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- Summer 2023
- SCA's Arne Eigenfeldt in The Conversation: Why the growth of AI in making art won’t eliminate artists
- FCAT hosts Safe Space for White Questions online discussion
- Our Way and The Klabona Keepers among 5th Annual Skoden Film Festival award winners
- FCAT supports northern BC communities with increased learning opportunities
- Master of Digital Media Grads Tackle Plastic Waste Blanketing Our Oceans with Group Shopping App
- June 2023 Convocation Featured Student Profiles
- Introducing FCAT Research Spotlight
- The School of Communication's 50th Anniversary: From 1973 to 2023
- Spring 2023
- Cody Sawatsky Memorial Plaque Unveiled at the SFU Surrey Campus
- Scholarly Impact of the Week: Michael Filimowicz
- School of Interactive Arts & Technology professor Wolfgang Stuerzlinger inducted to prestigious VR academy
- Meet Nico Hernandez, 2022 Lighthouse Lab Prize Recipient
- Jon Corbett Joins School of Interactive Art and Technology
- Welcome Kota Ezawa, the 2023 Spring Audain Visual Artist in Residence
- MPUB Alumnus Claire Cavanagh Becomes Literary Agent
- Alumnus designs Canucks Lunar New Year jersey
- 2023 Skoden Indigenous Film Festival
- How the Online Streaming Act will support Canadian content
- Meet Jonathan Newman, the 2022 Recipient of the Cody Sawatsky Memorial Award in Gaming
- Fall 2022
- Eight SFU innovators bestowed with Canada’s highest academic honour
- SIAT Convocation Features October 2022
- Graduating Student Sharlyn Monillas Tells Us About Her Time in CMNS
- Centre for Digital Media partners with Ethọ́s Lab to improve Black representation in digital media
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- Charter alumnus making a big impact through small gifts
- Summer 2022
- FCAT June 2022 Convocation: Looking back
- Meet Contemporary Arts alum Krystle Silverfox
- SFU researchers receive over $6 million to tackle online disinformation, foster data fluencies
- SIAT researchers develop and curate exhibition at Galiano Island’s Yellowhouse Art Centre
- Roll out the red carpet: Surrey students showcase filmmaking talent
- Spring 2022
- FACTS AND FALSEHOODS IN THE TIME OF COVID-19
- Celebrating Black History Month across the Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology
- SFU professor shares experience living and teaching in war-torn Ukraine
- SFU artists and researchers showcase art installation on Surrey’s ‘UrbanScreen’
- Leadership and Agile Production Management micro-credential established in partnership with DigiBC
- Leading with heart: Meet Staff Achievement Award winner Corbin Saleken
- HOW GOOGLE’S SEARCH ENGINE SUPPORTS CONSPIRACY THEORISTS AND HATE FIGURES
- SFU staffer’s commitment to local arts community nets staff achievement award
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- Season One
- Episode 0: Welcome to After School
- Episode 1: Finding Your Creative Potential with Prem Gill
- Episode 2: Inclusivity in the Performance Arts with Aryo Khakpour
- Episode 3: Connecting Design and Technology with Sofia Bautista
- Episode 4: Storytelling in Game Design with Mars Balisacan
- Episode 5: Challenging the Status Quo through Art with Shion Skye Carter & Stefan Nazarevich
- Episode 6: Starting Your Own Publishing Company with Jesse Finkelstein
- Episode 7: Finding Happiness in Your Work with Nick Doering
- Episode 8: Making a Name in Independent Filmmaking with Gloria Mercer
- Episode 9: It All Starts with a Strategy with Adam Brayford
- Episode 10: Shifting Places, Shifting Minds with Milton Lim
- Episode 11: Being the Big Piece in a Small Pie with Jordan Yep
- Episode 12: Reimagining Dance Training with Tin Gamboa
- Episode 13: Standing Out as a Creative with Sara Milosavic
- Season Two
- Episode 0: Welcome to FCAT After School Series 2!
- Episode 1: Entrepreneurship in UX Design with Eric Lee
- Episode 2: Community and Adaptability in the Performing Arts with Howard Dai
- Episode 3: Mastering the Art of Publishing with Jazmin Welch
- Episode 4: Navigating your Educational Journey with Broadcaster Simi Sara
- Episode 5: Career Transitions of a Software Engineer with Vic Ong
- Episode 6: Becoming Your Own Boss with Kirstin Richter
- Episode 7: Gaining a Global Outlook with Kai Bockmann
- Episode 8: Finding Your Place in Publishing with Heidi Waechtler
- Episode 9: Exploring Virtual Production with Brenda Medina
- Episode 10: Inclusion in the Design Industry with Priscilla Skylar Lee
- Episode 11: Exploring Study Focus in Contemporary Arts with Sophie Tang
- Episode Transcripts
- Season 2, Episode 1: Entrepreneurship in UX Design with Eric Lee
- Season 2, Episode 2: Community and Adaptability in the Performing Arts with Howard Dai
- Season 2, Episode 3: Mastering the Art of Publishing with Jazmin Welch
- Season 2, Episode 4: Navigating your Educational Journey with Broadcaster Simi Sara
- Season 2, Episode 5: Career Transitions of a Software Engineer with Vic Ong
- Season 2, Episode 6: Becoming Your Own Boss with Kirstin Richter
- Season 2, Episode 7: Kai Bockmann
- Season 2, Episode 8: Finding Your Place in Publishing with Heidi Waechtler
- Season 2, Episode 9: Exploring Virtual Production with Brenda Medina
- Season 2, Episode 10: Inclusion in the Design Industry with Priscilla Skylar Lee
- Season 2, Episode 11: Exploring Study Focus in Contemporary Arts with Sophie Tang
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Project concept and planning
Identifying funding opportunities
There exist several databases or search engines on available research funding opportunities at SFU and other post-secondary institutions. Researchers may also already know of an opportunity through their own networks, online websites and email distribution lists.
