This 2015 Competition Guide provides an overview of the NCE Network competition, discusses the logistics associated with the competition process, identifies the evaluation criteria used by the review committees, and outlines the competition timeline. The competition guide is a stand-alone document that contains all relevant information about the 2015 competition, the Letter of Intent (LOI) stage and Full Application (FA) stages. Throughout the competition the NCE Secretariat also releases additional ‘Application Guides’ that correspond to the different stages of the competition. These Application Guides describe how to complete the respective application for a competition stage and should always be used in conjunction with this 2015 Competition Guide.
The Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) Program invests in Canadian research and entrepreneurial talent to translate and apply knowledge to produce economic and social benefits for Canadians. The Program plays an important role in mobilizing some of Canada’s best research talent found in the Canadian academic community, and in engaging Canadian and international partners of the private, public, and non-profit sectors. Together, they expand the global knowledge frontier to generate and implement multifaceted solutions to complex Canadian issues, which increases the benefit of research and research training for the benefit of society.
The NCE Program goal, objectives, and expected results and outcomes are detailed in the NCE Program Guide found on the website (www.nce-rce.gc.ca)
New Competition
The NCE Steering Committee invites potential applicants to the 2015 New Competition to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI). The LOI must describe the problem(s), challenge(s), or opportunity(ies) that the proposed Network will address, as well as the proposed Network’s vision, socioeconomic context, budget and key participants. It should also summarize how the proposed Network will address the five NCE Program Criteria, the NCE Program goals and objectives and the competition framework.
Dates | Milestone |
---|---|
March 2013 | Competition launched |
August 1, 2013 | LOI submission deadline |
October 2013 | Invitations for Full Applications |
June 11, 2014 | Full Application deadline |
August 2014 | Expert Panel reviews |
March 2015 | Release of funds |
Eligible recipients must meet the general eligibility requirements of one or more of the three federal granting agencies partnering in the Program.
Recipients eligible to receive a NCE grant are:
Based on a review of all LOIs submitted to the 2014 NCE Network Competition, selected applicants will be invited in the Fall of 2013 to submit a Full Application with a submission deadline of June 11, 2014.
Applicants whose LOI passes the initial screening process may request NCE funds to assist them in preparing a Full Application. Full Application Preparation (FAP) funding of up to $25,000 is tenable until the completion of the Expert Panel meeting, and can be used for application-related expenses such as travel (for application preparation and to attend the Expert Panel meeting), communications and workshops, as well as for secretarial, clerical and co-ordination services.
To request FAP funding, applicants must submit a one-page letter outlining their required budget, including a brief rationale of proposed expenses.
New networks will be eligible to receive funding for up to two five-year terms for a total of ten years. Progress for each new network will be assessed annually, and may result in continued funding, conditional funding, or the phasing out of a network before the end of the award.
For networks funded for two consecutive five-year terms, a third (and final) term could be available where the Network has developed and built on its partnerships to progressively transform itself into a network driven by the needs of the partners. In this third cycle, the network and partners define the knowledge mobilization and/or knowledge and technology exchange and exploitation plan and research agenda. The proposed plan will be assessed on its viability and whether it has the potential to successfully mobilize the Network’s knowledge and technologies to the user community.
To ensure that the NCE Program goals and objectives are met, proposals are assessed against the five NCE Program Criteria, and the relevance to the NCE Program goals and objectives. Networks are evaluated on an ongoing basis during tenure of a grant against these same criteria. Research excellence is a necessary condition for the initial and the continued funding of a network; however, it is not the sole condition, because the goal of the Program is also reflected in the four additional criteria.
Review Criteria:
Applicants are required to meet the five NCE Program Criteria:
In addition, the proposed Network must:
Networks are expected to be multidisciplinary and to involve the significant and meaningful participation of researchers whose expertise falls under the domains of two or more of the federal granting agencies, where appropriate.
1. Management of the Network
Each network must have an organizational structure appropriate for the management of the research and business functions of a complex multidisciplinary, multi-institutional program.
A strong governance model with a good management structure is essential to the success of a network.
If an industry-led Not-for-Profit Corporation is proposed as the Host institution for the proposed network, it must be able to demonstrate that it has in place the proper policies, procedures and financial controls to administer funding to academic institutions.
Elements being considered are:
2. Excellence of the Research Program
The Network’s research program must be driven to address Canadian needs and problems, and is therefore expected to be multidisciplinary and multisectoral.
