Innovative Initiatives Fund
Since 2016, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and Durham College have partnered in a unique program to celebrate our joint campus. The Innovative Initiatives Fund (IIF) provides $150,000 from each institution to support novel collaborative projects undertaken by groups of faculty and staff that represent both institutions.
Through the first two rounds we have funded 10 projects that represent a wide cross-section of interests on our shared campus and each project has forged a closer partnership between our institutions.
- View a list of successful projects, including the members of each team.
Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology are pleased to announce the IIF will continue for a third year with $300,000 of jointly provided funding once again available to support collaborative projects.
Potential project areas might include:
- academic and student services initiatives
- joint administrative innovations
- joint partnerships involving the community
- research and innovation
- support for entrepreneurship
An IIF Committee has been established; it includes representatives from both institutions.
Timeframe and application
Note:
- New this year, the committee will open a notice of intent period (NOI) where projects will be posted on the IIF website from Monday, October 15, 2018 through to the submission deadline of Friday, February 1, 2019. During this time period all groups may post a brief outline of their projects for review, with the expectation that interested members of our shared campus community would have an opportunity to become collaborators in the development of the complete application.
- Notices of intent, containing a brief description of the project (approximately 100 to 150 words) and the contact information of the project lead, may be submitted to iif@dc-uoit.ca until Monday, October 15, 2018. Submitted projects will be posted on this website.
- All teams will then have until Friday, February 1, 2019 to submit a completed application.
- Projects will be funded during the 2019-2020 fiscal year ending March 31, 2020.
- In the spring of 2019, a showcase will be held highlighting the successful recipients of Round 2. Successful applicants in Round 3 will be asked to present their work at a showcase held in the spring of 2020.
- Note: Preference will be given to projects not previously funded by the IIF.
The application form will contain a summary of your proposed project. Should the committee require additional information, the project lead(s) will be contacted.
Should the application require review of the Research Ethics Board, the project lead(s) will be contacted.
The application form can be found on the application page.
The committee will select successful projects using the criteria listed below.
| Criteria | Points available | Evaluation criteria details |
|---|---|---|
|
Impact of the project on current and future collaboration between the two institutions |
30 |
The project includes collaboration between the two institutions and will have very significant impact on both institutions. The project will impact multiple areas of both institutions with the potential for continued impact/improvement. The project will allow for opportunities for future collaboration within the institutions and potentially with the broader community. |
|
Innovativeness of the project and potential impact |
30 |
The project is transformative, beneficial and equitable for both institutions. The project seeks to address a need or solve a problem in a new way. The project has the potential to inspire further innovation at the institutions and within the broader community. |
|
Alignment of the project with the mission of each institution |
20 |
The project aligns with the various aspects of the missions of both institution. |
|
Likelihood of success in the proposed timelines |
10 |
A project plan with milestones, dates, responsibilities and project oversight is provided and considered to be achievable and realistic. The experience of the resources involved in the project is considered to be of appropriate capacity, depth and range of experience. |
|
Appropriateness of the budget and use of resources |
10 |
The budget estimate provided is comprehensive and background information (quotes, recent pricing information, etc.) is provided as appropriate. The required resources are available and include commitment of the resources as appropriate. The budget and use of resources is deemed to be realistic and consider all aspects of the project. |
Capital spending does not qualify for this fund. If capital funds are required for a project, that must be funded locally. Capital assets refer to identified assets that meet all of the following criteria:
- Are held for use in the provision of services, for administrative and academic purposes, for the production of goods or for the maintenance, repair, development or construction of other capital assets.
- Have been acquired, constructed or developed with the intention of being used on a continuing basis.
- Are not intended for sale in the ordinary course of operations.
- Their useful life extends beyond one year.
- Have an acquisition value equal to or greater than $3,000 (Durham College) or $5,000 (University of Ontario Institute of Technology), including installation costs, shipping/freight, insurance, applicable taxes, and any other costs to get the asset ready for use.
The IIF Committee looks forward to the exciting, innovative, collaborative ideas that will come out of this initiative.
IIF Committee Members
- Scott Blakey, Chief Administrative Officer, Durham College
- Brad Easton, Professor, Faculty of Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology
- Marianne Marando, Executive Dean, School of Business, IT & Management, Durham College
- Fiona McArthur, Strategic Project Manager, Office of the President, University of Ontario Institute of Technology
- Olivia Petrie, Assistant Vice-President, Student Life, University of Ontario Institute of Technology
- Elaine Popp, Vice-President, Academic, Durham College