Recently, NSERC sponsored a study by the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA) to re-assess the allocation of Discovery Grant funds among Evaluation Groups (EGs). As NSERC points out, “In the absence of the infusion of new funds, this is necessarily a zero-sum activity, with some EGs experiencing a reduced budget allocation and other groups receiving a budget increase.”
NSERC is now requesting feedback from the community on the CCA guidelines that will be used to re-distribute Discovery Grant funds among different disciplines. Feedback can be provided by either completing the online survey available at:
https://ensemble.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/surveys/SC00002/default.aspx (when asked, enter code 7243623)
or by emailing NSERC directly at connect@nserc-crsng.gc.ca
The deadline for submitting the feedback is January 11, 2013.
Additionally, CASCA will provide NSERC with a summary of collective feedback. For us to do so, please email any thoughts or suggestions you might have directly to CASCA-President@casca.ca with a deadline of December 30, 2012.
Additional information can be gathered from the following documents/webpages:
Document containing background information on budget allocation for Discovery Grants: https://ensemble.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/surveys/SC00002/L001/Backgrounder6-e.pdf
Link to the NSERC Consultation page (including a link to the survey): http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/NSERC-CRSNG/Reports-Rapports/Assessment-Assessment_eng.asp
Link to the CCA report: http://www.scienceadvice.ca/en/assessments/completed/science-performance.aspx
Best regards,
Laura Ferrarese, on behalf of the CASCA Board