The University’s commitment to excellence in research and innovation drives the strategic priorities of the Office of Research Services (ORS). Our staff members recognize that supporting and communicating the intellectual, creative and entrepreneurial directions of our faculty researchers and students provide the prime focus for our services.
ORS has been established to assist faculty and staff researchers in enhancing their research activities. This is accomplished by advising and developing relationships with funding agencies, government, business and industry.
Our support team includes specialists in contract management, research funding opportunities, technology and knowledge transfer, communications and financial accountability, together offering a high level of service to faculty and staff.
What we do:
- our research officers, technology transfer officers, research accounting officers, and legal counsel support pre- and post-award grants and contract development and management
- we promote and communicate Brock’s research achievements through internal and external channels
- we endeavour to support and promote the research and creative activity of our faculty members, graduate and undergraduate students and staff, from idea to innovation to marketplace/community.
Our work would not be possible without the support of the federal Research Support Fund.
If you are Brock faculty or staff seeking research support, please log into the internal Research Enterprise website. There you will find news and information on funding opportunities as well as forms, guidelines and other documents and procedures for all stages of your research. To keep up with upcoming funding opportunities and news from the Office of Research Services, sign up to receive Brock Research Enterprise Alerts (BREA), our bi-weekly e-bulletin. To sign up, please send an e-mail to: orsadmin@brocku.ca
The Canadian government’s Research Support Fund
The Research Support Fund (formerly the Federal Indirect Costs Program) is a Government of Canada funding program to assist Canadian post-secondary institutions in offsetting the cost of administering research awards from the three federal granting councils (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research). Brock University receives funding support for the indirect costs incurred on Tri-Council funded research through the program.
A thriving research culture must be supported by a vast infrastructure that is often taken for granted. Laboratories require light and heat to operate, equipment needs to be maintained, library collections are built and cultivated to aid faculty and students in their research. Brock’s hundreds of researchers come to the Office of Research Services for assistance in filling out their grant applications, advice on how to comply with spending and financial requirements, navigating the system of ethical review and compliance, and in some cases communicating their research activities to a wider audience.
All of these things essential to research activities – heat, light, library materials, the establishment and functioning of a system of ethical review and compliance, management and administrative services and other indirect costs – cost money, yet most research grants do not provide additional funds to help a university defray these costs. As a result, over time the research activity puts a strain on the institution’s budget.
Click here for more information about the Research Support Fund.
See Brock University’s Report on Research Fund Objectives 2022-2023
See Brock University’s Report on Research Fund Objectives 2021-2022.
See Brock University’s Report on Research Fund Objectives 2020-2021.
Brock University RSF Expenditures 2020-21
See Brock University’s Report on Research Support Fund Objectives 2019-20.
See Brock University’s Report on Research Support Fund Objectives 2018-19.
2018-19 Actual Expenditures Graph
In 2023-2024, Brock University’s Research Support Fund (RSF) grant is $2,542,608. Brock’s RSF funding will be allocated in the following five areas:
Facilities (4.5%): RSF funds will be used to upgrade laboratory and other research space to meet researchers’ urgent needs. A portion of these funds will support the ongoing maintenance of institutional websites that profile research accomplishments, build research partnerships and provide researchers with the forms, guidelines and other documents they need for their work.
Resources (5.1%): RSF funds will support the licensing of tools that accelerate the research process by integrating funding, collaborator discovery, and publishing opportunities (Pivot). These tools connect researchers to financial support by leveraging the most comprehensive global source of sponsored funding opportunities and provides scholarly profiles to match researchers with financial partners and collaborators. Additionally, licenses for a research survey instrument (Qualtrics) and MatLab will also be purchased to enable researchers across campus to collect critical data. The funds also support memberships to Innovate Niagara, Digital Research Alliance of Canada, the Canadian Research Knowledge Network, and the Conversation Canada.
Management and Administration (63%): RSF funds are a key component of the Office of Research Services’ budget, which provides researchers access to research officers, accounting and other professional research staff who assist them with grant writing and oversee their financial compliance and reporting.
Regulatory Requirements and Accreditation (8.4%): RSF funds will be used to support the operation of the Research Ethics Board (REB), the Animal Care and Use Committee, Research Safety, and additional regulatory accreditations and certifications as required (e.g., Cannabis Licensing through CTLS).
Intellectual property and Commercialization (19%): RSF funds have allowed Brock University to meet rapidly expanding needs in the fields of intellectual property, patenting, technology transfer, and commercialization. Funding received in 2023-24 will support the salaries of staff in the Partnerships, Innovation and Intellectual Property Advancement team, including legal counsel who advises on IP management strategies. These staff build research partnerships between Brock researchers, industry and community groups and develop identify avenues for the advancement of new technologies.
