Annex II: Early career researcher data for flagship investigator-initiated research grant competitions
Each agency has provided an update to last year’s report, providing data from the 2018 and 2019 competition years from their flagship Investigator-Initiated Research Programs based on grant amounts committed at the time of offer.
CIHR has included data from the Open Operating Grant Program (OOGP), which ran from 2000 to 2015, and the Project Grant Program (PJT), which began in 2016.
NSERC has included data from the Discovery Grant (DG) Program. The Discovery Launch Supplement, which began in 2018, is included for 2018 and 2019.
SSHRC has included data from two funding opportunities separately. The first table includes data for the Insight Development Grants (IDG) program, which began in 2011; the second table includes data for the Insight Grants (IG) program, which began in 2012.
CFI has included data from the John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF).
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Project Grants are designed to support researchers at any career stage to build and conduct health-related research and knowledge translation projects. There are two Project Grant competitions per year (spring and fall), and researchers can submit up to two applications per competition. Researchers can serve as the nominated principal investigator on more than one Project Grant at a time as these awards support research projects rather than programs of research. In addition to the nominated principal investigators, other principal investigators, co-applicants and collaborators can participate in a Project Grant. Grant values and durations are proportionate to the requirements of the research proposed and vary depending on the research field, research approach and scope of project activities, but are not explicitly capped.
At CIHR, an ECR has historically been one who, at the time of application, has held a full-time, independent research appointment for a period of up to five years (60 months), excluding leaves of absence. ECR status was validated only for project competitions from 2016 to 2017. ECRs in OOGP competitions (2013 to 2015) are considered those within five years of the date of their last degree. Within the overall competition budget, there is a specific funding envelope to support ECRs and ensure that success rates for them are equal to those of established researchers. Competition processes and peer review for this cohort are fully integrated in the entire competition, with no additional steps required on the part of the applicant.
Description of Figure 1
Using a line graph and a vertical bar graph, this figure shows CIHR’s success rates and average grant sizes for early career researchers (ECRs) and established researchers. for the Open Operating Grant Program (OOGP) and Project Grants Program, from 2013 to 2019. The y-axis on the left-hand side shows the success rate in percentages, from 0% to 18%. The second y-axis on the right-hand side shows the average grant size in dollars, from $0 to $900,000. The x-axis lists each year from 2013 to 2019.
CIHR’s success rates and average grant sizes for ECRs and for established researchers, for OOGP and PJT, from 2013-2019, are as follows:
- In 2013, the success rate was 15% for ECRs and 17% for established researchers. The average grant size was $484,560 for ECRs and $619,235 for established researchers.
- In 2014, the success rate was 12% for ECRs and 14% for established researchers. The average grant size was $499,585 for ECRs and $649,479 for established researchers.
- In 2015, the success rate was 10% for ECRs and 15% for established researchers. The average grant size was $501,453 for ECRs and $675,264 for established researchers.
- In 2016, the success rate was 14% for ECRs and 15% for established researchers. The average grant size was $649,423 for ECRs and $759,156 for established researchers.
- In 2017, the success rate was 15% for both early career and established researchers. The average grant size was $606,909 for ECRs and $756,462 for established researchers.
- In 2018, the success rate was 14.5% for early career researchers and 14.4% for established researchers. The average grant size was $641,404 for early career researchers and $765,262 for established researchers.
- In 2019, the success rate was 16.6% for both early career and established researchers. The average grant size was $581,139 for early career researchers and $750,253 for established researchers.
