The Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program is a federal initiative 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.
This guide is to be used in conjunction with the 2015 NCE Competition Guide
The full application consists of four individual books:
Book 1: The Proposal
Book 2: Letters of Support
Book 3: CVs
Book 4: Signature Pages
The deadline for the electronic submission is June 11, 2014. The application must be received by the NCE Secretariat by 4:30 p.m. Local Time on the deadline date. Applications must be submitted to the NCE on-line electronic application system at https://excellence.nce-rce.gc.ca/default.aspx. The Full Application must be compiled into one searchable PDF version. Books must not be assembled using scanned documents, but must be converted to a searchable PDF from electronic documents. Electronic signatures are accepted.
Book 4 does not need to be included in the electronic version of the application. It must be sent as part of the original, paper copy only.
One original, paper copy of the application, including Book 4 Signatures, must be submitted to the NCE Secretariat by June 18, 2014. The unbound copy must be identical to the electronic submission. Inclusion of additional material in the unbound copy will result in the rejection of your application from the competition.
Networks of Centres of Excellence
2015 NCE Competition
16th Floor, mailroom
350 Albert Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 1H5
Provide the application in black ink at letter quality (minimum standard), with no more than six lines per inch. Ensure that type size for fonts measured in points (pts) is no smaller than 12 pts. If measured in characters per inch (cpi), ensure that type size is no more than 10 cpi. Condensed type is unacceptable.
Use white paper, 8½ x 11 inches (21.5 cm x 28 cm), with margins of 3/4 of an inch (1.905 cm) (minimum) all around. Enter the title of the network at the top of every page and number the pages consecutively.
Graphs and illustrations may be included, but will count as part of the page limits set out below. Either single or double column presentation of text, graphs, or illustrations is acceptable. Any extra material will be removed.
BOOK 1: THE PROPOSAL
Covering Letter (2 pages max)
A letter, signed by the applicant and the President or CEO (or delegate) of the institution that proposes to host the network administrative centre must be included. This letter must outline the nature of anticipated support from the proposed Host Institution. Host Institutions play an important role in networks, through both direct support of the administrative centre and by participating in network governance through membership on the Board of Directors.
Application Form Section A1
Complete all sections of the Application Form Section A1 which is available on the NCE website, including an estimate of the proportion of the Centre’s research that relates to the mandates of each of the three granting agencies: NSERC, SSHRC, and CIHR. See On-line Resources for a direct link.
Executive Summary (1 page max)
Provide a one-page summary describing the network, its proposed research program, and expected impact on the Canadian economy and quality of life. Write for a general audience using plain language as the summary may be used for communication purposes, such as press releases or the NCE website.
Application Form Section A2 - Table of Proposed Network Participants (unlimited pages)
Using the table provided in Section A2 of the application form, please provide an alphabetized list of all proposed Network Participants – Scientific Director, Theme Leaders, Network Investigators (i.e., those for whom signatures are provided in Book 4). Add lines to the form as required.
Network Investigators who receive NCE funds must be eligible to receive research funds from at least one of the three federal granting agencies (i.e., CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC). Network Investigators do not include graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research associates, etc.
Free Form – using the following sections as headers please complete the free form section of the application respecting the page limits.
Network Vision (1 page max)
Describe the vision of what the network proposes to achieve, including specific goals and objectives. The vision should describe the expected end-results and impacts within the timeframe of the proposed funding cycle, especially with respect to the expected outcomes and impacts on partners and on the user sector for the benefit of Canada and Canadians.
Strategic Plan (70 pages max)
The Strategic Plan is limited to seventy (70) pages, to be allocated amongst seven sections. Within the overall limit of 70 pages, the suggested length of sections may be adjusted as needed.
General Context (5 pages approx.)
Provide a general discussion of the role of the network in the landscape of work being conducted in its area(s) of research, including the following:
Socioeconomic Context (5 pages approx.)
Define the problem(s), challenge(s), or opportunity(ies), and the incremental economic and social benefits to Canada that the network will provide through its multifaceted program, partnerships, and knowledge mobilization activities. Include details on the possible impacts of the network on Canadian public policies.
Furthermore, applicants should demonstrate how knowledge generated by the network will be applied to practical solutions, leading to innovations that produce social and economic benefits for Canadians.
Management of the Network (5 pages approx.)
Discuss the network’s key business objectives over the next five years. Give an overview of the network’s management, taking into consideration the following points:
An organizational chart must be provided.
Excellence of the Research Program (35 pages approx.)
Provide brief biographies of all key individuals (ex: theme leaders) who have agreed to participate in network activities, (200 words max).
