Aspiration Research Cluster Program
The Aspiration Research Cluster program was established by the Office of the Vice-President Research and Innovation to support research excellence, facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration, and raise the external profile of the university through capacity-building resources and support. Clusters can emerge from any discipline, but those that align with the Aspiration 2030 impact areas and/or institutional priorities are of particular interest.
Cluster funding is intended to support catalytic activities that will help to build the cluster’s identity and collaboration potential. Clusters should have the potential to develop into global leaders on relevant topics, attract major new external funding (e.g. NFRF Transformation, SSHRC Partnership Grant, CFI Innovation Fund, major NSERC Alliance, governmental programs, donors or foundations, international grants, etc.) and/or demonstrate significant impact (e.g., new strategic partnerships, generate meaningful intellectual property for licensing or commercialization activities, creation of new centre or institute, influencing public policy or major government directions, leading public discourse on major issues, etc.).
In the first round of the competition, six groups were awarded the title Aspiration Research Cluster, representing over 70 UVic faculty members across the 10 faculties. Three more were established in round two. All clusters brought together multidisciplinary teams to collaboratively tackle critical issues and address local and global challenges and opportunities.
What is a research cluster?
In this context, a research cluster is defined as a group or network of UVic researchers with complementary and interdisciplinary expertise – working together to address important economic or societal challenges.
Key dates
NOI: November 30th, 2023
Full Application: January 31st, 2024
Funding start date: May 2024
Note that the funding start date has been delayed from April 2024 to May 2024.
Adjudication process
- An interdisciplinary panel of internal faculty and external partners will review and score all applications.
- Shortlisted applicants will pitch their presentations to a strategic panel.
- Shortlisted cluster applications will be reviewed by the strategic panel, taking into consideration the pitch presentation and the feedback from the first interdisciplinary panel review. Applications will be evaluated on their ability to meet the criteria outlined in the call for proposals and the overall institutional objectives of the cluster program.
- The strategic panel will make recommendations to the VPRI Executive who will determine the funding allocation.
Evaluation criteria
Applications are assessed on the following criteria:
- Research excellence and potential impact
- Strength of the team and complementarity
- Cluster plan
Refer to program terms below for full details.
Program terms and application
Contact
FAQs
No, all full applications must be preceded by an NOI.
Yes. However, if changes are made to members or the research area, please email the project officer with the changes to ensure appropriate reviewers are secured.
The NOI will be used primarily to help identify appropriate reviewers for applications. It may also be used to identify synergies or overlaps between proposals, and to confirm eligibility. Some preliminary feedback may be provided at this stage.
Any full-time UVic research faculty member (tenure or tenure-track).
Faculty members may participate in more than one cluster but cannot be the designated PI/Co-PI for more than one application.
Yes. However, the program is to support activities of a group of UVic researchers (that may have external partners that strengthen the collective work), but is not a program to support, for example, an existing or new regional/national network with “some” participation of UVic researchers.
Yes, building or formalizing relationships may form part of the proposal plan, but potential collaborators and partners should be clearly differentiated from those who are already collaborating with the proponents.
Not necessarily, however we expect to see an interdisciplinarity among group members, with an array of different perspectives and funding portfolios.
Clusters can address more than one Impact Area or priority and this information can be included in the proposal. However, it will be important to clearly articulate how the cluster will address each impact area.
Possibly, though applications should clearly articulate why the sub theme is needed in addition to the wider cluster theme.
Not necessarily. We imagine that transformational goals could take different forms, depending on the nature of the research area, maturity of the cluster, etc. While this could be a major grant application, it could also include pursuing a membership of an international network that would enhance your global reputation or pursuing a significant industry or government partnership for example. Proponents are invited to define and explain the transformative goal that their cluster will be pursuing.
No. Cluster funding is not intended to support the direct costs of research.
The Dean (or Associate Dean if the Dean is absent) of the cluster’s PI should sign-off on the proposal. However, if any cluster members are requesting teaching release, their Dean will need to sign the form as well.
These two rounds are a pilot with one-time funding; however, there could be additional competitions depending on future funding and the impact of the program.
Aspiration Research Clusters
2024 Clusters
Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Research Cluster
Leads: Caroline Cameron, Renée Monchalin and Astrid Pérez Piñán
Advancing the World Health Organization’s Sustainable Development Goal 3.7, “universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies," this cluster aims to reduce stigma and raise awareness of inequities in sexual and reproductive health and rights faced by marginalized communities.
