Research

All applications for research funding require an institutional signature. This signature is either provided by the Vice President Research or his delegate.

A divisional signature must appear on the application form (if required by the sponsor) and on the RIS Application Attachment form. The divisional signature is provided by the applicant’s Chair, Director, Dean/Principal.

Several divisions also have their own policies about how and when an applicant must secure a signature. An overview of these policies is forthcoming, but in the meantime please contact your division to learn about their specific requirements and timelines.

Please note that it is not normally possible to provide same day

institutional endorsement for research applications.

What do the signatures mean?

University Signatures

The signatures indicates the university’s willingness to administer the research funds on the investigator’s behalf, consistent with the university’s policies. In particular, the institutional signature indicates that:

• The applicant is a faculty member eligible to hold research funding at the university (consistent with any agency requirements with respect to rank), who is undertaking independent research and who has time, space, and basic facilities available
• The research is consistent with university and sponsor policies, including those associated with animal care, biosafety and ethics approval with respect to human subjects
• Administration of, and accounting for, funds received by the university on behalf of the application will meet the sponsor’s terms and conditions

In confirming these points, the university relies on the prior assurances and approval signatures provided by the applicant, unit and/or division head.

Divisional Signatures (Chair, Director, Dean, Principal)

These signatures confirm:

• The applicant is a faculty member eligible to hold research funding at the university (consistent with any agency requirements with respect to rank), who is undertaking independent research and who has time, space, and basic facilities available
• Any cash or in-kind contribution to the research project by the applicant’s academic unit as outlined in the proposal.
• The department, faculty or division’s willingness to administer the research funds, in accordance with university and sponsor policies
• The research is consistent with university and sponsor policies, including those associated with animal care, biosafety and ethics approval with respect to human subjects
• The awareness of the proposed activity by those who supervise investigators, allocate space and other resources, and provide administrative support to the research activity.