Both new networks and established networks are eligible to apply for funding in this competition. Established networks are defined as NCE networks who have been awarded NCE funds for all available funding cycles (ie. two seven-year cycles or three five-year cycles), and whose final NCE funding term has ended or will end by the anticipated release date of new funds (March 31, 2019).

Budget

Approximately 40% of this competition's budget will be allocated to fund new networks that meet the threshold of excellence in all criteria. The budget request must be appropriate for the scope and scale of the activities proposed and the projected deliverables; there are no minimum or maximum budgets for any application in this competition.

Expectations for KTEE

The kinds of KTEE activities an NCE network may pursue include the range of activities from those encompassed in knowledge mobilization (activities and tools designed to put knowledge into active service, often through the establishment of new or modification of existing policies, processes and standards) to those encompassed in commercialization (transformation of knowledge or technology into marketable goods, processes or services). It is not necessary for NCE networks to cover this entire range of activities.

Expectations for Established Networks

Building on successes from earlier cycles of NCE support, established networks must demonstrate the enhancement and/or expansion of previous activities, scope, and impacts. Established networks must also address how they continue to: (1) fill a gap of strategic importance to Canada; and (2) be relevant in a changing research and innovation landscape.

Review Process

The review of applications in this competition will take into consideration whether the network is new or established.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Networks are expected to promote equity, diversity and inclusion within the structure of the proposed network and its activities.

How to use this Guide

This Competition Guide provides an overview of the NCE Network competition, discusses the competition stages and process, identifies evaluation criteria used by the review committees, and outlines the competition timeline. This guide is a stand-alone document containing information relevant to the entire NCE Competition; however, it should be used in conjunction with the relevant guides for each stage of the competition.

Program Overview

The Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) Program invests in Canadian research and entrepreneurial talent to generate, translate and apply knowledge along the innovation continuum that will create economic and social benefits for Canadians. The program plays an important role in mobilizing the best of Canada's research, translational, and entrepreneurial expertise and engaging Canadian and international partners from the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors, by de-risking their investments in network activities. In this way, the program helps to expand global knowledge in strategic areas and enables the creation and implementation of multifaceted solutions to specific social and economic challenges, with the goal of helping build a more advanced, healthy, competitive and prosperous country.

Networks are expected to:

Be challenge-focused and solution-driven;
Foster innovative research, training and the co-creation of new knowledge on critical issues of intellectual, social, economic and cultural significance;
Engage partners in the design and execution of all network activities, including knowledge creation, mobilization and exploitation; and
Have a strategic, diverse leadership, incorporating all relevant sectoral and disciplinary perspectives.

The NCE Program goal, objectives, and expected results and outcomes are detailed in the NCE Program Guide found on the website (www.nce-rce.gc.ca)

Competition Stages

There are two stages to the NCE Competition.

1. Letter of Intent (LOI)

The LOI must describe the challenges that the proposed network will address and provide information on the network's vision, objectives, strategic plan, budget, and key participants in management and governance. The LOI must summarize how the proposed network aligns with the five NCE Program Criteria, the Competition Framework, and the NCE Program Goals and Objectives. The LOI stage provides an opportunity to highlight the proposed network's potential for impact in Canada and internationally. The LOI will be reviewed by the NCE Standing Selection Committee and only the top rated proposals will be invited to submit an application to the Full Application stage.

2. Full Application (FA)

The FA stage requires detailed information on the network's alignment with NCE Program Criteria and Competition Framework and should clearly describe all aspects of the network's management and governance structure, proposed objectives, and expected outcomes and deliverables.

Applicants invited to submit a Full Application after the LOI review may request NCE funds to assist them in preparing their application. Full Application Preparation (FAP) funding of up to $25,000 is tenable until the completion of the Expert Panel meeting, and is designed to be used for application-related expenses such as travel, communications and workshops, secretarial, clerical and co-ordination services. To request FAP funding, applicants must submit a one-page budget detailing anticipated expenses, along with a brief rationale of proposed expenses.

Eligibility

Both new networks and established networks are eligible to apply for funding in this competition. Established networks are defined as NCE networks who have been awarded NCE funds for all available funding cycles (i.e. two seven-year cycles or three five-year cycles), and whose final NCE funding term has ended or will end by the anticipated release date of new funds (March 31, 2019).

