Login
Research Office

FAQs

 

General Information

 

What is the difference between a grant and a contract?

A Research Grant is financial support for an individual or group of individuals or a research centre or institute to do research in a particular subject area or field. Although the research area may be defined, there are usually no conditions about specific directions of the research. Usually, in a grant:

  • There is no direct or indirect remuneration to the principle investigator(s)

  • The objectives are defined generally

  • There are no limitations on publication

  • Results do not get transferred to the grantor (a final report may be requested)

  • Payment is usually made in advance of expenditures, without "deliverables"

A Research Contract is a legal agreement between two parties to carry out a specific research project, with specific stipulations and conditions. For details, please refer Research Western website.

 Am I eligible to hold a research grant at Western?

See the University guidelines on Eligibility to Hold a Research Grant.  Note that postdocs may not hold research grants on their own; however, they may have access to research accounts held by their supervisors or department chairs.

 Does my research need human ethics approval?

All research involving humans conducted by faculty, staff or students at UWO or its affiliated hospitals or research institutes must be approved by a UWO-sanctioned review board.

The Office of Research Ethics, on behalf of the UWO Research Ethics Boards (REB), manages the approval and monitoring process for the use of humans in research at UWO and its affiliated hospitals and research institutes.

 Does my research require an animal care certificate?

All animal use for research, teaching or testing must receive prior approval from the University. For details, see the Animal Care & Use website.

 Does my research require a biohazard certificate?

If your research involves biohazardous materials, you will require a Biohazard Certificate. See the Biosafety website for information on training, guidelines and required documentation.

 Where is the Schulich Research Office located?

The Schulich Research Office is located at:

Robarts Research Institute, Suite 1240
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
The University of Western Ontario
London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5K8 
Phone: 519-661-3755
Fax: 519-661-3797
E-mail: research@schulich.uwo.ca
Website: www.schulich.uwo.ca/research

 

Procedures

 

Who must approve new grant applications?

Applications for funding must be approved by the following: the Principal Investigator, Co-Applicants (if applicable), Department Chair, Dean, and The University of Western Ontario(contact Research Western). 

Specific requirements may vary depending on the funding agency/competition. Some applications require hardcopy signatures; others require electronic submission.  Please read the funding agency guidelines for specific guidance.

In addition, all funding applications submitted through Western require the submission and approval of a ROLA form. 

If a Dean's hardcopy signature is required, please contact the Schulich Research Office for assistance.

For Institution approval, contact Research Development & Services.

My application requires an "Institutional Signature".  Who provides that?

For all funding applications submitted through Western, "Institution Signature" is provided by Research Development & Services.  Neither Schulich nor department chairs are authorized to sign for the institution.

If your application is being submitted through the Lawson Health Research Institute, contact LHRI for an Institutional Signature.

How long does it take to get signatures on my funding application?

The Schulich Research Office requests at least 1 business day for signatures. 

Research Western requires 3 business days for signatures. Applications including industry partners may require up to 7 working days for signatures.

If you need a signature from your Department Chair, please contact your Department Office to determine how much time you need to allow to obtain this signature.

NOTE: We cannot guarantee that applications brought for signature at the last minute will be signed by your submission deadline.  Therefore, we urge the applicants to obtain the required signatures well in advance of the deadline.

 How do I obtain ethics approval?

See the Office of Research Ethics website for the forms and guidelines for ethics approval.

 I have received some funding for research. How do I set up a new research account?

 Complete and submit a ROLA form to set up a new research account. 

 What is ROLA?

ROLA (Research On-Line Administration) is the University of Western Ontario's system for electronic proposal and award administration.  ROLA is also used to collect Department Chair/Dean's approval for new applications for funding.

Completion and electronic submission of a Proposal via ROLA is required to obtain Western’s Institutional approval for any application for funding.

See http://www.uwo.ca/research/rds/ROLA/ROLAFrameset.html for access to the system and for additional information.

 How do I access the funds from my research grant/contract?

Please contact your department office, the Schulich Research Office or Research Development & Services for details about accessing your research grant/contract funds. 

 

Funding

 

How can I find information about funding opportunities?

A variety of information regarding research funding is available for Schulich researchers.

  • the Schulich Research Office disseminates information on funding opportunities via email to Schulich researchers.   (Note: If you are not receiving e-mails, please contact the Schulich Research Office to ensure that you are added to the list).
  • Information is available via the Research Western ROLA system
  • The University provides access to the Community of Science, a comprehensive database on funding opportunities
  • Information on internal Western programs is available from Research Development & Services (RD&S).

 

What funds are available for new faculty members? 

There are both internal and external funding opportunities targeted at new faculty.  Contact the Schulich Research Office with specific questions.  Note that a good source of seed funding for new faculty is Western's Academic Development Fund (ADF). 

Is there research funding available for Schulich medical students?

Schulich supports two programs aimed at encouraging medical students to explore their interests in research.  These are the Summer Research Training Program (SRTP) and the Schulich Research Opportunities Program (SROP).  In addition, there are external funding opportunities for undergraduate medical students to undertake research.  Schulich maintains a list of opportunities that we're aware of.      

How do I find information on funding for graduate students?

For funding information for graduate students, see the Schulich Graduate Studies website.

What opportunities are available for Schulich postdoctoral fellows and postdoctoral associates?

 For funding information for postdocs, see the Schulich Graduate Studies website.