OOGP & Project Grants | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Application pressure (number of applications) ― Total |
4781 |
2862 |
2682 |
6697 |
3415 |
5117 |
4629 |
Application pressure (number of applications) ― ECRs |
789 |
445 |
403 |
1,515 |
821 |
1130 |
1016 |
% of all applications |
17% |
16% |
15% |
23% |
24% |
22.1% |
21.9% |
Success rate ― ECRs |
15% |
12% |
10% |
14% |
15% |
14.5% |
16.6% |
Success rate ― Established researchers |
17% |
14% |
15% |
15% |
15% |
14.4% |
16.6% |
Average grant ― ECRs |
$484,560 |
$499,585 |
$501,453 |
$649,423 |
$606,909 |
$641,404 |
$581,139 |
Average grant ― Established researchers |
$619,235 |
$649,479 |
$675,264 |
$759,156 |
$756,462 |
$765,262 |
$750,253 |
Total OOGP/PJT funds awarded to ECRs |
$56,209,004 |
$27,477,201 |
$21,061,029 |
$134,430,504 |
$74,649,750 |
$105,190,260 |
$98,212,527 |
Total OOGP/PJT funds awarded |
$478,527,130 |
$251,547,297 |
$251,326,181 |
$711,389,291 |
$368,913,660 |
$545,981,020 |
$547,613,842 |
% of funds to ECR |
12% |
11% |
8% |
19% |
20% |
19.3% |
17.9% |
Average grant (per year of grant) ― ECRs |
$122,595 |
$122,025 |
$122,894 |
$151,524 |
$142,565 |
$145,751 |
$140,158 |
Average grant (per year of grant) ― Established researchers |
$141,520 |
$145,307 |
$146,186 |
$167,376 |
$169,043 |
$169,984 |
$166,980 |
Total OOGP/PJT funds awarded to ECRs (per year of grant) |
$14,221,059 |
$6,711,363 |
$5,161,554 |
$31,365,461 |
$17,535,442 |
$23,903,223 |
$23,686,639 |
Total OOGP/PJT funds awarded (per year of grant) |
$110,737,735 |
$56,842,202 |
$55,010,876 |
$158,571,008 |
$83,293,027 |
$121,814,153 |
$123,707,806 |
% of funds to ECRs |
13% |
12% |
9% |
20% |
21% |
19.6% |
19.1% |
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
Discovery Grants (DG) support ongoing programs of research with long-term goals rather than a single short-term project or collection of projects. DGs are awarded to individual researchers only, and the duration is normally five years. There is one DG competition per year. Researchers can apply for and hold only one DG at a time. DG holders cannot reapply for another DG until the last year of their current award.
Applicants are categorized as either early career or established researchers. From 2013 to 2016, ECRs were defined as applicants who were within two years of the start date of their first eligible position at a university and had no prior academic or non-academic independent research experience. From 2017 to 2018, the ECR eligibility window was increased to three years; in 2019, it was increased to five years. In all years reported, the window for being considered an ECR could be adjusted to include instances where a researcher had an acceptable delay in research (illness, parental leave, etc.).
While applications from ECRs are evaluated against the same three selection criteria as established researchers, it is recognized that early career applicants may not have had the opportunity to make the same level of contributions to research or training as established researchers. For this reason, NSERC implements a different quality cut-off for funding ECRs, ensures that the overall ECR success rate is at least 50%, and offers additional sources of support to those awarded a DG. These include:
- an annual $5,000 top-up on their DG;
- the Discovery Launch Supplement (DLS) introduced in 2018, which is a one-time award valued at $12,500;
- starting in 2017, ECRs scheduled to apply for their second DG are offered the option of requesting an additional year of funding on their existing DG at the same level.
Note that the increases in funds awarded to ECRs in 2018 and 2019 in comparison to previous years reflect the DLS and the additional year of funding.
Besides DGs, NSERC also devotes Discovery Research funds to a number of supplemental programs for Discovery Grants, many of which provide support to ECRs.
Description of Figure 2
Using a line graph and a vertical bar graph, this figure shows NSERC’s Discovery grants’ (DG) success rates and average grant sizes for early career researchers (ECRs) and established researchers, from 2013 to 2019. The y-axis on the left-hand side shows the success rate in percentages, from 0% to 80%. The second y-axis on the right-hand side shows the average grant size in dollars, from $0 to $250,000. The x-axis lists each year from 2013 to 2019.
NSERC’s Discovery grants’ success rates and average grant sizes from 2013-2019 for ECRs and for established researchers are as follows:
- In 2013, the success rate was 60% for ECRs and 59% for established researchers. The average grant size was $136,111 for ECRs and $163,271 for established researchers.
