Competition

* Unless explicitly noted, all times indicated for deadlines are for the appropriate NL timezone (NST or NDT)

Overview

The overall objective of the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada’s (“SDRCC”) Abuse-Free Sport Research Grant Program (“Program”) is to invest in safe sport research to maintain and increase the understanding of the behaviours that need to be reinforced or prevented, and to evaluate the impact of the Abuse-Free Sport program and initiatives. This will improve the development of effective policies, processes and practices, enhancing the sport experience for all. 

Grant Value and Duration

For 2023-2024, applicants can request up to $30,000 for one-year grants. Depending on the nature of the project, annual funding for up to three (3) consecutive years may be provided by the SDRCC. Applicants for such projects can request for a maximum of $90,000 over three (3) years. It is expected that funds will be spent on an annual basis. Continuation of research funding beyond the first year of the three-year grant period is subject to the availability of funds and to satisfactory performance of the initiative which is assessed by the SDRCC through progress reports from grant recipients. Note that there is no automatic extension for the use of funds.

Eligibility and Requirements

Subject:

Proposals should focus on the following research priorities:

A) Methodological Approaches

The Program will prioritize research proposals that:

• Apply an intersectional lens in order to engage ALL sport participants and to understand marginalized groups when it comes to their experience with safe sport;

• Have an interdisciplinary approach to draw knowledge from other disciplines and fields, and adapt it to the sport context; and

• Have an overall approach that is collaborative through all levels of sport, using participatory/intervention researches in order to develop a meaningful impact on the sport community in Canada.

B) Themes

During the 2022 Research Symposium, participants have identified a few gaps in safe sport research, mainly due to a lack of publications or lack of existing data. In the short term, the following research themes were highlighted as needing more attention:

• Development of standardized measurement tools (e.g., using common terminology and research questions);

• Prevalence of maltreatment in sport at the community level;

• Inclusion of various sport participants (e.g., athletes, officials, administrators, coaches, etc.);

• Evaluation of victim/survivor support programs and other safe sport initiatives; and

• Best practices to foster a safe culture for all sports, at all levels.

 C) Evaluation of the Abuse-Free Sport Program

The Abuse-Free Sport program launched its operations in June 2022, with the aim of preventing and addressing maltreatment in sport, and influencing a positive culture shift within the Canadian sport system. During this initial year, the following elements of the program were either established or expanded to serve the objectives of the Abuse-Free Sport program. Research proposals evaluating these Abuse-Free Sport initiatives will be prioritized:

• Complaint Management Process / Sport Environment Assessments;

• Support Services;

• Education Accreditation Program / Education Library;

• Research Grant Program;

• Webinar Series;

• Abuse-Free Sport Helpline;

• Safeguarding Tribunal.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the proposed project aligns with the 2023-2024 SDRCC’s research priorities.

Key Dates and Deadlines: TBD

EOI: This application’s Letter of Intent (LOI) does not require review by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) or Research Initiatives and Services (RIS). If you are invited to develop a full proposal, then a Departmental, HSS Dean's office, and RIS review is required.

Full application submission procedures (mandatory): In addition to the external funding agency’s submission procedures, this opportunity must also be submitted for Departmental, HSS Faculty, and Research Initiatives and Services (RIS) institutional reviews and approvals via Memorial's Researcher Portal (RP). In order to facilitate the HSS Faculty’s administrative review, please ensure "Heather C. O'Brien (Grants Facilitator)" and “Matthew Milner (Grants Facilitator)” are added as "Team Members" on your RP file. 

In accordance with University-wide approval protocols, all tabs of the RP file must be completed, the completed application must be uploaded to the “Attachments” tab, all supporting documentation including support for cash and in-kind commitments and/or letters of support must also be uploaded, and “Submit” must be pressed prior to the HSS internal deadline listed below. HSS cannot guarantee completion of an administrative review for application files that are incomplete and/or are submitted after the HSS deadline. For more detailed submission instructions and information, please consult the HSS Research Support Services website.

If you plan to apply to this competition or other research funding opportunities (as either PI or CI), e-mail an HSS Grants Facilitator, Heather C. O’Brien (HSSResearchAdmin@mun.ca or 864-8603) or Matthew Milner (HSSResearchGrants@mun.ca or 864-8050), to notify the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of your intent to apply. E-mailing the intent to apply as early as possible will help to facilitate an efficient review. A Grants Facilitator can answer any questions you may have about internal or external submission procedures and may also be able to help with proposal development.