2017 CFI Innovation Fund
Internal Adjudication Form
The Canada Foundation for Innovation has recently announced their next major funding opportunity in a
draft Call for Proposals. If you are considering applying to the 2017 CFI Innovation Fund, please consult
with your Associate Dean Research or Research Director to ensure Faculty/Institute awareness and
support.
For its tenth nation-wide research infrastructure competition, the Canada Foundation for
Innovation (CFI) encourages eligible institutions and their researchers to craft proposals that
focus on excellence, build on research strengths, and incorporate collaboration as a means
to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Canadian research enterprise.
This document will be used for internal adjudication and institutional approval to proceed with a
submission to the CFI Innovation Fund 2017 competition. It will also be used to determine the
maximum budget permitted for each proposal. This is required due to the CFI mandated institutional
envelopes – a limit on the cumulative project value each institution may submit. Western’s envelope for
the 2017 Innovation Fund is anticipated to be $41,300,000. This envelope represents the maximum
amount to be requested from the CFI, which can be no more than 40% of total project costs.
This Internal Adjudication Form must be submitted and approved for all CFI projects in which CFIfunded infrastructure will be placed at Western/Robarts/Lawson.
The submission of the Internal Adjudication Form is a two-step process:
1. A complete draft of the Adjudication Form must be completed and signed by your Associate Dean
Research/Director and submitted to RDS by Thursday, March 10th, 2016. An overall cost range
for the project is acceptable at this time based on list prices and discussions with IPB, Facilities
Management and Procurement.
2. A final Internal Adjudication Form & CVs must be submitted to RDS by Thursday, March 24th,
2016. This form is to be completed in its entirety including the budget section.
Please email your Internal Adjudication Form and CVs to Antoinette Martin (amartin3@uwo.ca).
The Internal Adjudication form is based upon the assessment criteria as outlined by the CFI in the 2017
Innovation Fund Draft Call for Proposals. The CFI evaluation standards (criterion) are described below
and will form the basis for internal adjudication.
Please direct your questions or comments to Carolyn Paterson (carolyn.paterson@uwo.ca) and/or your
Associate Dean Research/Director.
Western Contact Information:
Research Development: Carolyn Paterson (carolyn.paterson@uwo.ca) & Antoinette Martin
(amartin3@uwo.ca)
Procurement Services: Jim Heaton (jheaton@uwo.ca) & Scott Roth (sroth6@uwo.ca)
Facilities Management: Greg Ackland (gackland@uwo.ca)
Institutional Planning & Budgeting: Rick Campbell (finrtc@uwo.ca) & George Qubty (gqubty@uwo.ca)
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES & CRITERION STANDARDS
When developing your application, please keep in mind the Innovation Fund Objectives and CFI’s
Criterion Standards applied for the 2015 Innovation Fund, described below.
2017 Innovation Fund Objectives
The objectives of the 2017 Innovation Fund are to enable institutions and their best researchers to:
 Strive for global leadership by conducting world-class research or technology development
activities in areas of strategic institutional priority;
 Enhance research capacity by forging productive partnerships, within and among
institutions, sectors and disciplines for the effective and sustainable use of the research
infrastructure and facilities;
 Generate social, health, environmental and/or economic benefits for Canadians, including
better training and improved skills for highly qualified personnel, through appropriate pathways.
Criterion Standards
Research or Technology Development: The proposed research or technology development activities
enabled by the infrastructure are timely, innovative, and at the leading edge internationally. The
activities have the potential to lead to breakthroughs and will enhance the international competitiveness
of the institution and its researchers.
Infrastructure: The infrastructure is necessary and appropriate to conduct the research or technology
development programs. The use of the infrastructure will be maximized within and among the
institutions and sectors (private, public, and non-profit).
Benefits to Canadians: The research or technology development activities are likely to lead to
significant tangible benefits for society, health, the economy and/or the environment. Where appropriate,
effective pathways have been identified and will be developed to transfer the results and outputs of the
research or technology development to potential end-users in a timely manner.
