Northern Research Fund (NRF)

Call for Proposals: Northern Research Fund (NRF) 2010

Since the mid 1990s, the Churchill Northern Studies Centre has supported the work of researchers through our Northern Research Fund (NRF).  The goal of the NRF program is to enhance field research conducted by scientists using the facilities and services of the Centre.  All researchers and all disciplines are eligible to apply with priority given to new researchers and students.

The Churchill Northern Studies Centre is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the Northern Research Fund (NRF) for 2010.  The application form and submission guidelines are available to download.

Application deadline:  November 6, 2009.

The goal of the Northern Research Fund (NRF) is to enhance research conducted by researchers using the facilities and services of the Churchill Northern Studies Centre (CNSC). This year’s NRF program will provide the cash equivalent of approximately $30,000 in funding for research in the Churchill area.  The fund is available to assist researchers in meeting the financial needs of projects that will lead to increased knowledge relevant to the people living in the North, particularly in the region around Churchill.  Northern Research Fund support for 2010, available through the application process, is anticipated to consist of:

Purpose

The goal of the Northern Research Fund (NRF) is to enhance research conducted by researchers using the facilities and services of the Churchill Northern Studies Centre (CNSC).  The fund is available to assist researchers in meeting the financial needs of projects that will lead to increased knowledge relevant to the people living in the north, particularly in the region around Churchill.

Nature, Levels and Limits of Support

Available cash will be distributed among successful researchers or projects.  Values of in-kind services will be determined from the CNSC Fee Schedule (see the CNSC's webpage).  Vouchers for return air or rail travel to Churchill, when available, will be allocated to projects where, in the opinion of the Committee, they will be most beneficial.  Total support to a project will not normally exceed, in dollar equivalent, other forms of income available to the researcher or project in that field season.

Applicants may apply for any level of support from among the types of funding available to a maximum of 50% of the expected total project budget.  For example, if the project is expected to cost $4,000 in equipment, supplies and travel, and to require 20 user-days and 8 vehicle days, then an applicant can apply to the NRF for up to $2,000 in cash, 10 user-days and 4 vehicle days.  Travel vouchers will be considered part of the cash category of funding but may occasionally contribute to an award that comprises more than half of the project's total cash value.

Eligibility

All researchers and all disciplines are eligible but no more than one application for the same project will be funded in the same year.  The Committee will not consider more than one application per individual researcher per competition, but an individual may apply for two research grants when 1) the second project is collaborative, and 2) another individual is principal investigator of that project.  All projects will be assessed equally but applications for projects concerned with topics outlined in CNSC's "Operational Mandate" are particularly welcomed.

All eligible applications will be assessed.  The principal criterion used to determine the level of funding will be the stringency of the proposed research and its potential for the advancement of knowledge, particularly as it pertains to our understanding of life in the north.  However, in an effort to effectively distribute limited funds, the following applications will be given priority to applications:

a)  from first-time applicants.
b)  from or involving students.
c)  for projects where total NRF funding is a small part of the whole project budget.  However, the allocation of cash to these projects will be considered carefully.
d)  from researchers who have disseminated the results of previous work through presentations and peer-reviewed publications.
e)  for projects to be conducted in the shoulder and off seasons (November 30 to April 30).

Please review the NRF guideline document for full details for applying.

The Application Process

All applications must consist of the following:

a) a covering letter, addressed to the Scientific Coordinator, at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre.
b) a completed NRF application form (Download form here or from the CNSC Scientific Coordinator at research@churchillscience.ca )
c) please also view a copy of the NRF Guidelines
d) a list of the permits required for the proposed research project and details regarding the status of any permit still pending.  Photocopies of permits that have been obtained must sent to Scientific Coordinator before the application deadline.

Please complete the NRF form and forward no later than November 6, 2009 to:
Email: research@churchillscience.ca

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. LeeAnn Fishback, Scientific Coordinator for assistance (research@churchillscience.ca or phone: (204) 675-2307)

Deadlines

Applications must be e-mailed (research@churchillscience.ca ) no later than November 6, 2009. Faxed applications will be accepted if it is not possible to provide a digital copy (Fax to the CNSC at (204) 675-2139).
Consideration and recommendation of Northern Research Fund applications will be made by the CNSC Research & Education Committee with notification of awards anticipated by January 2010. All support will, at the time of the award, become immediately available for the 2010 fiscal year starting April 1, 2010.