Each year, the Government of Canada allocates a portion of research grant funding to post-secondary institutions through the Research Support Fund. This program assists Canadian colleges and universities with the indirect costs of research funded by the three federal granting agencies: the
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
Understanding indirect costs
Indirect costs are expenditures that are not directly tied to a specific research project but are essential to maintaining an institution's ability to support research. These include costs related to the administration of research, compliance with regulatory requirements, maintenance of research infrastructure, and knowledge mobilization.
The Research Support Fund supports indirect costs within five categories:
- Research facilities
- Research resources
- Management and administration
- Regulatory requirements and accreditation
- Intellectual property and knowledge mobilization
Each eligible institution determines how best to allocate funds to support their research ecosystem.
Use of funds
Saskatchewan Polytechnic applies its funds to support the management and administration of the institution’s research enterprise, specifically by funding the salary of a dedicated staff member in the Office of Applied Research and Innovation.
Most recently it was used towards supporting the position of research contracts manager. This role is critical in supporting the review, negotiation, and management of research-related contracts and agreements. The position ensures that research activities at the institution comply with relevant legal, ethical, and institutional standards, and helps facilitate partnerships and funding agreements in support of applied research.
Impact
The Research Support Fund enables Sask Polytech to:
- Strengthen research administration and oversight
- Maintain compliance with tri-agency funding requirements
- Support effective contract and agreement management
- Foster innovation through strong operational infrastructure
Sask Polytech is grateful for the ongoing support provided through the Research Support Fund, which is instrumental in advancing applied research and innovation within the province.
Management and administration of the institution's research enterprise
| Year | Amount |
|---|---|
| 2019-20 | $2,579 |
| 2020-21 | $2,579 |
| 2021-22 | $2,617 |
| 2022-23 | $5,035 |
| 2023-24 | $17,737 |
| 2024-25 | $24,200 |
| 2025-26 | $52,455 |