Ontario Research Fund Large Infrastructure Fund 2015 Competition Ontario Information Sessions February 2014

Transcription

1 Ontario Research Fund Large Infrastructure Fund 2015 Competition Ontario Information Sessions February 2014

2 Ontario Research Fund (ORF) Research Infrastructure Program 2 The ORF-Research Infrastructure program supports the infrastructure costs of research projects at Ontario universities, colleges and research hospitals. Funding comes from two places: the Ontario government and the Canada Foundation for Innovation. Each provides up to 40% of eligible costs. The remaining 20% needs to come from private funding partners and/or your own research institution.

3 2015 ORF Large Infrastructure Fund Competition 3 The ORF Large Infrastructure Fund has allocated $125 million to support the 2015 ORF Large Infrastructure Fund competition. Applicants for the ORF Large Infrastructure Fund must also apply to the CFI Innovation Fund to be eligible for funding. To date, the Ministry has committed and announced $760 million towards 1,755 research infrastructure projects.

4 Objectives of the 2015 ORF Large Infrastructure Competition 4 To ensure that Ontario s publicly funded research institutions continue to have competitive, state-of-theart infrastructure to engage in world-leading research and technology development. To bring together researchers from a range of disciplines, technology experts and industry partners to generate new ideas, stimulate technology development and support the growth of strong regional economies. To maximize Ontario s share of federal funding.

5 5 The Ontario First Approach Working with representatives from OCUR, CAHO and Colleges Ontario, the ministry developed the Ontario First Approach to administer research infrastructure funding for Large Infrastructure projects. The Ontario First approach ensures that Ontario Research Fund decisions are guided by both scientific excellence and strategic value to Ontario. The ministry does not automatically match CFI awards in this competition through its LIF funds. This approach has been used for the last two rounds and has been instrumental in increasing Ontario s historical 40% share of CFI awards in the large infrastructure competitions In 2012, Ontario s share increased to 50%.

6 6 Ontario First Approach: NOI Stage An Ontario Strategic Value Review panel will review Notices of Intent and will make recommendations on their alignment to the strategic value to Ontario. (aligned or weakly aligned) This feedback will be sent to institutions prior to submission deadline for full CFI applications.

7 7 Ontario First Approach: The Proposal Stage Institutions submit their application to Ontario in August Ontario relies on CFI expert committees to complete a scientific review of the full application. MRI full application review will only focus on the Ontario Strategic Value criteria. Ontario Strategic Value Review panels will conduct an indepth review of the proposals strategic value to Ontario and make recommendations to the ORF Advisory Board on the priority grouping of proposals. (high priority, priority or non-priority)

8 8 Ontario First Approach: Input to CFI ORF Advisory Board will review and make its recommendations to the Minister. The results will be sent to the CFI Special Multidisciplinary Assessment Committee. The ORF Advisory Board then reviews the final CFI board decisions and forwards recommendations to the Minister. The funding decision is made by the Minister.

9 9 Ontario First Approach: Review Criteria Economic Impact the degree to which the proposed research or technology development is likely to strengthen Ontario s economy. Societal Impact the degree to which the proposed research or technology development is likely to lead to benefits to society, health, the environment, quality of life, public policy or lead to a profound shift in the understanding of a given discipline. Research Translation a strategy for achieving research impacts, such as, engagement of private sector and/or community partners to encourage the adoption of innovative technologies, practices, procedures, and/or policies.

10 10 ORF-LIF Competition Critical Dates Dates January 2014 February 2014 February 28, 2014 May 2014 August 1, 2014 Late November/December 2014 February 2015* April 2015* May 2015* Activity Issued call for MRI Notices of Intent (NOI) Post MRI application and guidelines Deadline for the submission of MRI NOI MRI NOI feedback sent to institutions Deadline for the submission of full MRI applications Review MRI applications and CFI application input Provide input to CFI S-MAC meeting Review CFI funding decisions MRI funding decisions * Tentative pending CFI final dates

11 11 Contact Information Lesley Cunningham Senior Policy Advisor, Research Branch (416) or Miranda Hotrum Senior Policy Advisor, Research Branch Jane Kirkwood Manager, Research Branch or Allison Barr Director, Research Branch or