Call for Proposals: Research Scans on Contemporary Issues in Transfer

Apply for funding to conduct a Transfer Research Scan to help inform ONCAT’s strategies, and aid in the development of more seamless transfer practices in Ontario postsecondary education system. Projects can include environmental scans, literature reviews and/or exploratory research (i.e. informational interviews) on contemporary issues in transfer outlined below.

 

Areas of Focus

ONCAT is commissioning environmental scans, literature reviews, and/or exploratory research (i.e., informational interviews) in the areas listed below.
  • Transfer+Apprenticeship: A review of research on student mobility and prior learning/credit recognition to and from apprenticeship programs across various jurisdictions, along with the policy structures that facilitate such movement.
  • Transfer+“Third” Sector: A review of the role of innovative initiatives led (or funded) by philanthropic organizations (e.g., Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lumina Foundation, etc.) focusing on transfer policy development and practice.
  • Transfer+Data Infrastructure: A review of advanced data infrastructure in North American and other jurisdictions (e.g., the Texas PK-16 Public Education Information Resource [TPIER]) facilitating longitudinal tracking of students.
  • Transfer+Mental Health Supports: An exploration of the relationship between transfer and student mental health and the unique challenges faced by transfer students with mental health needs. 
  • Transfer+Post Graduate Certificates: An exploration of institutional transfer practices related to post-graduate certificates in Ontario.
     

Key Components/Deliverables

  • A 15 to 20 page report.
  • Presentation, upon request, at ONCAT’s office (travel funding provided).
  • We anticipate projects will be completed by March 1, 2021.
 

Eligibility

Postsecondary institutions in Ontario (colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes) are eligible to apply. This funding opportunity is open to early career researchers, doctoral candidates (must have coursework and qualifying exams completed), or post-doctoral researchers  at postsecondary institutions in Ontario (colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes).

 

Funding Available

Grants are between $12,000 and $15,000. Additional funding will be considered depending on the scope and type of project.
 
 

Application

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Submission Requirements

To be considered for funding, proposals must include the following

  • Clear scope and Sound Methods: Proposals should articulate clear research questions and a detailed research plan that outlines data sources, research approaches, and techniques. 
  • Strong Rationale: Proposals must demonstrate how the knowledge being generated can inform policies, pathways, and institutional practices in student mobility in Ontario. Proposals should explain how the research will contribute to the literature on student mobility and how it can serve as a sector resource for developing a more seamless postsecondary education system in Ontario.
  • Research Capacity: Proposals must demonstrate clear capacity to conduct the research and an appropriate research team.
  • Budget: Submissions must include a clear and realistic budget that aligns with the proposed activities.
  • Ethics Review (if applicable): Submissions should include timelines for Research Ethics Board approval, as needed, for projects involving human participants or that require institutional research involving multiple institutional partners and/or access to institutional data/records.
     

Reports and Check-ins

ONCAT is committed to learning with its partners and values open and ongoing communication. If you are successful in receiving a grant, the following check-ins and reporting are required:

  • An interim update and financial report.
  • Check-ins on the project as needed (via email and/or in person).
  • A final report and detailed financial statement.
  • Presentations (if needed) during knowledge mobilization events.
     

ONCAT Project Budget Guidelines

Please refer to the following guidelines when developing your budget.

Personnel
  • Includes salaries, honoraria, and stipends, specified by rate and time.
  • In cases where a faculty member’s time on the project will affect workload, and/or a teaching release is required to provide backfill for the faculty member or academic administrator involved in this project, ONCAT will fund the hiring of a part-time instructor at the college/university/Indigenous institute at the institution’s per semester rate. Please be clear in the workplan and ‘core team’ sections of your application of the anticipated time commitment of each person, especially where support for backfill is being requested.
  • Senior academic administration (decanal or above) and full-time administration with responsibilities including academic partnerships, program development, and/or transfer credit should be considered in-kind contributions. 
Project Costs
  • Includes direct costs for materials and supplies related to this project.
  • ONCAT will not pay for permanent fixtures (for example: laptops, computers, permanent software purchases, and so forth). ONCAT will pay for costs specifically and solely related to the project, such as temporary software licenses (i.e., fluid survey). 
Travel and Accommodation
  • If applicable, this includes any travel and accommodations necessary to conducting project activities. Please be clear in the workplan where travel is needed and include in the budget a breakdown of number of trips and duration. Use of teleconferencing or other cost-effective means to reduce travel-related costs are highly encouraged.
  • For travel-related expenses, ONCAT abides by the Government of Ontario Travel, Meal and Hospitality Expenses Directive. Please see the following link: https://dr6j45jk9xcmk.cloudfront.net/documents/5019/ontario-travel-directive-effective-january-1.pdf 
Overhead/Administration
  • This is generally calculated at no more than 20% of the request for funding to ONCAT and is intended to cover activities such as overall project administration by the project lead institution, use of space and resources, and so forth. 
Ineligible Expenses
  • ONCAT will not duplicate any funding received from the Credit Transfer Innovation Grant. If you have sought and received funding through the CTIG for this project or any positions requested for funding, this project will be deemed ineligible for funding. Please note: ONCAT may request revisions to project budgets subject to CTIG funding decisions.
  • ONCAT will not cover expenses related to academic program or transfer pathway delivery.
  • For applications that include an online component, the online development will not be eligible for ONCAT funding and will be at the expense of the institution(s). Please refer to eCampusOntario for possible support.
  • ONCAT will not cover expenses not directly and clearly related to the project activities and goals as outlined in the application and workplan.