Policies & Guidelines
University of Waterloo Senate Graduate and Research Council
UW/SSHRC Seed Grant Program
Application Form Terms of Reference
INTRODUCTION
The UW/SSHRC Seed Grant program is funded by an annual block grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Proposals are reviewed and approved by the UW/SSHRC Small Grants Committee, a sub-committee of the University Senate Graduate and Research Council, and are administered through the Office of Research. The amount of the annual SSHRC block grant is based on the University's success in the SSHRC grants programs. To maintain a stream of internal research funding, eligibility for the UW/SSHRC Seed Grant Program is directly tied to participation in these external SSHRC programs. An exception to this rule is made for new faculty: those in their first three years of appointment are eligible to receive funding without having first sought external SSHRC funds.
These funds cover research expenses for projects with budgets under $5,500 in the Social Sciences and Humanities and Fine- and Performing-Arts, and are seed funding for subsequent applications to SSHRC. UW/SSHRC Seed Grant funding is available for one UW-fiscal year. Extensions will be made on a case-by-case basis and will necessitate the submission of a written request with a revised budget to the Secretary of the UW/SSHRC Small Grants Committee.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must be SSHRC-eligible faculty* who have applied to an external SSHRC competition or held an external SSHRC grant within the previous three years. An exception to this is new faculty: those in their first three years of appointment are eligible to receive UW/SSHRC Seed Grant funding without having first sought external SSHRC funds. As well, consideration may be given to regular faculty who have not recently applied for or held a SSHRC grant, but who can demonstrate that they are undertaking a significant change in research direction that requires start-up funds and is SSHRC-related. Faculty with a 3-year limited-term appointment will be given consideration to apply so long as they have the support of their Department Chair and Faculty Dean.
* SSHRC-Eligible Scholars for Standard Research Grants as defined on the SSHRC website: http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/site/apply-demande/background-renseignements/definitions-eng.aspx#a1
In addition, the following eligibility rules apply:
- Applicants can hold either a UW/SSHRC grant or a SSHRC grant but not both**.
- Applicants who currently hold external SSHRC funding are ineligible to apply for UW/SSHRC funds.
- Applicants can hold only one UW/SSHRC award at a time (i.e. 4A, Seed, or Travel)
- All applicants to the program are expected to apply to an external SSHRC competition within two years of receiving their UW/SSHRC grant.
- While an applicant may not be a Principal Investigator on more than one UW/SSHRC Seed Grant at the same time, s/he may be a co-investigator on any number of concurrent applications.
** Some exceptions apply, such as applicants who hold a conference or workshop grant.
PRIORITIES
The purpose of the UW/SSHRC Seed Grant Program is to support the early-stage development of high-quality research in the fine and performing arts, social sciences and humanities. The UW/SSHRC Small Grants Committee will prioritize funding for preliminary work for a new project*** and bridge-funding for a project linked to a new SSHRC proposal.
*** Requests for support for networking activities will be considered. Applicants must make a compelling case that this activity is integral to the development of a new project, and requests for such funding will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
ELIGIBLE EXPENSES
The UW/SSHRC Seed Grant Program will cover the following expenses: salaries of research assistants, minor equipment, databases, supplies, and travel essential for the conduct of the research. Research-related travel within Southwestern Ontario will not be covered (note: subsistence and accommodation fees up to a maximum of $150.00/day will be allowed for research trips outside of reasonable commuting distances). Requests for equipment or software must be justified and identified as essential to the success of the project, and must explain why available on-campus facilities are not adequate.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Successful applicants whose research involves human participants must submit a research ethics application form (ORE 101) to the Director, Research Ethics for ethics review and clearance before a research account can be activated.
Successful applicants whose research involves live, non-human vertebrate animals must submit an Animal Utilization Project Proposal (AUPP) to the Director, Research Ethics for ethics review and approval before a research account can be activated.
Office of Research Ethics - http://iris.uwaterloo.ca/ethics/
EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS
Funding decisions for this program will be made by the UW/SSHRC Small Grants Committee based on the applicant’s need for support; the quality of the proposal; the link established between the Seed Grant project and a forthcoming external SSHRC grant application; and the research record, or potential of the applicant. When the Committee requires further input to arrive at a decision, the applicant’s Department Chair and Faculty Dean will be asked for a confidential evaluation of the proposal.
APPLICATIONS must include the following:
- 1 copy of the Office of Research Cover Sheet for Sponsored Research Activities with signatures of the applicant, Chair and Dean: http://www.research.uwaterloo.ca/forms/
- 1 original paper copy and one electronic copy (PDF) of the application and all supporting documents.
- Application Form with signatures of the applicant, Chair and Dean
- Attached Document – Appointment Letter (if applicable)
- Attached Document – Summary of Proposal (1/2 page)
- Attached Document – Detailed Description of Proposal (4 pages)
- Attached Document – List of References
- Attached Document – Budget Justification (1 page)
- Attached Document – Equipment Quotes (if applicable)
- Attached Document – SSHRC CV & Required Attachments (CV form + 4 pages)
- UW/SSHRC Seed Grant & UW/HSS Endowment Fund Awards final reports from the last 5 years (if applicable)
Please submit the fully signed paper copy to the Secretary, UW/SSHRC Small Grants Committee, Office of Research, Needles Hall. All questions should be directed to the Secretary, UW/SSHRC Grants Committee at extension 35108 or uwsshrc@uwaterloo.ca.
Notification: decisions will normally be mailed to applicants by the end of May. If SSHRC Standard Research Grants are announced after April 15th, then results will be delayed.
FINAL REPORT REQUIREMENT
Three months following the termination of the grant, a one page final report including a summary of the research results and their general significance is to be submitted to the Secretary of the UW/SSHRC Small Grants Committee. The summary should describe how the research evolved from the objectives set out in the proposal and, where possible, explain the significance to Canadians.
Please note that a researcher will not normally be eligible for further support from the UW/SSHRC program until a report on the previously-funded research has been submitted. Any publications resulting from this research should acknowledge the support of the UW/SSHRC Seed Grant Program.
DEADLINE:
Normally April 30; if SSHRC Standard Research Grants results are announced after April 15th, the deadline will be two weeks after this announcement.
Revised: April 2010
