RECODE at Ryerson University
Call for Student Proposals — Spring 2016 Guidelines
RECODE at Ryerson University is a two-year initiative to scale up the social innovation
ecosystem at Ryerson University. Inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development
Goals, each RECODE social innovation project addresses challenges in the following seven
overarching themes: 1) Poverty Alleviation; 2) Education; 3) Health; 4) Human Rights,
Diversity and Inclusion; 5) Violence Prevention and Peacebuilding; 6) Sustainability; and 7)
Capacity Building and Engagement.
We are now accepting applications from current Ryerson University students or recent
graduates (within two years) to support:
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Applied research projects -- individual and collaborative and interdisciplinary research
on social innovation.
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Social innovation projects – seed and matching funds for social innovation initiatives,
including new ventures and projects driving innovation in existing organizations.
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Experiential learning – field-based experiences with social innovation, including
internships, practicums, cooperative education and zone learning.
Awards are intended to provide seed and matching funds for social innovation initiatives,
including new ventures and projects driving innovation in existing organizations. Through
this call, we will also expand the capacity of Ryerson’s zones and institutes with social
innovation elements to support social innovation across the university and with partner
organizations.
A cross-faculty adjudication committee with community partners will review the proposals
and provide feedback.
1. Funding Amounts
Funding awards of up to $10,000 each will be offered to 10-15 students through this call for
proposals. Projects are intended to be full-time and short term — four (4) to six (6) months —
but longer periods of up to one year will also be considered for funding. Applicants are
encouraged to demonstrate additional funding or matching opportunities that could be
leveraged for the proposed activities. Team grants will also be considered.
Funding for social innovation projects will be determined by the stage of the project.
2. Submission Deadline
The application deadline is Friday April 29, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. Applications arriving after this
time will not be considered.
3. Funding Eligibility
Current Ryerson students and recent Ryerson graduates (within two years) are eligible for
funding under the Student Stream. Preference will be given to individuals from designated
groups.1 Foreign students and permanent residents are eligible to apply.
4. How to apply
The Spring 2016 student application form is available here.
Completed application packages must include the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Completed application form
Resume(s)
Cover letter(s)
Attachments: You are permitted a total of 2 attachments. One (1) image (e.g., image
of your prototype) and one (1) additional relevant attachment (e.g., market
assessment, business plan). Both attachments must be in pdf file format.
Please submit application packages to recode@ryerson.ca. Applications must be completed
in full and submitted by 5:00 pm on Friday April 29, 2016 to be considered.
5. Expectations and Reporting Requirements
Award recipients must fulfill the following requirements:
1. Sign a funding agreement before any activity funded, in whole or in part, is carried
out.
2. Evaluate the impact of your project as directed.
3. Upon completion of the term of your award, present your project in a community
forum.
4. Upon completion of the term of your award, submit a project summary report
demonstrating outcomes to be posted on the project website.
5. Upon completion of the project, or up to sixty (60) days after the expiration of the
Term, return unused project funds to the Office of the Vice President, Research and
Innovation.
6. Throughout the duration of the project and upon completion of the project, advise the
Project Coordinator of any materials, patents, new ventures, conferences, or
publications resulting from the project.
7. Throughout the duration of the project and upon completion of the project,
acknowledge “RECODE at Ryerson University” in any materials and publications
resulting from project activities.
Designated groups include the four groups specified in the Employment Equity Act (women, visible minorities, Aboriginal
peoples and persons with disabilities), members of the LGBTQ community, individuals who immigrated to Canada, and those
who are the first in their families to attend university. LGBTQ is an umbrella term for people who identify as lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transsexual, transgender, Two-Spirit, intersex, gender independent, queer, questioning, or who otherwise express
gender or sexual diversity.
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8. Provide project updates upon request.
6. Selection Criteria and Process
Applications meeting the eligibility criteria outlined above will be considered by an
interdisciplinary adjudication committee composed of Ryerson faculty members and staff.
Proposals will be assessed based on the following criteria:
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The quality of the application.
The relevance of the project to RECODE and the social innovation themes selected.
The novelty, innovation and appropriateness of the project idea and design.
Potential impact of the project and plan to measure impact.
The feasibility of the project, including demonstrated potential of the applicant to
succeed in the proposed project, and a clear, detailed, and realistic budget and work
plan.
A plan to leverage other sources of funding.
An interview or further information may be required from the short-listed applicants.
Successful applicants may be required to participate in a training session.
For further information, please contact: recode@ryerson.ca or 416-979-5000, ext. 3286