At SFU, comprehensive information about upcoming funding opportunities is provided on the ORS website at: https://www.sfu.ca/research-services/funding-opportunities.html. This includes:
- A Funding and Awards Opportunities Database at: https://ops.its.sfu.ca/.
- A list of internal SFU opportunities at: https://www.sfu.ca/research-services/funding-opportunities/internal-opportunities.html.
In addition, FCAT resources include:
- The FCAT Research Funding Calendar specifically geared towards opportunities that may interest FCAT researchers.
- A weekly research funding newsletter.
For more information, please contact your Faculty Research Grants Facilitator.
Funding initial research stages - new faculty or projects
Many successful grant applicants follow a “laddering up” approach with their funding applications where they initially apply for seed or research development funding through smaller grant applications to initiate their research projects. Such grants may vary between ± $1,000 to ± $75,000/year.
Research in its initial stages might include activities such as:
Literature reviews
- A first journal article publication on a new topic
- Partnership development
- Small data sample collection and analysis
- Building prototypes
- Pilot projects, feasibility or evaluation studies
- Catalyst workshops or knowledge-sharing events to build collaborations and new research programs
Examples of grants at SFU and external funding organizations that support these activities include:
Funding Program |
Activities Funded |
Value & Duration |
---|---|---|
SFU Internal Grant Opportunities |
||
Research in first 5 years for new faculty members at SFU |
$20,000 - $50,000 5 years |
|
Research in contemporary arts, humanities and social sciences |
$7,000 - $10,000 1 year |
|
Conferences with substantial participation or partnership with SFU co-sponsors |
TBD every year |
|
Supplemental Funding for Events, Visiting Scholars and Specific Research Partnerships |
Variable |
|
External Tri-Council Grant Opportunities (selection) |
||
Initial research, e.g., new research questions, new methods, theoretical approaches and/or ideas. |
$7,000 to $75,000 1-2 years |
|
Short-term and timely support for partnered research with 1 partner organization |
$7,000 to $25,000 1 year |
|
Support to design and test new partnerships |
$7,000 to $200,000 1-3 years |
|
Events and outreach activities for knowledge mobilization or catalyst one-time encounters designed to lead to longer-term partnerships and/or sustained programs of scholarly research |
$7,000 to $25,000 1 year |
|
NSERC Discovery Grants | Support ongoing programs of research with long-term goals rather than a single short-term project or collection of projects in fields of natural sciences and engineering. | Variable (e.g., $100K-$500K) 1-5 years |
Small and medium collaborative projects with partner organizations in natural sciences & engineering research |
$20,000 to $300,000 1-5 years |
|
CIHR Project Grants | Support researchers at any career stage to build and conduct health-related research and knowledge translation projects across CIHR's mandate. | Variable Average: $600K-$700K for 4-6 years |
CIHR Catalyst Grants – thematic opportunities in ResearchNet |
Pilot projects or feasibility studies to generate proof of concept and/or preliminary data, development or validation of new tools, methodologies, theoretical models, and other in Health Research |
Variable |
Support high risk, high reward and interdisciplinary research to explore something new. |
Up to $250,000 2 years |
* These grant opportunities require cost-sharing, matching funds or cash and/or in-kind contributions from other sources and organizational partners.
Proposal concept
Preparing a research grant proposal is a large endeavor, involving several writing stages and stakeholders such as funding organizations, institutional research personnel (at your or team members’ institutions), co-investigators/other research collaborators, students, project managers, partner organizations, research participants, research ethics boards, libraries and many more.
A Proposal concept is a brief 1-page description of your project written prior to discussing and completing a full grant application with any of the above stakeholders.
A Proposal concept indeed has several purposes, such as:
- Presenting and discussing your project idea with prospective funders, peers/colleagues and your institution’s research personnel*
- Outreach and engagement of potential researchers and partner organizations for collaboration
- Preparing the first stage of a full application required by a funding organizations, such as a Letter of Intent, Expression of Interest or Notification of Intent to Apply.
* Proposal concepts can be discussed with the FCAT Research Office (Associate Dean of Research, Research Grants Facilitator), as well as peer reviewers or other experts. For major or institutionally-led grant proposals, the SFU Institutional Strategic Awards Office also provides a suite of advisory and support services (e.g., expert panel feedback, ISA review, etc.).