Brock University’s affiliated organization is the Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary.
See: Brock University’s Research Support Fund Objectives-2023-24.
The Research Support Fund’s Research Security priority area focuses on enhancing the security and integrity of research activities conducted within academic institutions and research organizations. Recognizing the critical importance of protecting research from various risks and threats, this priority area aims to establish robust measures, protocols, and systems to safeguard the confidentiality, availability, and authenticity of research data, infrastructure, and intellectual property.
See:
Key areas of service
1. Grants and Funding
A wide array of public and private sources support Brock research. The majority of our funding comes from three federal government agencies: the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC); the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC); and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).In addition, to accessing external funding, Brock offers researchers a variety of internal awards both at the university-wide and faculty level.
If you are a Brock University researcher, and if you are looking for funding, require assistance with your grant application forms, or have any questions, please log into the internal Research Enterprise website.
If you are from outside Brock, and if you have any questions relating to accounting, please contact the Office of Research Services, 905-688-5550 extension 5332; orsadmin@brocku.ca
Brock University is pleased to announce the launch of the Tri-Agencies’ Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) competition for 2023-2024. The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and the Canadian Health Institutes (CIHR) offers this program. USRA’s objectives are to nurture students’ interests and to help develop their potential for a research career in the natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and health science. The awards provide research work experience that complements students’ undergraduate studies in an academic setting. Qualified self-identified Indigenous and Black student researchers are encouraged to apply for NSERC USRAs.
At the present time, both the SSHRC and CIHR USRAs are exclusively for self-identified Black student researchers. The numbers of SSHRC and CIHR students are determined by the federal government through its Undergraduate Student Research Awards allocations.
Students interested in applying for this opportunity must fill out the USRA Application Form Part A, while their supervisors must fill out the USRA Application Form Part B. Before applying, please carefully read the Brock University Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) Guidelines 2023–2024.
Deadline: February 24, 2023, 5 pm ET.
Match of Minds Program Launch 2023
The Match of Minds program provides research employment opportunities for students across all faculties as well as non-faculty units, which are intended to expand their potential to participate in research. The program also encourages the development of skills and abilities of students for future employment, in turn also improving the quality of Research Assistants available to faculty researchers at the graduate level.
The application process is online and includes completion of an application form that can be found on the Online Portal (login required – supervisors initiate the process). The program offers up to $5000 for student employment. Students can be employed between May 1 and April 30 each year.
The application is in two parts. When the supervisor submits their portion, the student will receive a notification to complete their portion. It is therefore recommended that the applicant and the student review the Match of Minds Program Syllabus 2023 before beginning the application. Supervisors are advised to ensure that the student has sufficient time to prepare their portion of the application (two weeks in advance of the deadline is recommended).
The deadline for applications is March 10, 2023, by 12:00 pm/noon ET.
For inquiries, please contact Jasmine Little, Acting Manager, Sponsored Research & Internal Programs, jlittle3@brocku.ca
The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program funds the very best postdoctoral applicants, both nationally and internationally, who will positively contribute to the country’s economic, social and research-based growth. The objective of the Banting PDFs program is to:
- Attract and retain top-tier postdoctoral talent, both nationally and internationally
- Develop their leadership potential
- Position them for success as research leaders of tomorrow
Potential candidates must work closely with an advisor who supports their candidacy. The program is highly competitive, with only 70 fellowships per year distributed equally among the three granting agencies: CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC. The awards are valued at $70,000 per year for two years (non-renewable). Additionally, successful applications will receive support from Brock’s Vice-President of Research in the amount of $7500/year for two years. Institutions are expected to be highly selective in the applications that they submit.
Individuals who would like to apply to be a Banting Postdoctoral Fellow at Brock University must first find a faculty supervisor for the two-year fellowship. Learn more about potential faculty supervisors at https://brocku.ca/academics/.
See: Banting Application Guidelines 2023.
The Office of Research Services cannot “match” or assign potential candidates to advisors/supervisors. Once you find a Brock advisor, please email Laura Smithson, Research Officer (lsmithson@brocku.ca) to be placed on our Banting email list.
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Fellowship
These fellowships support the most promising Canadian new scholars in the social sciences and humanities, and assist them in establishing a research base at an important time in their research careers. $45k per year for up to two years. Details on more information regarding the program, eligibility, and application process.
