BORDEAUX - WATERLOO JOINT GRANTS
The
University
of
Waterloo
(UW)
and
the
University
of
Bordeaux
(UBx)
are
delighted
to
announce
the
official
launch
of
their
2023
joint
call
for
proposals
to
support
collaborative
projects
between
our
campuses.
This
joint
program
is
the
result
of
a
solid
partnership
that
goes
back
more
than
a
decade
with
multiple
joint
funding
calls
that
have
nurtured
many
successful
collaborations
to
date.
Both
institutions
wish
to
further
develop
these
collaborations
with
dedicated
funds.
Call for proposals - 2023
The Priority Research Topic for this competition is 'Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning for Sensors and/or Material Discovery’. With support from the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN), Waterloo.AI and the University of Bordeaux (UBx), the program will foster interdisciplinary research between international partners for “high risk-high reward” blue-sky discoveries typically not supported by traditional granting agencies. The intent of the program is to kickstart research that could provide some initial data points and insights as a first step in targeting various established joint funding programs, such as NSERC Alliance International, NFRF-International, and ANR (French national research agency), or Horizon Europe.
The expectation is that the proposal objectives will align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and have the potential for societal benefit.
Preference
will
be
given
to
submissions
that
will
lead
to
the
creation
of
new
UBx-UW
teams
working
on
this
Priority
Research
Topic,
and
to
the
establishment
of
long-term
collaboration,
potentially
through
the
creation
of
novel
research
platforms
involving
personnel
from
UW
and
UBx.
Eligibility
Each joint applicant team requires at least four (4) lead investigators:
- From UW, there must be at least one full-time faculty core-member of WIN and one member of Waterloo.AI.
- From UBx, there must be at least one with strong expertise in AI and one with strong expertise in material science.
- Other Investigators may be included as the project requires.
-
Individuals
may
participate
(as
PI
or
co-I)
on
only
one
application
to
this
competition.
Available funding
The
maximum
total
grant
(for
both
UW
and
UBx
teams)
is
up
to
$50,000
CAD
(or
~€35,000)
for
a
term
of
one
year.
The
project
budget
will
be
shared
equally
between
the
Waterloo
and
Bordeaux
teams
(i.e
$25K
for
UW,
~€17.5K
for
UBx).
Total
funding
available
for
the
competition
is
$100,000
CAD
(for
UW)
and
€70,000
(~$100,000
CAD
for
UBx),
to
fund
up
to
4
Bordeaux-Waterloo
joint
proposals.
Submission instructions
Deadline: July 10, 2023 (6pm in Waterloo/Midnight in Bordeaux)
Combine the application form (available via this link) and attachments into a single pdf file and submit your application directly below.
An e-Cover sheet must be submitted by the deadline for all UW applicants.
An e-Cover sheet signed by Research department directors is incorporated into the application form and must be submitted by the deadline for all UBx applicants.
Applicants
must
use
a
standard,
single-column
on
an
8.5”
x
11”
or
A4
page
layout.
The
proposal
must
be
written
using
a
12-point,
black-coloured
font,
single
line
spacing
(six
lines
per
inch)
and
with
no
condensed
type
or
spacing,
with
a
margin
of
no
less
than
2.5
centimetres
(1
inch)
around
the
page.
Applications documents
Curriculum Vitae: a short CV for each of the lead researchers (maximum 3 pages each)
Plain language summary (in application form): 1500 characters maximum
Keywords (in application form): up to 5 keywords
Description of Proposed Collaboration (5 pages max.)
- Include an introduction, background, objectives, methodology, key challenges/problems the project will address, how it is innovative, how practices promoting equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) will be incorporated, and a dissemination plan.
- Briefly state the key areas of expertise of the researchers involved.
- Explain the complementary nature of the project and the value-added as a result of the collaboration and how it aligns with both institutions’ strategies.
Expected Outcomes and Impacts (3 pages max.)
- Briefly state expected scientific advances, technology development, policy formulation, new training program, scholarship, and societal benefit(s)/transitions, and how the outcomes align with UN SDGs.
- Provide plan for future funding and explain how the UW-UBx team will proceed to ensure the sustainability of the activities.
- Describe potential evidence of research outcomes for this collaboration (eg. Publications, joint extramural grant application, etc.)
References (1 page)
Budget (in application form)
-
Provide
a
separate
budget
table
and
justification
for
the
UW
and
UBx
teams,
reflecting
an
equal
share
of
funding
between
teams.
Eligible
budget
categories
include
travel,
conference
and
dissemination
costs,
research
operating
costs,
trainee
stipends/salary,
and
minor
equipment.
80
%
of
the
UW
budget
must
be
allocated
to
the
direct
hiring
of
HQP/research
personnel.
Evaluation procedure
Applications will be evaluated by a joint Bordeaux-Waterloo Review Committee, co-chaired by the UW Associate Vice-President, Research and International and the UBx Vice-President International Networks. Reviewers will be recruited from both institutions and will include experts in AI, sensors, materials, and nanomaterials.
Evaluation criteria include:
- Innovation of project
- Feasibility of project
- Value of complementary expertise of research team with evidence of upholding EDI principles
- Potential impact and societal benefit of project outcomes, such as making progress towards meeting the UN SDGs
- Dissemination plan
-
Viability
of
plan
for
future
funding
Questions / comments
Please direct any questions or comments to Leslie Copp, Director, FANS, Office of Research (UW) at: lcopp@uwaterloo.ca and/or Anne Blassiau, International Cooperation Officer (UBx) at: anne.blassiau@u-bordeaux.fr