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NSERC SITRG Student Innovation Awards 2011 - 2012
$5,000 per student available for applied research projects on Improving the Energy Performance of Buildings
Funding is also available for consumable materials and small equipment needs (up to $500).
GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION FORM
PURPOSE
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) has awarded Red River College (RRC) a $2.3 million
grant to conduct applied research on improving the energy performance of commercial and institutional
buildings. The Sustainable Infrastructure Technology Research Group (SITRG) was created to lead this research and as a
mechanism to engage RRC faculty and staff in participating, the NSERC SITRG Student Innovation Awards (SIAs) were
created.
In general, the SIA funding is to be used to:
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conduct short-term applied research projects;
carry out demonstration and/or proof-of-concept applied research projects;
conduct and assess the commercial potential of projects;
support research dissemination - including the preparation and presentation of publications, as well as
organization of research workshops and symposiums.
The SIA project/proposal must focus on one or more of the following areas of study:
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Building Envelope
Building Performance Monitoring
Mechanical and Renewable Energy Systems
Reducing Embodied Energy of Building Materials
The annual budget for this awards program is $200,000, of which individual students can earn up to $5,000 (stipend),
plus up to $500 for consumable materials and small equipment needs. AR&C may approve additional funds for
consumable materials and small equipment needs, should adequate justification be made.
AR&C does have access to equipment that will be made available for student use on applied research projects. A list of
such can be found here: http://www.rrc.mb.ca/files/file/appliedresearch/CARSIbrochure.pdf
Use of equipment must be in accordance with the College’s Health and Safety policies (E Series), which can be found on
the College website.
ELIGIBILITY
All RRC students in good academic standing are eligible to apply for this award. Student may work individually or in
teams with up to four members (each member is eligible for up to $5,000). This can also be used in conjunction with
regular Applied Research Projects coursework offered through the student’s program.
The student is to find a suitable Project Advisor. In general, the Project Advisor must be an RRC Instructor, Staff
Member, or Academic Chair who will act as a mentor for the Project Team, confirm project activity and expenses, and
whose participation in the project is in a support and advisory capacity. If the student is unable to find an advisor, the
Research Manager will assist in finding a suitable advisor for the student, prior to the application process. An Advisor
from outside of the College, who is Industry-related, may be permitted, but prior approval from the Research Manager is
required.
NOTE: This is an open competition, so there is NO DEADLINE for proposal submission
C506-2055 Notre Dame Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3H 0J9 | 204.632.2597 | AR&Cinfo@rrc.mb.ca | www.rrc.mb.ca/appliedresearch
Applying Knowledge, Delivering ResultsTM
APPLICATION PROCESS
For all inquiries relating to the application process, please contact AR&C Research Manager, Rob Spewak @
rspewak@rrc.mb.ca or 204.632.2357. The Research Manager will provide pre-application support and consultation to
develop the applicant’s research proposal, as requested.
Applicants are to fill out the attached application form, and submit to their School Dean for approval. The School Dean
will then seek approval from the Department Chair. Once approved by the applicable Department Chair, the
application/proposal can be submitted to:
Student Innovation Award Competition
Applied Research & Commercialization Office – C506
Attention: Danielle Puddicombe (dpuddicombe@rrc.mb.ca).
As per College Policies: R1 – Research Involving Human Subjects, R3 - Animal Care and Research, and R7 - Research
Involving Biohazards and Radioactive Materials, should the applicant’s project involve any Humans, Animals, Biohazards
and Radioactive materials, appropriate College approval may be required prior to awarding of the grant. For more
information on the above-mentioned, students are encouraged to visit the college website. Relevant policies can be
found by clicking on the links attached to this document, or by visiting www.rrc.ca, and by selecting “About RRC”;
“Administration”; “College Policies”. Copies of Research related College policies could also be obtained by contacting the
Applied Research & Commercialization office.
Grant Awardees will be notified via a Letter from AR&C. The Student will have 14 days to officially accept the award; if
AR&C does not receive confirmation of award, the office will assume the student has decided to decline, and may reaward the grant to another applicant.
Intellectual Property: In accordance with the College’s Intellectual Property and Copyright Policy (section 5.5.2), any IP
generated by the project will be owned by Red River College. Policy A10 – Intellectual Property and Copyright can be
found on the College’s website. Since the Student Innovation Award projects will be funded through the College and The
Natural Sciences Research Council of Canada’s College and Community Innovation Program, it is understood that the
College will have the right to use the new knowledge or technology in future teaching and research; and faculty and
students will have the right to describe the project on their curricula vitae.
