Sprott Community Partner Engagement Grant
The Sprott Research Committee invites all full-time research stream faculty to apply for the Sprott Community and Partner Engagement Grant. This program supports faculty in building deep, reciprocal relationships with external partners across government, industry, and the community sector. It funds the relationship-building, knowledge-sharing, and co-creation work that must happen before meaningful collaborative research is possible.
The Community and Partner Engagement Grant is designed to address a persistent gap in how academic-community partnerships develop. Most external funding programs require demonstrated partnerships at the point of application. This grant funds what comes before: the convenings, joint agenda-setting, knowledge exchange events, and sustained engagement that transform external organizations from audiences into genuine research collaborators.
Successful grants will not be judged solely on whether an external application follows. The measure of success is whether the partnership itself has become something of lasting value, one where an external organization is a genuine co-creator in defining research questions and mobilizing knowledge, and where the relationship is built to endure.
Eligibility
Full-time tenure or tenure-track Sprott faculty (research stream).
Eligible to hold tri-agency funding.
Proposed engagement is in its early stages and not yet sufficiently developed to support a competitive external partnership funding application.
Not currently in receipt of another Sprott internal grant for the same partnership or project in the same competition cycle. If you are uncertain whether this applies to you, contact the Sprott Research Office before submitting.
Internally Restricted Research (IRR) Fund balance does not exceed $5,000 at the time of application. Applicants with existing IRR balances above this threshold are not eligible in the current cycle.
Past recipients are eligible to re-apply three years after receiving their last Community and Partner Engagement Grant award.
Review Process and Evaluation Criteria
All proposals are reviewed by the Sprott Research Committee. Reviews are conducted independently and adjudicated collectively. Decisions are final.
Proposals are evaluated using the following weighted criteria:
| Evaluation Criterion | Description | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Partnership Quality and Depth | Evidence that the proposed partner is a genuine collaborator rather than a passive recipient of research outputs. Strength of the case for why this partner and this relationship are well-positioned for co-created research. | 30% |
| Co-Creation and Engagement Plan | Quality and specificity of the planned engagement activities. Clarity of how the activities will deepen the partnership and move toward a shared research agenda. | 25% |
| Pathway to External Funding | Strength of the pathway to a named external competition. Realism of the timeline. Quality of the case that the partnership will anchor a competitive application. | 20% |
| Research Agenda Clarity | Clarity of the research questions or thematic areas the partnership is intended to generate or refine. Coherence between the engagement plan and the research agenda. | 15% |
| Feasibility | Appropriateness of scope, budget, and timeline. | 10% |
Post-Award Expectations
Successful applicants are expected to:
- Use grant funds in accordance with the approved budget within the 12-month project period.
- Submit a brief end-of-grant report (maximum 1 page) within 30 days of project completion addressing: (a) engagement activities completed and partner participation; (b) the current state of the partnership and evidence of deepened collaboration; and (c) external funding applications submitted or planned, including the target competition and anticipated submission date.
- Unspent grant funds at the close of the project period will be returned to Sprott. Extensions and carry forwards are not permitted.
The Research Committee may use post-award reports to assess program effectiveness and inform future cycles. Faculty who successfully transition to external funding are encouraged to share their experience to support colleagues at earlier stages.
How to Apply
Submit your complete application package via the application web submission form using the “Apply Now” button below.
Proposals must be received by 11:59 PM on February 15, 2027. Late submissions will not be considered.