1. Home
2. Research Development Grant

Objectives

The Telfer SMRG Research Development Grant is designed to provide financial support to Telfer School of Management’s faculty members with active research programs. The main objective of this grant is to support a project that will lead to:

• The submission of an application for Tri-Agency funding or other major external funding (e.g., CFI) within two years of notice of award, or
• The submission of research work to top-tier journals in the applicant’s field of research.

 

Funding Details

Applicants can request funding of up to $15,000 for a research project with a maximum duration of two years.  Priority will be given to applicants who are not current holders of a SMRG Research Development Grant (formerly known as the SMRG Research Grant). 

Successful applicants who meet RMS eligibility criteria are required to submit their SMRG project to the University of Ottawa Research Development Grant (Seed grant) before the SMRG Research Development Grant funds can be released. Once the Research Office receives confirmation of this application, the funds will be made available to the researchers. The Research Office will provide guidance to eligible candidates. The University of Ottawa Seed grant provides additional funding to researchers to conduct their research and helps increase the recognition of Telfer scholars at Central.

The number of grants available may vary annually based on fund availability. 

 

Grant Policies

A principal investigator may receive only one SMRG Research Development Grant in a given academic year.

Holding multiple grants as investigator and co-investigator: While a SMRG Research Development Grant may relate to an existing or submitted grant, budget overlap is not permitted. Overlapping research projects will not be funded. Applicants must disclose all ongoing and pending funding sources, providing details of amounts and project descriptions. In cases of multiple grants, applicants must justify how the requested funding aligns with other grants and applications.

Requests for extensions beyond the original grant period must be submitted to the Research Office at least two months before the grant’s end date. Each extension may not exceed a full calendar year, and a maximum of two extensions may be requested.

Any publication or presentation supported by SMRG funding must explicitly acknowledge the support of the Telfer School of Management.

This grant is not intended for pedagogical purposes.

Deliverables

The grant recipient must submit a short report at the end of the grant period to the Research Office. This report should include an overview of archived goals, including any submissions of grant applications made to Tri-Agencies or other granting bodies and/or a submission in a top journal in their field (please provide information on the journal quality, such as AJG ranking). If the original objectives were not achieved, an explanation should be provided. The reported SMRG results will significantly influence future funding decisions for the applicant.

 

Application Guidelines

Please use TNR 12 black font, single spacing, and minimum 3/4-inch margins

Applicant Name

Co-applicants

Project Title

Start and End Dates

Amount Requested

Main Research Contributions

List and describe 3 most relevant research contributions. 

Response to Previous Critique (if applicable; 1 page maximum)

Current Funding

Describe all currently held or submitted funding related to this project. Confirm there is no budget overlap. 

Summary of Project (1 page maximum)

Provide an overview of the project in clear, concise, and plain language. Describe the importance and potential impact(s) of the research.

Project Description (5 pages maximum)

Explicitly state the objectives/questions.

Provide a literature review/contextual framework.

Describe your methodological approach, timeline, and resources needed.

Describe the expected results, limitations/challenges anticipated with alternative plans.

Include a detailed training plan (if not applicable, please explain why). 

Describe your knowledge dissemination plan, including plans to apply for external funding.

Budget Justification (1 page maximum)

Provide a list of the expected expenses and include a justification for each item. Use the following categories: Salaries, Equipment and supplies, Data acquisition and analysis, and other expenses directly related to completing the research methodology. This grant does not support knowledge mobilization activities, including but not limited to Open Access fees and conference travel.

References (2 pages maximum)

 

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation Criteria and Sample Indicators of Excellence in Each Category

1. Merit—The appropriateness and quality of the application (45%):
   • Appropriateness of the literature review, theoretical approach, or framework;
     • The research goals and objectives are clearly stated, grounded in past literature, and explained in a language that keeps a multidisciplinary audience in mind.
     • The research questions or hypotheses (if applicable) are clearly articulated.
   • Appropriateness of the methods/approach;
     • The methods used or developed in the research program are clearly described. For example:
       • The methods for data collection such as the sample (size and composition), sampling strategy, and data sources (e.g., interviews, questionnaires, experiment, archival data) are clearly described;
       • The methods for building models and relevant considerations are clearly described.
     • The methods are appropriate given the research objectives.
     • The analysis plan and expected outcomes are clearly explained.
     • Limitations are appropriately discussed.
   • Quality of training and mentoring provided to research trainees (e.g., graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and other research assistants) and the opportunities for them to contribute.
     • The applicant clearly explains how they plan to involve research trainees in their project and how this involvement will contribute to their training.
     • The activities that research trainees will undertake are of high quality and will contribute to their professional development.
     • A clear justification is provided if the project does not include a training component.
2. Challenge—The aim and importance of the proposed research (20%):

• Originality, significance, and expected contributions to the related academic field;
  • The research project proposes important contributions to knowledge in the researcher’s field of study.
• Potential for the project outcomes to have a broader societal impact;
  • The research project is likely to have a relevant impact on society or other stakeholders.
• Potential for resulting in a top-tier journal publication(s) or a successful application(s) for Tri-Agency or other funding.
  • The applicant has clearly stated their plan to apply for Tri-Agency funding or other external funding by identifying a competition title and timeline.
  • The knowledge dissemination targets are identified (e.g., academic journal publications, refereed conference presentations, presentations to important stakeholders beyond the research community).

3. Feasibility—The plan to achieve research objectives (35%):

• Appropriateness of the proposed timeline, and probability that the objectives will be met;
  • The timeline of the project (e.g., in months, or semesters) is clear and realistic within the scope of the grant.
• Expertise of the applicant(s) in relation to the proposed research;
  • The research team has access to necessary equipment and resources.
  • Each team member’s specific contributions are clearly described.
  • The applicant’s expertise and experience are appropriate for the project.
• Appropriateness of the requested budget, justification of proposed costs.
  • The budget is appropriate given the research objectives and methods.
  • The budget items are properly justified.

Apply for this grant