- In 2014, the success rate was 66% for ECRs and 64% for established researchers. The average grant size was $138,073 for ECRs and $168,017 for established researchers.
- In 2015, the success rate was 65% for both early career and established researchers. The average grant size was $130,553 for ECRs and $157,924 for established researchers.
- In 2016, the success rate was 75% for ECRs and 65% for established researchers. The average grant size was $143,855 for ECRs and $179,571 for established researchers.
- In 2017, the success rate was 69% for ECRs and 66% for established researchers. The average grant size was $127,043 for ECRs and $169,937 for established researchers.
- In 2018, the success rate was 64% for ECRs and 67% for established researchers. The average grant size was $190,094 for ECRs and $195,366 for established researchers.
- In 2019, the success rate was 57% for ECRs and 71% for established researchers. The average grant size was $192,549 for ECRs and $194,672 for established researchers.
Discovery Grants | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Application pressure (number of applications) ― Total |
3398 |
3134 |
3159 |
3167 |
3240 |
3213 |
3404 |
Application pressure (number of applications) ― ECRs |
471 |
427 |
489 |
494 |
562 |
677 |
882 |
% of all applications |
14% |
13% |
15% |
16% |
17% |
21% |
26% |
Success rate ― ECRs |
60% |
66% |
65% |
75% |
69% |
64% |
57% |
Success rate ― Established researchers |
59% |
64% |
65% |
65% |
66% |
67% |
71% |
Average grant ― ECRs |
$136,111 |
$138,073 |
$130,553 |
$143,855 |
$127,043 |
$190,094 |
$192,549 |
Average grant ― Established researchers |
$163,271 |
$168,017 |
$157,924 |
$179,571 |
$169,937 |
$195,366 |
$194,672 |
Total DG funds awarded to ECRs |
$38,247,145 |
$38,660,539 |
$41,385,170 |
$53,082,500 |
$48,911,515 |
$82,310,534 |
$96,081,926 |
Total DG funds awarded |
$318,419,710 |
$328,489,387 |
$316,489,081 |
$362,842,820 |
$349,530,120 |
$412,869,600 |
$442,598,291 |
% of funds to ECR |
12% |
12% |
13% |
15% |
14% |
20% |
22% |
Average grant (per year of grant) ― ECRs |
$27,438 |
$27,723 |
$26,120 |
$28,771 |
$25,409 |
$32,099 |
$32,508 |
Average grant (per year of grant) ― Established researchers |
$34,323 |
$35,513 |
$32,903 |
$37,135 |
$34,948 |
$40,355 |
$40,071 |
Total DG funds awarded to ECRs (per year of grant) |
$7,709,941 |
$8,137,508 |
$8,280,084 |
$10,616,500 |
$9,782,303 |
$13,898,839 |
$16,221,571 |
Total DG funds awarded (per year of grant) |
$67,021,454 |
$70,208,877 |
$65,870,975 |
$74,674,964 |
$71,605,024 |
$82,179,749 |
$87,547,244 |
% of funds to ECRs |
12% |
12% |
13% |
14% |
14% |
17% |
19% |
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
Insight Development Grants (IDG) enable the development of new research in its initial stages. They are project-based: funding is provided for short-term research development projects. IDGs are valued at up to $75,000 over one to two years. A minimum budget of $7,000 in at least one of the years is required. The application deadline is set in February.
Within the IDG funding opportunity, funding is available for two distinct categories of scholars:
- Emerging scholars: Applicants identifying themselves as an emerging scholar must demonstrate that they have not successfully applied, as principal investigator or project director, for a grant offered through SSHRC, NSERC or CIHR. In addition, they must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- have completed their highest degree no more than six years before the competition deadline (SSHRC considers only the date of completion of the first doctorate); or
- have held a tenured or tenure-track postsecondary appointment for less than six years; or
- have held a postsecondary appointment, but never a tenure-track position (in the case of institutions that offer tenure-track positions); or
- have had their careers significantly interrupted or delayed for health or family reasons within the past six years.
Emerging scholar status is validated for IDG and at least 50% of funds are reserved for applications from emerging scholars.
- Established scholars: Someone who has established—or who, since the completion of their highest degree, has had the opportunity to establish—a record of research achievement.
