Grants and contributions

1. Introduction

The purpose of this document is to inform stakeholders about the terms and conditions of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Class Grant and Contribution Program to support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology. Funding will be mostly allocated through competitive process (solicited proposals). Unsolicited proposals could be considered at the own discretion of the CSA.

This Program is comprised of two components: Research and Awareness and Learning. Taken together, these components aim to support knowledge development and innovation in CSA areas of priority while increasing the awareness and participation of Canadians in space-related disciplines and activities.

Program Objectives

• To support the development of science and technology relevant to the priorities of the CSA;
• To foster the continuing development of a critical mass of researchers and highly qualified people in Canada in areas relevant to the priorities of the CSA;
• To support information-gathering, studies and research related to space;
• To increase awareness of Canadian space science and technology among Canadian youth and educators and their participation in related activities;
• To provide learning opportunities to Canadian students and physicians in various space-related disciplines; and
• To support the operations of organizations dedicated to space research and education.

2. Research Component

he Research component provides financial support to organizations to conduct space related research and development in CSA priority areas. It will support targeted knowledge development and innovation to sustain and enhance the Canadian capacity to use space to address national needs and priorities in the future.

Initiatives or projects supported under this component must contribute to the achievement of the objectives and strategic outcomes described below and will be measured against key performance measures.

Objectives:

This component has the following objectives:

• To support the development of science and technology relevant to the priorities of the CSA;
• To foster the continuing development of a critical mass of researchers and highly qualified people in Canada in areas relevant to the priorities of the CSA;
• To support information-gathering, studies and research related to space; and
• To support the operations of organizations dedicated to space research.

Strategic Outcomes

This component is expected to contribute to the following strategic outcomes:

Immediate

• Increased knowledge from research projects in priority space science and technology areas;
• Maintained and/or increased space focus in universities, post-secondary institutions and not-for profit organizations;
• Partnerships established and maintained;
• Leveraged partner contributions; and
• Access to international collaboration for Canadian organizations.

Intermediate

• Increased availability of space-related knowledge and information in priority areas;
• Increased space-related science and technology capacity in targeted areas; and
• Increased multi-disciplinary and/or institutional collaborations.

Long-term

• Canadian space-related research and development responds to national needs and priorities

Key Performance Measures

(can include, but not limited to):

• Number of space projects initiated and/or completed by type;
• Number and type of new partnerships created or sustained;
• Ratio of leveraged funds vs. awarded grant/contribution funds;
• Number and extent of differentiated means of dissemination;
• Number of highly qualified personnel supported;
• Number of satellite data based applications developed; and
• Volume of satellite data used.

Eligible Recipients

Eligible recipients for Grants include Canadian universities and post-secondary institutions, not-for-profit organizations established and operating in Canada and not-for-profit international research organizations or a cluster formed by a combination of the above.

Eligible recipients for Contributions will include Canadian universities and post-secondary institutions, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations established and operating in Canada, and not-for-profit international research organizations or a cluster formed by a combination of the above.

Eligible Initiatives/Projects

Grants and contributions under this component will be made towards initiatives/projects that contribute to scientific disciplines and technologies relevant to the CSA's research priorities and strategic outcomes, and to the operations of organizations dedicated to relevant space-related research.

Initiatives/projects such as, but not limited to, the following categories could be eligible for grants: research activities of interest to Canada related to space science and technology disciplines and their applications; studies involving space analogues and simulations; activities that sustain space research and development capabilities; studies to develop capabilities that enhance the space sector; space policy related studies; end project phases such as analyses of space data and the transformation of that data into useful information; dissemination of the ensuing results; research chairs; and operations of organizations dedicated to space-related research.

Initiatives/projects such as, but not limited to, the following categories could be eligible for contributions: concept and feasibility studies of interest to Canada; studies involving space analogues and simulations; mission planning; orbital, sub-orbital and space flights; technology development activities; applications development activities; space policy related studies; and operations of organizations dedicated to space-related research.

Application Process

Funding will be mostly allocated through competitive process (solicited proposals). Therefore, Announcements of Opportunities will be posted on the CSA website under the Overview and will provide specific guidelines and forms required for the application.

Unsolicited proposals could be considered at the own discretion of the CSA. It is highly recommended for this type of proposal to consult the CSA Centre of Expertise to discuss the project prior to submission.

