Acadia University
Internal Application for CFI Funding
(Canada Foundation for Innovation)
Background
One of the key sources of funding for research equipment, renovations, and construction at Acadia is the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). CFI was created by the federal government to fund research infrastructure in Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals, and non-profit research institutions, in order to enable researchers to carry out world-class research and technology development. There are three principal funding streams within CFI: the Leaders Opportunity Fund (LOF), a pre-determined allocation-based program that targets recruitment and retention of researchers), and the Leading Edge Fund (LEF)/New Initiatives Fund (NIF) competitions which are major national infrastructure competitions held every three years.It is important to note that these are institutional awards requiring the University to submit proposals that support both the University’s Strategic Research Plan and, increasingly, government priorities. The expectation is that these projectswill be characterized by innovative and transformative research.
Internal Procedure
For all CFI competitions, researchers interested in applying are required to submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) to the University. Upcoming CFI competition details and EoI application deadlines will be communicated to the Acadia community electronically. An Adjudication Committee will review EoIs and identify University award nominees to support in going forward to CFI. In preparing CFI proposals, researchers work with Research and Graduate Studies staff for approximately 4-6 months on proposal development. During that time, researchers will also work with staff in the Business Office, Physical Plant, and Facilities Management, as well as their potential suppliers.
If an application is successful, CFI provides 40% of the funding. An additional 40% comes from the Provincial government through the Nova Scotia Research and Innovation Trust (NSRIT). The remaining 20% is expected to be provided by others, such as suppliers, industry or community partners, the University, researchers, etc.
Adjudication
The EoIs will be adjudicated by the CFI Adjudication Committee, made up of:
Vice President Academic, Chair; Dean of Arts; Dean of Professional Studies; Dean of Pure and Applied Science; and Dean of Research and Graduate Studies. The Committee will consider the merit of the project, and how well the project integrates with Acadia’s Strategic Research Plan and government priorities.
Expression of Interest
CFI 2011-2012
CFI FUND: Leading Edge ______New Initiatives______
Principal Investigator
Name:Department/School:
Co-Applicants
NamesDepartment/SchoolInstitution
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Are any previous CFI awards linked to the requested infrastructure?
PI Name:
Year of award:
Amount of award:
Project Overview (maximum 2-page attachment) Include the following information: a short description of themajor pieces of the infrastructure you wish to acquire; the need for the infrastructure; how the infrastructure will enhance research capacity at Acadia and in Nova Scotia/Canada; collaborations and partnerships that will be supported or created by the infrastructure (internal and external); the research and technology development activities that will be enabled; the benefits to Nova Scotia and Canada of this infrastructure; and how the training of highly qualified personnel will be enhanced.You must comment on theintegration of the project/infrastructure with Acadia’s Strategic Research Plan and government priorities. You may also attach two relevant supporting documents (e.g., letters of support, images of infrastructure).
Where will the infrastructure be housed?
How will you ensure maintenance of the infrastructure over its life?
Please provide a summary of project expenses (include 15% taxes, shipping, and installation)
Equipment:
Renovations:
Construction:
Other (elaborate):
TOTAL PROJECT BUDGET:
Please provide a summary of your funding plan
CFI (40%):
NSRIT (40%):
Suppliers discount:
Partners (specify):
Other:
TOTAL:
______
Signature of Principal Investigator Date
______
Signature of Department Head/School Director Date
(Acknowledgement of space requirements and of the EoI submission)
______
Signature of Building Manager (if different than Dean or Director) Date
______
Signature of Dean Date
Please submit this Expression of Interest form, and supporting documentation (electronically), to:
Peggy Crawford
Research and Innovation Coordinator
Research and Graduate Studies
Dated: September 19th, 2011