Society-Engaged AI and Robotics (seAIR) Research Cluster
Leads: Marianne Black, Homayoun Najjaran, Audrey Yap and Regan Mandryk
Ethical, accessible, democratized and sustainable integration of artificial intelligence and robotics can enhance quality of life and foster personal interactions. Engaging with experts in ethics, law, philosophy and sociology, this cluster will investigate and address potential impacts and opportunities related to these technologies. They’ll expand UVic’s capacity for interdisciplinary collaboration and strategic industry partnerships.
Dementia-Friendly Research Cluster
Leads: Denise Cloutier, Mariko Sakamoto, Jodie Gawryluk and Theone Paterson
Dementia is a leading cause of death and disability in Canada and around the world. Estimates suggest that 1 million Canadians will be living with dementia by 2030 and 1.7 million by 2050. Members of this cluster will expand, evaluate and mobilize research evidence to optimize the positive impact of dementia-friendly environments and person-centred care for individuals and care providers in long-term care facilities, homes and communities.
2023 Clusters
Right to Housing Research Cluster
Leads: Bernie Pauly, Jeff Masuda
Homelessness and lack of self-determination in housing and home impacts the health and wellbeing of multiple generations with disproportionate impacts for Indigenous people, Black communities, people of colour, women, gender diverse people, families and youth. The Right to Housing Cluster will bring together academic researchers with communities and community organizations to generate a strong partnership that will mobilize future research and action on housing and homelessness.
Indigenous Economics Research Cluster
Leads: Donn Feir, Rebecca Johnson, Susanne Thiessen
To thrive, all societies require stable and flourishing economies; however, colonization has significantly undermined the infrastructure and resourcing of Indigenous economies. Despite these pressures, Indigenous communities continue to enact principles and practices of their economic orderings and take advantage of opportunities. The Indigenous Economics Cluster will make visible these orderings, as well as the challenges and opportunities that impact Indigenous economic well-being. As well, the cluster will engage in the work of restoring Indigenous economic institutions and practices in a way that aligns with contemporary Indigeneity and acknowledges gendered realities.
Indigenous Language Revitalization Research Cluster
Lead: Onowa McIvor
Indigenous language revitalization is a significant factor in community wellness, land connection and for the continuation of Indigenous knowledges, epistemologies and worldviews. It is also vital that the languages of the land on which the university occupies are strengthened and maintained as teachings contained in them support lands and ecosystems while contributing to the restoration of legal and governance systems. The Indigenous Language Revitalization Cluster will continue and deepen the consultation process with local Nations to determine what actions and supports are needed for local Nations' languages to thrive.
Mental Health Research Cluster
Lead: Hector Caruncho
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, one in eight people worldwide lived with a mental disorder; during the pandemic the incidence of mood and anxiety disorders increased by ~30 percent. The Mental Health Cluster will co-develop novel research venues to improve mental wellbeing, foster prevention, promote recovery in people suffering from mental disorders, and decrease/eliminate the stigma associated with these disorders. By engaging in interdisciplinary and multisectoral collaborations with people with lived experience, the cluster will provide a holistic approach for mental health research.
Nanotherapeutics Research Cluster
Leads: Ian Manners, Stephanie Willerth
The Nanotherapeutics Cluster will harness the expertise, knowledge and technologies from a diverse combination of interdisciplinary researchers to translate nanoparticle-based therapeutics into clinical and commercial applications. These therapeutics will be used to address key medical challenges of importance to Canadian society and globally, such as cancer and antibiotic resistance. In the longer term, as the cluster expands to include further expertise, research will target potential treatments for other diseases such as Parkinson's disease, genetic conditions and viruses such as COVID-19.
Quantum Photonics Research Cluster
Lead: Thomas E. Baker
Canada is an international leader in the development of quantum technologies and has invested significantly to grow institutional capabilities within the country. The Quantum Photonics Cluster will bring together UVic researchers to create a robust collaboration on photonics, algorithms, and light-matter interactions for future technology. The study of new quantum-based technologies and their interaction with light has the potential to revolutionize current technologies over the short and long term, with potential applications for climate and sustainability, and health and wellness.