Commonly Used Research Terms

A narrative explanation of each component of the budget to “justify” the cost in terms of the proposed work and outcome.​

In many instances, a granting agency requires that an external partner provides a cash contribution to support the direct costs ​of the research project. While these may vary in size, cash contributions are typically 25-50% of the costs. Cash contributions ​may be paid directly to the college or the funder (who then allocates the grant money to the college).​

The process of introducing a new or improved product, process, or production method into the commercial market.​

A tangible or intangible good or service developed as a result of a project. The intent is often to deliver this good or service to ​a partner.​

This is a common term used as part of a grant application process. FTE refers to the number of hours required to be considered Full Time. ​

For example, if two research assistants work for 10 hours/week, that is considered to be a .50 FTE, or 20 hours of a 40-hour work week. ​

FTE can also be used to refer to the number of employees on staff.​

An informal way of referring to the ratio of grant cash to partner cash. Common breakdowns include 25%/75%, 30%/70%, and 50%/50%.​

An award, usually financial, is given by one entity (such as a company, foundation, or government) to another entity ​(such as an institution or an individual) to facilitate a goal.

Most grants will want to know how your project will help enhance the knowledge, skills, and experience gained by students, research​ assistants, and college staff. The people imparting the skills are generally referred to as HQPs.

Typically refers to an area of business. Some grants may require the applicant to specify the North American Industry ​Classification System (NAICS) code.

A non-financial contribution is provided by a partner organization, the college, or the researcher. It generally takes the form of ​cash-equivalent goods or services and can include time contributed to the project.

A short proposal that informs a funding agency that you will submitting a full application for funding. Some funding agencies​ will evaluate LOIs before allowing you to move to the next application stage. Some applied research offices may also ask you to​ submit an internal LOI before you apply for external funding, especially if the funding agency allows for only a limited number of ​applications from each college. ​

A short proposal that informs a funding agency that you will be submitting a full application for funding. Unlike LOIs, NOIs are ​not normally evaluated.

Ongoing expenses not directly attributed to the research project work. Every college and/or research office will have a ​percentage of the project cost that will be used to calculate overhead costs such as the cost of grant application support, ​project reporting, invoicing, finance, operations, etc. Most grants and funding programs will set a max percentage or ​dollar figure for overhead.​

The public, private sector, or community organization that is driving the need for the research project and whose staff/owner​ will actively collaborate with the college and researchers on the project. In most situations, there is a contractual agreement​ between the college and the external partner to stipulate roles and responsibilities of the participants, ownership of ​Intellectual Property, etc.

The leader of a research team who is responsible for the leading the research and directing the actions and executing of ​the research team. Sometimes referred to as the “Research Lead”.

This is a description of all stages of the project, broken down week by week or month by month. It is commonly prepared ​during the grant application process and factors in management of resources, partner communications, and risk management.​

An agreement to perform research for a sponsor under specified conditions in exchange for payment of direct and indirect costs.​

A committee which is affiliated with the college, but which operates independently to ensure that a research study that uses ​human or animal participants adheres to ethical guidelines and ensures that the rights of study participants are protected.​

A document or set of documents that is submitted to an organization with the intent of securing funding for a research project.​

A question that the research project aims to answer. In the case of applied research, the question is usually linked to a​ specific concrete partner objective, such as “Can this new packaging increase the shelf life of our product?”

Refers to the combined objectives and requirements needed to complete a project. Accurately defining the scope of a project and determining what is “in scope” or “out of scope” will help keep the project on track in terms of cost and time.​

These are businesses whose personnel numbers fall below certain limits (often 5-500 employees).​

An individual, company, institution, or organization which takes responsibility for the initiation, management, and/or financing of a research project. Also referred to as “funder” or the “funding body/organization”.

The same SME acronym used for businesses can also be used to refer to subject matter experts. SME is a broad term which ​can refer to project researchers, technicians, external experts and more.​

The process of using two or more grants to fund research projects. Some grants have a process in place that will allow ​combining grants such as MITACS + NSERC. Some funders may refer to it as joint or complementary funding.​