Canada Research Chairs (CRC) and AHFMR funding
The Canada Research Chairs (CRC) program is based on partnership funding in Alberta between the CRC program, Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and other funding agencies such as AHFMR.
AHFMR is helping Alberta keep its competitive edge in research by attracting and retaining top scientists through programs, which contribute to both the personnel funding and infrastructure funding aspects of the CRC program.
AHFMR and CRC award holders - personnel funding
Infrastructure funding for CRC (new)
AHFMR and CRC award holders - personnel funding
How will the receipt of a Canada Research Chair affect a researcher's AHFMR funding?
AHFMR will continue to support Heritage personnel who receive CRC awards consistent with AHFMR guidelines concerning competitive personnel funding contributions from other agencies.
What are the AHFMR guidelines concerning personnel funding contributions from other agencies?
AHFMR does not duplicate personnel funding from other sources. However, to encourage applications for national competitive personnel awards, the Foundation has approved stipend incentives to partner with other personnel awards received. This is how it works: AHFMR reduces the amount of its award by the contribution of the other agency, and returns a portion of this to the faculty for the support of research. Since these awards from other agencies are highly competitive and share many of the same attributes as the CRC Awards, any policy of AHFMR will recognize this important precedent, and the continuing value of these other awards. Currently the stipend incentive program provides funding to about 50 AHFMR researchers who have been successful in both AHFMR Personnel Award competitions and the personnel award competitions of other agencies.
What are the details of this policy in regards to the CRC Awards?
In the case of the CRC awards, this translates into a CRC incentive package from AHFMR equivalent to 30% of the net amount of the CRC Award received by the researcher, whether the CRC award is for salary or research operating costs. This is in addition to access to establishment grants, research allowance and the research prize.
How does AHFMR calculate the 30% value of the CRC award?
The amount of the CRC Award used to calculate the CRC Incentive is the amount allocated by the institution for the direct support of the AHFMR supported investigator and/or their research program. It does not include any amount retained by the institution to offset the administrative costs of the program, or to provide future increases.
Does the researcher receive the incentive award directly?
No, the incentive award will be provided to the faculty in which the investigator holds their major appointment. The distribution of the incentive is at the discretion of the faculty and the institution, but AHFMR expects that a major portion of it will be provided to the investigator. Prior to approval, the Foundation must receive disclosure of the proposed distribution of the incentive, either on a case-by-case basis, or as a blanket policy of the faculty.
Are researchers recruited to Alberta with CRC awards eligible to apply to AHFMR?
Yes, researchers recruited to Alberta with a CRC award are eligible to apply for AHFMR Personnel and Establishment Awards. If they are successful, the latter may be used as a contribution to matching the CFI allocation for CRC awards.
What happens if the CRC award is less than the Heritage salary support received by a researcher?
In cases where the full amount of the CRC Award is being applied to salary, and falls short of the investigator's institutional salary, AHFMR will consider a request for supplementation on a case-by-case basis.
How did AHFMR arrive at the above guidelines concerning the CRC awards?
AHFMR's position concerning holding both a CRC Award and an AHFMR Personnel Award has been discussed by the Foundation's Advisory Committees and with the Vice-Presidents of Research and some Deans at the universities. The policy was developed based on these discussions.
How should Heritage researchers who hold CRC awards acknowledge themselves to the public, the media and in publications?
AHFMR funded personnel are asked to acknowledge themselves in the appropriate manner in all presentations, communications, and publications. For example, someone holding a Medical Scientist award should continue to refer to themselves as "an AHFMR Medical Scientist" or as "Heritage funded". It is important to acknowledge AHFMR support as Alberta is a pioneer in its government establishing arms'-length agencies devoted to long-term investment in research for the betterment of Albertans and people throughout the world.
Infrastructure funding for CRC (new)
AHFMR has developed a new program to support infrastructure costs associated with the CRC. Infrastructure support for the Chairs comes from the CFI, which covers 40% of total eligible costs. The remaining costs come from other funding partners. AHFMR has developed a new program that will provide a contribution to the 60% of the cost of the CFI-eligible projects that normally comes from the universities and their funding partners.
How much will AHFMR be contributing?
AHFMR will contribute up to 50% of the CFI funding awarded per eligible Chair. For example: a CRC holder at the most senior level would receive on average $125,000 from CFI. AHFMR could contribute 50% of the CFI award, or $62,500 on average, to the CRC award holder.
Who is eligible for the AHFMR contribution?
The AHFMR Program provides support for successful CRC holders who are:
faculty members at an Alberta institution, who are ineligible to apply for AHFMR Establishment awards and are principal investigators on active Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR) Operating Grants: or
are currently recipients of unconditional AHFMR Personnel Awards and are principal investigators on non-AHFMR peer-reviewed operating grants,
Who is not eligible for this program?
Investigators being recruited to the province, and who are eligible to apply for, or have received AHFMR Establishment grants may use eligible portions of these awards as a contribution to the CFI portion of a CRC award, and hence are not eligible for consideration under this program.
In addition, the funds received by investigators through AHFMR Major Equipment grants, the AHFMR Opportunity Fund, and some special initiatives may be eligible for CFI matching. In such circumstances, the Foundation will expect the institution to offer these amounts as part of the potential match, and will not provide a further contribution through this program.
When did the AHFMR Program start?
This program becomes effective January 1, 2001.
What is the term of award through this program?
The AHFMR contribution will be provided over a two-year term and is nonrenewable.
What is the total value of AHFMR's Program?
Up to $2.5 million over a period of 5 years.
Are there any terms or conditions that apply to this award?
The usual terms and conditions of all AHFMR awards, including recognition of AHFMR funding, will apply to this program.
How does the institution and a researcher apply to the AHFMR Program?
The application process begins with a letter of intent which should include the CRC application and the application to CFI for infrastructure support. From July 1, 2001 onward, this request must be received at the same time as the submission of the CRC application. Where eligibility is being claimed on the basis of an active CIHR operating grant, or a peer-reviewed grant from another agency, a copy of the official notice of award for that grant should be included.
The final application for support should complete the necessary supporting information by including the following:
The official notification of the CRC award and a copy of the university acceptance of the award, including the appointment start-date for the Chairholder, and acceptance of the Terms and Conditions of the CRC Program.
The notification of the award of the CFI infrastructure and any terms and conditions.
A summary table showing all of the requested and received funds, and the source of funds, for the infrastructure support for the Canada Research Chair.