Exploratory Workshops

Purpose
Through Exploratory Workshops the Institute brings together researchers from a wide range of disciplines at UBC and invites them, along with distinguished experts from outside the University from geographically diverse areas, to jointly assess basic research and research possibilities with major potential impact. Interdisciplinary discussion and exchange are encouraged. Workshops must be specifically created for the competition. A goal of each workshop is, where possible, to further develop that research into the basis of a book, special journal issue, or an application for major research funding, such as the Institute’s Major Thematic Grant, for which holding an Exploratory Workshop is essential.
 

Format
Typically, the workshop entails a meeting of 25 to 35 scholars over the course of several days at the Peter Wall Institute, with external participants staying at the Institute's residence rooms or other residential facilities on campus. Advance planning ensures that a committed core group of UBC researchers will actively participate along with invited external scholars. Graduate student and post-doctoral fellowship participation is encouraged. Some aspects of the workshop, such as a keynote address or distinguished panel, must be open to the public.

History
The Exploratory Workshop Grant program was introduced in 1996.
Eligibility
All grants funded by the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies require a UBC Vancouver base. Tenure stream Faculty members in any academic unit at UBC are eligible, as are UBC Emeriti and Faculty Members on leave.

There can only be one Principal Investigator for a Wall Exploratory Workshop.  Co-investigators and/or co-organisers are permitted but the PI will be the official contact and signing authority and awardee.
Funding and Budget
The Exploratory Workshop Grant provides funding of up to $25,000, that can be used for travel (economy fare only), accommodation (note 4 guest rooms are available at the Institute for up to three nights free of charge if available at time of booking), food and receptions, modest salaries for student and/or staff support, publicity, materials, and subsidies for subsequent manuscript/proposal preparation. Items not available for Institute funding include Business or First Class air fare, stipends for participants, or off-campus meals, accommodation, and activities (except on negotiation). These must be funded from other sources.
Expectations
Of overriding concern in all Institute activities is excellence in research characterized by being interdisciplinary, innovative and unique. The Institute focuses on basic, rather than applied, research.

Exploratory Workshops must be held within 12 months of receiving the award.

Applications must specify the anticipated outcomes of the workshop and include a knowledge translation plan, which specifies the intended audience(s), the means of involvement and communication, and the intended post-grant follow-up.
Scope
Exploratory Workshop applications should present clearly defined research questions and demonstrate the uniqueness or innovativeness and interdisciplinarity of the proposed topic. A broad-based set of outstanding experts with international perspective should be suggested as participants. The workshop format should foster interaction, the exchange of ideas, and promote discussion. There should be at least one clear public session/talk and at least one closed working session.
Website
As part of the essential publicity the Institute will develop and host a website and create a poster for the event. The website should be used as a focal point for UBC and external participants as well as communicating the project to a broader audience. The Institute will disseminate and discuss publicity options on an individual application basis.
Facilities
Exploratory Workshops are expected to be held in the conference facilities of the Peter Wall Institute, UBC Vancouver. The Institute's conference rooms are available free of charge, for residence rooms check the website for rates. Both must be booked in advance. If there are anticipated dates for the workshop, the conference and residence rooms should be tentatively held even prior to applying for the award and the award notice. Arrangements for alternate campus venues during the workshop must be discussed. The Institute’s conference rooms are equipped with audio visual equipment though it may be required that additional or specialty items are hired from external sources to accommodate certain requests. Specialty items must be budgeted for.

All catering is handled exclusively by Sage Catering. Sage Catering can provide estimated catering costs for budgeting purposes.


Deadlines
The competition deadline is June 28, 2013.

Apply

To apply for an Exploratory Workshop Grant, please submit a completed application form and a Standard UBC CV. In addition to the signed paper form, electronic versions of the application form and CV in either PDF (preferred) or Word format should be e-mailed to the Institute.  Please submit your CV and application as two separate documents.

 

Download

Application Form

Standard UBC Curriculum Vitae Template


Additional Information

Pre-Award Guidelines

Post-Award Guidelines