NSERC Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) Grants 2024

Eligibility

On January 16, 2024, the Government of Canada published its Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern. This funding opportunity is in scope of this new policy, wherein grant applications that involve conducting research that aims to advance a sensitive technology research area will not be funded if any of the researchers involved in activities supported by the grant are currently affiliated with, or in receipt of funding or in-kind support from, a named research organization. Please read the Tri-agency guidance on the STRAC Policy to understand how this policy may impact your grant application.

For more information on STRAC and steps that you need to take to comply, please reach out to the Research Security Division at researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca. 

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To be eligible to apply for and to hold RTI funds, applicants and co-applicants must each:

1. Meet NSERC’s eligibility requirements for faculty to apply for or hold grant funds
2. Hold at least one of the following NSERC research grants (either as an applicant or co-applicant):
   • Alliance grant
   • Canada Excellence Research Chairs (NSERC)
   • Canada 150 Research Chairs (NSERC)
   • Canada Research Chairs (NSERC)
   • Collaborative Research and Development grant
   • Discovery Development grant
   • Discovery Grant
   • Discovery Horizons grant
   • Industrial Research Chairs grant
   • Strategic Partnership grant
3. Not hold an RTI grant from the previous year’s RTI competition. In other words, RTI grant applicants and co-applicants who were successful in the previous year’s RTI competition are ineligible to apply for one year. Eligibility will be reinstated the following competition year.

Note: Applicants and co-applicants may apply for any of the above grants while concurrently applying to the RTI program. However, if any applicant or co-applicant does not hold one of the above grants by the RTI award start date, or is not successful in obtaining one of these grants while concurrently applying to the RTI program, the applicant and/or co-applicant will be deemed ineligible and removed from the application.

Summary

The RTI grants program provides the primary avenue for university researchers in the natural sciences and engineering to obtain up to $150,000 in support for research tools and instruments with a net cost between $7,001 and $250,000. Net cost is defined as the purchase cost of the equipment after any discount from the vendor and before taxes, customs and importation fees, transportation and shipping charges, and assembly and installation costs. The vendor discount cannot be offered in exchange for services from users benefiting the vendor company. The research community is also encouraged to explore other avenues for funding research tools and instruments, including NSERC’s other programs that allow the purchase of equipment as eligible expenses.

NSERC will only accept the following requests:

• for tools and instruments that form a comprehensive system intended to support NSERC-funded research in the natural sciences and engineering:
  • a comprehensive system is one in which each tool or instrument forms part of an integrated system of operation to support the research program(s)
  • requests that bundle unrelated tools and instruments together will not be accepted
• for the purchase of new, used or refurbished equipment, for the repair, upgrade or rental of equipment or for the fabrication of equipment that is not readily available off the shelf
• for equipment that is purchased or rented after the application deadline

Note: Equipment and items that are part of laboratory infrastructure or intended to render other equipment compliant with health and safety standards are ineligible for RTI support.

For more information on eligible expenses under the RTI program, see the instructions on how to complete an RTI application.

Upcoming webinars:

Research Tools and Instruments - Submission of an application

Dates

Thursday, September 5, 2024
Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Time

11 am to noon (MT)

Links

Live sessions

• Live Q&A session September 5, 2024
• Live Q&A session September 24, 2024

Submit questions in advance

• Link to questionnaire, September 5, 2024
• Link to questionnaire, September 24, 2024

Pre-recorded videos

Overhead

No overhead allowed.

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.

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.

Application Procedure:

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

1. Complete your application in the NSERC Research Portal by selecting the RTI funding opportunity and clicking on 'Create'. 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. The final deadline for submission of your application is noon on October 22, 2024.
2. 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. Ensure you receive all required approvals in advance of  noon on October 22, 2024.

• 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.
• The final deadline of 12:00 p.m. on October 22, is a hard deadline. The three-day deadline ensures that Research Services is able to complete a basic review of the application and secure institutional signature in a timely fashion.

3. As an optional service, if you would like a detailed review, Research Services must receive your complete RMS approvals record and NSERC Research Portal application by 4 pm on October 10, 2024.

• 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.

Resources:

• UCalgary RTI Guide for Applicants
• NSERC's Instructions for completing the RTI application
• Frequently asked questions — Research Tools and Instruments grants program
• Guidelines on the assessment of contributions to research, training and mentoring
• Research Tools and Instruments peer review manual
• Q&A sessions and pre-recorded “How to apply” videos
• RSO Outreach Slides and info session recordings