1. CFI John R Evans Leaders Fund Assessment Criteria – Need for Infrastructure and Budget Justification

2. CFI Requirements – Need for Infrastructure and Budget Justification
“The infrastructure is necessary and appropriate to conduct the research or technology development program. In cases where the infrastructure will not fully used by the candidate(s), the institution has developed plans to maximize its utilization within and/or outside the institution.”
Describe each item and justify its need to conduct the proposed research or technology development program
Explain how the infrastructure will be fully utilized by the candidate(s) and other users (if applicable).
Identify similar infrastructure available within the institution, the region and the country.
Describe the value added of an additional award in cases where a candidate has previously received a CFI award.
For construction or renovation, provide a description of the space including its location, size and nature.
Use the item number, quantity, cost and location found in the Cost of Individual Items table (filled in on CAMS). Provide a cost breakdown for any grouping of items.
* Ref: John R. Evans Leaders Fund Guidelines – March 2017 version

3. Suggested Structure for this Section
1. Budget Justification and Need for Infrastructure
Describe each item, making reference to specific line items in the budget
Applicants are encouraged to group related budget items, where appropriate. Present a cost breakdown for any grouped budget items.
What will acquiring this infrastructure allow that would be impossible without it?
How will the infrastructure be used to achieve specific research objectives?
Are there any limitations to the infrastructure that may impact the project?
2. Availability of Similar Infrastructure
If similar equipment exists already at the U of A or at another institution, is it inaccessible or inappropriate?
3. Maximized Use and Capacity for Innovation
Explain how the equipment will be fully utilized
Where will the equipment be located?
Would other users be able to access the equipment upon request?

4. Feedback from Reviewer Comments
(for UofA JELF Applications submitted Oct 2013 to June 2016)
Analysis of reviewers feedback from submitted JELF applications indicated that:
A common concern raised by reviewers is that justification for equipment items had insufficient detail
At least one reviewer raised concerns about the justification for the equipment items for 42% of the proposals submitted

5. CFI Reviewer Concerns Rejected/Partially Funded Applications (n=12) %
(JELF submissions Oct to June 2016)
Rejected/Partially Funded Applications
(n=12)
Research or Technology Development
Researchers
Need for Infrastructure
Training of HQP
Benefits to Canadians
Sustainability %

6. Tips for Success The text in this section must justify both:
Why the selected equipment is the right equipment for the project
If similar equipment is already available elsewhere, why the applicant needs to purchase the requested equipment
Applicants should address both what is already available and what has been requested in pending CFI applications that have been submitted by U of A applicants
A clear and concise explanation should be provided for the requested infrastructure items
The focus of the Budget Justification should be on why you require the particular type of infrastructure requested
Applicants should avoid describing equipment models from specific vendors, instead focusing on the general features that will be required for the requested infrastructure
Please note that any purchases for $75,000 or more will be subject to the University of Alberta’s Competitive Bidding policies and procedures