Elements being considered are:
3. Development of Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP)
The training and retention of HQP is imperative to maximize the effectiveness of the Networks’ contribution to the wealth, wellness and well-being of Canadians. The Training Program proposed by the Network is expected to add value to the formal training initiatives already available through the academic community and should aim at helping HQP find employment in the Canadian economy (i.e., private sector partners, government, etc.). The multidisciplinary and multisectoral nature of a network should be utilized to provide unique mentorship and training opportunities to maximize HQP retention and integration in all facets of the workforce.
Elements being considered are:
4. Networking and Partnerships
The Network must demonstrate that it has brought together the key individuals and organizations needed to generate and implement multifaceted solutions to the complex Canadian challenges it is designed to address. It must be built on existing relationships with partners and the receptor community that will accelerate the formation and activities of the proposed network.
Elements being considered are:
5. Knowledge and Technology Exchange and Exploitation
NCE Networks are expected to generate social and economic benefits by ensuring the rapid flow of ideas and innovations from researchers to Canadian receptors. Applicants are expected to demonstrate that the appropriate activities will be undertaken and the appropriate resources allocated to maximize those benefits.
Elements being considered are:
To ensure that only excellent research is funded and that all applications are treated fairly, the NCE Program uses a comprehensive review process, in which proposals are assessed by impartial experts in the specific fields. In addition, the NCE Secretariat ensures that representatives from the relevant sectors are also present to assess all five criteria of the NCE Program.
The NCE Secretariat will assemble interdisciplinary and multisectoral Expert Panels to review Full Applications. Expert Panels will:
The reports from the Expert Panels will be provided to the NCE Standing Selection Committee, the NCE Steering Committee, and ultimately to the respective applicants. During the deliberations of the Selection Committee, the Chair or a designated member of each Expert Panel will be available to respond to questions and provide additional information.
The NCE Standing Selection Committee (hereafter “Selection Committee”) will be composed of international-calibre, highly accomplished individuals with broad expertise representing the domains of the three federal granting agencies, across all sectors. All Selection Committee recommendations are provided to the Steering Committee. The Selection Committee will:
The NCE Steering Committee is comprised of the Presidents of the three federal granting agencies, the Deputy Ministers of Industry Canada and Health Canada and, as an observer, the President and CEO of Canada Foundation for Innovation. The Steering Committee will:
Decisions of the NCE Steering Committee are final. There is no appeal process.
The 2015 Network Competition falls under the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program, which is administered jointly through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) in partnership with Industry Canada and Health Canada. More information on the NCE Program’s goals and objectives can be found at www.nce-rce.gc.ca/NCESecretariatPrograms-ProgrammesSecretariatRCE/NCE-RCE/Index_eng.asp.
As an initiative of the NCE Program delivered by the NCE Secretariat, the 2015 Network Competition builds upon the foundation of successful tri-agency collaboration. The NCE Networks are governed by a tri-agency steering committee (NCE Steering Committee) made up of the Presidents of the three granting agencies, the Deputy Ministers of Industry Canada and Health Canada, and the President of the Canada Foundation for Innovation (as an observer). Day-to-day administration of the NCE program is provided by the NCE Secretariat.
On July 6, 2012, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) 2012 came into force. As a result, the review process for applications submitted to NSERC has been revised. Grant applicants are required to provide more specific information under a completely revised Appendix A (Environmental Information). Appendix B (CEAA Pre-Screening Checklist) no longer exists. In addition, the NSERC Policy on Environmental Assessment has been revoked and replaced by NSERC’s Guidelines on Environmental Review and Assessment.
Please review the Guidelines and if any of the Network’s proposed activities fall under these Guidelines, please complete and submit the required documentation.
The NCE Secretariat will host a webinar in between the LOI and Full Application stages. Only applicants who have submitted a LOI will receive an invitation to attend. The webinar will include models that exemplify the goals of the program and an opportunity for applicants to ask program- and competition-related questions. More details about the webinar will be included in the invitation to attend. It is expected by the NCE that all applicants will attend the webinar.
For more information, please contact:
Networks of Centre of Excellence
2015 NCE Competition
16th Floor, mailroom
350 Albert Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 1H5
Chris Kelly
Program Officer
Email: chris.kelly@nce-rce.gc.ca
Telephone: 613-995-3080