Games Institute Seed Grant

• All applicants must be GI members. If you are interested in this funding opportunity but you are not currently a GI member, please note that the project must be led by a current GI member.
• The proposal must be accompanied by the application form.
• Completed application forms should be submitted via email to Research Communications Officer Dr. Emma Vossen.

• To promote interdisciplinary collaborations in teams of researchers spanning different disciplines, ideally across faculty lines.
• To encourage researchers to reach out to colleagues outside their home disciplines and with whom they have not worked previously.

• Research is expected to be interdisciplinary and collaborative.
• Research is expected to enhance and expand research undertaken at the Games Institute.
• Research can be on any type of interactive media and technology, including but not limited to analogue games, digital games, virtual reality, interactive touch screens and displays, alternate reality, extended reality, mobile apps etc.
• Research is expected to consider matters of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), ideally in the proposal's substance, the research methods, and the team composition.
• Proposals are expected to outline how they will contribute to the GI’s ecosystem and make use of GI resources.
• Consideration will be given to how underrepresented groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, members of visible minorities, and persons with disabilities) are included within the research team.
• Proposals should be at max 1500 words (roughly three pages), not including citations.

• All applications must be received via email by 11:59 PM EST on June 13, 2022
• Applicants will receive written notice of the decision by July 11, 2022
• All funding must be spent by April 30, 2023

• Teams of two or more Games Institute members where at least two are from different disciplines and, preferably, from different Faculties.
• Priority will be given to proposals where the applicants have not previously collaborated. The main aim is to provide seed funding to promising, novel projects that allow the cross-campus team to initiate joint research and position them better for external funding opportunities to continue their work.
• Funding for existing collaborations may be considered where a compelling case is made that the additional resources will significantly add to the original project.  
• Student proposals must name a faculty mentor who has agreed to provide guidance if needed. This mentor does not need to be the student's supervisor if different expertise is required. Students must clear their proposals with their direct supervisors where applicable.

All applications will be adjudicated on the strength of the proposal, the suitability of the research team, the viability of the project and the potential for impact.

Applications will be evaluated by a qualified review committee and scored based on the following criteria:

• Interdisciplinarity – 25%
• Collaboration – 25%
• Addresses EDI Concerns – 25%
• Uniquely Positioned at the GI - 25%

• Executive Director Dr. Neil Randall will appoint a committee to review applications.  
• Any conflicts of interest will be declared in advance, and reviewers will not participate in discussions or decisions related to applications for which they have a conflict of interest.  

• Applications will be scored based on the above evaluation criteria
• Faculty and students will be held to the same rules and requirements.
• Faculty applications will be assessed in relation to other faculty applications, and student applications will be evaluated in relation to other student applications. Ideally, both Faculty and student applications will be funded.
• The review committee will make all decisions on or before July 11, 2022.

• Research teams are expected to outline paths for subsequent external support. A plan for applying for external support (i.e., SSHRC, CFI etc.) should be clearly outlined in the application. 
• Research teams are expected to participate in knowledge translation activities.
• Research teams must be willing to provide information for GI research communications (podcast episodes, research spotlights, annual reports, etc.).
• Research teams are expected to deliver research talks on their projects.
• Research teams are encouraged to consider other media for research dissemination (op-eds, media appearances, etc.).

• Successful applicants must acknowledge funding support from the GI in all public announcements, presentations, and publications related to the funded project.
• i.e., “This research was funded by the Games Institute at the University of Waterloo.”

• The funds will be administered to a specific research group via separate Work Orders in the Games Institute org unit. 
• Funding will then be dispersed according to applicants' instructions. Student/post-doc proposals will be administered directly by the Games Institute.
• GI administrative staff will assist in administering funds, including purchasing supplies related to research activities.

• Applicants must clearly describe how the requested funds will be used; the majority of funding must be directed towards HQP support.
• Funding/compensation for students and/or postdocs
• Limited travel (e.g., to get people involved in collaborative grants)
• Minor equipment that will remain at the GI after project completion
• Miscellaneous expenses/supplies related to research activities