NSERC CREATE PROGRAM

Collaborative Research andTraining Experience Program

Isabelle BlainVice-President, RGS

January 22, 2011

• Launched in 2008

• Based on existing models (CIHR-STIHR, NSF-IGERT, DFG-RTG)

• Supports the training of teams of highly qualified students and postdoctoral fellows from Canada and abroad through the development of innovative training programs that:

• encourage collaborative and integrative approaches that address significant scientific challenges

• facilitate the transition of new researchers from trainees to productive employees in the Canadian workforce

CREATE

2011 Competition

LOI ...................................... 123

Candidates invited .................. 50

Awarded .........................up to 20

Changes for 2012 Competition

1. Industrial Stream• Recognizing that the majority of graduates

will have careers outside academia

2. International collaboration• NSERC-DFG have signed a MOU to facilitate

collaboration between Canadians and

Germans

CREATE encourages:

• Job readiness – prepare for an easier transition to workforce

• Student mobility between universities (nationally or internationally) or to industry/government settings to gain valuable experience

• Interdisciplinary research

CREATE projects:• Will be led by a group of accomplished researchers who work

collaboratively to offer a defined training program to a group of trainees

• Will Provide experience relevant to academic or non-academic careers

• Should focus on providing an enriched training experience for graduate students

• Will be recognized for:• Innovative nature• Excellence of the researchers and their training success• Capacity to raise the standard for best practices in training• Encouraging student mobility

What Conditions Apply?

• Tenable only at NSERC-eligible Canadian universities

• Applicant (PI) must be from an NSERC-supported field at

an NSERC-eligible university

• Seventy percent of the group must be from the NSE

• Co-applicants may be from SSH or health fields

• Each training program will be overseen by a program

committee (applicant may not be the committee Chair)

• Program Committee reviews reports and provides

comments

Addressing Research Priorities

60% of CREATE funding will be directed to 4 priority areas:

• Environmental science and technologies

• Natural resources and energy

• Information and communications technologies

• Health and related life sciences and technologies

• But from the perspective of how NSE can support health

Value of the Awards

Year 1: up to $150,000

Years 2 – 6: up to $300,000 per year

Total max: $1,650,000

What expenses are allowable?

• A minimum of 80% to stipends: 30% may go to non-NSE trainees Undergrads ($4500 for 16 weeks + supplement 25%) Master’s ($17,300 per year) Doctoral ($21,000 per year) Postdoctoral ($40,000 per year)

• A maximum of 20% to: Training program structure eg. Salary of program

coordinator; first 2 years only Books, equipment, advertising, travel Dissemination of training materials and research results

Stipends and Supplements

Group Level Undergraduate Master's Doctoral Postdoctoral

         

Suggested amounts for students and fellows – based on NSERC scholarships and fellowships

$5,625 $17,300 $21,000 $40,000

Duration 16 weeks Annual Annual Annual

 

Note: For Master’s and Doctoral students the stipends above are the maximum amounts that can be paid from NSERC funds.

Contributions from partners, collaborators or any other private organization may be used to either top up the stipends or partially fund them in combination with NSERC funds  

How do I apply?

Phase 1: Letter of Intent (Quota based)

Phase 2: Full (invited) application

Phase 1 ... Letter of Intent

• Letter of intent to apply for a CREATE grant (Form 187)

• Personal data form (form 100) for the applicant (PI)

• Letter from VP Research

Form 187 – LOI to apply to CREATE

• Applicant information

• Co-applicants (min 1, max 10)

• Collaborators – no letters at this phase

• Outline of Training Program (2 pages)

• Excellence of Proposed Team of Researchers (2 pages)

• Referee suggestions (min 3, max 6)

.... LOIs will not be sent for external review

Phase 2 - If invitedFull Application

• Application for a CREATE grant (Form 102)

• Personal data form (form 100) for the applicant and up to

10 co-applicants

• One letter of support from the university

• Letters from collaborators (max 3), if applicable

Form 102

• Application profile

• Co-applicants and collaborators

• Plain language summary of proposal

• Research training program proposal

(free form, 12 pages + 1 for references)

• Proposed expenditures

• Budget justification (free form, 2 pages)

Form 102

• Support from other sources (free form, 2 pages)

• Maximum 1 Letter of support from lead university - any of

Department Head, or Dean of Faculty, orVP Research

Selection Criteria

Letter of Intent:

• Merit of proposed training program (40%)• Excellence of the research team (60%)

Full Application:

• Merit of proposed training program (50%)• Excellence of the research team (25%)• Program management and long-term sustainability

(25%)

Important Dates

March 11: Letter of Intent deadline (UW)

May 2: Letter of Intent deadline (NSERC)

June 15: Invitation to submit full application

Sept 22: Full application deadline

Summary of Changes

Elements of successful CREATE proposals It’s about job readiness and transition to workforce

More than funding for additional students for the professors Concrete and realistic training plan in relation to the potential career

paths of HQP involved

Clear demonstration of value-added for the HQP What professional skills will they gain? How will they benefit from the program through mobility and/or

interdisciplinary experience?

A strong team of researchers who share a vision

A well laid out management structure and evaluation plan Clear and appropriate performance indicators Sustainability beyond the 6 years of funding Institutional support

Where to Start?

From the end… – Where do your graduates go?– What kinds of job do they get?

Talk to employers– What competencies or skills are

graduates currently bringing?– What competencies or skills are

graduates lacking?

Devise an innovative training plan accordingly

Sector of Employement of Graduates

PrivateSector

Government

Academia

Other

• Program description:

www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca

Information For

Professors Grants

CREATE

• Program Officer: Nicole Viens• E-mail: CREATE@nserc-crsng.gc.ca • Tel: 613-943-1363

Information