Letter of Intent to apply for AFMNet Discovery Research
Deadline: Monday, December 21st 2009
Background:
AFMNet is one of Canada's Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE). The NCE Program is jointly administered by three granting councils: the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), in partnership with Industry Canada.
The Advanced Foods and Material Network will be concluding its first, 7-year cycle of funding in March 2011. To secure a second round of 7-year NCE funding, an application will be submitted in August 2010. This application must include potential round 2 projects that build on and add value to the research developed in the first round. We encourage previously funded AFMNet projects to re-apply, however we welcome new applicants and will evaluate all LOIs equally.
For any further clarifications, please see the "Frequently Asked Questions" document below.
In preparation of this application (due August 2010), we are requesting Letters of Intent (LOIs) to be submitted by Monday, December 21, 2009. These LOIs will be evaluated by the AFMNet Research Management Committee by January 8, 2010 and successful LOIs will be selected to submit a full proposal (5 page maximum) by February 15, 2010 for inclusion in the renewal application. Full proposals will require a budget and justification, as well as milestones for a maximum of three years. If our application is successful, funds will become available in April 2011.
The following guidelines should be followed in this letter of intent:
- Projects should address the core areas of AFMNet which have been developed and include: food and health; bio-materials and nanoscience; traceability and authenticity; and policy and regulations.
- In selecting projects for approval, AFMNet will give top priority to those projects which are highly translational and aligned with at least one of the core strategic areas.
- Projects should have the potential to lead to new products and services and as well address legal, policy and social acceptance issues resulting from the use of new technologies in improving the health and well being of Canadians.
- All projects must demonstrate multidisciplinary collaborations, training of HQP (undergraduate, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research technicians/associates, visiting scientists), and place an emphasis on partnerships and the engagement of external stakeholders.
- Projects must be focused and goal driven which generates solutions that will be implemented to produce social and economic benefits for Canadians.
LOI template (attached) - As part of the template please identify the following: a Project leader, Project title, Co-Applicant(s) information (Network investigators), and Partners. In a maximum of 3 pages, please describe the following: Objectives, Research Plan and Methodology, Deliverables/Outputs, Knowledge Translation Highlights.
**Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the guidelines for "Instructions for Completing a Renewal Application for an NCE Second Funding Cycle" prior to completing the template as this document outlines the requirements for a successful application. In addition, terms such as Knowledge Translation are defined.
To submit your application, please send your LOI via e-mail to:
Kelly Krashinsky, Research Manager
Advanced Foods & Materials Network
kelly.krashinsky@afmnet.ca
For additional information, applicants should review the NCE criteria below. It can also be found online at http://www.nce-rce.gc.ca/Competitions-Competitions/Current-EnVigueur/Program-Guide-Programme_eng.asp
1. Excellence of the Research Program
The networks' research program must be driven to address Canadian needs and problems, and is therefore expected to be multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral.
Elements being considered are:
- The excellence, focus and coherence of the research program
- The balance between research into new discoveries and the application of research breakthroughs to address practical problems facing Canadians
- The achievements of the researchers in the continuum of research and their ability to contribute to the realization of the network's objectives
- The value added by the network's multifaceted approach, in terms of having all the critical linkages in place to generate world-class research breakthroughs, apply that knowledge to practical solutions, and commercialize innovations that produce social and economic benefits
- The extent to which the program will contribute to Canada's abilities and reputation for international leadership in areas of high economic and social importance to Canada
- The extent to which new and emerging social and ethical challenges are an integral part of the research program
- The relationship of the proposed research program to similar work conducted in Canada and abroad
2. Development of Highly Qualified Personnel
The training and retention of highly qualified personnel (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 networks is expected to add value to the formal training initiatives already available through the universities and should aim at helping prepare students to find employment in the Canadian economy (e.g. private sector partners, government, etc.) The multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral nature of networks 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:
- The ability to attract, develop and retain outstanding researchers in research areas and technologies critical to Canadian productivity, economic growth, public policy and quality of life
- Training strategies that expose trainees 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 application through to practical social and economic benefits.
3. Networking and Partnerships
Networks must demonstrate that they have brought together the key individuals and organizations needed to generate and implement multifaceted solutions to the complex Canadian challenges it is designed to address.
Elements being considered are:
- Effective research and technology development links between national and international academic institutions, federal and provincial agencies, non-governmental organizations and private sector participants.
- Multidisciplinary, multi-sectoral approaches in the research program.
- Demonstration that the right partners/individuals are at the table to address the proposed issue, including international partners when applicable.
- Optimization of resources through the sharing of equipment and research facilities, databases and personnel;
- Presence, nature and extent of contributions from the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, and from international partners, as well as the prospect for increasing commitments as the work progresses.
4. Knowledge and Technology Exchange and Exploitation
Networks are expected to generate social and economic benefits by ensuring the rapid flow of ideas and innovations between researchers and Canadian receptors. The applicant is expected to demonstrate that the appropriate activities will be undertaken and the appropriate resources allocated to maximize those benefits.
Elements being considered are:
- The new products, processes or services to be commercialized by firms operating in Canada as a result of network activities and the extent to which these will strengthen the Canadian economic base, enhance productivity, and contribute to long-term economic growth and social benefits;
- The social innovations to be implemented as a result of the network and the extent to which these will generate social and health benefits for Canadians, and contribute to more effective public policy in Canada;
- Effective collaboration with the private and public sectors in technology, market development, and public policy development;
- The extent to which the network will help partners develop strong receptor capacity to exploit current and future research breakthroughs;
- Effective management and protection of intellectual property resulting from network-funded research;
- The extent to which additional/complementary knowledge, and/or technology a foreign counterpart is contributing to Canada, when international partnerships are relevant.
5. Management of the Network
Each network must possess an organizational structure appropriate for the management of the research and business functions of a complex multidisciplinary, multi-institutional program. These elements must include:
- A board and committee structure to ensure that appropriate policy and financial decisions are made and implemented;
- The presence of effective leadership and expertise in the research and the business management functions;
- Effective research planning and budgeting mechanisms;
- Effective internal and external communications strategies.
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