Introduction
Grant proposals are now expected to address equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) as well as research impact. To help you incorporate these elements into your grant applications, we have compiled a list of tips and resources for your reference and consideration.
Before Writing Your Statements
To write impactful EDI and research impact statements for grant applications, it's crucial to have a thorough understanding of the expectations set by funding agencies.
NSERC’s Requirement of EDI
The NSERC Discovery Grants Peer review manual 2022-23 advises applicants to prioritize equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) by building a diverse team and demonstrating their past and continual commitment to EDI practices in training high-quality personnel (HQP), including recruitment and mentorship. Alongside proposing future EDI practices to be employed, applicants must also identify the barriers in their training philosophy that may prevent under-represented groups from participating and advancing within the natural sciences and engineering.
Stating TRIUMF’s Values and EDI Practices
Including a sentence or two about what TRIUMF is doing in EDI would be helpful in setting the context. An example could be: Along with creating an inclusive and diverse environment, TRIUMF puts significant importance on EDI, both in its values and practices. To promote EDI, TRIUMF has established a committee and a Community Fund for community-led EDI projects. The Committee invites guest speakers to deliver presentations and seminars on EDI. To address issues related to EDI, policy and procedures, and academic and professional conduct, TRIUMF recently appointed an ombudsperson for students and postdoctoral fellows, as well as an EDI Officer for employees. EDI is also a goal (Goal 3) in TRIUMF's five-year plan (2020-2025). Resources on EDI are available on TRIUMF's website.
NSERC’s Requirement of Research Impacts
In the past, funding agencies have focused on advancing knowledge within specific disciplines, and researchers have relied on publications to demonstrate their contributions. However, there is a growing trend in academia to place greater emphasis on broader research impact. The NSERC 2030 Strategic Plan recognizes that political decision-makers, who fund a significant amount of publicly funded research, expect it to have societal and economic impacts. By identifying the potential social, health, economic, and environmental benefits of new research directions and technologies at an early stage, researchers can align research challenges with the needs of communities and society.
According to the NSERC Discovery Grants Peer Review Manual for 2022-23, research impact can encompass a range of factors, including the advancement of knowledge, the development of technology, addressing socio-economic or environmental needs, and contributing to diversity and gender equity in research. While it is important to describe the impact of research in the field, considering its potential benefits to society may further enhance the success of a proposal. For a more detailed list of NSERC's impact indicators, please click here.
How to Write an HQP(EDI) and Impact Statement? Tips and Resources
We have compiled a list of recommendations based on our analysis of reviewers' feedback, proposal reviews, and seminars. Please click here.
Useful EDI Resources
NSERC: Equity, diversity and inclusion
NSERC: Alliance Grants: EDI in your training plan
NSERC guide on integrating equity, diversity and inclusion considerations in research
Making equity, diversity, and inclusion matter in research (presentation by UBC Equity Facilitator)
EDI in research (Research Office, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa)
Addressing equity, diversity, and inclusion in your research funding application – research teams and the training of highly qualified personnel (A tips & resources handbook) (Research Services Office, University of Toronto)
EDI resources for researchers (Office of Research, University of Guelph)
Equity, diversity and inclusion resources for researchers (Faculty of Education, Western University)
Useful Resources for Research Impact
The Emerging Impact Landscape (Wade Kelly)
The Prickly Impact Statement (Wade Kelly)
Writing an Impact Statement: Four Things You Need to Know (Enago Academy)
Five Essential Tips for Writing an Impact Statement (tips, examples and areas of impact statement) (ScienceEditor)
So, you're new to research impact? (Practical tools and resources for understanding research impact) (Joann Cattlin, Wade Kelly, Ken Knight, and David Phipps)
Grant Writing Resources for Early Career Researchers
Grant Writing Workshops (2018-2022) (Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto)
Guidebook for New Principal Investigators (CIHR)
Planning and Writing a Grant Proposal: The Basics (The Writing Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison)
Ten Simple Rules for Getting Grants (Philip E Bourne and Leo M Chalupa)
The Art of Grantsmanship (Jacob Kraicer)
The Art of Writing a CIHR Application (CIHR)