To obtain general information regarding this Program, please contact:

Announcement of Opportunities

• Industrial Capacity - Building Contributions in the Area of Spacecraft Platforms
• Capacity Building in SS&T – Clusters Pilots
• Call for Canadian participation on the JAXA ASTRO-H mission Science Working Group
• Canadian participation in the NASA Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Participating Scientist Program
• Flights for the Advancement of Science and Technology (FAST)
• Geospace Observatory (GO) Canada – Instruments and Data

3. Awareness and Learning Component

SUSPENDED

The Awareness and Learning (A&L) component provides financial support to individuals and organizations involved in initiatives targeting Canadian youth, students, physicians and educators to increase their awareness, knowledge, development and participation in space-related disciplines and/or activities and advanced educational programs. This component is comprised of two key elements: Space Awarenes and Space Learning.

nitiatives/projects supported under this component should contribute to the achievement of the objectives and strategic outcomes described below and will be measured against key performance measures de ce volet.

Objectives

This component has the following objectives:

• To increase awareness of Canadian space science and technology among Canadian youth and educators and their participation in related activities;
• To provide learning opportunities to Canadian students and physicians in various space-related disciplines; and
• To support the operations of organizations dedicated to space education.

Strategic Outcomes

This component is expected to contribute to the following outcomes:

Immediate

• Increased knowledge and skills in space-related disciplines among target audience; and
• Increased availability and use of space in learning opportunities and materials related to science and technology.

Intermediate

• Sustained interest in space-related disciplines among target audience;
• Increased Canadian highly qualified personnel active in space-related disciplines; and
• Target audience is reached through learning activities and materials related to science and technology.

Long-term

• Increased/sustained capacity to conduct or support space-related research and/or operations; and
• Increased awareness of science and technology among target audience.

Key Performance Measures

(can include, but not limited to):

• Number of graduates by type of space-related post-secondary degree or certificate;
• Number and type of learning events attended or completed and level of satisfaction reported; and
• Number and type of initiatives by target audience.

Eligible Recipients

Eligible recipients for Grants will include Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada, Canadian elementary, secondary and post-secondary institutions, not-for-profit organizations established and operating in Canada, and international organizations dedicated to space relevant education.

Eligible recipients for Contributions will include Canadian elementary, secondary and post-secondary institutions, not-for-profit organizations established and operating in Canada, and international organizations dedicated to space relevant education.

Eligible Initiatives/Projects

Grants under this component will be made towards initiatives/projects that contribute to increased awareness, knowledge and/or experience of the space-related disciplines among youth, educators and post-secondary students, and physicians, and to the operations of organizations dedicated to space relevant education.

Initiatives/projects such as, but not limited to, the following categories will be considered eligible for Grants: Educator professional development workshops; student-appropriate science/space conferences; student-appropriate technology conferences; contests and special events; fellowships and training activities, marketing, promotion and selection of qualified Canadian post-secondary students, bursaries; and operations of organizations dedicated to space relevant education.

Contributions under the component will be made towards initiatives/projects reaching Canadian youth, educators and students dedicated to increasing their awareness, knowledge and/or participation in the Canadian Space program and/or space-related disciplines, and to the operations of organizations dedicated to space relevant education.

Initiatives/projects such as, but not limited to, the following will be considered eligible for Contributions: development and delivery of information, materials and products, activities and events that use the context of the Canadian Space program to expand the scientific literacy of Canadian youth and/or educators; production, distribution and presentation of Canadian space-related information, products and materials for learning purposes in written, audio-visual and multi formats; design and delivery of Canadian space-focused youth or educator workshops and hands-on activities and exhibits; Canadian space-focused special events like videoconference presentations, contests and competitions; marketing, promotion and selection of qualified Canadian post-secondary students; bursaries; and operations of organizations dedicated to space relevant education.

Application Process

Funding will be mostly allocated through competitive process (solicited proposals). Therefore, Application Forms or Announcement of Opportunities will be posted on the CSA website under the Overview and will provide specific guidelines required for the application.

Unsolicited proposals could be considered at the own discretion of the CSA. It is highly recommended for this type of proposal to consult the CSA Centre of Expertise to discuss the project prior to submission.

To obtain general information regarding this Program, please contact: