Letter of Intent (LOI) Guide
Letter of Intent (LOI) Application Form
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 LOI provides information on the proposed Network in relation to the goals and objectives of the NCE Program. It will be used in the screening process to determine which applicants will be invited to submit Full Applications. It will be evaluated according to the five NCE Program Criteria, as well as the competition framework.
The LOI should be submitted on behalf of the proposed Network by an academic researcher (i.e., “the applicant”, who is also the proposed Scientific Director for the Network) who is eligible to receive funding from one of the three federal granting agencies, and by the proposed host institution.
The LOI must be developed in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. Applicants must clearly indicate how the proposed Network’s research program will integrate industry, receptor partners, academia, and government priorities. Furthermore, it is imperative that applicants define the problem(s), challenge(s), or opportunity(ies) for which they will generate solutions. The potential social and economic impacts of the Network will be assessed to determine whether the human dimension has been integrated into the Network plan.
Applicants should define the framework and performance indicators for the implementation of the proposed Network.
Furthermore, the Selection Committee will assess whether the appropriate stakeholders are well integrated into the Network plan. Private, public and not-for-profit sector participants should be informed that their level of involvement as well as their cash and/or in-kind commitments will be critical to the success of the Network. These commitments should be clearly indicated in the Application Form. Discussions of eligible in-kind contributions can be found in the 2015 NCE Competition Guide.
Should multiple LOIs be submitted in the same field of research, the Selection Committee may suggest that those applicants submit a single joint Full Application.
The deadline for the electronic submission of the LOI for the 2015 NCE Network Competition is August 1, 2013. LOIs 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 at https://excellence.nce-rce.gc.ca/default.aspx.
Applicants must also provide the NCE Secretariat with one unbound original copy by August 9, 2013, containing the original signatures. 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 LOI Competition
16th Floor, mailroom
350 Albert Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 1H5
Print must be in black ink, of letter quality (minimum standard), with no more than six lines per inch. The type size for fonts measured in points (pts) must be no smaller than 12 pts. If measured in characters per inch (cpi), it must be 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.
1. Host Institution Covering Letter (maximum 2 pages)
A letter, signed by the proposed Scientific Director and the President or CEO (or delegate) of the institution that proposes to host the Network administrative centre (i.e., the Host Institution), must be included. This letter should 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 ex-officio voting membership on the Board of Directors.
The signatures on the letter should match the signatures on Section A of the Application Form.
Please review Appendix A for the meaning of signatures.
2. NCE 2015 LOI Application Form
The
Letter of Intent (LOI) Application Form
is available on the NCE web site.
Section A: Summary Information
Complete and sign Section A of the LOI Application Form for the 2015 NCE Network Competition. The following information must be provided:
Please refer to Appendix A for the meaning of signatures.
Section B: Anticipated Expenditures
Use Section B of the LOI Application Form to indicate the anticipated expenditures of both NCE and non-NCE sources of funds (if applicable) for the proposed Network (years one to five). Round all values to the nearest $0.1M.
Please note: eligible expenses are the direct costs of research and facility access, stipends for research trainees, the direct costs of research dissemination and science promotion, and other specific expenses associated with the management of an NCE Network (see the NCE Program Guide for more information on eligible expenses).
In general, the regulations of the granting agency into whose domain the Network’s research falls will apply to that Network. In addition, networks must adhere to the regulations and administrative policies found in the Tri-agency Use of Grant Funds document and the NCE Program Guide.
Section C: Anticipated Funding
Use Section C of the LOI Application Form to indicate the cash and in-kind funding available from the non-NCE primary contributing stakeholders listed in Section A, if applicable (years one to five).
Note: at the LOI stage of the competition, it is not required to provide details of all anticipated sources of funding.
Section D: Explanation of Expenditures and/or Funding
Use Section D of the LOI Application Form to provide any required explanation or narrative of the anticipated expenses and/or funding. Use only the space provided.
Free Form – using the following sections as headers please complete the free form section of the application respecting the page limits.
3. Socioeconomic Context (Maximum ½ page)
Provide a summary describing the context within which the Network would be positioned to generate multifaceted solutions to complex Canadian problem(s), challenge(s), or opportunity(ies).
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.
Applicants must demonstrate that the proposed Network is focused on addressing complex challenges facing Canadians from a multidisciplinary perspective. 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.
4. Network Vision (Maximum ½ page)
Describe a vision of what the Network proposes to achieve, including specific goals and objectives. The vision should describe the expected end-results and impacts within a five to ten year time frame, especially with respect to the expected outcomes and impacts on partners and on the user sector for the benefit of Canada and Canadians.
5. Management (Maximum 1 page for text and 1 page for organizational chart)
Give an overview of the proposed Network’s management, taking into consideration the following points:
Outline the administrative and operational structures of the proposed Network, with regards to co‑ordination of activities, setting schedules, monitoring the Network’s progress towards its strategic goals, and allocation of resources.
If the Network Host is to be an industry-led incorporated not-for-profit consortium, present evidence of how the organization has in place the required financial controls, policies, procedures and a history of funding academic research.
6. Excellence of the Research Program (Maximum 5 pages)
Biographies
Provide a list (or table) of the names and affiliations of the individuals who have agreed to participate in Network activities.
Also include brief biographies for each individual (maximum 200 words) to summarize relevant accomplishments.
Research Program Plan
Network research programs must be developed in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, and must integrate industry, receptor partners, academia, and government priorities. New networks would be expected to be multidisciplinary and to involve the participation of researchers whose expertise falls under the domains of two or more of the federal granting agencies, where appropriate.
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.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that the proposed Network possesses world-class capacity to address the problem(s), challenge(s), or opportunity(ies) described in the Network’s research program.
Give an overview of the Network’s proposed research program, including:
7. Development of Highly Qualified Personnel (Maximum 1 page)
Outline the Network’s strategy to capitalize on the Networks’ structure to develop highly qualified personnel (HQP). Also outline the Network’s strategy to expose HQP 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 and initiatives already available through the academic community. Discuss how the Network will enhance HQP capacity in relation to the needs of the receptors.
8. Networking and Partnerships (Maximum 1 page)
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.
9. Knowledge and Technology Exchange and Exploitation (Maximum 1 page)
NCE Networks are expected to generate social, economic, technological and wellness 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.
10. Explanation of Overlap (Maximum 1 page, if applicable)
Where there is significant overlap or reasonable potential for perceived overlap between a proposed Network and (a) currently or previously funded initiative(s), provide a short explanation describing, both qualitatively and quantitatively, the differences between the proposed Network and the currently or previously funded initiative(s). Describe how the proposed Network will compliment or build on the activities of the other initiative(s), as well as the incremental value of the proposed Network.
11. Letters of Support from Primary Non-academic Contributing Stakeholders (Up to 5 letters, maximum 1 page per letter)
Letters of Support from the primary non-academic contributing stakeholders listed in the LOI Application Form must be included (if applicable). Up to five letters may be included. Letters should:
The deadline for the electronic submission of the LOI for the 2015 NCE Network Competition is, August 1, 2013. LOIs 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 August 9, 2013. 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 LOI Competition
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 LOI Guide - 2015 NCE Network Competition, the NCE LOI Application Form for the 2014 Competition, 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
Each LOI must not exceed 23 pages including the Application Form, and each section must be submitted in the following order. The maximum number of pages permitted for each section is indicated below.
What do the electronic or original signatures on the application mean?
By signing and submitting my application, I (the Lead applicant):
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.