for the proposed levels of support from non-council sources
and describe the network's strategy for achieving the projected levels of
contribution.
Use a maximum of 5 pages.
Discuss the potential for the network's research and technology to lead to new
products, processes or services for commercial exploitation that will
strengthen the Canadian industrial base, enhance productivity, and/or
contribute to long-
term
economic growth.
Discuss how the network will create an environment that encourages
opportunities for collaboration with the private and public sectors such as the
application of research to technology, market development, health or social
benefits.
Discuss the network's plans and policies with respect to:
- disseminating research results and advanced technology developments to the
user sector;
- protecting the network's intellectual property;
- ensuring intellectual property generated as a result of network research
is exploited to the benefit of Canada;
- securing the support of investors.
Use a maximum of 5 pages.
A strong management structure with clearly defined responsibilities for shaping
the direction of the network is essential.
Describe the proposed network management structure, defining the roles,
responsibilities and expertise of key personnel, e.g., the Program Leader,
Network Manager, Chair of the Board of Directors, and key committees, e.g., the
Board of Directors, Research and Budget Committee, Executive Committee,
Industrial Liaison Committee, etc.
Issues to be discussed include:
- the responsibility for planning, decision-
making
and resource allocation;
- how the research and business leadership functions will be carried out to
ensure the network stays on target;
- the administrative and operational structures to coordinate activities,
monitor progress, set schedules and control spending.
Provide an
organizational chart showing names and affiliations.
If the network intends to incorporate, the proposed structure and the rationale
for this structure should be detailed.
Use a maximum of 5 pages.
Provide a list of names, affiliation and time committed to the network (% of
total salaried time) for the proposed Program Leader and each participant. A
participant is defined as someone who will be carrying out the research; this
does not include graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research associates,
etc. Use additional pages as required.
Funding for Phase II will commence September 1, 1995. Subsequent installments
will be effective April 1 of each fiscal year.
On page 5, indicate for each of the four years the total funding requested from
the NCE program for Phase II, as well as the anticipated support from all of
the other sources indicated. Cash and in-
kind
contributions must be detailed separately. Where a commitment of support is
made, a letter certifying the contributor's commitment to the costs of the
network is required.
Costs for existing support services within an organization, such as
administrative, personnel, financial, library and building services, space and
buildings, or insurance (other than liability insurance for Boards of Directors
and network administrators), are not eligible for support under this program.
On page 6, provide a detailed summary of the proposed expenditures for the
network as a whole, for each of the four years.
Using one page for each major theme area, provide a detailed summary of the
support requested for each of the four years, for the budget categories
indicated. Where there are cash or in-
kind
contributions from non-
council
sources to a major theme area, complete page 8 for that major theme area.
1 ) Salaries and stipends
For the payment of stipends for students and postdoctoral fellows, follow the
regulations of the granting council under whose mandate the research falls. For
programs whose mandate falls under the jurisdiction of more than one granting
council, flexibility to adopt one stipend rate within a network is permitted.
Salaries and benefits for participants employed full-
time
on network research may be included. Such researchers may supervise graduate
students working on network research. Participants wishing to have their
salaries paid by the network are not eligible to hold grants from the granting
councils.
2) Operation of core facilities
Provide details on the operating costs of the facility. On a separate page,
detail the salary and maintenance costs paid by the network.
3) Equipment
List equipment to be purchased/rented and the cost. Provide two quotations for
each piece of equipment (over $25,000) as well as a justification for each
piece. Provide details on operating and maintenance costs for each piece of
equipment costing more than $25,000 and specify how these costs will be
covered.
4) Materials and supplies
Provide details for any extraordinary requirements.
5) Travel expenses
List anticipated field trips, conferences and travel related to network
research for which funds are requested for each year.
6) Management and networking
Provide details for each category related to the costs of managing the
research. This includes the cost of attending annual meetings, workshops and
committee meetings related to the functioning of the network.
Adding additional headings where necessary, detail the costs associated with
operating the administrative centre for the network, including costs for
salaries, annual meetings, communications, technology transfer, etc.
LINCS,
University
of Calgary Page,
KSI
Page
LINCS@acs.ucalgary.ca 22-Oct-94