A Collaborative Research Group (CRG) consists of Atlantic Province University researchers with common research interests who wish to work collaboratively.  Members of a CRG typically organize intensive workshops, share PDF appointments, coordinate graduate training programs, propose and assist in AARMS summer school programs, jointly supervise graduate students, and carry out other activities supporting their research. For the 2021 competition, successful applicants will receive up to $50,000 to be used or fully committed within one year.  Funded CRGs will be encouraged to apply for a second year of funding in 2022.  A possible second year of funding will be contingent on the full utilization/commitment of the first year funding and research outcomes.  CRG research programs are expected to involve national and international collaborations that persist after the end of AARMS funding. CRGs are also encouraged to collaboratively seek additional external funding.

Currently funded CRGs

Previously funded CRGs

Call for Proposals 2021

Program Objectives

AARMS believes that groups of researchers with common research interests can benefit from sharing resources and coordinating activities. CRGs offer young researchers a larger community for growing their research program. AARMS also believes that the critical mass achieved by CRGs will help the Atlantic Provinces to recruit and retain faculty in the mathematical sciences, to attract postdoctoral fellows, and offer enhanced graduate student training programs.

Eligibility

AARMS will accept submissions from groups of researchers who demonstrate that they have common research interests and wish to collaboratively pursue some aspects of their research programs.  The primary applicant for each submission must be a faculty member at an AARMS member university.   Applications involving a single researcher from an AARMS member university are allowed; however proposals involving multiple researchers from Atlantic Mathematics and/or Statistics departments are preferred.  In addition, incorporating researchers from other fields is strongly encouraged.  The proposed research program should involve national and international connections and collaboration that will persist after the end of AARMS funding.  Current or previous CRGs are eligible to apply for funding.  (If current CRGs apply and are successful, any new funding will replace the old CRG award; please contact us for further details.)

Activities Funded

An AARMS CRG grant will specifically contribute funding toward activities that enhance the collaborative aspect of the CRG, including but not limited to:

  • joint seminars, guest lectures, and workshops;
  • travel associated with the joint supervision of students and postdocs;
  • postdoctoral fellow support;
  • graduate student support;
  • undergraduate research projects;
  • student exchanges; and
  • travel to group events.

CRG funds may not ordinarily be used to pay an honorarium to a visiting lecturer. If compelling reasons exist for paying an honorarium, the CRG may approach the AARMS Executive for permission. A request for permission must take place before any arrangements are made.

If you are uncertain about the eligibility of certain activities please contact us.

Award Installments And Reports

AARMS will award successful applicants up to $50,000 paid in a lump sum in Fall 2021.  Funded CRGs will be invited to apply for a second year of funding.  Decisions on additional funding will be based on:

  • The full utilization/commitment of the first year of funding.  First year funds will be considered to be fully utilized if they are committed to support highly qualified personnel between September 2021 and August 2023.
  • Research outcomes obtained in the first year, including publications, seminars, new grants, and new partnerships with non-academic entities.
  • The availability of funds in 2022-23.

A final report is to be submitted to AARMS at the end of the 1 or 2 year funding cycle.

Administrative Structure

All CRG applicants must name a Primary Applicant who will be responsible for all communication with AARMS and who will, if funding is approved, administer the group’s accounts and prepare progress reports for AARMS. An AARMS CRG is expected to maintain a website with a list of current members, group publications, and past and upcoming events.

Application Procedures

Timelines

  • Letter of intent deadline: July 2, 2021
  • Full application deadline (by invitation only): July 30, 2021
  • Results available: September 3, 2021
  • Funds distributed: Fall 2021

Evaluation criteria

Preference will be given to applications that:

  • are in alignment with AARMS’s strategic priorities;
  • show evidence of research strength in the members;
  • involve members from multiple AARMS member universities;
  • involve (but are not necessary limited to) faculty from Mathematics and/or Statistics departments;
  • involve interdisciplinary collaborations; 
  • involve the training of highly qualified personnel;
  • prioritize the inclusion of traditionally under-represented groups in research activities;
  • present a convincing plan for utilizing/committing all first year funding within one year;
  • present a convincing plan for future collaboration;
  • present a convincing plan for securing additional funding;
  • involve concrete plans for coordination with other AARMS programs (summer school, postdoctoral fellowships, etc.); and/or
  • involve national or international collaborations/members.

Letter of intent

Groups of researchers interested in applying for CRG funding should submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to AARMS by 11:59 pm (Atlantic time) on July 2, 2021.  The LOI should include the following information:

  • The name of the proposed CRG.
  • The name of the Primary Applicant.
  • A listing of CRG members from AARMS member universities.
  • A listing of CRG members from other institutions.
  • A brief description of the proposed research area.
  • A brief description of proposed group activities, including tie-ins with other AARMS programs.

The LOI should be no more than three (3) pages long and submitted to the AARMS Executive Administrator via email in pdf format.

All LOIs will be assessed by the AARMS Executive Committee using the evaluation criteria listed above.  The Executive Committee will invite several groups to submit full applications to be assessed by the AARMS Scientific Review Panel.

Applicants are encouraged to discuss their application informally with the Director of AARMS or the Executive Committee ahead of the submission deadline if they wish.

Full application

Full applications to the CRG program should include the following information:

  • The name of the proposed CRG.
  • The name of the Primary Applicant.
  • A listing of CRG members from AARMS member universities.
  • A listing of CRG members from other institutions.
  • A detailed description of the proposed research area.
  • A detailed description of past collaborative activities (if any) of proposed group members.
  • A detailed description of proposed group activities, including tie-ins with other AARMS programs.
  • A description of plans (if any) to secure additional funding.
  • A description of plans to increase the participation of under-represented groups in research activities.
  • A one-year CRG budget showing all anticipated sources of revenue and expenses.
  • Current CVs of proposed CRG members (Canada Common CVs are fine but not required).

Full applications (excluding CVs) should be no more than ten (10) pages long and submitted to the AARMS Executive Administrator via email in pdf format by 11:59 pm (Atlantic time)  July 30, 2021.  CVs should be combined into a single pdf document.

All full applications will be assessed for scientific merit by the AARMS Scientific Review Panel.  Final decisions on funding will be made by the AARMS Executive Committee.