Serving and Engaging Society Fund
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Serving and Engaging Society Fund?
The Serving and Engaging Society Fund is an internal funding opportunity that encourages academic initiatives, in collaboration with community partners, in the areas of education, clinical care, or research. All initiatives should fulfill the main departmental goal of Serving and Engaging Society stream, namely: “To close gaps in serving and engaging equity-denied populations and to become a more trusted partner with the community.”
What are the funding criteria?
The Serving and Engaging Society Fund encourages academic initiatives, in collaboration with community partners, in the areas of education, clinical care, or research. All initiatives should fulfill the main departmental goal of Serving and Engaging Society stream, namely: “To close gaps in serving and engaging equity-denied populations and to become a more trusted partner with the community.”
Note: It is expected that a portion of funding is dedicated to compensating community partners for their collaboration. A list of potentially eligible expenses is included at the bottom of the application form. Direct payments to staff, faculty, or learners are not eligible expenses.
All applications are evaluated on a scoring rubric based on the criteria outlined in the application form.
Note: For graduate students, applications must be approved by graduate supervisors. Research project applications must reference approval or exemption from the relevant Research Ethics Board.
All successful applicants are expected to submit a final impact report to the sub-committee at project conclusion.
Who is eligible for funding?
All members of the Dalhousie Department of Psychiatry are eligible, including psychiatry residents, fellows, AFP physicians, graduate students, research faculty, and administrative staff. Cross appointed and adjunct faculty are also eligible.
How much funding is available?
A limited amount of funding is available per grant for up to 10 grants per fiscal year. Eligibility for funds is subject to funds availability (up to 10 grants per year) and meeting the criteria outlined in the Application Form. Funding is allocated based on the granted year rather than the actual spending year and must be utilized within one year of being awarded.
How do I apply for funding?
Please complete and submit an Application Form, detailing how the initiative meets specific criteria, and a proposed budget. Our Sub-Committee will review all applications within two months of receipt.
How will applications be evaluated?
Our Fund Sub-Committee will use a rubric to evaluate applicaitons based on the criteria outlined in the Application Form. If you have any questions about these criteria, please feel free to reach out to the Serving and Engaging Society Committee at SPAC@dal.ca
Where can I get a copy of the Expression of Interest Form and evaluation rubric?
The Expression of Interest Form and evaluation rubric are available on the department’s database (login required) under the “Policies” tab. You can also email SPAC@dal.ca to receive a copy of the Application Form and evaluation rubric.
When is the application deadline?
Applications will be reviewed on a quarterly basis by the Fund Sub-Committee and quarterly deadlines will be communicated. The annual deadline for applications within a fiscal year will be on the first Friday of February of each year at Noon.
When can I expect a final decision to be communicated?
You will receive a confirmation email within one week of receiving your application. Following that, a decision will be communicated within two months.
What if my project is not funded?
All applicants are encouraged to seek alternate and additional sources of funding where possible. Recommended sources include: Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia (NSH Mental Health & Addiction Grants and Community Grants) and Department of Psychiatry Research Fund, among others.
Is anything else required?
All successful applicants must complete a Final Report, which will be sent with the funding approval letter. Final Reports are due within one month from conclusion of the Serving and Engaging Society initiative/project.
Who do I contact for more information?
For more information about the Serving and Engaging Society Fund, to receive an Application Form, or to submit your application, contact the Serving and Engaging Society Committee Administrator at SPAC@dal.ca