Definition of Ratings: Stage 2—Full Application

The Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) is a unique institutional initiative that supports large-scale research programs and aims to boost the strengths of Canadian postsecondary institutions so they can achieve global success in research areas that create long-term social and economic advantages for Canada. The program’s objective is not to develop capacity where there is emerging potential.

The letter of intent (LOI) stage assessed selected subcriteria for each of the three selection criteria. These will not be reassessed at the full proposal stage. However, the ratings from the LOI will be carried forward for reference and consideration in the final adjudication. The LOI application will be made available to provide background information and context for the review of the full proposal.

Institutions that were successful at the LOI stage will be invited to submit a full application.

The following rating scale will apply for each criterion:

1. Fully satisfies and exceeds: fully satisfies and significantly exceeds in one or more aspects
2. Fully satisfies: satisfies in all aspects
3. Mostly satisfies: satisfies in most aspects, but has some minor weaknesses
4. Does not satisfy: does not satisfy in most aspects and has some major weaknesses

Scientific Strategy (Part B of the application)

The following provides the selection criteria being evaluated at the full application stage, and the expectations and characteristics of each possible rating.

Criterion 1: Scientific merit and demonstrated capacity to lead on an international scale

Reviewers will consider the following selection criteria:

• potential for the lead and partner institutions to demonstrate global research leadership in the proposed thematic area;
• originality and positioning of the proposed research vis-à-vis existing national and international capacity, the interdisciplinary and intersectoral approach of the proposed research, and the potential for the research to provide breakthrough impact on a global scale;
• level of excellence of the existing research underpinning the proposed initiative;*
• the institutions’ interdisciplinary research strength in the proposed area and, where applicable, how strategic and meaningful partnerships with other eligible institutions in shared areas of excellence will promote collaboration in the Government of Canada’s ST&I priorities for the CFREF and CERC programs;*
• quality of the partnerships among Canadian institutions;*
• quality of the research facilities of the lead and partner institutions, as well as of the opportunities and environment for research training;*
• quality of the lead and partner institutions’ knowledge mobilization, translation and commercialization strategies and plans addressing program expectations and potential for outcomes;
• quality of the training plans and strategies that will establish CFREF-supported institutions as top global destinations to conduct research and to receive training;
• quality of the research proposal in considering and implementing equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) (i.e., GBA+/SGBA+) within, as relevant, the research questions, design, methodology, data collection, analysis and interpretation and dissemination of results;
• quality of the proposed research in its inclusion of Indigenous research that is co-created and co-led by and with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples—as investigators, students, trainees, partners and collaborators—and in its recognition of Indigenous ways of knowing, and how it will extend research knowledge in the field that is significant for Indigenous Peoples and communities; and
• in the case of an institution that was previously awarded a CFREF grant, evidence that the institution has achieved world-class recognition and proposes a new and innovative initiative that furthers its global leadership in the supported thematic area.*

The corresponding rating scale is:

Criterion 2: Strategic relevance to Canada

Reviewers will consider the following selection criteria areas:

• potential for the proposed research to create long-term economic advantages for Canada;
• alignment of the proposed grant with the Government of Canada’s ST&I priorities for the CFREF and CERC programs;  
• ability of the proposed initiative to leverage additional research capacity and resources and to promote knowledge mobilization through partnerships with:
  • Canadian academic institutions;
  • the private sector;
  • international research institutions;
  • public sector, not-for-profit and philanthropic organizations, both in Canada and abroad;
• translation of the research results to foster innovation, including the capacity to create or build upon commercial endeavours;
• the level of technology readiness and patents to support technological transfers; and
• the potential to advance public policy or otherwise mobilize research discoveries.

The corresponding rating scale is:

Implementation Plan (Part A of the application)

Criterion 3: Quality of implementation plans

Reviewers will consider the following selection criteria areas:

• quality of the institution’s vision, and the institution’s willingness to commit internal resources to support the proposed initiative;
• quality of the implementation and risk management plans (including governance and stewardship plans);
• overview of systemic barriers to equitable access for individuals from underrepresented groups that persist in the proposed research area, and examples of bold and innovative strategies to address them within the initiative;*
• strategy for establishing and maintaining a diverse research team, including early career researchers, and for providing an inclusive and safe environment;*
• quality of the strategy that will be used in the first year of the initiative to develop a comprehensive and innovative EDI action plan;
• suitability of the institution’s performance measurement plan as a basis for monitoring progress, assessing outcomes and impacts, and course-correcting as needed; and
• quality of sustainability plan addressing how momentum created by the grant will support research teams and activities after the grant’s tenure.