NFRF and SPARC 2023 International Updates

Last updated: May 18, 2023

NFRF Update:

The Full Application Guide is available on the NFRF competition webpage and NPAs who submitted a Notice of Intent to Apply (NOI; deadline: May 2nd) can open the Full Application module in the Convergence Portal.

Of note, the NFRF competition webpage now has an FAQ section at the bottom of the page.

NFRF will shortly be providing the presentation slides and recording from the May 18th Full Application webinar. In the meantime, SPARC is compiling the Q&A organized by themes.

SPARC Update:

Full Application Support: While this is a new competition, the good news is that the Full Application stage is very similar to other NFRF competitions with which SPARC has previous experience. We will draw on this expertise to provide strategic advice to UBC-led teams.

Before the end of May, SPARC will reach out directly to all UBC NPAs (and known affiliated research staff) who submitted an NOI to share our support plan. In addition to the theme-based webinar Q&A document, SPARC will share a Full Application resource (under development). We are also planning seven podcasts on the required Proposal sections, as well as the EDI in Research Practice (EDI-RP) section, releasing one per week through June/July: (1) EDI-RP; (2) Introduction/overview; (3) Biographical information about team members; (4) Research proposal; (5) Equity, diversity and inclusion in research design (EDI-RD); (6) Management plans; and (7) Budget justification. Details about SPARC review will also be provided. At minimum, we anticipate providing reviews of the 20-page Proposal and the ~4-page EDI-RP section for UBC-led teams (i.e., where the UBC Co-PI is serving as the NPI) (timeline TBC).

Faculty with access to multiple strategic grant development service providers, such as Faculty-based Grant Facilitators and the BCCHR's Research & Technology Development Office, should work with their preferred grant reviewer so that we can collectively support as many UBC researchers as possible.

It is shaping up to be a busy Fall competition season. Please be aware of the following competition deadlines which are similar to / overlapping with the Sept. 12th NFRF Climate Change deadline: CBRF Stage 2 on Sept. 7th and CIHR Project Grant on Sept. 14th (TBC).

SPARC Contact: Christy McTait


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