WorkplaceNL’s Research Initiatives Program
promotes and provides funding for workplace health and safety research to
inform innovative, practical, and easy-to-implement solutions that support the
prevention of workplace injuries and illnesses or support re-integration into
the workforce, post-injury.
Proposals for the Research Initiatives Program may be submitted outside
of public calls. The proposal topics must be in line with WorkplaceNL’s mandate
including areas such as occupational health and safety, preventing workplace
injury and illness, or helping injured workers recover and return to work.
To be eligible for funding, you must be able to
demonstrate sufficient subject expertise and the potential of your research to
improve health and safety in Newfoundland and Labrador workplaces.
You can submit a research proposal at any time
and can discuss your research ideas with the Senior Policy and Research Advisor
prior to submitting an application.
If you would like updates
concerning our Research Initiatives Program, including future calls for
research applications, please email research@workplacenl.ca to be
added to our email distribution list.
WorkplaceNL’s Research Initiatives Program promotes and provides funding for workplace health and safety research to inform innovative, practical, and easy-to-implement solutions that support the prevention of workplace injuries and illnesses or support re-integration into the workforce, post-injury. Research proposals are requested by WorkplaceNL through a public call for priority research topics. WorkplaceNL will also consider research proposals relating to WorkplaceNL’s mandate on an ongoing basis.
2. What research topics are eligible for funding?
Proposal topics must be in line with WorkplaceNL’s mandate including areas such as occupational health and safety, preventing workplace injury and illness, or helping injured workers recover/return to work. Research methodology and knowledge transfer approaches should be included in the submission. While scientific standards are expected, any final materials prepared for a public audience must use clear language principles.
3. Who is eligible to apply for research funding?
Examples
of applicant organizations include:
Publicly funded universities or colleges.
Public hospitals or health authorities with a specialized research
area.
Not-for-profit or registered charitable organizations with the
capability and capacity to conduct research.
Canadian non-governmental organizations with the capability and
capacity to conduct research.
Other organizations that have the capacity to conduct research and are
not privately owned and operated, may also be eligible to apply.
Master or Ph.D. level students conducting research at a Canadian
institution are eligible to submit a proposal as Secondary Investigator. The Principal
Investigator must have research expertise, agree to supervise the student and
accept accountability for the management of the research agreement and student’s
performance.
4. What is the process to secure funding?
Proponents are asked to submit a letter of intent using the letter of intent guidelines, which is assessed by WorkplaceNL’s Research Committee. A review is usually conducted within 6-8 weeks of the application deadline. Assessment criterion includes:
Overall quality of the submission.
Relevance to WorkplaceNL’s priority topics and
mandate.
Significance of the value added to current
understanding.
Anticipated benefits to Newfoundland and Labrador
workplaces.
Relevance of outputs and outcomes.
Suitability of knowledge-transfer once the
research is complete.
Research methodology, including ethics.
Suitability of knowledge transfer using clear
language principles after research is complete.
If successful, applicants will be contacted and asked to submit a full proposal for consideration. (Note: An invitation to submit a full research proposal does not guarantee final acceptance).
Successful applicants will be asked to sign an agreement confirming
terms and conditions.
5. When is the deadline for submitting applications?
WorkplaceNL will provide a deadline for public calls on
research priorities; however, applications related to WorkplaceNL’s mandate can
be submitted on an ongoing basis.
6. Is there a maximum length for the Letter of Intent?
Yes,
the maximum length is 6-7 doubled-spaced pages excluding the cover pages,
references, and appendices. Submitted content must include enough information
to provide a clear picture of the research proposed.
7. Is there a maximum length for the research proposal?
Yes,
the maximum length is 16-18 double spaced pages excluding the cover page,
references, appendices and CVs.
8. What is the duration and maximum budget limit?
Generally, each
project is up to 12 months in duration and funded to a maximum of $150,000. Historically,
the average approved project costs has been $60,000 for 12 months. Quarterly
reports detailing funds spent to date and details of progress in execution of
the project and accomplishment of stated objectives will be required as a
condition of receiving payments. There
will be a holdback of 10 per cent of the approved funding amount pending
receipt and WorkplaceNL approval of the final report.
9. Are there any restrictions on budget items?
Budget items must
relate to the objectives and requirements of the proposed research project and
demonstrate a link between the activities and the funding requested.
The
following restrictions apply to budget items:
Salaries – Funds may not be used as salary support for any key Research Investigator. However, funds may be used to provide salary support for project team members with no more than 20 per cent of salaries used towards the costs of benefits (e.g., Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), health benefit coverage) for employees. The salary details must include the following:
The number, titles of people to work on the project
The base hourly or annual wage (excluding benefits)
Dollar amounts of benefits (CPP, EI, other)
The percentage or number of hours and time period paid project team members will devote to the project
Equipment – No more than 10 per
cent of the total budget can be used for permanent equipment expenditures that
are integral to the proposed research project.
Overhead Costs – No more than 20 per
cent of the total funds can be assigned for overhead costs. The costs must be
itemized and could include, but are not limited to, indirect salaries and
benefits of administration and managerial supervision, office supplies,
professional fees (e.g., accounting), office equipment (i.e., photocopiers and
computer equipment), postage/courier, telephones/fax/internet, lease of office
space, and utilities.
Travel, Accommodation,
and Meals – Reasonable travel to conduct research activities may be considered. Travel costs are to be at rates no greater
that those permitted by the Provincial Government for the public service, which
are available on its website:
Knowledge Transfer and Exchange (KTE) – Travel expenses for KTE to disseminate research results are limited to $2,500. No more than $2,000 can be allocated to support knowledge and dissemination at a conference.
Entertainment and
Hospitality – The funds may not be used for entertainment or hospitality of any
kind.