News from the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research

Regional Innovation Systems Network
A Joint Initiative of SSHRC, NSERC and NRC

Objective - The purpose of the Network is to promote exploration of the relationship between innovation and economic development at the local and regional levels. The Network will encourage multidisciplinary research on the role of innovation and technological change in the "new economy" and provide a forum for researchers and partners to meet and share ideas on research results.

The Network will not directly fund research, but will build on the existing research plans of members. Graduate students, however, may be supported with Network funds for Network-related activities. It is expected that researchers will obtain research funding from SSHRC and NSERC. The core activities of the Network will be a series of workshops where participants can discuss their research.

Award Value and Duration - The estimated budget for the Regional Innovation Systems Network is $200,000 per year for up to three years, provided by SSHRC, NSERC and NRC. Funds will be administered by SSHRC, on behalf of all three councils, in accordance with its terms and conditions.

Composition - The Regional Innovation Systems Network will be composed of up to five Regional Networks of researchers and their partners, one of which will act as the National Network Secretariat. There will also be a Network Advisory Committee.

Regional Network - A group of researchers from a range of disciplines and Canadian post-secondary institutions and both private and public sector partners. Graduate students affiliated with researchers may also be included.

Partner - A Canadian organization in the private, public, or non-profit sector that has made a commitment to participate in and support the activities of a Regional Network.

Application Deadline - Deadline for the submission of applications is May 1, 1998. As only one application can be submitted from each institution, we would urge everyone who is interested in participating in a Regional Network or applying under the Regional Innovation Systems Program to get in touch with the Research Grants Office without delay. For further details, please visit the website at http://www.sshrc.ca/english/resopp/innovdesc.html.

Killam Research Fellowships

Killam Fellowships are offered on a competitive basis to support researchers in any of the following broad fields: humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, health sciences, engineering and studies linking any of the disciplines within these broad fields.

The purpose of the Fellowship is to provide release time to an individual scholar who wishes to pursue independent research. Eligible candidates must be established scholars who have demonstrated outstanding research ability and who have published the results of this research through substantial publications in their fields over a period of several years. They must also be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. As of 1998, a Killam Research Fellowship is tenable only once during a scholar's career. Killam Research Fellowships provide partial or full salary replacement, to a maximum of $53,000, based on actual salary for the year before tenure of the award.

A small committee is set up by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research to review applications and advise applicants prior to submission to the Canada Council. Since the deadline for receipt of applications in Ottawa is May 31, 1998, the committee should receive at least a draft of the application by May 15, 1998. It is expected that eight to ten new Killam Research Fellowships will be awarded nationally. For more information, please contact RGO and visit the website at http://www.canadacouncil.ca/prizes/killam.htm.

Blasker Award for Environmental Science and Engineering

The Blasker Award is a cash award of $250,000 U.S. made to an individual or group of individuals who provide the most creative and innovative original contribution leading toward the solution of a specific environmental problem. The 1999 Blasker Award for Environmental Science and Engineering will be given for innovative science and technology achievements contributing to creation or maintenance of sustainable supplies of water to meet a wide range of needs including agricultural, industrial and domestic use, and the maintenance of natural ecosystems.

Applications must be postmarked between Nov. 1 and Nov. 15, 1998. Complete information and application forms are available on the following website: http://www.blasker.org.

CQRS Ð Conseil québécois de la recherche sociale/OPHQ Ð Office des personnes handicapées du Québec

CQRS and OPHQ are expecting proposals from the university research community on the following theme:

Analyse des modèles de compensation des coûts supplémentaires entraînés par les déficiences, les incapacités et les situations de handicap/Analysis of compensation models proposed for additional costs incurred from deficiencies, disabilities and handicap situations.

Grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded for a period of eight months. The deadline for receipt of applications is March 25, 1998.