Program Description

The GRAND PEAKS program supports connecting GRAND researchers with their receptor communities.

GRAND PEAKS bring digital media industry, practitioners, government, non-profit organizations, academic researchers and students together for focused events that explore targeted advances in graphics, animation and new media. They examine design, technological, commercial, social, economic, legal, and cultural questions related GRAND. They are multi-way channels for exchanging information that provide a competitive advantage for organizations engaged in commercializing results of research. They aim particularly at helping graduate students and other highly qualified personnel build connections with GRAND partners and those engaged in current practice.

GRAND PEAKS can take a variety of forms. Two are summits and workshops. Summits bring select groups of senior people together to assist GRAND in developing its strategy and objectives, particularly for current or emerging GRAND projects. Workshops bring industrial partners, designers, developers and researchers together for intensive multi-day workshops facilitated by a group of lead researchers and practitioners. Other formats for GRAND PEAKS are encouraged and expected given the diversity of GRAND researchers.

The program is managed by the Peaks Program Committee.

GRAND is now receiving proposals for its GRAND PEAKS program.

Principles

A PEAK event:

Priorities

The PEAK program may have short-term priority periods in which it especially encourages applications in particular areas of interest that have been identified by GRAND. A list of these areas will be maintained by the Peaks Program Committee.

Outcomes and Reporting

A successful PEAK delivers outcomes to both its organizers and to GRAND. The expected outcomes for a particular PEAK must be clearly stated in the proposal. Once approved, these outcomes become principal evaluation criteria for a PEAK event.

All recipients of GRAND Peak funding must provide a written report on the event to GRAND within two months of completion of the event. The following information is required:

• Registration details (list of participants broken down by faculty, student, postdoc, academic and non-academic, and other demographic information such as Canadian vs. non-Canadian when required);
• Descriptive overview of the event, including keynote speakers and their topics, number of sessions, number of student posters and any other distinguishing highlights;
• Final budget itemizing income and expense by category; and
• Achieved outcomes and planned follow-up in the following four categories that address key indicators for the NCE Program: (1) research excellence, (2) networking and partnerships, (3) highly qualified personnel, and (4) knowledge and technology exchange and exploitation.

GRAND may assign a Peaks Liaison to each event. Whenever possible, the Peaks Liaison should attend the event and advise GRAND on the event’s quality and outcomes in addition to the required written report.

Funding

PEAK funding comes through two channels

(1) Direct funding for a PEAK event.

(2) Travel awards or subsidies for GRAND researchers and HQP to attend PEAK events.

Funds are administered by GRAND in a variety of ways appropriate to the event. In some cases GRAND will be the host for a PEAK event, but in most cases PEAKS will be hosted by one of GRAND’s member universities, a GRAND partner organization, or a collaborating organization with which GRAND has a formal agreement. In all cases there must be a clear understanding of the financial risk assumed by each party.

Governance

PEAKS proposals are assessed by the PEAKS Program Committee (PPC). This comprises:

• The GRAND Director of Art and Design Practice (chair).
• The five GRAND Theme Co-leaders.
• Up to three additional members appointed by the GRAND Executive Committee.

Proposal Process

GRAND welcomes proposals for PEAK events. At this time, proposals will be considered in the order they are received by GRAND. In subsequent years there will be scheduled submission deadlines during the year.

Proposers are strongly advised to discuss their ideas with GRAND ([email protected]) as a first step. This should occur as early as possible, preferably at least 4-8 months prior to the planned event. Actual proposals will be by invitation only after the initial consultation. They should be submitted at least 3 months prior to the date of the event (earlier in the case of major events). The decision process typically takes 4-8 weeks following submission of a full proposal.

Evaluation Procedure

All proposals will be reviewed to ensure that they satisfy submission format guidelines (see below) and that they lie within the GRAND PEAKS mandate. Applicants may be contacted at this point for further information or clarification.

Proposals which meet the guidelines will undergo peer review. Final decisions will be communicated within two months.

Guidelines for Applicants and Organizers of GRAND PEAKS

Proposal Format

All of sections 1-14 below are required. Incomplete proposals will not be considered.

1. Title of the event.
2. Theme.
3. Proposed dates (start date and end date).
4. Proposed location (city and province)
5. Type of activity: conference, workshop, seminar series, student training, industry event, other (describe). Applicants can list multiple types of activity per event.
6. Organizing Committee (names, affiliations, complete contact information). Identify the primary contact for subsequent communication.
7. Executive summary of the objectives in lay terms (max. 100 words) suitable to appear in public announcements.
8. Other details of the scientific objectives, including:
   • intended audience
   • history or background of the proposed topic
   • recent progress
   • opportunities for networking, training or outreach
   • involvement of the non-academic community
   • the role of students and postdoctoral fellows
   • possible future directions that may arise as a result
9. Involvement of GRAND researchers and the receptor community.
10. Expected outcomes and their relevance to GRAND priorities.
11. Participants (tentative list of invited speakers and participants including affiliations, or estimates of the number of attendees expected and an indication of how prospective attendees will be contacted).
12. Budget, itemizing
    • Income statement that lists funding from all sources, either requested or already committed.
    • Expense statement listing major anticipated expenses. The expense statement should include all aspects of the event and should provide actual quotations whenever possible.
    • Total amount being requested from GRAND PEAKS Program.
13. Publicity and promotion plan.
    • Organizational and administrative support for the event.
    • Letters of commitment for financial support. Commitments may be contingent on GRAND and other funding, but must represent a tangible investment by the organization.
    • Letters of support from the host institution and/or partner organizations (strongly encouraged).

The Peaks Liaison for an event may assist with aspects of conducting the event (such as publicity and promotion, budget, event organization). This will be determined by GRAND as part of the review process for proposals.

Additional Information About GRAND and Its Programs:

The GRAND Researcher Guide has additional information about GRAND, including definitions for acronyms, a summary of the research management structure and the roles of the various participants within the network. Potential applicants are advised to review this document when preparing to apply for funding from GRAND.

Glossary

Collaborating Network Investigator (CNI). A researcher funded by GRAND and involved in one or more GRAND projects.

GRAND. Graphics, Animation and New Media Canada. A Network of Centres of Excellence.

GRAND Academic Partner. One of the universities that directly participate in GRAND and have entered into a formal Network Agreement with GRAND.

GRAND Board of Directors. The peak governance body for GRAND.

GRAND Commercialization Committee (CC). In GRAND’s governance, the committee responsible for advising GRAND’s Board of Directors on matters of technology exchange and exploitation and relations to commercial entities.

GRAND receptor. A company, government organization, non-profit, association or NGO that is a beneficiary of GRAND activities.

GRAND Research Management Committee (RMC). In GRAND’s governance, the committee responsible for recommending decisions on research matters to GRAND’s Board of Directors.

Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP). Undergraduate and graduate students (Masters and PhD), postdoctoral fellows and research technicians.

Principal Network Investigator (PNI). A researcher funded by GRAND and holding significant leadership roles in GRAND research.