Sponsor

Digital Research Alliance of Canada (DRAC)

Program

The Research Software Maintenance Fund (RSMF)

For More Information

Visit the DRAC program website [1]

Description

Software is embedded in nearly every aspect of modern research, yet finding dedicated resources to maintain, secure and sustain it remains one of the biggest challenges facing research teams across Canada. The Research Software Maintenance Fund (RSMF) addresses this gap. It provides targeted funding to help teams keep the research software that Canadian researchers depend on every day reliable, secure and sustainable for the long term.

The Digital Research Alliance of Canada (DRAC) is now accepting Letters of Intent (LOIs) for the RSMF. This is the first step in a two-phase process to allocate funding to teams maintaining existing research software used by the broader research community.

This fund is strictly for maintenance and sustainability. It does not support new software development or new scientific features.

Two funding streams are available through the Research Software Maintenance Fund.

• Small Maintenance Grants provide an Alliance contribution of up to $150,000 for projects lasting up to 12 months.
• Large Sustaining Grants provide an Alliance contribution of up to $500,000 for projects lasting up to 24 months.

Eligibility

Software must be existing and in active use by external users beyond the originating team/organization (evidence required). 

The Lead Applicant must be part of an eligible Canadian research organization; international collaborators are allowed (budget share limits may apply). 

An eligible Canadian organization includes: 

• A Canadian university or post-secondary college or educational institution or hospital that receives public funding and that carries on or is capable of carrying on, meaningful research
• A non-profit organization that is situated in Canada and that carries on or is capable of carrying on, meaningful research
• An institution or non-profit organization that is situated in Canada and whose activities support Canada’s DRI ecosystem

Teams must include or intend to on-board at least one software developer or expert with experience in code quality practices with knowledge of software quality tooling (AI tooling is a plus). The intent is that the developer is a full-time resource and not a graduate-student and/or post-doctoral student assigned as a part-time resource. Open licensing is expected unless non-open licensing is clearly justified and articulated; a clear IP and governance model must be provided.

Funding Availability

Small Maintenance Grants -Alliance contribution of up to $150,000 for up to 12 months (focused maintenance on specific modules/components). 

Large Sustaining Grants -Alliance contribution of up to a maximum of $500,000 for up to 24 months (platform-level maintenance and improvements).

Indirect Costs

0%

How to Apply

The RSMF Call is offered annually, giving eligible teams a recurring opportunity each year to apply for support to maintain and sustain research software.

Phase 1: Letter of Intent (LOI)

Submit an LOI through the Alliance's online portal [4].

Your LOI should include:

• Software overview and current user base
• Proposed maintenance activities and objectives
• Expected benefits for Canadian research
• Team qualifications and governance model
• High-level budget

A Letter of Certification from your institution is required. Applications without it will not be assessed. We encourage you to connect with your Research Services Office early.

Phase 2: Full Proposal (by invitation)

A subset of LOI applicants will be invited to submit a detailed proposal for evaluation.