Terms of Reference
Purpose
The important work of Future Energy Systems (FES) researchers will continue beyond the end date of the FES research program in 2026. To support researchers seeking to continue their FES funded work, pursue new partnerships, and secure new grants, the Legacy Builders Program (LBP) provides awards that support the compensation of highly qualified personnel (HQP) at the University of Alberta who will enrich the FES legacy by expanding or extending research conducted with program funding.
Eligibility to apply
Past and present FES funded Principal Investigators and Co-Investigators (applicants, hereafter researchers) who are currently employed at the University of Alberta and in good standing with FES reporting and administrative requirements are eligible to apply. See in good standing status details below.
Each researcher may apply for compensation for only one HQP through the LBP program. See details of specific funding and intake timelines below.
Funding timelines
Funding will be available from 1 November 2024 through 31 August 2026. Each HQP will be eligible to receive funding for a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 22 months (the entirety of this period), subject to annual review. Intake will be ongoing from 1 November 2024 through 31 March 2026 or until available funding is allocated.
Eligible monthly expenses and rates
Funding from this award will be available for compensation of HQP only. Equipment, supplies, travel, dissemination, and all other costs must be covered by other funds.
Compensation, that already includes applicable benefits, will be offered for the following roles and maximum monthly rates.
- Undergraduate student: $1,875
- Master’s graduate student: $2,700
- Doctoral graduate student: $2,800
- Postdoctoral fellow: $5,000
- Research associate (PhD degree required): $6,750
Any costs generated for or by the HQP in excess of these approved LBP awards, including any eligible annual increments if applicable, must be covered by the HQP supervisor(s). Top-ups or additional funds of any nature are not available through the LBP and will not be considered.
Eligibility to be hired with LBP funding
All Canadians and temporary or permanent residents deemed eligible to work on campus by the University of Alberta may be compensated with LBP funding. No prior FES affiliation of the HQP is required. Current FES HQP being compensated with FES funding are not eligible beneficiaries until their current appointments are complete.
A researcher may not end a current FES HQP’s appointment earlier than originally planned to apply for FES LBP funding. This would be considered grounds for immediate rejection of the application and exclusion of the researcher for future consideration in the LBP program.
Application process and in good standing status
Researchers will fill out this online application form (link). In their application, researchers will be asked to explain the aspects of their FES funded research findings that the LBP funded HQP would seek to expand or extend in pursuit of strategic opportunities that will benefit research, the province and/or country. The work may be applied or fundamental. A description of the HQP’s anticipated assignments and period of employment covered by the award must be provided in the application. See the application form for details.
The following points will be used to assess whether the researcher is in good standing with FES reporting and administrative requirements. All of the applying researcher’s activities in FES up to the time of application will be considered. A total score of 30 points or higher score will be required for their applications to be adjudicated.
- Quantity and/or quality of discipline specific research outputs including, but not limited to, refereed journal publications, conference presentations, patents, trade journal publications, pilot work with industry (up to 10 points)
- Leveraged funding, collaborations, and knowledge users (10 points)
- Success meeting project milestones (10 points)
- Contributions to community, government and/or industry (10 points)
- Participation in FES communications and training initiatives (5 points)
- Timeliness and compliance with FES administrative and reporting requirements (5 points)
FES may require additional information from the researcher and/or the HQP to make a decision on an application.
Once a decision is reached, FES will contact the researcher to proceed with providing the award through a FES speed code. See details on the award of successful applications below.
How successful applications are awarded
To accommodate eligibility for all FES researchers, the process will vary depending on the researcher’s role and their FES funded project status.
Current FES funded PIs: Successful LBP awards will be added to the accounts of current FES projects, and end dates will be extended if necessary, using a FES Budget Variance form.
Past FES funded PIs: Once an LBP award application is successful, the researcher’s closed FES account will be reopened with the new LBP funds and for the duration of the HQP LBP appointment.
Current FES Co-Is: Successful LBP awards may be added to the accounts of their corresponding FES project PI, and the end dates extended if the PI agrees (email proof required). In this case, all other non-LBP speed codes will be inactivated by the project’s original end date to avoid unexpected overspending. A delegation of signing authority (DOSA) form will be required. If the Co-I prefers to have a new, independent account, the LBP award may be processed this way, but it may take more time.
Past FES Co-Is: A new account will be set up for previous FES Co-Investigators who did not have a FES account under their name. However, if the researcher and the PI of the original FES project agree (email proof required), the closed account may be reopened and the LBP funding allocated to that account. A DOSA form or change of PI will be required.
Progress reporting and additional obligations and opportunities
HQP will be required to engage in annual reporting, different from that of the researcher’s project(s) on which they are working, summarizing their activities and accomplishments at the end of each year of their employment or the entire duration of their employment if less than 12 months. FES may discontinue the funding for an HQP’s subsequent year if the annual review is not satisfactory.
HQP beneficiaries from the LBP may be required to participate in research seminars and professional development activities relevant to their level of seniority, including training in the areas of communication, grant writing, and equity, diversity, and inclusion. Volunteer opportunities with FES and other partner units will be offered.
Submit an application
Use this online form (link) to submit an application. Fill out one form per HQP.
Contact information
If you have questions or face difficulties with the online form, contact FES at fes@ualberta.ca.