FUNDING PROCESS
Once awarded the funding, Students have a maximum of six months to complete their projects, and must be a current
student (in good standing) through the term of the project. If a longer time frame is required, requests can be made, and
will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Award funding will be allocated as follows:
25% upon project start-up,
25% upon receipt of mid-term project update,
50% upon completion of project and receipt of written report and presentation to AR&C. The student will have 8
weeks upon completion of project to submit a written report to AR&C.
Purchasing of all materials and small tools will be the sole responsibility of the Student, who can then submit proof of
purchase (receipts), along with an expense claim form to Danielle Puddicombe. Reimbursement of such goods, may take
up to 30 days. Any/all tools and materials purchased using grant funds will belong to Red River College.
*SIA funding will be announced within two weeks of receiving your application.
C506-2055 Notre Dame Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3H 0J9 | 204.632.2597 | AR&Cinfo@rrc.mb.ca | www.rrc.mb.ca/appliedresearch
Applying Knowledge, Delivering ResultsTM
NSERC SITRG Student Innovation Awards
Application Form 2011 - 2012
For AR&C Office Use Only
Date Application Received:
Received by:
Criteria and Application Checklist:
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Applications must be submitted by RRC Students, currently enrolled in a certificate, diploma, or degree program,
and in good standing.
Projects to be completed during student’s enrollment in an RRC Program.
Projects must be completed within 20 weeks of your application being approved.
Projects must be related to Sustainable Infrastructure in Commercial and/or institutional buildings and be based
on one or more of the focus groups outlined in the guidelines (under Purpose).
Applicants must identify a Project Advisor.
Application must be typed using Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman font, size 12 (hand-written and/or
incomplete application packages will NOT be accepted).
Only one Application is needed per team, per project.
Applications must be signed/approved by Project Advisor.
Applications must be signed/approved by the respective Department Chair.
Applications must be received by the Applied Research & Commercialization Office through the applicable
Department CHAIR’s office. Original signed version, plus a electronic copy, required.
Please provide the following information in concise form.
Student Information
Student 1
Student 2
Student 3
Student 4
Applicant Name:
Student Number:
Title of Project:
School and Program Name:
Email Address:
Telephone Number:
Mailing Address:
Type of grant applied for:
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Short-term applied research project
Demonstration and/or proof-of-concept applied research project
Conduct and assess the commercial potential of a project
Research dissemination - including the preparation and presentation of
publications, as well as organization of research workshops and symposiums.
C506-2055 Notre Dame Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3H 0J9 | 204.632.2597 | AR&Cinfo@rrc.mb.ca | www.rrc.mb.ca/appliedresearch
Applying Knowledge, Delivering ResultsTM
Project Advisor Information
Project Advisor Name:
Title/Staff Position:
School/Program:
Email Address:
Telephone Number:
Project Information
Title:
Time Frame:
Start Date:
End Date:
Status of any existing or recent requests for related funding for the proposed activity:
Please specify the nature of funding received from other sources in support of project activities.
Project Description (no more than two pages is expected for the Project Description):
Include the overall purpose and objectives; activities or work plan; and expected deliverables/outcomes
C506-2055 Notre Dame Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3H 0J9 | 204.632.2597 | AR&Cinfo@rrc.mb.ca | www.rrc.mb.ca/appliedresearch
Applying Knowledge, Delivering ResultsTM
Project Overview (100 words maximum in lay terms, to be used for communication purposes)
Budget:
(Please provide a written explanation of your project budget – budget items, how they will be used, other sources of
funding - and clearly indicate, using the fields below, the amount of funding being requested. It is important to include
the contributions of any Project Sponsors – for example, monetary and other resources, supplies, facilities, etc.).
Budget Item
Total:
Cost (including
taxes)
Contribution from Project Sponsors if
applicable
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
Ethics Review (Please answer YES or NO):
Will this proposed project involve human subjects?
Will animals be used in the proposed project?
Will animals be used in the proposed project at any other location?
Will radioactive, biological, hazardous material, or lasers be used?
C506-2055 Notre Dame Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3H 0J9 | 204.632.2597 | AR&Cinfo@rrc.mb.ca | www.rrc.mb.ca/appliedresearch
Applying Knowledge, Delivering ResultsTM
Signatures
Applicant Signature (1)
Date
Applicant Signature (2)
Date
Applicant Signature (3)
Date
Applicant Signature (4)
Date
Project Advisor Signature
Date
Completed applications are to be forwarded to your program Dean for review, approval, and signature. The Dean will
then forward to the Department Chair for final approval and forwarding to the Applied Research & Commercialization
Office.
Comments from Chair/Dean/Program Instructor:
Dean Signature
Name:
Date
Chair Signature
Name:
Date
C506-2055 Notre Dame Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3H 0J9 | 204.632.2597 | AR&Cinfo@rrc.mb.ca | www.rrc.mb.ca/appliedresearch