The “Demande de Financement ARC” (Application for ARC Funding) is a crucial document for any Canadian researcher seeking financial support from the federal government through the three main granting agencies collectively known as the Tri-Agency: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). “ARC” is often used as shorthand to refer to these agencies and the funding opportunities they provide.
Essentially, the Demande de Financement ARC is a comprehensive proposal outlining the researcher’s proposed project, its significance, methodology, budget, and the expected impact on the relevant field of study. Its purpose is to convince a panel of expert reviewers that the research is worthy of public funding.
The content and structure of the application vary significantly depending on the specific funding program and the granting agency. For example, a CIHR grant focused on biomedical research will require detailed information about the experimental design, ethical considerations related to human subjects or animal models, and the potential for translational application of the findings. An NSERC application might emphasize the novelty of the proposed engineering solution, the feasibility of the research plan, and the training opportunities it offers to graduate students. A SSHRC application might focus on the theoretical framework, the societal relevance of the research question, and the dissemination plan for reaching a broad audience.
Regardless of the specific agency or program, all Demande de Financement ARC applications share some common elements. These typically include:
- Project Summary: A concise overview of the research, highlighting its key objectives and anticipated outcomes.
- Research Proposal: A detailed description of the research question, the theoretical background, the research methodology, and the expected timeline.
- Significance and Innovation: A justification for why the research is important and how it contributes to the existing body of knowledge. This section often emphasizes the originality and potential impact of the proposed work.
- Methodology: A clear and rigorous explanation of the research methods, including data collection, analysis techniques, and potential challenges.
- Budget Justification: A detailed breakdown of the requested funding, with a clear explanation of how each item will contribute to the success of the project.
- Team Qualifications: A description of the research team’s expertise and experience, demonstrating their ability to successfully complete the proposed research.
- Ethical Considerations: A discussion of any ethical issues related to the research, and the measures that will be taken to address them.
- Dissemination Plan: A strategy for sharing the research findings with the wider community, including publications, presentations, and outreach activities.
Preparing a successful Demande de Financement ARC is a highly competitive and time-consuming process. Researchers often spend months developing their proposals, seeking feedback from colleagues, and refining their arguments. The success rate for these applications can be relatively low, so it is crucial to craft a compelling and well-supported proposal that clearly demonstrates the value and feasibility of the proposed research. Accessing resources and guidance from university research offices and experienced researchers is highly recommended.