Insight Grants (IG) support research excellence. They are project-based. IGs are valued at $7,000 to $100,000 per year over two to five years, up to a total of $400,000. Applicants choose from one of two funding streams, depending on the scale of their project:
- Stream A: $7,000 to $100,000
- Stream B: $100,000 to $400,000
The application deadline is set in October. There is no reserved budget envelope for emerging scholars as all applicants compete in the same pool. As a result, ECR status is not validated within the scope of the Insight Grants.
The following applies to both IGs and IDGs:
- Applications may be submitted by a principal investigator or a team consisting of one principal investigator and one or more co-investigators, collaborators, or both.
- Applicants may be PhD students or postdoctoral researchers so long as they establish a formal affiliation with an eligible Canadian postsecondary institution within three to five months of the grant start date.
- An individual can only apply once as principal investigator in any given IG or IDG competition. However, there is no limit to the number of times an individual can apply as co-investigator or collaborator for an IG or IDG.
- While researchers may not normally apply as an applicant for an IG and an IDG within the same calendar year, in 2017 SSHRC approved an exception to this regulation, which has been extended for the foreseeable future: researchers who applied unsuccessfully for an IDG in February of a given year can apply for an IG in October of that same year.
- Applicants may hold an IDG and an IG simultaneously provided that the objectives of the two research projects are significantly different.
Description of Figure 3
Using a line graph and a vertical bar graph, this figure shows SSHRC’s Insight Development grants’ (IDG) success rates and average grant sizes for early career researchers (ECRs) and established researchers, from 2013 to 2019. The y-axis on the left-hand side shows the success rate in percentages, from 0% to 70%. The second y-axis on the right-hand side shows the average grant size in dollars, from $0 to $100,000. The x-axis lists each year from 2013 to 2019.
SSHRC’s 2013-19 success rates and average grant sizes for IDG for ECRs and for established researchers are as follows:
- In 2013, the success rate was 30.3% for ECRs and 28.7% for established researchers. The average grant size was $59,113 for ECRs and $61,762 for established researchers.
- In 2014, the success rate was 25.7% for ECRs and 24.3% for established researchers. The average grant size was $60,643 for ECRs and $62,048 for established researchers.
- In 2015, the success rate was 23.7% for ECRs and 22.1% for established researchers. The average grant size was $59,123 for ECRs and $60,869 for established researchers.
- In 2016, the success rate was 45.5% for ECRs and 45.1% for established researchers. The average grant size was $55,604 for ECRs and $55,862 for established researchers.
- In 2017, the success rate was 32.6% for ECRs and 31.1% for established researchers. The average grant size was $54,372 for ECRs and $56,476 for established researchers.
- In 2018, the success rate was 60.3% for ECRs and 57.5% for established researchers. The average grant size was $55,434 for ECRs and $58,087 for established researchers.
- In 2019, the success rate was 50.9% for ECRs and 48.6% for established researchers. The average grant size was $55,694 for ECRs and $56,849 for established researchers.
