Most expenses that are related to the direct costs of research are eligible under the Internal Research Grants fund.
Examples of typical IRGF expenses are:
- Personnel/student Research Assistant (RA) costs
- Data collection costs (including related travel)
- Conference/dissemination travel (see the note below)
- Small equipment purchases (excluding computers)
- Specialist services not available at Mount Royal University (e.g. translation)
Personnel costs:
Include rates (as a guide, the "standard" RA rate is $17-$21 per hour at Mount Royal University), hours and total costs. The current employer's costs are approximately 17% (9.2% vacation and holiday, employer's contributions of 5.10% and employer's CEI contributions of 2.268%). The benefit costs should also be included for budgetary purposes (this covers CPP and CEI employer costs) and is an additional cost charged to the grant account.
Equipment:
Include a reasonable estimate of what the required equipment will cost. Estimates can be determined by contacting suppliers or consulting appropriate websites. Don't forget costs for taxes, shipping, exchange and duty. All equipment purchased through an IRGF award are the property of MRU.
Collaborators expenses:
Non-MRU faculty may participate as collaborators and are expected to bring their own resources to the project. With the exception of certain travel and subsistence related expenses, IRGF (or SSHRC Explore) funds may not be used to cover expenses collaborators incur in the conduct of research or research-related activity.
For travel/conferences:
Try to estimate the full cost. If the conference has not yet been scheduled or is some time in the future, estimate the costs.
For example: Domestic conference presentation: $1250.
Note:
- Dissemination-based travel can comprise up to 35% of the total budget.
Ineligible expense examples:
- Software costs where MRU has institutional licenses (SPSS, NVivo, Qualtrics)
- COVID Quarantine related expenses
- Personnel Costs for principal applicant, co-applicants and collaborators
- Teaching Release
- Hospitality related expenses
- Office Supplies: General office supplies and photocopying are not eligible expenses. Printing that is specifically related to the project (e.g. printing of paper surveys to be used in data collection) is an allowable expense. Contact Print Services for current rates. Be sure to provide appropriate justification for these costs in your application.
Other Funding:
It is an acceptable practice to submit the same proposal to multiple funding opportunities. However, you must indicate in your application if this proposal has been submitted to another internal or external opportunity. If both opportunities are awarded, you may be asked to forfeit your IRGF award if you do not adequately indicate how you will effectively utilize both opportunities.
Additionally, if your project budget exceeds the maximum award amount, you must clearly indicate in the application how you will obtain the additional funds.
ORSCE follows MRU and Tri-Agency policies and procedures must be observed when spending an IRGF award. You may find the relevant MRU policies and procedures on the ORSCE and Financial Services websites. Visit the Tri-agency Guide on Financial Administration for more information on the relevant polices.
Once funding has been secured, our Research Finance Analyst will be happy to sit down with you and explain key finance procedures associated with your project, however, by accepting funds from the Internal Research Grants Fund, you are agreeing to use those funds in accordance with all policies and procedures governing research at Mount Royal University.
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