NSERC announces second round of funding for science communications skills 

Program Summary

NSERC is launching the second year of a pilot funding opportunity to enhance the communications skills of students and researchers in the natural sciences and engineering. Such skills will contribute to science literacy, help counter science-related misinformation, and foster a role for science in evidence-based decision making.

The pilot program, Science Communication Skills grant (pilot), is targeted at organizations that provide science communication skills training to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) students, fellows, and faculty from Canadian post-secondary institutions. The training should have as its goal the effective communication of science to the general public. Organizations may request up to $20,000 in funding for a one year period.

Eligible activities include:

• training workshops in science communication skills
• mentorship activities
• conferences, symposia or webinars
• development of resources in tandem with delivery

Funds may be used for new activities or for improvements to content or delivery of existing activities. Training linked to course-work requirements (i.e., degree or diploma programs) is not eligible. Grants may not be used to support research.

 UPEI Submission Process and Deadlines

To facilitate selection and/or potential collaboration among applicants, UPEI will hold an internal review process. 

1) Applicants will submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to Research Services by April 9, 2021.  The LOI (maximum two pages) will contain the following:

• List of names of the principal investigator and any collaborating investigators (and their affiliation)
• Title of the project
• Description of the proposed activity(ies) and the objectives
• Relevant information about timelines, resources, targeted groups, etc.
• The planned approach for promoting participation from a diverse group of trainees
• An overview of how the funding would be spent and details on other sources of funding, as applicable
• A description of the relevant experience of the PI/team in science communication skills training

2) An internal selection process will be held, and applicants will be notified of the outcome by April 16, 2021.

3) The selected applicant will prepare their application following NSERC's application process and submit for internal approval using the Romeo Researcher Portal by May 10, 2021.  Upon confirmation of approval from Research Services, the principal investigator will upload their application to NSERC’s Secure Submission Site by May 17, 2021.    

In 2020, the Government of Prince Edward Island established a $1-million annual Climate Challenge Fund (CC Fund). The CC Fund is intended to generate the best innovative solutions to respond to the threat of climate change by students, experts, communities and businesses.  

The fund will accept applications from Island businesses, municipalities, academic institutions, non-profit organizations, organizations representing culturally diverse communities, service providing agencies, services for diverse groups, organizations and groups, and not-for-profit organizations doing projects in Prince Edward Island.

Specifically, the fund will support projects that:
• help adapt to projected impacts of climate change;
• reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
• increase opportunities for carbon sequestration;
• support public outreach and education; and
• expand research and knowledge.

CC Fund contributions will be limited to a maximum of $100,000 per project, or $100,000 per applicant/year for applicants with multiple projects, unless otherwise approved by the Climate Challenge Working Group.

For academic institutions, the CC Fund will contribute funding of 70% of eligible expenditures. Successful applicants may use in-kind resources, or other Federal or Provincial funds as their share of the costs, subject to the stacking rules or policies inherent to other programs.  

Overhead costs must be included in the budget at a rate of five per cent of the total funding request.  

Applications submitted by November 30, 2020 will be considered in the first round of approvals for 2020-21 funding, but applications can be submitted anytime on an ongoing basis.

For more information, visit https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/service/apply-pei-climate-challenge-fund.

UPEI Submission Process:

UPEI may submit multiple applications; however, program guidelines require departments to assign a priority rating to each individual project.  Therefore, applicants must communicate with their Chair (or Dean for non-departmentalized faculties) before preparing an application.  

Applicants intending to meet the November 30th deadline must ensure that their application is submitted for approval in the UPEI Researcher Portal by November 23rd, and ensure that it reaches Research Services for review by November 25th.

The call for applications for the UPEI 2021 NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) competition is attached and can also be found here.

Egg Farmers of Canada (EFC) is proud to support Canadian research in egg production, poultry science, animal and human nutrition, and economic and environmental sustainability at universities across the country. EFC’s call for letters of intent is now open, and researchers are invited to complete and submit the funding application form. For this call, EFC has identified nine research priorities with a specific emphasis on environment and sustainability and end of flock management.

All funding applications must be received by March 1, 2021. To fill in the application form, or to view the application guidelines and a list of EFC’s research priorities, visit EFC’s website.

UPEI Application process:

1) Submit the grant application for int eh UPEI Research Portal by Feb 22nd, 2021

2) Once approval is granted by ORS, submit the completed grant form to EFC by March 1, 2021

The Alliance literature was recently updated on October 28, 2020. It aims to streamline and clarify various points, as well as to provide access to additional resources based on feedback and questions from the community. Key changes are summarized below, but we strongly encourage you to review the updated literature before submitting an application.

IRAP provides financial support for support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) driven requests for direct research and development support. Faculty may provide research and development support. The maximum contribution is $5,000 over 3 to 5 days, with no cash contribution required by the company.

Deadline: anytime

Application:  On behalf of UPEI, Synapse acts as the industry liaison and commercialization lead. Please contact Synapse to assess eligible projects and application forms.   http://synapsepei.com/about/contact

Springboard Atlantic Innovation Mobilization Program

Industry Engagement

Promotes partnership development of effective regional partnerships with industry. The maximum program support is $15,000 for up to one year.

Market Support

To build and develop a prototype of technology for marketing purposes. The maximum program support is $5,000 for up to one year.

Proof of Concept

To support early-stage technology validation and market connections in Atlantic Canada assigned to an institution. The program can provide up to $20,000 support over one year.

Patent and Legal Fund

To protect IP to attract early-stage investment technology transfer in Atlantic Canada. Up to $15,000 support can be provided over two years.

Note: Only research institutions that are members of Springboard Atlantic are eligible to apply to Springboard funding programs. UPEI is an eligible member of Springboard Atlantic.   A total of 63% of the costs are covered by Springboard, the other 37% must come from matching sources.

Deadline: anytime

Application:  On behalf of UPEI, Synapse acts as the industry liaison and commercialization lead. Please contact Synapse to assess eligibility and assistance with program applications.   http://synapsepei.com/about/contact