Network research programs must be developed in collaboration with relevant stakeholders and must integrate industry, receptor partners, academia, and government priorities as appropriate.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that the network possesses world-class capacity to address the problem(s), challenge(s), or opportunity(ies) described in the network’s research program.
Applicants should develop research approaches that ensure the effective application of research to solve important problems for Canada by having an appropriate balance within the research continuum and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration to generate solutions.
Include in this section a brief review of the current state of knowledge in the field, as well as the scope, focus, and general objectives of the network and how the network will attain those objectives. Discuss the anticipated incremental value of the network relative to other efforts in the area (e.g. provincial Centres of Excellence, CIHR Institutes, other research consortia or initiatives), as well as the collaborations necessary to attain the objectives of the network. Also include the network’s plans and strategy with respect to:
The Network's proposed research program should be organized into major themes. Each theme must be assigned an acronym for use in the budget sections of the Application Form.
For each research theme:
Development of Highly Qualified Personnel (5 pages approx.)
Outline the network’s strategy to develop highly qualified personnel (HQP) and expose them to the full range of economic, social, and ethical implications of the network’s research by involving them in activities from the initial research discovery to its practical application. Moreover, demonstrate how the network will add value to training opportunities already available with innovative mentorship programs. Discuss how the network will enhance HQP capacity in relation to the needs of the receptors.
Include in this section the network’s strategy to capitalize on its multidisciplinary, multisectoral, networked environment to develop HQP, as well as its plan for drawing international personnel to the network and Canada.
Networking and Partnerships (5 pages approx.)
Networking is intended to integrate research teams and programs and to promote effective interactions and partnerships with the user-sector outside the academic community. These networking and partnership activities should demonstrably assist the network in addressing the problem(s), challenge(s), or opportunity(ies) for which they are generating solutions.
The proposed network must build on existing relationships with partners and the receptor community. This is essential in order to accelerate the formation and activities of the proposed network.
Provide details on the planning process including the consultations undertaken with partners (academic, private, and/or public) in developing the application. Specifically, include the following:
Knowledge and Technology Exchange and Exploitation (10 pages approx.)
NCE networks are expected to generate social and economic benefits by ensuring the rapid flow of ideas and innovations from researchers to receptors. Applicants are expected to demonstrate that the appropriate activities will be undertaken and the appropriate resources allocated to maximize those benefits.
Include in your description the network’s plans and strategy with respect to:
Application Form Section B: Budget
Please refer to the NCE Program Guide for details on use of funds and eligible expenses.
Application Form Section B.1: Summary of Anticipated Funding for the Network
Indicate, for Years 1 to 5, the total funding being requested from the NCE Program (line 1) as well as the anticipated cash support (lines 2 to 6). In-kind support (lines 8 to 12) from all of the other sources is listed on a separate page.
Where a commitment of cash or in-kind support is made, a Letter of Support certifying the contributor's commitment to the costs of the Network is required in Book 2.
Provide a short explanation of cash and in-kind contributions on up to two additional pages (i.e., for lines 2 to 6 and 8 to 12).
Application Form Sections B.2: Proposed Expenditures of NCE and Non-NCE Funding for the Network
Using Section B.2, provide the total proposed expenditures of NCE funding as well as non-NCE funding for each category described below, for Years 1 to 5.
Note that additional, detailed descriptions of expenditures are requested for some categories.
Salaries and Stipends (line 1): For the payment of stipends for students and postdoctoral fellows, follow the regulations of the Granting Agency under whose mandate the research of the Network falls.
Operation of Core Facilities (line 2): If core facilities are to be funded through the proposed Network, provide details on the operating costs of each facility on a separate page (one page per facility). Detail the salary and maintenance costs to be paid by the network. An NCE core facility is a core of highly skilled technical or professional research support staff essential to the research activities of a group.
Equipment (line 3): List equipment to be purchased or rented and the cost on separate page(s). Provide details on operating and maintenance costs for each piece of equipment costing more than $150,000 and specify how these costs will be covered.
Materials and Supplies (line 4): Provide details for any extraordinary requirements on a separate page.
Computing Costs (line 5): Provide details on a separate page if required.
Travel Expenses (line 6): On a separate page, list anticipated field trips, conferences and travel related to Network research for which funds are requested for each year, excluding both the Network annual meeting and meetings of Network Committees and Board of Directors (see page B.2, line 8).
Administrative Centre (line 7):provide details on a separate page.
Management and Networking (line 8): On a separate page, provide details for each category related to the costs of managing the research that is not included in the Administrative Centre. This includes the cost of attending workshops and committee meetings related to the functioning of the network in cases where it is not part of the budget of the Administrative Centre.
