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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that promotes health through partnerships between communities and
higher educational institutions. Become a member today at www.ccph.info
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