Overall | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Application pressure (number of applications) ― Total | 3211 |
3271 |
3225 |
2912 |
2749 |
2675 |
2493 |
Application pressure (number of applications) ― ECRs | 1066 |
1055 |
1026 |
970 |
1013 |
1000 |
884 |
% of all applications | 33% |
32% |
32% |
33% |
37% |
37.4% |
35.5% |
Total IDG/IG funds awarded to ECRs | $23,529,427 |
$22,633,881 |
$19,972,111 |
$27,464,866 |
$23,579,015 |
$39,941,520 |
$29,049,725 |
Total IDG/IG funds awarded | $109,040,307 |
$115,651,421 |
$98,888,444 |
$110,634,127 |
$114,577,848 |
$139,711,962 |
$122,615,958 |
% of funds to ECRs | 22% |
20% |
20% |
25% |
21% |
28.6% |
23.7% |
Insight Development Grants | |||||||
Application pressure (number of applications) ― Total | 1028 |
1128 |
1237 |
1211 |
1236 |
1139 |
1128 |
Application pressure (number of applications) ― ECRs | 700 |
762 |
799 |
803 |
853 |
798 |
739 |
% of all applications | 68.1% |
67.6% |
64.6% |
66.3% |
69.0% |
70.1% |
65.5% |
Success rate ― ECRs | 30.3% |
25.7% |
23.7% |
45.5% |
32.6% |
60.3% |
50.9% |
Success rate ― Established researchers | 28.7% |
24.3% |
22.1% |
45.1% |
31.1% |
57.5% |
48.6% |
Average grant ― ECRs | $59,113 |
$60,643 |
$59,123 |
$55,604 |
$54,372 |
$55,434 |
$55,694 |
Average grant ― Established researchers | $61,762 |
$62,048 |
$60,869 |
$55,862 |
$56,476 |
$58,087 |
$56,849 |
Total funds awarded to ECRs | $12,532,005 |
$11,886,052 |
$11,174,264 |
$20,295,306 |
$15,115,320 |
$26,663,844 |
$20,940,988 |
Total IDG funds awarded | $18,337,608 |
$17,408,342 |
$17,078,587 |
$30,573,895 |
$21,835,969 |
$38,048,922 |
$31,685,401 |
% of funds to ECRs | 68.3% |
68.3% |
65.4% |
66.4% |
69.2% |
70.1% |
66.1% |
Average grant (per year of grant) ― ECRs | $30,106 |
$30,629 |
$29,695 |
$27,872 |
$27,180 |
$28,016 |
$27,950 |
Average grant (per year of grant) ― Established researchers | $31,212 |
$31,649 |
$30,592 |
$28,101 |
$28,599 |
$29,419 |
$29,482 |
Total funds awarded to ECRs (per average duration of grant) | $6,231,879 |
$5,926,653 |
$5,538,089 |
$10,103,675 |
$7,542,462 |
$13,543,093 |
$10,512,432 |
Total IDG funds awarded (per average duration of grant) | $9,168,804 |
$8,680,117 |
$8,490,250 |
$15,232,059 |
$10,902,787 |
$19,324,171 |
$15,984,153 |
% of funds to ECRs | 68.0% |
68.3% |
65.2% |
66.3% |
69.2% |
70.1% |
66.1% |
Insight Grants | |||||||
Application pressure (number of applications) ― Total | 2183 |
2143 |
1988 |
1701 |
1513 |
1536 |
1365 |
Application pressure (number of applications) ― ECRs | 366 |
293 |
227 |
167 |
160 |
202 |
145 |
% of all applications | 16.8% |
13.7% |
11.4% |
9.8% |
10.6% |
13.2% |
10.6% |
Success rate ― ECRs | 14.5% |
18.4% |
20.7% |
28.7% |
31.3% |
47.5% |
43.4% |
Success rate ― Established researchers | 22.9% |
23.8% |
23.7% |
31.4% |
40.9% |
47.3% |
46.1% |
Average grant ― ECRs | $207,499 |
$199,034 |
$187,188 |
$149,366 |
$169,274 |
$138,309 |
$128,710 |
Average grant ― Established researchers | $191,599 |
$198,853 |
$174,670 |
$151,540 |
$152,127 |
$140,072 |
$147,108 |
Total IG funds awarded | $90,702,699 |
$98,243,079 |
$81,809,857 |
$80,060,232 |
$92,741,879 |
$101,663,040 |
$90,930,557 |
% of funds to ECRs | 12.1% |
10.9% |
10.8% |
9.0% |
9.1% |
13.1% |
8.9% |
Average grant (per year of grant) ― ECRs | $50,066 |
$50,625 |
$45,437 |
$37,895 |
$39,220 |
$36,524 |
$34,498 |
Average grant (per year of grant) ― Established researchers | $47,252 |
$48,947 |
$42,830 |
$37,925 |
$37,349 |
$36,316 |
$37,422 |
Total funds awarded to ECRs (per average duration of grant) | $2,686,006 |
$2,712,069 |
$2,164,915 |
$1,820,841 |
$1,941,214 |
$3,521,152 |
$2,155,487 |
Total IG funds awarded (per average duration of grant) | $22,507,707 |
$24,145,314 |
$19,969,335 |
$19,818,373 |
$22,460,343 |
$26,605,122 |
$23,338,470 |
% of funds to ECRs | 11.9% |
11.2% |
10.8% |
9.2% |
8.6% |
12.8% |
8.7% |
Canada Foundation for Innovation
The John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) is designed to help institutions attract and retain the best researchers by providing them with the foundational research infrastructure needed to be or become leaders in their field. The JELF also offers institutions the opportunity to create competitive research support packages in the form of infrastructure and a portion of the operating and maintenance costs, coupled with direct research costs from partner organizations (CRCP, Canada Excellence Research Chair Program, NSERC and SSHRC).
