Dear CANCHID colleagues,

The purpose of the Community-University Research Alliances (CURA) Program of 
the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada is to support the 
creation of community-university alliances which, through a process of ongoing 
collaboration and mutual learning, will foster innovative research, training 
and the creation of new knowledge in areas of importance for the social, 
cultural or economic development of Canadian communities.  A new competition is 
underway, with letters of intent due May 5. See below for more details. 
Complete information is available at 
http://www.sshrc.ca/web/apply/program_descriptions/cura_e.asp

The CURA program's specific objectives are to:
*promote sharing of knowledge, resources and expertise between universities and 
organizations in the community;
*enrich research, teaching methods and curricula in universities;
*reinforce community decision-making and problem-solving capacity; and
*enhance students' education and employability by means of diverse 
opportunities to build their knowledge, expertise and work skills through 
hands-on research and related experience.

A CURA is based on an equal partnership between organizations from the 
community and the university, and provides co-ordination and core support for 
planning and carrying out diversified research activities that reflect the CURA 
program objectives, are centred on themes/areas of mutual importance to the 
partners, and are closely related to their existing strengths.

Each CURA's activities will include:
*a research component (short-term and long-term projects, action research, 
etc.);
*an education and training component (in the context of research projects, 
apprenticeships, activities credited as part of coursework, etc.); and
*a knowledge-mobilization component (workshops, seminars, colloquia, policy 
manuals and other publications, public lectures, etc.) that meets the needs of 
both academic and community partners.

Depending on the CURA's governance structure, a university researcher or an 
individual from the community environment will direct (or co-direct) the CURA 
and champion its goals.

Applicants successful at the Letter of Intent stage are eligible for a 
development grant of up to $20,000. At the Letter of Intent stage, eligible 
expenses are limited to travel, workshops, meetings, secretarial support and 
communication and dissemination activities. An individual CURA can receive 
funding of up to $200,000 annually for up to five years.

Applications must be submitted jointly by one or more universities and one or 
more organizations from the community. "Community" may refer to either a 
geographic focus or to an issue/interest focus. This requirement reflects the 
fact that CURAs are partnerships between universities and organizations from 
the community established to jointly develop and implement research activities. 
While there may be cases where a single community partner is appropriate, it is 
expected that most CURAs will involve two or more non-university partners.

The CURA program involves a two-stage application process:

*Eligible applicants must submit, jointly with their partners, a Letter of 
Intent (LOI) application form - due May 5.

*Applicants whose letters of intent are approved by the selection committee 
will be invited to submit, again jointly with their partners, a Formal 
Application

Only those applicants who are successful at the letter of intent stage will be 
invited to submit a formal application. Candidates so invited will be provided 
with the required application material and instructions for completing their 
proposals. They will also be offered development grants of up to $20,000 to 
help in the preparation of the formal application, i.e., to round out their 
network of partners and program of activities and to consolidate their 
collaborative activities. For development grants, eligible costs are limited to 
travel, workshops, meetings, secretarial support, and communication and 
dissemination activities.

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