[PDADC-L] IMPORTANT RESEARCH FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Networks of Centres of Excellence Network Competition

TO: PDAD&C to be forwarded to all Professors and Researchers eligible to apply
FROM: Prof. Peter Lewis, Associate Vice President, Research
DATE: October 20, 2010

RE: IMPORTANT RESEARCH FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Networks of Centres of Excellence Competition

Please make your colleagues aware of this wonderful opportunity for U of T faculty to attract significant research investment.

The Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) Program invests in Canadian research and entrepreneurial talent to translate and apply knowledge to produce economic and social benefits for Canadians. The Program plays an important role in mobilizing some of Canada’s best research talent found in the Canadian academic community, and in engaging Canadian and international partners of the private, public, and non-profit sectors. Together, they expand the global knowledge frontier to generate and implement multifaceted solutions to complex Canadian issues, which increases the benefit of research and research training for the benefit of society.

New networks will be eligible to receive funding for up to two five-year terms for a total of ten years. Progress for each new network will be assessed annually, and may result in continued funding, conditional funding, or the phasing out of a network before the end of the award.

Many of you are already aware of and are working on applications to the NCE Network competition. The Innovations & Partnerships Office (IPO) wishes to coordinate with applicants as early as possible in order to provide appropriate guidance and support.

The key dates for campus-based faculty applicants are as follows:

• Internal Deadline to submit drafts: November 7, 2010 (midnight)
Please note that the draft covering letter which accompanies the Letter of Intent must be approved by your Chair and Vice Dean prior to submission to the IPO

• Internal Reviewers' Comments Returned to Applicants: November 12, 2010
• Internal Deadline to submit final Letter of Intent: November 22, 2010 (5:00 pm)
• IPO staff will submit all U of T LOIs to the sponsor for their November 24, 2010 deadline.

The contact within IPO is Colleen Burke (colleen.burke@utoronto.ca; 416-978-3648)

For further information about this program and to obtain forms please visit:
http://www.nce-rce.gc.ca/_docs/competitions/NCE-2012-RCE/LOIApplication_eng.xls (Letter of Intent Application form)

http://www.nce-rce.gc.ca/Competitions-Competitions/Current-EnVigueur/NCE-RCE-2012/LOIGuide-GuideLI_eng.asp (Letter of Intent Guide)

Please advise Colleen Burke immediately of plans to submit an NCE application.