Application guide: Collaborative Networks

This guide is intended to provide additional clarity and support as you complete your application form, which is available here. It is periodically adjusted to support the use of the application form as necessaryFootnote 1. We recommend that you read through this guide before starting your application.

About Collaborative Networks

Through the establishment of Collaborative Networks, the Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security (MINDS) Program increases and diversifies research on defence and security issues in Canada. National Defence seeks multi-disciplinary research Networks with diverse groups of experts from across Canada and internationally, to work together on specific defence policy challenges of high and contemporary importance. Up to $750,000 in funding will be provided over three years (in two tranches of up to $125,000 annually), allowing for more in-depth and nuanced analysis of key issues.

Networks provide an opportunity for the expert community to benefit from increased and prolonged funding to pursue creative and innovative research in the field of defence and security, while meeting the Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces’ (DND/CAF) need for relevant and timely advice in order to develop informed policies and solutions to address acute issues, and broaden the spectrum of expert voices contributing to the conversation. In doing so, Network members have the opportunity, and are encouraged, to engage and collaborate with colleagues across the country and around the world.

For more information on network’s objectives and deliverables, please refer to Annex A at the end of this guide.

Overview & eligibility

Please note that as the program centers its efforts on defence policy development and supporting defence policy decision-making, projects related to the field of social sciences, public policy and national defence matters will be privileged, and efforts will be made not to overlap other programs in other areas of interest. For example, applicants from the science and engineering fields are invited to consider National Defence’s IDEaS program.Footnote 2

MINDS Policy Challenges

MINDS Policy Challenges reflect current policy priorities for DND/CAF, are continuously updated to adjust to the strategic context, and are the result of consultations with senior leadership across the Defence Team. These challenges represent key issue areas where DND/CAF could benefit from external expertise to challenge or complement their thinking, in order to develop informed policies and solutions.

It is essential that MINDS Collaborative Networks relate to at least one MINDS Policy Challenge.

An up-to-date list of MINDS Policy Challenges and suggested research questions is available on the MINDS website. We recommend that you consult the list before filling out your application.

Completing your application

Applicants must use the provided Collaborative Network application form. Only forms that use the proper template, are complete (with a budget) and within the parameters outlined (including word/character limit, as indicated) will be reviewed. Once completed, please submit your application electronically to: MINDS@forces.gc.ca.

Section 1: General Information

This section collects descriptive information about the proposal and the organization(s) who will be involved.

Proposed Network Name

Network Director/Co-Directors

How did you find out about MINDS?

Section 2: Network Overview

Structure

Network Members

Organizations

Regions


Section 3: Evaluation

Collaborative Network applications are evaluated on three criteria: relevance, diversity, and innovation and leveraging technology.

A. Relevance (60% of total score)

Policy Challenges
Next Generation
Communications

B. Diversity (20% of total score)

Gender- Based Analysis Plus (GBA+)
Different Perspectives

C. Innovation and leveraging technology (20% of total score)

Innovation
Technology

Section 4: Financial Information

Governance

Other Funding

Budget

Section 5: Important Information & Signature

Please read the important information and Privacy Notice Statement carefully before signing your application form. Electronic signatures are acceptable.

Additional information

Debriefs

Successful and unsuccessful applicants may request a debrief on their application within 30 days of being advised of the outcome by contacting the MINDS team at minds@forces.gc.ca.

Conflict Resolution

There is no appeal mechanism for decisions made by DND to approve or not approve an application. Any questions or concerns about the process or decisions should be sent to the MINDS team at minds@forces.gc.ca

Recognition

Recipients must acknowledge the support of MINDS by providing written recognition in all materials produced and intended for the public. The official MINDS logo will be made available to successful applicants.

Members of the Defence Team or public servants from other government departments shall be permitted to participate in the Network but MINDS funding cannot be used to finance their participation.

License

Recipients shall grant a free license to reproduce or use any information or publications produced from a project for Government of Canada purposes.

Surveys/Interviews

If, as part of your Network’s work, you intend to conduct social science research, including interviews or surveys, with CAF members or their families, DND civilian employees, applicants for enrolment in the CAF or members of cadet organizations, you are required to contact the Social Science Research Review Board (SSRRB) before you begin. Please contact the SSRRB at SSRRB-CERSS@forces.gc.ca to learn more about the review process.

Privacy and Access to Information

DND will comply with the federal Access to Information Act and Privacy Act with respect to applications received. By submitting personal information, an applicant is consenting to its collection, use and disclosure in accordance with the following Privacy Notice Statement, which explains how the applicant's information will be managed.

