Institutional Research Funding

 

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CARIF exists to develop applied research capacity among faculty and staff at Lethbridge College by funding short-term projects and activities that align with Centre and College strategic goals and priorities. It is expected that projects will be a starting point toward a long-term vision and plan for applied research, including funding from external sources.

What is applied research? According to Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), “applied research is the development of innovative solutions to real-world challenges. It tackles practical problems by applying the latest technology and knowledge to create new products, services, and processes, or improve current products and practices." (CICan Innovation) It is “directed primarily towards a specific practical aim or objective. Each applied research project consists of a set of research and development activities, is organized and managed for a specific purpose, and has its own objectives and expected outcomes, even at the lowest level of formal activity.” (CICan Applied Research Survey 2016-2017 Questionnaire Definitions)

At Lethbridge College, “applied research activity is strongly encouraged and supported as a means to enhance professional development, share knowledge, and strengthen our academic capabilities regionally, nationally, and internationally.” (Lethbridge College 2018 – 2021 Applied Research Strategic Plan)

At Lethbridge College, applied research is

  • often focused externally and often done in collaboration with an industry partner or organization.
  • concerned with solving problems outside of the classroom and outside of pedagogy.
  • focused on solving real-world problems with immediate, practical solutions.

For SoTL projects, the Scholarship of Teaching and Research (STAR) Grant is available and is administered entirely by the SoTL Team.  


 

Information

2024-2025 Guidelines are now available

The application process begins by completing the online CARIF LOI Form. If approved, a unique link to the online CARIF Application Form will be generated and sent to the applicant. All subsequent and related forms are now accessed online through links unique to the applicant(s).


Eligibility

All full- or part-time continuing faculty and staff are eligible. Projects may involve either one or two applicants.  


Award amount

The maximum value of an award is $15,000, though for projects with co-applicants, a reasonable and justified request for additional funds may be made.


Intake cycle

LOIs are due on the second Monday in January (January 8, 2024)

A fixed submission date for applications occurs on the Wednesday (February 28, 2024) following Reading Week. Applicants may submit proposals at any point up to or on the submission date.


Coordinating with a SSHRC Explore or SSHRC Exchange

 

Lethbridge College offers SSHRC Institutional Grants (SIG) for continuing faculty members within the social sciences and humanities.  These grants are used to strengthen research excellence among faculty and foster the professional development of students. 

 

SSHRC Explore (up to $6000) exists to seed new social science or humanities projects or to leverage extramural funding rather than to provide ongoing support through successive awards.

 

SSHRC Exchange (up to $6000) encourages applicants to

• organize small-scale knowledge mobilization activities, such as workshops and seminars, in order to encourage collaboration and the dissemination of research results both within and beyond the academic community.

• present at scholarly conferences and other dissemination venues that align with SSHRC’s mandate in order to advance their careers and encourage the exchange of ideas and research results at the national and international level.  

 

To allow eligible CARIF applicants to leverage SSHRC funding, a call for SSHRC Explore and SSHRC Exchange proposals will take place alongside the CARIF call.

 

Applicants should note that when leveraged with a CARIF, SSHRC grants must be used for a SEPARATE or DISTINCT component of the project.

 

Applicants should also note that course release is NOT an eligible expense through either SSHRC Exchange or SSHRC Explore. 

 

The application and selection process for SSHRC Explore and SSHRC Exchange grants are separate from CARIF. Receiving a CARIF does not guarantee SSHRC funding.  Therefore, please ensure that your CARIF application includes a detailed contingency plan should SSHRC funding not be awarded.


How to apply

  • Download the CARIF Guidelines from the Document Templates below.
  • Consult with your Associate Dean / Dean /  Leader PRIOR TO starting an LOI.
  • Complete the online LOI and submit on or before the deadline.
  • Once the LOI is approved, complete and submit the online Application Form on or before the deadline.

 

Additional considerations:

 

a) Projects involving humans, animals, biohazards and/or radioactive materials

If your project involves humans, animals, biohazards and/or radioactive materials, prior approvals may be required. CARI should be consulted early in the process to determine if there are additional requirements such as Animal Care or Research Ethics Board protocols to be considered. No research activity can begin until all required approvals are in place.

Animal use:

If your project involves the use of animals, you must contact the Animal Care Coordinator prior to beginning your application. More information on Animal Care at Lethbridge College can be found on the Animal Care Website.

Human subjects:

If your research involves human subjects, you must contact the Research Ethics Coordinator prior to beginning your application. 

If your research involves human subjects, it is required that applicants complete the federal Tri-Council online tutorial TCPS2 CORE-2022 (Course on Research Ethics) BEFORE submission of their application. CORE is an introduction to the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2). It consists of nine modules focusing on the guidance in TCPS 2 that is applicable to all research regardless of discipline or methodology.

It is strongly encouraged, that applicants begin the online CORE tutorial at least 8 weeks prior to submission of a CARIF application. You can register for CORE and find more information on the Government of Canada CORE Website.

More information on Research Ethics at Lethbridge College can be found on the Research Ethics Webpage.

b) Intellectual property

Intellectual Property (IP) means a form of creative effort that can be protected through a trademark, trade secret, patent, Copyright, industrial design, integrated circuit topography, or plant breeders’ rights. As per the Intellectual Property Policy, all IP is owned by Lethbridge College unless it is created by a student, in which case, the student is the sole owner unless it is licensed to the College using a Student Release Form. IP may be licensed/transferred to industry to enable commercialization through a collaborative research agreement.


Need help?

For assistance in developing applications and for any questions you may have regarding CARIF grants, please contact:

Dave McMurrayManager, Applied Research Operations