Global Futures Fund FAQ

1. How does the Global Futures Fund align with the University’s strategic vision? 

A. The Fund supports interdisciplinarity aligned with the University’s long-term vision for the Global Futures, by enabling connections across departments, ASUs, Faculties, and external partners, fostering innovation in education, research, and/or service through seed funding. 

2. How does this Fund differ from Tri-Council or other research funding? 

A. This Fund uniquely supports initiatives that align with our long-term strategic vision, Waterloo at 100 and the Global Futures framework. It prioritizes integration of research, education, and/or service, and is designed to be nimble and responsive to emerging global challenges. To the extent possible, this Fund can supplement funding from Tri-Council and/or other funding sources. 

3. What types of initiatives fit best with the Fund? 

A. Initiatives that integrate research, education, and service are best positioned. However, projects more concentrated in one of these areas under the university’s mission are also encouraged. Projects may fall into three categories: new/pre-seed, emerging, or established. A successful example might be a sustainability research project that leads to educational programming and is supported by service units dedicated to campus sustainability. Other types are indicated in the 'Global Futures Initiatives (GFIs) - Examples' expand/collapse item on the Global Futures Fund webpage. 

4. What’s the difference between pre-seed, emerging, and established initiatives? 

A.

• Pre-seed: Early-stage ideas with up to $100,000 for one year to define proposal components in more detail, convene stakeholders, explore feasibility, and develop partnerships. 
• Emerging/Established: More developed initiatives can receive up to $250,000 per year for up to three years, especially those enhancing or evolving current programs or expanding reach.

​​​​5. How can teams from different units and external partners best collaborate on proposals to become either networks or nodes? 

A. Collaboration is encouraged from the start, particularly with units or disciplines applicants have not yet worked with. Applicants should seek support from their sponsoring Dean(s) to explore new interdisciplinary collaborations within and beyond a Faculty. External partners to the university can also be involved. This Fund is designed to spark new connections and bold, interdisciplinary ideas. 

In terms of structure: 

• Networks are broad initiatives that aim to convene and connect multiple entities serving as hubs for exchange across ideas, people, and resources. 

• Nodes are more specialized initiatives, focused on a specific area of research, education, or service, while still fostering interdisciplinary and cross-organizational work. 

1. How is a "team" defined? 

A. Broadly speaking, the Fund is encouraging multidisciplinary teams and work that takes place across organizational units (whether within Faculties, between Faculties, and/or ASUs).  

2. Can someone be on more than one application? 

A. A person can only lead one application in a given round. However, individuals can be team members or partners on multiple applications. 

3. What does Sponsorship mean? 

A. Sponsors are a Faculty Dean or more than one Dean. Please approach Dean(s) to share your LOI and request their endorsement as a sponsor. They will provide valuable feedback and suggest ideas to strengthen your LOI based on their vantage of their Faculty and across units at UWaterloo. The Dean(s) does not need to commit to any financial support; though, if they are presently providing support or intend to into the future, this can be denoted in the LOI (through the last question). 

4. What are the exceptions for partial or full support for contingent-on-funding (COF) positions?

 A. Exceptions are considered when COF positions are already embedded within established initiatives, centres, institutes, or research groups. However, applicants must demonstrate a plan for long-term sustainability, showing how these roles will eventually be supported through other funding sources. The Fund is primarily for seed funding and is not designed to provide ongoing salary support. New COF positions can only be considered for transitional and short-term funding and only when a clear plan for long-term sustainability is submitted. COF positions can apply to postdoctoral positions. 

1. How many projects will be funded? 

A. There is no fixed number. The $5 million Fund is distributed over three years, with annual application rounds and an evolving model based on the first round’s outcomes. 

2. Will the Fund cover shared professional services (SPS)? 

A. No. Services like communications and events support are covered separately from the main Fund. Applicants will be asked about their needs in the full proposal, and services will be considered for support from the SPS.

1. What is the format of the GFN Pitch competition and how long is it? Would it be possible to pitch virtually? 

A. Pitches will be 15-mins in length: 7 mins to pitch and 8 mins for Q&A and discussion led by the Steering Committee. We will present a third day (on May 23 – morning) for those who are unable to join during the 2-days provided (May 27 and May 29). Joining via Teams is an option, but in-person attendance is preferred. 

2. Should team members/partners be present at the GFN pitch? 

A. No, only lead applicants (plus one additional team member, if desired) are expected to present at the GFN Pitch. 

3. What is the review process after the GFN Pitch? 

A. A standardized rubric will guide the assessment, focusing on several key factors: 

1. Criteria outlined in a web form: 

• Impact on one or more Global Futures: Clearly articulate how your initiative addresses these priority areas. 

• Initiative stage and strengths: Indicate whether your initiative is new, emerging, or established, and explain your current position and growth potential. 

• Cross-disciplinary and cross-unit collaboration: The initiative should actively engage partners across disciplines and organizational boundaries. 

• "Lead globally, act locally": Demonstrating local impact with potential for global relevance, ideally through external partnerships (though not mandatory). 

• Faculty and Academic Support Unit (ASU) involvement: Applications must be sponsored by one or more Deans, with relevance to ASUs highlighted if applicable. 

2. Cohort Diversity: 

While not something applicants can directly control; diversity is a vital element in the final selection process. The goal is to fund a mix of: 

• Initiative types (new, emerging, established) 
• Areas of focus (research, education, service) 
• Collaborations with Faculties and ASUs and across multiple Futures 

This diversity ensures that funded initiatives contribute to a rich, interdisciplinary environment and foster broader connections across campus. Ultimately, the review process aims not just to fund strong individual projects, but to build a dynamic and collaborative ecosystem of initiatives that advance the University's Global Futures.