Innovation - Exploratory Research

Eligibility

Academic researchers based in (or formally affiliated with) a Canadian university or a Canadian research institution are encouraged to apply to Exploratory Research as the principal applicant. All applicants must propose research topics that align with our research priorities.

Please note the following additional eligibility guidelines and requirements:

• Researchers are encouraged to form multi-disciplinary teams, including workers and employers, to address the research topic. Applicants are asked to carefully consider the composition of the research team to ensure that there is sufficient expertise and resources to conduct the project, perform effective knowledge translation and exchange, and obtain ethics approval as needed.
• Full-time employees of WorkSafeBC are not eligible to apply as principal applicants, however, they may participate as co-applicants.

Summary

Exploratory Research is a new funding stream within Innovation that encourages exploration of occupational health and safety and work disability challenges through a new lens, bringing together non-traditional disciplines to create bold and lasting effects. This stream is designed to welcome novel ideas, and projects that leverage existing research to apply it in innovative directions and applications.

Projects may pursue new research directions that challenge current paradigms, increase our understanding of complex or challenging issues, and/or take a novel approach to existing problems. Researchers are encouraged to form multi-disciplinary teams, including workers and employers, to address the research topic.

Projects should also have potential for the broad application of knowledge, the transformation or disruption of conventional thinking by addressing long-standing issues, and/or offer significant advancements in knowledge, frameworks, methods and techniques, and technology.

Projects under this stream may lead to scientific or applied breakthroughs. This could include tools, applications, methods, programs, or knowledge that can revolutionize occupational health and safety for workers, employers, and workplaces.

Overhead

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.

Submission Process - UofC Research Services

Full application, plus approvals in RMS, will be required by RSO by noon on March 5, 2024. Please be sure to select "Submitted for approvals" (Under Save & Progress) in RMS in enough time to allow for approvals from your Department Head and/or ADR prior to the internal RSO deadline. Consult your department and faculty for more information on their approval processes and timelines.

Submission instructions - Work Safe BC

Please complete your application electronically and save as a Word document (i.e., do not send PDFs). Electronic signatures (digitally drawn or scanned copies of handwritten signatures) are accepted.

Upload your completed application package to OneDrive by clicking on the following link: 2024 Exploratory Research Application Packages. Please note that once you click "Upload" you will not be able to modify your submission. Please ensure you use the following format to name your file: 2024 ER Lastname (e.g., 2024 ER Singh).  Limit the file size to 5 MB — larger file sizes will not be accepted.

Complete applications must be received by the deadline. Late or incomplete application packages will not be accepted. The only materials that will be accepted after the deadline are ethics and biosafety certificates, as required.

Please email Research Services at resquery@worksafebc.com if you have any issues uploading your files.

Research Services will acknowledge receipt of all applications by email within two working days.

RESOURCES

Support for projects involving Indigenous Research:

Support with the development of your grant application is available through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST). Applicants can reach out by email to IRST at IRST@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information about IRST, please visit the IRST webpage.

Support for Knowledge Engagement:

Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation is available through the Knowledge Engagement Team. Applicants can reach out by email to the KE team at knowledge.engagement@ucalgary.ca. For more information, please visit the KE team webpage.

Support for Research Data Management:

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@ucalgary.ca OR research.data@ucalgary.libanswers.com.

Support for EDI in Research:

RSO can provide resources and support to research teams on the integration of equitable and inclusive practices in research design and research practice. Contact Erin.OToole@ucalgary.ca for more information.

Support for Research Security:

The new Research Security Division is available to offer guidance and support on safeguarding research and ensuring that principles of research security are upheld while conducting leading edge research. Learn more on their webpage or contact researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca.

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application