Waterloo |International

Waterloo |research

BORDEAUX-WATERLOO RESEARCH GRANTS

Background:

The University of Waterloo (UW) and the University of Bordeaux (UB) intend to strengthen, deepen and broaden their existing relationship in teaching and research. A joint workshop in May 2014 identified a number of existing and new research collaborations that would move the two institutions closer together and produce research outcomes of international significance as a result of combined research strength. The University of Waterloo has subsequently allocated up to $300K per year for the next four years to support the amplification and development of collaborative research initiatives. A protocol for a competitive research grant program is described here.

Those topics for which existing collaboration could serve as a platform for more elaborate research programs are placed into Category A. Those topics that show promise in terms of research results but require further discussion to identify precise areas of research interest were placed into Category B.

Category A. Joint applications are invited from UW faculty, working with counterparts from the UB, who wish to pursue the strengthening of an existing research collaboration in the following areas (in no particular order):

  1. Interaction of Light with Matter;
  2. Biobased chemistry and synthetic biology; and
  3. Critical materials and elements.

Up to $50K (per joint project) is available for competitionin this category but must be “matched” by cash funding from other sources to support research activities as well as the development of joint proposals that will lead to the establishment of long-term collaboration, potentially through the creation of novel research platforms (e.g. joint laboratories) involving personnel from UW and UB. There is an expectation that these programs will ultimately be able to access long term international funding mechanisms that support research activities in both France and Canada.

Category B. Joint applications are invited from UW faculty, working with counterparts from the UB, to pursue a deeper understanding of complementary interests and strengths. The funds can be used to support reciprocal visits, workshops, seminars and other interactions designed to elucidate shared or complementary research interests and strengths. Category B topics include the following broad themes (in no particular order):

  1. Water;
  2. Aging
  3. Energy management
  4. Topics that arise during the course of our relationship where there appears to be complementary strength and mutual interest.

Up to $20K (per joint project) is available for competition in this category but must be “matched” by cash funding from other sources. It could be expected that over time, a B category topic could move into the A category. The Steering Committee will be expected to provide advice on this matter using progress indicators related to the expected outcomes to make the determination.

It is expected thatfundingfor Category A or B will provide UW and UB research groups with the enhanced capacity to pursue and leverage significant collaborative international research funding.

Preference will be given to submissions involving a group of UW/UB researchers rather than individual applications.

Type of Grant Requested:

☐ Category AUp to $50K (per joint project)

☐ Category BUp to $20K (per joint project)

Note: Budget provisions will normally involve 50/50 cost-sharing where the Office of the Vice-President Research /Associate Vice President International will cover 50% of the costs. The remaining 50% must be a cash contribution from another source(s). For example, your Dean/Chair/Director, industry, research funding, partner institutions, etc.

Project Summary:

Title:

Start date:

End date:

Note: Project activities should normally take place within a one-year period

Lead Researchers(add additional rows as needed):

Name / Position / Department/
Research centre
Waterloo PI
Waterloo Co-PI
Bordeaux PI
Bordeaux
Co-PI
Affiliated Researcher
(Other Institution)

Description of the Research Collaboration

  • The Research (provide a summary of the collaborative research topic, methodology, key challenges/problems the research addresses, expected results, and how the research is innovative and important)
  • Key Expertise of Researchers (briefly state the key areas of expertise of each of the researchers)
  • Complementary Expertise and Value-added of Team Members (explain the complementary nature of the projectand the value-added as a result of the collaboration)
  • Existing Collaborations (identify past or existing partnerships with the researchers and/or their institutions)

Expected Outcomes of the Research and the Collaboration

This section should:

-briefly state expected scientific advances, technology development, policy formulation, scholarship, or innovation, etc.

-identify proposed international research funding applications as a result of this grant/collaboration

-specify how the results of the collaboration will be disseminated

-describe any other expected outcomes of this collaboration(number of joint publications in appropriate peer-reviewed journals; research platforms and teams that can access international funding sources; international recognition of high quality research results via prizes and other recognition systems

Activity Plan

-this section should include main activities, milestones and dates/duration (add additional rows are needed)

Milestone / Activity Description / Duration (months)
Milestone 1: / -----
Activity 1:
Activity 2:
Milestone 2: / -----
Activity 1:
Activity 2:
Milestone 3: / -----
Activity 1:
Activity 2:

Budget Summary (add additional rows as needed)

Activity /Expense / Cost ($)
TOTAL COST

Amount Requested*:

Source / Amount Requested ($)
Faculty/Department/Research Centre
VP , University Research/AVP International
Other Source - specify
Other Source - specify
TOTAL BUDGET

*Note: Budget provisions will normally involve 50/50 cost-sharing where the Office of the Vice-President Research/Associate Vice President International will cover 50% of the costs. The remaining 50% must be a cash contribution from another source(s). For example, your Dean/Chair/Director, industry, research funding, partner institutions, etc.

Curriculum Vitae:

Attach a short CV for each of the researchers

Letters of Endorsement:

Attach letters of endorsement from partner or affiliated institutions and also from those making cash contributions to the project.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:

Deadline:March 30, 2015

Send applications as a single PDF to Drew Knight, Director, Global Alliances, Waterloo International/Office of Research:

An Office of Research Cover Sheet for Sponsored Research must also be submitted by the deadline.

EVALUATION PROCEDURE:

Applications will be evaluated on an annual basis by a Waterloo Steering Committee, co-chaired by the Vice-President, University Research and the Associate Vice President International. Applications will be evaluated on the guidelines noted above. Those selected for funding will be notified by email. Unsuccessful applicants may be provided with some evaluative comments.

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS:

Please direct any questions or comments to Drew Knight, Director, Global Alliances ( / ext 32288).

1