NSERC Alliance Society 2024 (formerly option 2) - Rolling intake

Eligibility

• If you are a Canadian university researcher who is eligible to receive NSERC funds, you can apply on your own or as a team with co-applicants who are also eligible academic researchers.
• You must have at least one partner organization (in the private, public or not-for-profit sector) that could be recognized for cost sharing (see Alliance Society: Partner organizations), but you may include other partner organizations who play an important role in your research project, whether or not they could be recognized for cost sharing.
• Please complete the Risk Assessment Form if you working with a private sector partner and reach out to research.security@ucalgary.ca to help you put together your mitigation plans and complete the partner vetting

>LINK FOR JANUARY 2024 WEBINARS AND LATEST UPDATES<

Summary

This competition has a rolling intake.

Alliance Society grants (formerly Alliance cost-sharing option 2) fund projects with societal impact as the main driver.

Research supported by Alliance Society grants will:

• address a societal challenge that will result in new natural sciences and engineering knowledge and societal impact
• bring together academic, partner organization and societal perspectives and skill sets throughout the collaboration
• demonstrate how all interested individuals will learn about and use the products, services or policies that stem from this research
• generate new knowledge and/or technology to address complex challenges
• create economic, social and/or environmental benefits
• contribute to Canada’s long-term competitiveness
• support public policy
• train new researchers in areas that are important to Canada and the partner organizations
• draw on diverse perspectives and skill sets to accelerate the translation and application of research results

Application process:

This competition will be run through Research Management System (RMS).

1. If you are working with a private sector partner organization then you will need to complete a risk assessment form which can be found here.  Please reach out directly to researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca for additional information and help. 

2. Complete your application in the NSERC On-line system. Once the application is complete (including required attachments and your CCV), verify each section, and then press "Submit". Your application will be sent to the Research Services Office. Please ensure your application is final and complete; Research Services will not review drafts, and, once received, your application may be submitted to NSERC without further notice. 

3. Complete the Pre-Award record in RMS (login at https://research.ucalgary.ca/rms) and “Submit for academic approvals” (Under Save & Progress) in good time to allow for approvals from your Department Head and/or ADR prior to the Research Services deadline. Consult your department and faculty for more information on their approval processes and timelines.  

• Please note, your application will not be considered submitted and will not be reviewed until both the application is submitted in the Research Portal (a paper copy is not required) and the RMS Approvals have been received. As Alliance is a rolling intake, once we have received both the completed RMS record and the NSERC application in the NSERC portal, please indicate if you would like a basic (allowable turnaround time is 3 days) review or a detailed (allowable turnaround time is 2 weeks) review.
• The detailed review includes a detailed review of the application, checking for eligibility and UofC commitments and risk, compliance with program guidelines, completeness of application, and the opportunity for feedback to improve the application.
• The basic administrative review involves a minimal check of the application for eligibility and any UofC commitment or risk.

Overhead

No overhead

Resources

Partners

• Partner organization self-assessment tool
• Partner organization form instructions

Apply

Application instructions and materials

• Completing an application — form 101 instructions (including page lengths)
• Proposal template (effective December 5, 2023)
• Previous Alliance proposal template no longer in use
• National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships’ risk assessment form
• Personal data form with CCV attachment — form 100A instructions
• Canadian Common CV — How to complete NSERC’s version
• Alliance grant application checklist

Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI)

• Alliance grants: Equity, diversity and inclusion in your training plan
• Tri-agency statement on equity, diversity and inclusion 
• Tri-agency EDI action plan

Supplementary guides and overviews

• Alliance Society overview pamphlet
• Safeguarding your research portal

Terms and conditions of applying

• Terms and conditions of applying for applicants
• Terms and conditions of applying for partner organizations

Review

• Alliance Society Merit indicators (effective December 5, 2023)
• Previous Alliance merit indicators no longer in use
• Instructions to external reviewers (effective December 5, 2023)
• Previous Alliance instructions to external reviewers no longer in use
• Alliance Society public impact value proposition (PIVP) selection committee review instructions

Award

• Terms and conditions of award
• Policy on intellectual property

Additional links

• Eligibility
• Tri-agency guide on financial administration
• Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research (2021)
• Professors frequently asked questions
• Appeals of NSERC funding decisions

Application deadlines

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.

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.