Applicants shall note that for all agreements information related to the agreement (name of the recipient and project location) will be made available to the public on the DND/CAF website.

Contact us

Additional questions should be directed to the MINDS team via email at minds@forces.gc.ca.

Annexes

Annex A: Network deliverables

  1. Establish a core multidisciplinary Network which must include at least two different types of organizations (academia, civil society or private sector are different types of organizations) and have representation from at least three Canadian geographic regions.
  2. Conduct ongoing in-depth and nuanced research and analysis to advance the MINDS policy challenges addressed by your Network.
  3. 3. Curate Network research into DND/CAF in a timely manner, by way of informal correspondence with the Defence Team, briefing notes, policy notes, responding to short term information requests, and/or presentations to DND/CAF.Footnote 3
  4. Address defence and security policy challenges through quarterly progress reports for the duration of the Network (3 years), and one final report provided to DND/CAF at the conclusion of the funding period.Footnote 4
  5. Strengthen the relationship between DND/CAF and the expert community by conducting briefings to DND/CAF senior officials, hosting at least one roundtable with interested Defence Team members, and lead at least 3 presentations (at 1 per year) to a Government of Canada wide audience.
  6. Foster and support the next generation of defence and security experts by engaging students, young scholars or new scholars in at least one Network event or activity, where the focus of this event is new/young scholar development.
  7. Contribute to the Canadian public’s understanding of defence and security issues by organizing (1-3) events over the 3 year period, and engaging the media on interesting, relevant, and/or significant project milestones.
  8. Support multidisciplinary collaboration and research by engaging many different disciplines, organizations, and regions in your Network, and organizing Networking events with the experts and practitioners interested in the Network’s research.
  9. Promoting and supporting diversity and inclusion by demonstrating diversity in membership, and the use of Gender-Based Analysis Plus in the design, implementation and delivery of your Network in order to achieve the Network’s deliverables.

Annex B: Information and Resources on GBA+ and considering diversity and inclusion in your Network application 

1. What is GBA+?

Gender-Based Analysis Plus, or GBA+, is an analytical process used to examine the potential impacts (both intended and unintended) and opportunities of a project or initiative on diverse groups of people.

Figure 1 - Intersectionality (source : Introduction to GBA+)
Figure 1 - Intersectionality. Text version below.
Figure 1 - Text version

This figure illustrates some of the factors which can intersect with sex and gender. Six oblong shapes of differing colors overlap and fan out. Each oblong has two identity factors written on it. The top oblong has “sex and gender” written in a larger font. Starting below sex and gender and going clockwise, the additional identities identified are: geography, culture, income, sexual orientation, education, race, ethnicity, religion, age and disability.

The “plus” in GBA+ acknowledges that GBA+ goes beyond biological (sex) and socio-cultural (gender) differences to consider many other identity factors such as: race, ethnicity, religion, age, mental and physical ability, region, language, economic status, sexual orientation, and more.

Applying GBA+ leads to better projects and initiatives, as it reflects and responds to the diverse needs of the Canadian population.

2. GBA+ in your TEG Application

Applicants for a Collaborative Network should, apply a GBA+ lens when preparing their proposal by providing an explanation of the potential benefits and negative impacts from a GBA+ perspective of the proposed design and implementation plan of the project, including supporting data and evidence where possible.

The expectation for integrating GBA+ into a research project or event is that the topic/problem is considered from multiple perspectives (e.g., gender, age, language, CAF rank, etc.) and that there is intersectionality (i.e. identity factors are considered simultaneously – so it isn’t that all men or women do X but rather, men and women, within a certain age range and of a certain socio-economic background are doing X).

Below are three categories of questions that might help you think things through. While they are by no means comprehensive and are provided as a starting point, they do align with the evaluation criteria we use to score the Diversity/GBA+ section of your application. We also recommend consulting the list of resources provided further below to deepen your analysis and strengthen your application. When possible, make sure to reference any external source of information. 

Category A – Individuals, Communities, or Participants
Category B – Outreach
Category C – Project team

3. Evaluation Criteria

A strong GBA+ / Diversity section should clearly demonstrate:

4. Resources to familiarize yourself with and conduct GBA+

We strongly suggest that you consult the Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) websiteFootnote 6 and complete the free GBA+ online training in order to incorporate GBA+ into your project application. You may also want to watch WAGE’s microlearning videos

The following resources could also provide useful insights and tips:

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