Other Expenditures (line 9): List any other expenditures not included in the above categories. Provide details on a separate page.
Application Form Section B.3 Proposed Expenditures of NCE and Non-NCE Funds by Research Theme: Using one page from Section B.3 per research theme, provide the proposed expenditures of NCE funds and non-NCE funds for Years 1 to 5.
On separate pages for each theme, also provide:
Application Form Section B.4: Contributions from Partner Organizations
Using one page from Section B.4 per partner organization, provide details on cash and in-kind contributions.
For each partner organization, also provide a one-page explanation of how the incremental cash and in-kind contributions reported will be distributed in the Network.
A letter from each partner organization confirming each incremental contribution must be included in Book 2.
Application Form Sections B.5: Proposed Expenditures of NCE funds and non-NCE Funds for the Administrative Centre
Using Section B.5, and adding sub-headings where necessary, detail the proposed expenditures of NCE funding and non-NCE funding associated with operating the administrative centre for the Network, including costs for salaries, annual meetings, communications, technology transfer, etc. for Years 1 to 5.
Provide details and justification on the costs associated with operating the administrative centre on separate pages.
References Cited (unlimited pages)
Provide a bibliography of all references cited in previous sections.
Acronyms (unlimited pages)
Provide an alphabetized list of all acronyms used in the application.
BOOK 2: LETTERS OF SUPPORT
Letters of support should:
Sort letters of support by sector (university, industry, provincial, federal, other) and provide a summary table indicating the name of organization, the page number, incremental cash and/or new in-kind contribution to the network.
The signatures of authorized officers of supporting organizations certify that that organization:
If the Scientific Director or a Network Investigator is also a principal of a collaborating or supporting organization, another senior official must sign on behalf of the organization.
BOOK 3: Curriculum VITAE (CV)
The applicant is responsible for selecting up to 50 CVs for inclusion in Book 3. Any additional CVs (>50) will be removed. The NCE Secretariat will only accept CVs that conform with a tri-agency (CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC) CV Presentation Standard.
Book 3: Composition
The CVs should be in alphabetical order by last name of the researcher and each should be separated by a bookmark. There are no page limits for CVs or for Book 3.
BOOK 4: SIGNATURE PAGES
Use the table provided on the tab titled “Book 4” of the application form to produce signature pages. Download and use one page per organization, unless the number of Network Investigators from an organization is large enough to require additional pages. Electronic signatures are acceptable when needed.
The signature of each Network Investigator is required to confirm their willingness to participate in the network and to acknowledge their agreement that the Scientific Director will administer any NCE award in accordance with the directives of the Board of Directors. Refer to Appendix A for information regarding the meaning of signatures.
Book 4 does not need to be included in the electronic version of the application. It must be sent as part of the original, paper copy only.
The deadline for the electronic submission of the FA for the 2015 NCE Network Competition is, June 11, 2014. FAs must be received by the NCE Secretariat by 4:30 p.m. local time.
Applications must be submitted to the NCE on-line electronic application system as a single, searchable PDF file at https://excellence.nce-rce.gc.ca/default.aspx.
Applicants must also provide the NCE Secretariat with one unbound original copy by June 18, 2014. The unbound copy must be identical to the electronic submission. Inclusion of additional material in the unbound copy will result in the rejection of your application.
Networks of Centres of Excellence
2015 NCE Competitionv
16th floor, mailroom
350 Albert Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 1H5
Tables, graphs and figures may be included within the page limits noted above. Any extra material will be removed.
The 2015 NCE Network Competition Guide, the 2015 NCE FA Application Form, and details about the NCE Secretariat can be obtained at www.nce-rce.gc.ca.
For more information, please contact the NCE Program at:
Chris Kelly, Program Officer
Telephone: (613) 995-3080
Fax: (613) 992-7356
E-mail: chris.kelly@nce-rce.gc.ca
A Full Application consists of four books, prepared as follows. Each book must be fully paginated, with tabs for each section. Please adhere to the page limits outlined in these guidelines.
Book 1
Book 2
Book 3 CVs
Book 4 Signature Pages
What do the electronic or original signatures on the application mean?
By signing and submitting my application, I (the Lead applicant):
Disclosure of Personal Information Provided to the NCE Secretariat) as they pertain to grant application information;
By accepting to participate in the Centre, I (the academic participant) also agree to the above.
The signatures of the institutional authorities certify that:
The signatures of authorized officers of other supporting organizations certify that the
organization:
For further information, see the Questions and Answers on the Consent to Disclosure of Personal Information at address www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca.