2017 CFI Innovation Fund
Internal Adjudication Form
For Non-Western-led Proposals
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 multi-institutional projects in
which Western/Robarts/Lawson is not the lead or host institution.
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 six key assessment criteria as outlined by the CFI in
the 2017 Innovation Fund Draft Call for Proposals. The CFI evaluation standards (criterion) are
included for each section 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 Not Led by Western
Project Title:
Project Leader
Name:
Institution:
Western Lead
Name:
Department:
E-mail Address:
Co-Applicants
Name
Department or Faculty
Anticipated Total Project Cost:
CFI Request:
Amount requested from Western’s CFI Envelope:
Institution
$
$
$
Required Signatures:
Project Leader:
Name
Signature
Date
Name
Signature
Date
Signature
Date
Western Lead:
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 1,600 words (approx. 2 pages).
Note: In place of Part A, applicants may provide a copy of the application submitted to the lead institution for approval.
Parts B and C are still required.
Please provide a description of:
(a) The major pieces of infrastructure requested, identifying the pieces of infrastructure which are proposed to be
located at Western, if applicable;
(b) A short overview of the research or technology development activities to be enabled by the infrastructure; and
(c) The anticipated outcomes and benefits to Canadians from these activities.
Part B: Team and Institutional Benefits. Maximum 800 words (approx. 1 page).
Please provide a description of:
(a) The expertise and ability of the team to conduct the proposed research or technology development activities,
including the contributions of Western’s researchers to the proposed activities; and
(b) The anticipated outcomes and benefits to Western from participation in the proposed research or technology
development activities.
Part C: CVs
Attach CVs for (1) the external Project Leader and (2) Western co-applicant(s). CFI CVs (available through the online
CAMS portal) are preferred, but any format will be accepted.