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Fellowship
Fellowships provide support for highly qualified applicants in all areas of health research at the post-PhD degree or post-health professional degree stages to add to their experience by engaging in health research either in Canada or abroad. $45k per year up to three years. Priority Announcements offer additional sources of funding for highly rated applications that are relevant to specific CIHR research priority areas or mandates. Details on more information regarding how to apply, eligibility, and evaluation.
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Fellowship
The Postdoctoral Fellowships (PDF) program provides support to a core of the most promising researchers at a pivotal time in their careers. The fellowships are also intended to secure a supply of highly qualified Canadians with leading-edge scientific and research skills for Canadian industry, government and academic institutions. $45k per year for two years. Details on more information regarding the program, eligibility, and application process.
Stay tuned for specifics on next year’s competitions. For more information or questions regarding these opportunities at Brock, please contact: Laura Smithson, lsmithson@brocku.ca
2. Awards and Recognitions
In addition to awards and recognitions offered by individual faculties, Brock University has three campus-wide awards to recognize our outstanding researchers.
Please note: Guidelines and application forms can be found on our internal website (login required).
The newly-created Award for Early Career Research and Creative Activity is open to Early Career Researchers (ECRs), defined as those who have held a full-time academic appointment for five years or less as of May 1, 2021. Recipients must be Brock University Faculty Association (BUFA) members and be employed at Brock while holding the award.
The Award recognizes ERCs for research excellence, including: notable contributions to creative activity or research as documented by committees, organizations, or associations; emerging record of refereed and/or significant publications OR creative works or performances appropriate for the nominee’s career stage; evidence of commitment to training and mentoring of highly qualified personnel, where applicable (e.g., undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers); strong performance, appropriate for the nominee’s career stage, in attracting funding from external sources such as granting agencies, foundations or contracts.
The one-year research grant, valued at $5,000, is not attached to any specific research or creative activity so that the recipient has autonomy over the use of the award money, subject to University policies.
The 2023 recipient of this award is Assistant Professor of Health Sciences Asif Khowaja. He is awarded the grant for her research on how childhood and adolescence can shape health and success into adulthood.. See story in The Brock News.
Previous award winners:
* 2022 – Karen Patte, Health Sciences
* 2021 – Rebecca MacPherson, Health Sciences
Please note: Guidelines and application forms can be found on our internal website (login required).
This $10,000 award recognizes faculty whose distinguished research or creative activity (appropriate to the nominee’s discipline and faculty) demonstrates outstanding research achievements, contributions to the training of future researchers, and strong performance in scholarly or creative performance. Recipients will be formally recognized by the presentation of a diploma and cash award at a Brock University function.
The 2023 recipient of the award is Professor of Management Dirk De Clercq with the Goodman School of Business. See story in The Brock News.
Previous award winners:
- 2022 – Andrea Doucet, Sociology/ Women’s & Gender Studies and Canada Research Chair in Gender, Work and Care
- 2021 – Bareket Falk, Kinesiology
- 2020 – Angela Evans, Psychology
- 2019 – no selection
- 2018 – Liette Vasseur, Biological Sciences
- 2017 – Stephen Cheung, Kinesiology
- 2016 – Robert Dimand, Economics
- 2015 – Cathy Mondloch, Psychology
- 2014 – Tony Bogaert, Health Sciences
- 2013 – Michael Bidochka, Biological Sciences
- 2012 – Diane Dupont, Economics
- 2011 – Vincenzo De Luca, Biological Sciences
- 2010 – Dorothy Griffiths, Child and Youth Studies
- 2009 – Teena Willoughby, Psychology
- 2008 – Maurice Feldman, Child and Youth Studies
- 2007 – Stefan Brudzynski, Psychology
- 2006 – Panagiota (Nota) Klentrou, Physical Education and KinesiologyJohn Hay, Community Health Sciences
- 2005 – Tomas Hudlicky, Chemistry
- 2004 – Jack Adams-Webber, Psychology
- 2003 – Douglas Bruce, Biological Sciences
- 2002 – Mohammed Dore, Economics
- 2001 – Sandra Beckett, Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures
Please note: Guidelines and application forms can be found on our internal website (login required).
Brock University recognizes the excellent scholarship of its faculty members. To encourage and sustain high levels of scholarly performance, Brock has established the Chancellor’s Chair for Research Excellence, open solely to Brock tenured and tenure-track faculty.
Chair holders will be active scholars who have demonstrated excellence and who will continue to make significant contributions to the advancement of their field. Recipients of the Chancellor’s Chair for Research Excellence can undertake a specific three-year program of research leading to a significant development in their scholarship (e.g., a scholarly monograph, a state-of-the-art review that might lead to a seminal series of scholarly lectures).
