There are no priority research areas per se. Applicants must demonstrate that the knowledge being applied or mobilized addresses key problems, challenges or opportunities of high strategic importance to Canada.

Does the NCE-KM fund any research?

Research support must be provided through other sources of funding. This new permanent initiative is intended to support national multi-disciplinary, multi-sectoral networks in applying and mobilizing world-class research.

How much funding will a successful NCE-KM network receive?

Up to $400,000 per year for four years.

How many NCE-KM networks will be funded as a result of the 2011 competition?

It is anticipated that three new networks will be funded for a first cycle of four years. A second (and final) funding cycle of three years will be available where an NCE-KM network can demonstrate it has progressively transformed itself into a receptor-centred network.

What is the expected commitment of the Network Director?

There is no defined time commitment for the Network Director. The application must demonstrate to the NCE Selection Committee (and ultimately the NCE Steering Committee) that the director would be committing adequate time on the project to achieve the stated goals.

What kind of reporting will be required of a successful NCE-KM network?

Each NCE-KM network will be required to provide an annual report consisting of network participant lists, statistical tables, financial reports, statements of other sources of funding, and administrative reports such as conflict of interest and activities reports as stipulated by the NCE Secretariat.

Top of Page

Eligibility

Who can be named as the applicant on an NCE-KM application?

An application must be submitted by a researcher who is eligible to apply for funding under the policies and guidelines of at least one of the three federal granting agencies partnering in the program. The application must also have the support of the network Host (academic institution or private sector consortium that houses the administrative centre of the network and signs the funding agreement)

Who is eligible to receive the funding?

The organization that is designated to receive the funding is termed the Host or Host Institution. Eligible hosts are Canadian universities and post-secondary institutions with a mandate for research and their affiliated institutions, including hospitals and research institutes, or a private sector consortium that hosts a network, and associated researchers.

The Host must meet the general eligibility requirements of one or more of the three
federal granting agencies partnering in the program.

No more than one Host is permitted.

Must the NCE-KM network be incorporated as a not-for-profit organization?

The network must demonstrate effective accountability mechanisms, whether through incorporation as a not-for-profit organization or some other means.

What is typically the role of the Host?

Where appropriate, the Host Institution houses and provides the necessary support for the network administrative centre. It ensures that the network has suitable accommodation, as well as access to appropriate computer, communications, and financial administration systems.

Top of Page

Application Process

Is an Expression of Interest required?

An Expression of Interest is not required. The application process consists of a Letter of Intent (LOI) stage and (if selected) a Full Application stage. The due date for LOIs is September 15, 2010 at 4:30pm EDT (please see the NCE-KM LOI Guide).

If an applicant succeeds at the LOI stage, will funds be made available to assist with preparing the Full Application?

An applicant whose LOI passes the LOI screening process may request funding of up to $20,000 to assist with preparing a Full Application. Full Application Preparation (FAP) funding is used for application-related expenses such as communications and workshops, as well as for secretarial, clerical, and co-ordination services. If there is a requirement to meet with the NCE Selection Committee, the applicant would be expected to cover the associated travel costs for the attendees from the FAP funding.

To request FAP funding, applicants must submit a one-page letter outlining their required budget, including a brief rationale of proposed expenses.

Is there a maximum number of support letters at the LOI stage?

Up to five letters of support from non-academic stakeholders may be included.

What should the letters of support provide?

Letters of support should:

come from a senior executive with signing authority for the contributions being committed;
indicate the level, duration, and nature (cash and/or in-kind) of anticipated support for the proposed Network;
describe potential involvement and added-value of the proposed Network to the stakeholder’s current and future activities;
indicate current and past associations with the applicant;
not be template formatted by the applicant; and
be dated and signed no earlier than six months prior to the LOI submission deadline.

Top of Page

Collaboration

What is meant by “receptor”, “stakeholder” and “partner” in the NCE-KM context?

A receptor is a knowledge user. A stakeholder is an individual, group, or organization with an interest in the outcomes of the NCE-KM network. A partner is an individual, group or organization that contributes to the NCE-KM network in some way. These terms are not mutually exclusive.

It is important that receptors/stakeholders be involved in the planning and development of the NCE-KM network from the outset. The number and nature of partnerships will probably fluctuate during the life of the network.

What kind of international collaboration is the NCE-KM initiative looking for?

One of the objectives of the NCE-KM is to support national and international networks between knowledge users and producers from various disciplines, sectors and institutions, including industry, government, and not-for-profit organizations for the benefit of Canadian social, health and/or economic development.

Applicants should take this objective into consideration when developing their proposal. Where international partnerships are proposed, the applicant must demonstrate that the foreign counterpart is contributing additional/complementary knowledge and/or technology to Canada. Applicants should also consult the policies and guidelines of the three federal granting agencies.

Are partner contributions required?

There is no requirement for partner contributions in the NCE-KM. The identity of the partners and the nature of their contributions will vary according to the requirements of each NCE-KM network. However, in examining the application for NCE-KM funding, the NCE Selection Committee will be looking for a critical mass of commitment to the knowledge mobilization being proposed.

How should new networks position themselves in comparison with similar initiatives in Canada or abroad?

Applicants must: 1) demonstrate that the knowledge being applied or mobilized addresses key problems, challenges and opportunities of high strategic importance to Canada and 2) demonstrate the anticipated added value of the proposed NCE-KM compared to existing initiatives.

Where there is potential for perceived overlap between a proposed NCE-KM network and a current or previously funded NCE network, applicants must explain how the proposed network adds value or differs from currently or previously funded NCE networks.

Can an individual be involved in more than one network, or in more than one project within the same network?

An individual may be involved in more than one project within the same NCE-KM network and may also be involved in projects in more than one NCE network. There are several examples of this among existing NCE networks. Obviously, the individual in question must have the time to contribute adequately to the various projects.