Applied Research Release Time

Saskatchewan Polytechnic, through the Office of Applied Research and Innovation (OARI), is committed to supporting faculty engaged in applied research activities that involve collaborations with business, industry, community organizations, research institutions, agencies and other partners. ARRT funds are intended to release faculty from their regular teaching duties to allow them to focus on applied research projects and related activities. 

Faculty participating in applied research are expected to comply with all applicable Saskatchewan Polytechnic policies and procedures and to fulfill all requirements and conditions associated with their projects.

ARRT applications will be submitted to the dean’s office, and to the centre director (where applicable), for approval before final submission to OARI.  

ARRT funding recipients will be selected by OARI. Support will be provided when the funding criteria are met and is subject to availability of funds. Selection criteria include: 

• the potential to secure external research revenue
• the involvement in a current externally funded applied research project
• participation in an externally funded grant application
• the intention to prepare externally funded grant applications. 

If the proposed research requires ethics approval, funds may not be used until valid ethics approval is in place. If you are unsure if your research requires ethics approval, please visit the Sask Polytech research ethics web page or contact ethics@saskpolytech.ca.  

A call for applications will open in early March, with submissions due in April.  Funding decisions will be made by the end of April. Successful applicants will be eligible for funding in the following fiscal year (July 1-June 30).  

Release time funding will provide up to $100,000 per year, however the exact amount awarded will depend on the number of applicants and funds available.

Only one award is available per faculty member per fiscal year (July 1-June 30). 

Funding priority will be given to faculty members who have not received this funding in the past.  

The ARRT fund is open to all Saskatchewan Polytechnic faculty members. 

Applicants will be notified of the results by the end of April. Funds will be available for use beginning July 1.  

Award recipients are expected to participate in applied research awareness activities, including Saskatchewan Polytechnic-wide presentations and promotional initiatives. Recipients are required to attend the monthly researcher meetings and to submit a brief report to OARI summarizing their activities and any emerging applied research opportunities with partners.

Applicants must complete the online application form and submit to the dean’s office for prior approval. The dean’s office will submit the application the application to OARI on the applicant’s behalf.