Proposal concepts vary in format and content. The following are suggested key items to consider including:
Factors to consider
Policy R10.01 External Research Funding Agreements, section 7.1 states that “Individuals performing research under the auspices of the University must adhere to compliance-related policies, procedures and guidelines.” Many of SFU’s institutional requirements for research are aligned with those of other post-secondary institutions in Canada and national and/or international research regulatory frameworks, policies and standards. In this context, the following are certain factors that applicants may wish to consider prior to submitting their grant applications to ensure that they have enough time and resources to comply with SFU’s institutional requirements.
Institutional "internal" deadlines: SFU and FCAT
Prior to submitting a grant application to an external granting organization, the applicant’s department or School, Faculty and the Office of Research Services (ORS) will ensure that the proposal is eligible and has met both institutional and the granting organization’s requirements.
In many cases, such as for Tri-Council grant programs, the external granting organization will also require the ORS to forward the applicant’s grant application by the external submission deadline in lieu of the applicant submitting the application directly.
To ensure that the staff in each unit has enough time to review your application before submitting it or signing off on it on behalf of the institution, SFU’s internal deadlines and requirements are as follows
1. FCAT: five (5) business days in advance of the granting organization’s external deadline. Please submit:
- Draft of the full proposal, and any other related forms or attachments
- Final Budget
- SFU Signature Sheet – signed by the applicant, and the applicant’s School Director or Department Chair.
- Note: The FCAT Dean's Office has developed the following checklist tools to help researchers complete the SFU SigSheet:
- All proposal documents by email to the FCAT Associate Dean of Research (adr_res@sfu.ca) and copy (cc) to the Faculty Research Grants Facilitator (contact)
2. SFU ORS: three (3) business days in advance of the granting organization’s external deadline. Please submit:
- Final full proposal, and any other related forms or attachments completed by the applicant
- SFU Signature Sheet – signed by the applicant, the applicant’s School Director/Department Chair and FCAT Associate Dean of Research
- All proposal documents by email to the Office of Research Services (ors@sfu.ca), with a copy (cc) to the FCAT Associate Dean of Research (adr_res@sfu.ca) and to the Faculty Research Grants Facilitator (contact).
For more information on ORS internal submission deadlines, please consult the ORS webpage on SFU Internal Deadlines.
Compliance, ethics and safety
The university is legally responsible for the conduct of research and the management of internal and external funds. It also supports and encourages the maintenance of the highest professional, ethical and safety standards in research and scholarship. When preparing a research grant proposal, please consult the following Office of Research Services (ORS) webpage on Compliance and Safety and SFU policies for information on relevant research safety, ethics and compliance requirements:
- R20.01 Ethics Review of Research Involving Human Participants
- R20.02 Biosafety Policy
- R20.03 Treatment of Animals in Research and Teaching
- R20.04 Radiological Safety
- R20.05 Non-Ionizing Radiation Safety, and other applicable University, Faculty and departmental procedures
For more information, please contact the SFU Office of Research Ethics and consult the SFU website on Work and Research Safety.
Conflict of interest
SFU’s Office of Research Services webpage on Conflict of Interest states that:
“As a place of learning, Simon Fraser University encourages its faculty, staff and students to be broadly involved in professional interests and activities compatible with the university’s mission, values and commitments. Occasionally, the best interests of the university and the personal interests of its members may conflict, or may be perceived to conflict (…) While not all conflicts of interest are avoidable, with full disclosure, they can be managed before the research begins” .
In situations where a “potential, perceived or real conflict of interest” may arise, SFU requires that researchers (principal applicants, co-applicants or students) complete a Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form and submit a signature from a Supervisor, Chair or Director who reviews the disclosure and determine whether a conflict of interest (COI) exists and whether it can be management or disallowed.
To help manage “potential, perceived or real conflict of interest” and for a full description of COI policies and requirements, please contact ORS personnel (ors@sfu.ca) and consult ORS requirements on Conflict of Interest and the SFU Policy GP37 – Conflict of Interest. This is particularly important if you:
- serve on the board of a company from which you are seeking research funding;
- wish to employ your well-qualified spouse or child to work on your research grant;
- hold intellectual property interests in a tool or testing device that will be used in a funded study, in part to assess the effectiveness of that tool or device;
- have been reimbursed for travel or for a talk at a company that wishes to contract with SFU in support of your research;
- take fees as a director of a company whose business lies in your area of academic expertise. Does the company employ students that you supervise?
Safeguarding Your Research
The Government of Canada has released a suite of tools and information for researchers on protecting their research data and intellectual property from theft or misuse.
The “Safeguarding Your Research” portal will help researchers self-evaluate and take actions to mitigate the risks of theft or misuse of knowledge and results associated with research, partnerships and international travel. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of such tools; there have been repeated efforts to gain illegal access to Canadian research on a COVID-19 vaccine.
Universities Canada and the U15 have also developed practical tools to help researchers consider security risks that can be associated with international research partnerships and travel.
Source: This information was provided by the SFU Office of the VP, Research & International to faculty and graduate students on October 5, 2020.