Transformation Stream Framework

Objective

The Transformation stream is designed to support large-scale, Canadian-led interdisciplinary research projects that address a major challenge with the potential to realize real and lasting change (high reward). The challenge may be fundamental, leading to a scientific breakthrough, or applied, with a social, economic, environmental or health impact. Projects are expected to be world-leading, drawing on global research expertise, where relevant.

Overview

The Transformation stream grants will support projects that:

• tackle a well-defined problem or challenge;
• propose a novel world-leading approach that is different from the current state-of-the art approaches to the issue;
• are interdisciplinary, bringing different perspectives to the defined problem; and
• have the potential to be transformative,^{Footnote 1} defined as the potential to create a significant and real change or impact—a noticeable leap or tangible breakthrough versus an incremental advance.

These elements are further described under Transformation project characteristics.

Teams and international collaboration

The composition of the team should reflect the need of expertise to deliver on the ambitious and interdisciplinary nature of the project. Teams, including collaborating partners, could include expertise from different institutions and sectors across Canada and internationally, as needed, to increase the expertise of the team and secure access to infrastructure. In order to support essential international partnerships, transfers of NFRF funds from the nominated principal investigator’s institution to international co-applicants will be permitted.

Early career researchers and equity, diversity and inclusion

Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is a core element of NFRF. EDI will be reviewed both at the project management level and at the research level.  As such, the project should include meaningful engagement and follow best practices for recruitment, training and inclusion. Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) must be considered and inform the research design; in cases where applicants feel it does not apply, a clear justification must be provided.

Support to early career researchers (ECRs) is required. ECRs should be meaningfully integrated in the project team, with concrete measures put in place to support the ECRs’ integration and leadership development.

Timing and budget

Timing: Transformation stream competitions are expected to be held every 2 years.

Budget: The planned budget for the inaugural Transformation competition is $144 million over 6 years.

Value and duration

Value: Up to $4 million per year, including indirect costs.

Duration: Up to six years. Successful applications will be awarded up to a 3-year grant initially. A mid-term review is mandatory to ensure projects are on track and meeting objectives. Following a successful mid-term review, a second (and final) grant for the remaining duration (maximum of three years) will be awarded. 

A 3-stage process for the Transformation competition is proposed, as outlined below under Proposed competition stages and review process.

Transformation project characteristics

Proposals will have to respond successfully to the 4 required aspects (well-defined problem or challenge; a novel world-leading approach; interdisciplinarity; and be transformative, creating a significant and real change or impact). The following questions are proposed to address the requirements:

• Clearly define the problem or challenge to be addressed
  • What is the problem or challenge?
  • Why does the problem need to be addressed?
  • Who or what does the problem affect? How does it affect it/them?
• Explain the novelty of the approach
  • How does this project represent a significant departure from the status quo in terms of previous research and why is this approach necessary? Why has it not been previously attempted?
    • How does GBA+ influence the approach (if applicable)?
  • How does the proposed approach build on and benefit from existing expertise and resources across Canada and/or internationally? How is the approach “world-leading”?
  • Why is it expected that this approach will lead to real change?
• Explain the interdisciplinary character of the approach
  • How will the interdisciplinary approach affect the research? How will the different perspectives, methodologies, etc. be applied or integrated?
  • Why is the interdisciplinary approach needed?
  • Does the team have the required expertise to execute an interdisciplinary approach?
• Define the substantial changes or impact (high reward) that is likely to result from the project and describe its significance
  • What are the major short-term and long-term changes/impacts that are likely to result? How will these be measured?
  • Who or what do these changes affect or impact? How diverse or widespread will the changes (or impacts from the changes) be? How significant are the changes?
  • What is the likelihood these changes will be achieved?
  • If the anticipated major changes or outcomes are not achieved, what other benefits will result from the project? What are the anticipated short-term outcomes (project milestones)? A results framework is required.
• Describe how the project will cultivate ECRs and the next generation of researchers
  • What role will ECRs play in the project and how will they be included?
  • What unique opportunities does the project offer research trainees?
  • How will EDI best practices be implemented and what are the anticipated results or impact?

Proposed Competition Stages and Review Process

There are 3 proposed stages for the Transformation competition.