Institutional Track Record and Commitment: The proposal builds on existing capacity and key
investments in people and infrastructure. Through tangible commitments, the institution supports the
area of the proposal in order to maintain or gain a competitive advantage internationally.
Team: The principal users of the infrastructure are established or emerging leaders in the relevant
research or technology development domains. The team has the necessary expertise, ability, and relevant
collaborations and partnerships in place to successfully conduct the research or technology development
activities.
Sustainability of the Research Infrastructure: The proposal presents a compelling plan for the
management, operation, and maintenance of the proposed infrastructure with tangible and appropriate
commitments over its useful life.
2017 CFI Innovation Fund – Internal Adjudication Form
Proposals Led by Western
Project Title:
Project Leader
Name:
Department:
E-mail Address:
Co-Applicants
Name
Anticipated Total Project Cost:
CFI Request:
Department/Faculty
$
$
Institution
CFI Request (%):
Note: CFI will fund a maximum of 40% of the eligible project costs, which will be matched by the Ontario
Research Fund (40%). The remaining 20% of project costs must be covered from other sources, such as vendor
in-kind contributions or cash.
Is this a multi-institutional project?
Yes
No
If yes, indicate participating institutions and expected contributions below. Please note that only institutions
who are providing contributions from their CFI envelope need to be identified.
Institution
Expected contribution
$
$
$
$
For proposals with more than 4 contributing institutions, contact Research Development.
Required Signatures:
Project Leader:
Name
Signature
Date
Signature
Date
Associate Dean Research/Director:
Name
Estimated Budget for Infrastructure
Budget Development: Procurement Services has developed a suite of resources for developing research equipment
budgets. The Research Budget Considerations document may be helpful in developing your Innovation Fund budget:
http://uwo.ca/finance/forms/docs/procurement/Research%20Budget%20Considerations.pdf
For details on CFI eligible costs, see Section 4 of the CFI Policy and Program Guide [PDF].
Please indicate the proposed location for the requested infrastructure:
ITEM DESCRIPTION
Equipment Modules or Systems1
ESTIMATED COST
$
$
$
$
$
Subtotal $
New Construction2
$
Renovations
3
$
TOTAL PROJECT COST $
Notes:
1
Please identify broad budget categories versus individual equipment items. Formal quotations are not required at
this stage. An estimate of costs is sufficient. Please contact Procurement Services if you require assistance in
developing your budget.
2
Please contact Institutional Planning & Budgeting and Facilities Management for space and other considerations.
3
Facilities Management can assist with initial renovation & construction estimates. Contact FM for assistance, or
complete and submit a Request for Capital Project Estimate Form including required Departmental approvals.
ATTACHMENTS
Part A: Project description. Maximum 2,400 words (approx. 3 pages).
Note: The criteria in Part A are anticipated to align with the required Project Description in the CFI Notice of Intent.
Please provide a description of:
(a) The major pieces of infrastructure requested;
(b) A short overview of the research or technology development activities to be enabled by the infrastructure; and
(c) The anticipated outcomes and benefits from these activities.
Part B: Institutional track record, team, and sustainability. Maximum 1,200 words (approx. 1 ½ pages).
Please provide a description of:
(a) The institutional track record in this area of research and how the proposal builds on existing capacity and
investments;
(b) The expertise and ability of the team to lead the project and the collaborations and/or partnerships which will
support the proposed activities;
(c) The sustainability of the proposed infrastructure, including operation and maintenance needs and usable life of the
infrastructure. Briefly outline potential sources of support for long term operation and maintenance costs, such as
user fees, industry contracts, faculty/departments, or other sources.
Part C: CVs
Attach CVs for the Project Leader and co-applicants. CFI CVs (available through the online CAMS portal) are preferred,
but any format will be accepted.