2023 Electrifying Society: Towards Resilient Decarbonized Communities

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

This call, for Seed Grants, is open to Concordia researchers and researchers from our three institutional partner institutions on the CFREF project (University of Calgary, Toronto Metropolitan University, and Dalhousie University).

• The Principal Investigator (PI) must be affiliated with one of the above‐mentioned institutions. A researcher is limited to submitting one application as a principal investigator (PI) and participating in a maximum of three applications as a Co-Principal Investigator.
• Co-Principal Investigators can be affiliated with Concordia University, one of the three partnering institutions, or one of our collaborating institutions (Carleton University; University of Windsor; École de Technologie Supérieure; École Polytechnique de Montréal and Université de Montréal).
• Applications must include collaboration between at least three researchers.

Eligibility of Non-Academic Partners

The participation of non‐academic partners (private, governmental, non-for-profits, etc.) is compulsory. Applicants are strongly encouraged to explore new partnerships. For the list of non‐academic partners supporting the ERDC, please visit the following website here.

Eligible Projects

This initial call for Seed Grant proposals (2023) is based on the plan as set out in the ERDC proposal, specifically its three Themes and three Platforms. Following the selection of the initial projects, a full retreat of researchers, funded or not, will be convened to reflect on the funding strategy and adapt it to the rapidly evolving landscape. The aim is to ensure that the funding strategy incorporates equity, diversity, and inclusion principles at all levels. For more information regarding said Themes and Platforms, please visit the document here.

Summary

Concordia University and its partners secured the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) grant entitled Electrifying Society: Towards Resilient Decarbonized Communities (ERDC) effective March 1, 2023.  Its aim is to accelerate and optimize the transition to decarbonized resilient communities – entailing the design and integration of proven or new technologies for smart carbon‐neutral buildings, smart and secured grids, energy storage, energy management, integration of distributed renewable energy resources, and electrification of transportation while emphasizing innovation, affordability, equity, and the well‐being of society. ERDC is a transformative and integrated program that centers its action on the impact on communities, with electrification as a key element. It recognizes the Indigenous partner communities as key stakeholders, valuing their expertise, needs, and strengths. Through co‐development, the program fully includes Indigenous partners, ensuring their active participation in shaping and implementing impactful pathways for sustainable development.

As approved by the ERDC Advisory Board, the preliminary program’s research and innovation strategy would include, among other initiatives, three main calls for projects (2023, 2024, 2026).

Seed Grants (2023): The goal of the first call is to leverage the proposed research in the ERDC proposal (available) to achieve both early impact and support the preparation of large‐scale initiatives to be funded in the Impact Grant (1) call one year from now.

Application Process

All applications must be submitted through the ERDC portal.

Evaluation Criteria

• Alignment with the scope of the call.​​​
• Credible EDI strategy (pass/fail).
• Scientific quality of the proposed project.
• Quality of the team and partnerships.
• Impact.

For more details on evaluation criteria, please visit the document here. 

Proposal Evaluation Process

ERDC will set up a fair, rigorous, and transparent way of allocating funding. As part of its governance, the Scientific Committee is responsible for overseeing the project selection process. Each of the six (6) ERDC themes/platforms will have a Theme/Platform Project Evaluation Committee. 

For more details on proposal evaluation processes, please visit the document here.

Resources

ERDC Call for Proposals (PDF)

ERDC Application Template (Docx)

CFREF Information Webinar Slides

For additional information/questions, please contact erdc@concordia.ca

Overhead

N/A (Not Applicable)

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

Concordia University has received $123 million over seven years from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) for the electrification of society.

The investment will amplify our already formidable expertise in key areas such as electrification, smart buildings, and net zero communities, and further our leadership in helping Canada achieve its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

To learn more about this ground-breaking initiative, please visit the link here.