Innovation grant

Before applying for this funding:

• Approach a faculty member who has affirmed an idea you generated as part of a course project.
• Ask the faculty member to co-sign your application and to commit to mentoring you in developing this idea.

To apply:

• Write a 750-word (maximum) letter. This letter should:
  • Outline a problem in society that you want to solve and your proposed idea for solving it.
  • Summarize any previous work performed and results achieved during your course-work.
  • Explain how your faculty mentor's academic accomplishments are relevant to your idea.
  • Mention the amount of funding requested (approximately $1,000 to $4,000) and provide a brief justification for eligible expenses and reasonable costs.
• Attach previous project material.
• Email the letter and attachments as a single PDF document to innovate@ufv.ca

The Adjudication Committee will prioritize ideas with a clear link between the proposed solution and a significant unmet need or problem facing society.

The committee will also consider the initial results from your student project and the degree of match between your proposed solution and your mentor’s academic accomplishments.

If you receive the Innovation team grant:

• your student-faculty team will need to submit a 2-page report at the end of the grant period explaining your results.
  
  
• you are expected to meet with EFCIE mentors at least once every 3 months to receive mentoring on market opportunity evaluation.

• your team should connect with EFCIE at least 14 days prior to public disclosure of relevant results through conferences, posters, abstracts, academic journal submissions

• your team agrees to acknowledge UFV and the EFCIE Innovation Team Grant funding in publications resulting from this work.

• your team is encouraged to participate in the creation of promotional materials and/ or events relevant to your proposed solution.

Submitting a timesheet for the Innovation Grant Fund

1. Ensure student research assistant hours were indicated in your proposal resulting in Innovation Grant funding approval.
   
   
2. A Request for Contract must be complete prior to working hours. Faculty supervisors – send completed RFC to EFCIE-IGF@ufv.ca for further processing.
   
   
3. Hours are to be submitted on a UFV timesheet according to the Pay Schedule. Both forms found: https://www.ufv.ca/finance/payroll/payroll-forms/
   
   
4. Once the student and faculty supervisor have signed, forward to EFCIE-IGF@ufv.ca.

Submitting an expense claim form for the Innovation Grant Fund

1. Ensure your expenses were indicated in your proposal resulting in Innovation Grant funding approval.
   
   
2. Provide expense details using the UFV Expense Claim Form.
   Note: Associated receipts must include payment details and itemized purchase details:
   1. Vendor name
   2. Items purchased
   3. Date of purchase
   4. Method of payment (cash, credit card, debit)
   5. Proof of payment (IE: payment slip showing complete transaction)
      
      
3. Merge claim form and all receipts into one PDF document and sign.
   
   
4. Once complete, forward to your faculty supervisor for approval. Following, submit to EFCIE-IGF@ufv.ca for processing.

Reimbursement may take up to four weeks. Be sure to include all required information to avoid further delays. Incomplete forms will be returned to claimant.

Conference/travel criteria

If you wish to use your Innovation Grant for conference and/or travel, the following criteria must be met:

1. The student has been invited to make a presentation at a scientific or professional conference (or is presenting a paper together with a UFV faculty member). Must be endorsed by their instructor/faculty supervisor and department.
   
   
2. The student will present on research in which they have made a substantial contribution directly related to the project in the successful Innovation Grant.
   
   
3. Details of the event/conference (a website that provides the program, sponsoring organization information, etc.) will be shared to EFCIE-IGF@ufv.ca. Also include a copy of the invitation to present or approval of the proposal. Eligible expenditures may include travel, accommodation, and registration costs including flights, cabs, hotels, and conference registration following UFV guidelines.
   
   
4. Upon return, provide photographs of student presenting research, faculty and student together at conference venue, as well as poster or research paper acknowledging EFCIE Innovation Grant funding. Complete UFV Expense Claim Form for reimbursement. (See Submitting an expense claim form for the Innovation Grant Fund)

NOTE: All reimbursements and timesheets must meet fiscal year-end deadlines.