The research program for the Chair may be integrated within a broader research and scholarly focus. Each awardee will give at least one public lecture on their research to the Brock University community.
The 2022 recipient of the Chair is Associate Professor of Psychology Caitlin Mahy for her work on how procrastination affects the way children think about the future, See story in The Brock News.
Previous Chairholders:
- 2021 – Dawn Trussell, Sport Management
- 2020 – Angela Evans, Psychology
- 2019 – Nicole Goodman, Political Science
- 2018 – Tony Volk, Child and Youth Studies
- 2017 – Kendra Coulter, Labour Studies
- 2016 – Theocharis Stamatatos, Chemistry
- 2015 – Gordon Hodson, Psychology
- 2014 – Gregory Betts, English Language and Literature
- 2013 – Michael Pisaric, Geography
- 2012 – Bareket Falk, Kinesiology
- 2011 – Glenn J Tattersall, Biological Sciences; Sherryl Vint, English Language & Literature
- 2010 – Christine Daigle, Philosophy
- 2009 – Panagiota (Nota) Klentrou, Kinesiology
- 2008 – Uwe Brand, Earth Sciences; Ryan Plummer, Tourism & Environment; Fereidoon Razavi, Physics; Mark Spencer, History
- 2007 – Michael Ashton, Psychology; Dirk De Clercq, Organizational Behaviour, Human Resources, Entrepreneurship and Ethics; John Hay, Community Health Sciences; Hans-Georg Moeller, Philosophy
- 2006 – Diane Dupont, Economics; Teena Willoughby, Psychology
- 2005 – Maurice Feldman, Child and Youth Studies; Pierre Lizee, Political Science; Bulent Menguc, Marketing, International Business and Strategy
- 2004 – Carolyn Hafer, Psychology; Andrew McDonald, History; Kirill Samokhin, Physics
- 2003 – Tony Bogaert, Community Health Sciences; Barry Grant, Communication, Popular Culture and Film; Arthur van der Est, Chemistry
- 2002 – Ian Brindle, Chemistry; Robert Dimand, Economics; David Schimmelpenninck van der Oye, History
- 2001 – Sandra Beckett, Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures; Douglas Bruce, Biological Sciences; Maureen Reedyk, Physics; Elizabeth Sauer, English Language and Literature
3. Innovation and Commercialization
Many of the discoveries our researchers make have real-world applications. Learn more.
Brock University is committed to the management and protection of researcher-generated intellectual property, in a manner that maximizes commercialization opportunities, protects Ontario interests, and strengthens the Ontario economy.More details can be found in the Brock University Commercialization Policy.
The Brock University Commercialization Policy sets out Brock University’s commitment to supporting the mobilization, dissemination, and commercialization of researcher-generated intellectual property (IP), in order to maximize the impact of university research, scholarship, and creative activity, while serving societal needs and the interests of IP creators, the University, and its research partners. This policy advises University faculty, staff, and students on the services and resources available to support them with commercialization.
4. Research Accounting
Brock University receives and hold research funds awarded to members of the University’s research community. These grants impose a duty on the University community to ensure the use of the funds meets the eligibility and compliance policies of the funder. This responsibility is shared with several stakeholders in research and research administration.
Research Accounting is responsible for the post-award financial administration of all research funding, including externally sponsored funds and internal university research grants.
Brock University’s Institutional FCOI Procedure defines the compliance requirements for conducting research with funding from United States Public Health Services agencies. Details.
If you have any questions related to accounting, feel free to contact the Office of Research Services, 905-688-5550 extension 4488; orsaccounting@brocku.ca
5. International Opportunities
The Office of Research Services administers, facilitates and supports international research and development at Brock University.
Our specific responsibilities include:
- work closely with Brock International in promoting opportunities for international research and development for our faculty members
- assist faculty members in the preparation and submission of international research contracts and grants
- monitor compliance on international research contracts and grants including human research ethics, animal care and use, and nuclear, chemical and biohazard safety
- work closely with Brock International in promoting the success of international research contracts and grants
International activities include research in several areas.
Brock’s Visiting International Professor (VIP) program brings visiting faculty from academic institutions in other nations to visit Brock for an extended period, teaching a course (or courses) in their area of expertise and collaborating with Brock faculty, staff and students in a range of academic activities. Typically, the stipends that are paid per course will cover all travel expenses, accommodations, and living expenses, for the period of one or two academic term(s).
Brock University has formal International Partnerships with more than 150 institutions over 50 different countries.