Applicants eligible to receive NCE funding are academic researchers eligible to apply for grants from one of the three federal granting agencies (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC).

Recipients must meet the general eligibility requirements of one or more of the three federal granting agencies partnering in the Program.

Recipients eligible to receive NCE funding are:

The Network Host: Canadian universities and post-secondary institutions with a mandate for research and their affiliated institutions (including hospitals, research institutes and other not-for-profit organizations), or a private-sector consortium that hosts a network and associated researchers.
Private Sector Consortium: a grouping consisting mainly of for-profit companies to form a not-for-profit entity that has defined goals and objectives as well as governance, financial and accounting structures that are completely distinct from those of its component companies and meet the requirements of the Agreement on the Administration of Agency Grants and Awards by Research Institutions.
Networks of Centres of Excellence: a not-for-profit corporation incorporated under the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act and their members and associated researchers. Before funding is released and as a condition of eligibility, networks funded through the NCE Program shall incorporate as a not-for-profit organization with a Board of Directors responsible for the approval of their annual financial reports and audits.

Budget and Duration of Support

The total budget for this competition is currently set at $75M over 5 years ($15M/year). Approximately 40% of this budget will be allocated to fund new networks that meet the threshold of excellence. Funding for successful networks will begin, or continue, in 2018-19.

There are no minimum or maximum budgets for any application in this competition. However, NCE networks are always expected to: have ambitious goals that require a networked approach; be multidisciplinary; and have high potential for impact. The budget request must be appropriate for the scope and scale of activities proposed and the projected deliverables. For established networks, the proposed budget should not necessarily be based on historical funding rates.

It is expected that requested funds will be supplemented by cash and/or in-kind contributions from partners.

Network funding is available in 5-year renewable cycles. The progress of each network will be assessed annually, and may result in continued funding, conditional funding, or the phasing out of a network before the end of the 5-year award term.

Competition Timeline

Date	Competition Milestone
August 2017	Competition Announcement
November 2017	LOI Deadline
January 2018	Selection Committee Review
February 2018	Management Committee Meeting Invitations for Full Applications
July 19, 2018	Full Application Deadline
August 2018	Expert Panel Reviews
September 2018	Selection Committee Review
November 2018	Steering Committee Decision
November 2018	Competition results finalized

Competition Framework and Program Criteria

Proposals will be assessed against five NCE Program Criteria and the Competition Framework, as well as relevance to the goals and objectives of the NCE program. Networks are evaluated on an ongoing basis during the tenure of a grant against these criteria. All criteria must be fully developed to ensure a competitive application.

Competition Framework

The proposed network must:

Be challenge-focused and solution-driven;
Work with partners from the private, public and not-for-profit sectors to identify challenges, develop strategies to address the challenges and implement solutions;
Demonstrate world-class capacity to address the identified challenges;
Develop and enhance collaborations with relevant international partners that would contribute to Canada's reputation as an international leader;
Advance and mobilize knowledge for the benefit of Canadian society; and
Build on existing relationships with partners and stakeholders.

In addition:

Successful applications will involve the significant and meaningful participation of researchers and partners from all relevant sectors and disciplines to fully address the multi-faceted challenges and to fully implement multidimensional solutions.

The added value of the proposed network must be clear, especially where there are overlaps between the proposed network and existing networks or initiatives in Canada or abroad, including those that are currently receiving, or have previously received, funding through the NCE suite of programs.

Established networks, building on successes from earlier cycles of NCE support, must demonstrate the enhancement and/or expansion of previous activities, scope, and impacts. This may include, but is not limited to: a change in research focus to address an emerging area in need of solutions; a scaling up of activities supporting the application of knowledge; and/or a more significant sharing of leadership with partners. Established networks must also address how they continue to: (1) fill a gap of strategic importance to Canada; and (2) be relevant in a changing research and innovation landscape.

Program Criteria:

Management of the Network
Excellence of the Research Program
Development of Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP)
Networking and Partnerships
Knowledge and Technology Exchange and Exploitation

1. Management of the Network

Each network must have an organizational structure appropriate for the management of the research and business functions of a complex multidisciplinary, multi-institutional program.

A strong governance model with a sound management structure is essential to the success of a network.

If an industry-led Not-for-Profit Corporation is proposed as the Host institution for the proposed network, it must be able to demonstrate that it has in place the proper policies, procedures and financial controls to administer funding to academic institutions.