Canadian universities, affiliated research hospitals and research institutions recognized as eligible by the CFI can apply for the JELF if they have received a minimum annual average of $200,000 in research funding over the last three years from the three federal research funding agencies. The researchers listed on the proposal must be:
- a recognized leader or have demonstrated the potential for excellence in the proposed research field(s);
- engaged in or embarking on research or technology development that is original, internationally competitive and of high quality; and
- a current faculty member with a full-time academic appointment or a candidate that the institution is recruiting to a full-time academic position in an area of strategic importance.
Description of Figure 4
Using a line graph and a vertical bar graph, this figure shows CFI’s success rates and average grant sizes from 2013 to 2019 for early career researchers (ECRs) and established researchers for the John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF). The y-axis on the left-hand side shows the success rate in percentages, from 0% to 100%. The second y-axis on the right-hand side shows the average grant size in dollars, from $0 to $300,000. The x-axis lists each year from 2013 to 2019.
CFI’s 2013-19 JELF success rates and average grant sizes for ECRs and for established researchers are as follows:
- In 2013, the success rate was 80% for both early career researchers and established researchers. The average grant size was $147,778 for ECRs and $206,551 for established researchers.
- In 2014, the success rate was 76% for ECRs and 75% for established researchers. The average grant size was $161,031 for ECRs and $179,824 for established researchers.
- In 2015, the success rate was 81% for ECRs and 79% for established researchers. The average grant size was $145,845 for ECRs and $198,789 for established researchers.
- In 2016, the success rate was 78% for ECRs and 82% for established researchers. The average grant size was $141,662 for ECRs and $214,060 for established researchers.
- In 2017, the success rate was 77% for ECRs and 83% for established researchers. The average grant size was $137,362 for ECRs and $211,657 for established researchers.
- In 2018, the success rate was 81% for ECRs and 75% for established researchers. The average grant size was $151,741 for ECRs and $200,740 for established researchers.
- In 2019, the success rate was 78% for both early career and established researchers. The average grant size was $146,113 for ECRs and $229,649 for established researchers.
John R. Evans Leaders Fund | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Application pressure (number of applications) ― TotalFootnote * | 573 |
382 |
439 |
575 |
402 |
444 |
657 |
Application pressure (number of applications) ECRsFootnote ** | 296 |
216 |
259 |
291 |
223 |
277 |
327 |
% of all applications | 52% |
57% |
59% |
51% |
55% |
62% |
50% |
Success rate ― ECRs | 80% |
76% |
81% |
78% |
77% |
81% |
78% |
Success rate ― Established researchers | 80% |
75% |
79% |
82% |
83% |
75% |
78% |
Average grant ― ECRs | $147,778 |
$161,031 |
$145,845 |
$141,662 |
$137,362 |
$151,741 |
$146,113 |
Average grant ― Established researchers | $206,551 |
$179,824 |
$198,789 |
$214,060 |
$211,657 |
$200,740 |
$229,649 |
Total JELF funds awarded to ECRs | $35,023,363 |
$26,409,068 |
$30,481,504 |
$32,298,857 |
$23,488,855 |
$33,989,888 |
$37,112,709 |
Total JELF funds awarded | $80,877,746 |
$48,887,096 |
$58,709,489 |
$82,388,854 |
$54,814,058 |
$59,082,408 |
$96,132,582 |
% of funds to ECRs | 43% |
54% |
52% |
39% |
43% |
58% |
39% |
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