Research Support Services

The Research Support Services (RSS) unit within the Research Services Office supports researchers through the process of finding funding opportunities; creating proposals and budgets; submitting applications; finalizing awards and negotiating agreements; and continues through to setting up accounts for funded research.

• Office of Research website - Funding Opportunities list
  • Research Support Services team produces content related to funding opportunities
  • Our aim: effective and timely communication
• What are the requirements for specific funding programs?
  • Specific requirements are usually described in the documentation provided by the sponsor, e.g. competition guidelines, request for proposals, application form, instructions, etc.
  • These requirements are either listed in the RSS-issued funding opportunities, or available from the sponsor’s website
  • As an example, requirements for Tri-Agency (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) are described in the Agreement on the Administration of Agency Grants and Awards by Research Institutions and the Tri-Agency Financial Administration Guide
• If an opportunity isn’t listed on RSO website,please email Research Support Services for more information.

• Who is authorized to apply for and hold research funding?
  • Regular, full-time faculty (UGFA) and CARG members
  • P&M or other staff with special approval from Dean. Please email Research Support Services for more information
• Plan your application early
  • Review program guidelines and instructions
  • Download or review forms and templates
  • Prepare a realistic budget
    • Indirect costs
    • RSO Budget Tips
    • RSS Budget Template
  • Prepare a proposal based on sponsor’s requirements, or consult RSS Proposal Template
• Check deadlines
• Seek mentorship opportunities
  • Successful colleagues or peers may be able to review your ideas and provide feedback
  • Mentors may also be able to review drafts of applications, provide critical internal feedback you may wish to incorporate before you “submit”…
  • Some colleges have internal review procedures so be sure to ask the Associate Dean Research or College Research Manager of your college
• Connect with sponsors
  • Program officers, representatives of funding agencies who are familiar with the process once your application is submitted, are often available
  • Program officers at the Tri-Agencies (CIHR, NSERC,SSHRC) can become great sources of feedback for you. Why not take advantage?
  • We can help you make contact if you’d like to do so – just ask! Contact the front desk in the Research Services Office (research.services@uoguelph.ca) and you will be put through to someone in RSS for assistance
• Plan time to write, review, re-write

• There are really 2 types of deadlines
• We refer to the different types as INTERNAL and EXTERNAL
• Do not rely on sponsor’s deadline, which is the EXTERNAL deadline!
• Instead, refer to the internal deadlines posted on RSO website within our funding opportunities or as found in Table 1 of the Minimum Processing Times guidelines
  • The internal deadline is the real deadline by which you must have your application complete and submitted

• In person to University Centre, Room 437
• Electronically to research.services@uoguelph.ca
• OR-5 Form and why is it required for my proposal?
  • University approval policy
  • Meanings of Signatures on OR-5 Form, Applications and Proposals
• You might be wondering, what happens when you submit to the Office of Research?
  • Why do you need to submit earlier than the sponsor requires?
  • We review your application depending on the opportunity
  • More complicated programs = more detailed review
  • We recommend any revisions to improve the completeness and/or accuracy of your application
  • Once the final version is ready to go, your application can be submitted
• Final submission to sponsor
  • In most cases, final submission is the researcher’s responsibility (see below)
  • Process varies across opportunities
  • Refer to opportunities posted by RSS for more information
• Researcher to submit
  • In some cases, once your application has been approved, we let you know
  • You pick up your signed application and are responsible for submission
  • Research Support Services submits on your behalf
  • In other cases, mostly for Tri-Agency (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) grants, our office submits your application electronically
  • Our “submitting” confirms approval and official endorsement by the University
• At the end of the submission process, we then wait for the sponsor’s decision

• What documentation do I provide (or is provided by the sponsor) to RSS?
  • See major sponsors or internal programs listings
• What agreement templates are recommended?
  • University of Guelph Agreement Templates
  • Other? Please contact Research Services Office for suitable templates (e.g. NSERC CRD, OCE, etc.)
• How long will I expect to wait for my account to be set up?
• Early account set up
• What happens if my research requires certifications or regulatory approvals?
  • Research Ethics Board - for using human participants in research
  • Animal Care Services - for using live animals in research
  • Biohazards - for using biohazards in research
  • Radiation - for radiation safety and approvals
  • Others

• We see our role as helping you understand which policies might apply to you, and why
• If you have questions at any time, please ask
• There are many policies researchers are required to adhere to
• While we can’t waive policy, we can guide you through it
• We help interpret policy and what it means for you
• The most commonly-referred to policies are:
  • Anticipating deadlines
    • Office of Research Review and Minimum Processing Times
  • Applying for funding
    • Proposal approvals
    • OR-5 Form
    • Meaning of Signatures
  • Planning your budget
    • Indirect cost policy and rates
  • Intellectual property
  • Publications

• Office of Research staff in other units
  • Regulatory compliance
    • Animals
    • Human participants
    • Biohazards
    • Radiation
    • Others, e.g. transgenic plants and animals
  • Risk management
  • Industry liaison and intellectual property management (Research Innovation Office)
  • Strategic partnerships (Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance)
  • Research communications
• Office of Research web site - Forms, guidelines, policies and other materials
• Associate Deans Research and College Research Managers
• Other U of G resources
  • Research Financial Services (for help with managing funding after receiving a research award)
  • Library (for help with data management plans)
  • Physical Resources (for help with getting cost estimates and undertaking construction or renovations to research space)