ALES process for funding in support of SSHRC Grants

APPLICATION GUIDELINES 2020-2021

Eligibility

• To maintain the integrity of the Endowment, we are encouraged and challenged to utilize the funds in strategic, collaborative and transformative ways that will elevate our faculty to the next level.
• Applicants are continuing social science faculty members in the departments of Human Ecology and Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology (PDF and PhD students eligible team members).
• Applicants are restricted to one application per competition.

Funding

• Available funding 2020/2021 = $19,715
• The intent is to fund only 1-3 projects that are innovative and support the strategic goals of the Departments and Faculty.

Period

• Completion of the research proposal must be within one year or less of receiving the SAS award.
• It is expected that all funds will be expended by March 31, 2021.

Proposals

• The strategic and transformative nature of proposed projects and activities is essential.
• Support Department and Faculty strategic goals
• Types of proposal:
  • seed funding leading to a major external research grant application (SSHRC)
  • teaching or research focused projects
  • infrastructure or equipment that will benefit multiple users, master classes.

Budget Development

• Specify and justify all costs associated with the proposed project.
• Equipment and Materials
  • Clearly explain why the equipment is essential for the proposed project, and if already available why it cannot be used. A vendor’s estimate for equipment requested must be provided.
  • SAS will not provide support for purchase of personal computers, except when the computer is needed for a clearly specified research component within an integrated research program. Equipment and materials purchased with SAS funds become the property of the university.
• Personnel
  • When personnel are requested, indicate the duties, any special expertise required. If the person is a student indicate the relationship between proposed duties the course of studies.
  • SAS funding is not intended to be a replacement for graduate research assistantships. Graduate research assistants will normally be paid in accordance with the suggested hourly rate schedule (casual labour rates) published by FGSR. Undergraduate research assistants will normally be paid in accordance with the hourly salary scales for casual labour.
  • Include 10 % benefits and 4 % holiday pay in the budget.

Application Process

• LOI - Pitch your idea in one page to your Chair by June 12, 2020
• REES and HE Chairs, and the ADR will select proposals for full application.
• Full Applications will be due June 30, 2020 (Full Application template will be provided)
• Submit via email to Sarah Gooding, ALES Research Team (gooding@ualberta.ca).

Adjudication

• Applications will be adjudicated by the ALES ADR and HE and REES Chairs.
• Adjudication will be based on scientific merit; potential for development of research leading to applications to national granting councils; importance to the researcher’s program; alignment with Department, Faculty and University strategic plans; appropriateness of the budget; clarity and completeness of the application.
• Seed funding must explain what will be accomplished during the SAS grant and why these accomplishments are required for a competitive national research grant application. The final report must include a copy of the resulting national research grant application.
• To provide targeted assistance that is demonstrably essential to the success of a major research project, state measures that have already been taken to secure external support.
• Not intended for ongoing funding; cannot apply for the same project in future applications.

The Grant

• Each successful applicant will submit expense claims and invoices for payment to the Faculty Finance Office located on the 6^th floor GSB.
• Funds should be expended by March 31, 2021.
• SAS awards are provided for specific expenditures identified in the proposal and may not be used for other purposes.
• If there is a substantial change in budget, a written request explaining the need for the change must be submitted by the grant holder to the Associate Dean (Research).

Final Report

• Applicants must submit a brief report (limit to 3 pages) to the department chair and ADR as soon as the project is completed or no later than April 15 of the funding year.
• The report should indicate what work was accomplished, when it was accomplished, what publications or presentations are expected and a financial statement detailing expenditures. If the funding was used for a project that leads to an external research grant, the final report must include a copy of the grant application to the external funder.
• Future applications will not be considered until the applicant has submitted a final report.

SSHRC Institutional Grant (SIG)

Application Guidelines 2021-2022

The Faculty of ALES has been allocated $20,000 by the VPRI Office under the SSHRC Institutional Grant (SIG) program. SIG funds are designed to allow for small-scale innovation and experimentation by providing funding to develop a research project or conduct pilot work; and to enable researchers to hire students at any level to participate in their research projects thereby contributing to their professional development. 

Funding must be allocated to researchers intending to apply for SSHRC grants in the next year. For more information on potential SSHRC grants visit the Research Services Office website https://www.ualberta.ca/research-services-office/funding-opportunities/sshrc.html .

SSHRC Institutional Grants (SIG) Funds:

• $5,000 to $10,000 per PI or per project – depending on # applications approved updated budgets may be requested.
• SSHRC eligible expenses only
• Must be spent by 31 March 2022 with reporting due mid-April 2022
• Cannot be used to reimburse already spent dollars.

All applications should include the following:

• Principal investigator name, rank, department
• Potential co-apps, collaborators or partners (especially if you are planning to apply for SSHRC Partnership Grants)
• Title of project
• Brief description of the proposed work under the SIG project, importance and impact of the work including the connection of the work to existing research and the SSHRC grant(s) you are targeting. 
• Budget (for example: research assistant, graduate student stipend or salary, dissemination, travel). 
• Budget Justification including rationale and need for funds - Often the funds are used for a graduate student working on a research project that will lead to a SSHRC research proposal. For example, activities such as literature review and background research, workshops and meetings with potential partners and key stakeholders to strengthen the application, and outputs that include a SSHRC proposal.
• Timelines for expenditures

Keep your applications brief; with a maximum of 5 pages, shorter is encouraged. 

Applications due June 15, 2021

Submit your applications to David Bressler (Associate Dean (Research)) and cc Sarah Gooding via email as a word or pdf document.