The Digital Research Alliance of Canada (the Alliance) is launching a Call for Participation as a Partner Organization and a Call for Proposals for the Funding Opportunity for the Controlled Access Management for Research Data Initiative. This initiative forms part of the Alliance’s 2023-25 digital research infrastructure (DRI) investments which will directly benefit Canada’s researchers.
Important information
- Participation and Funding Call Guide
- FAQ
- Information Session slides and recording
- Application period: June 27 to September 15, 2023 (new deadline)
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Aim and scope
The Controlled Access Management for Research Data Initiative aims to enable collaboration between Canadian data repositories and research institutions to enhance research data management and research security. This initiative is a pilot project that builds on the work of the Sensitive Data Repository Project.
Key objectives
The objective of this initiative is to enable research organizations and existing data repositories to meet researcher needs related to long-term storage, security, sharing and re-use of restricted-access research data.
This initiative has two components:
- Call for Participation as a Partner Organization: organizations can apply to participate as a Partner Organization and contribute to developing and implementing the Controlled Access Management for Research Data pilot.
- Call for Proposals for the Funding Opportunity: post-secondary institutions can apply to host up to two positions (Controlled Data Access Engagement Specialist and Controlled Data Access Services Specialist) that will support the pilot testing of new encryption software and facilitate collaboration between researchers, repositories and institutions.
Value and duration
The funding window for the Initiative is for two years (ending March 31, 2025). The total budget is $400,000 with the Alliance funding 60%: up to $240,000 for two positions for two years at 60% funding. There is a cost-match requirement of 40%: up to $160,000 (up to $40,000 for one FTE, or up to $80,000 per year for two FTEs).
Eligibility
Please refer to the Participation and Funding Call Guide for complete eligibility requirements.
Partner Organization Participation Eligibility
Organizations that meet one or more of the following criteria are eligible to participate as a Partner Organization:
- A Canadian university or post-secondary college or educational institution or hospital that receives public funding, and that carries on, or is capable of carrying on, meaningful research.
- A non-profit organization that is situated in Canada and that carries on, or is capable of carrying on, meaningful research.
- An institution or non-profit organization that is situated in Canada and whose activities support Canada’s DRI ecosystem.
- Canadian data repositories.
- First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation organizations, communities, collectives, or governments.
Funding Opportunity Eligibility
Organizations that meet the following three criteria are eligible to apply to host one or both positions:
- A Canadian university or post-secondary college or educational institution or hospital that receives public funding, and that carries on, or is capable of carrying on, meaningful research.
- A Tri-Council eligible institution.
- A Partner Organization for this Initiative (by responding to the Call for Participation for Partner Organization Participation).
Application process
- Applicants must complete an application form in accordance with the instructions detailed in the Participation and Funding Call Guide. Applications must be submitted electronically by September 15, 2023, 8 p.m. ET. Applications are adjudicated and available funds awarded through a competitive review process using a Merit Review Committee.
Information session
An optional information session on July 12 will outline the key purpose of the initiative, the activities and responsibilities of pilot participants and funded awardees, and the application process. There will also be a Q&A. The session will be presented in English with simultaneous interpretation in French, and will be recorded and posted on this web page.
More information
If you have questions or would like more information, please contact funding-subventions@alliancecan.ca.