INTRODUCTION:
New technologies are revolutionizing society, creating a 'techno-social collective' where humans and intelligent machines are deeply interconnected. While such advances present exciting opportunities, they also present significant risks, especially for vulnerable populations. The Connected Minds Program envisions a world where breakthroughs in technology promote social health and justice for all, with special focus on Indigenous Peoples of Canada. Our transdisciplinary research teams and partners will pursue research and co-create technologies that optimize the benefits and mitigate the risks of the new techno-social collective. Supported by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) and 50+ industry, hospital, and community partners, Connected Minds will support programs, researchers, and trainees to create a global hub of critical transdisciplinary scholarship on the configuration of social power and systemic barriers that underpin advances in emerging technologies.
Connected Minds Expertise Pillars: 1) Society, 2) Neuroscience, 3) AI/Technology
BACKGROUND:
Connected Minds provides competitively adjudicated funds to support members in the development of a prototype (hardware or software) that will lead to the commercialization or knowledge sharing/open-source development of a product or concept that is aligned with the Connected Minds socially responsible technology development mandate. This award opportunity offers two application streams:
STREAM 1 Economic Benefit – Supports prototype development with the main focus of bringing economic benefit to Canada,
OR
STREAM 2 Social Impact – Supports prototype development with the main focus of making social impact for Canada.
While Connected Minds recognizes the importance of both application streams (and the potential for overlap in certain cases), applicants are asked to indicate their predominant application stream, and to direct their proposal in accordance with this selected focus.
Applicants are encouraged to seek guidance from Dr. Pui Sai Lau, Connected Minds Commercialization Manager.
AWARD INFORMATION:
Deadline: Application submission deadlines are set on a quarterly basis. The Innovation & Commercialization Committee (ICC) will meet to review and adjudicate applications following each quarter.
Research Themes: Connected Minds research aligns with three core themes: Theme I (Co- creating Research for Societal Needs and Predicted Impact) projects will mobilize transdisciplinary academics expertise and non-academic partnerships (including Indigenous Communities) to co- create research topics, priorities, and approaches. Theme II (Fundamentals of Social Interaction: Neural, Algorithmic, and Social Networks) projects will study different levels and scales, from the local (e.g., cortical microcircuits, network modules, system components) to global (e.g., whole- brain functional connectivity, control systems), to the social networks composed of both humans and machines. Theme III (Designing and Developing Socially Responsible Technologies) projects will engage current and new partners in industry, healthcare, government, and not-for-profit sectors to develop these intelligent technologies, and promulgate policies that promote a healthy, just society, and bench to world validation.
Quarterly Period 15674_127b74-9e> |
Application Submission Deadline 15674_f9606b-e6> |
ICC Adjudication & Results Deadline 15674_262169-a7> |
---|---|---|
January 1 to March 31 15674_a8420d-3c> |
March 31 15674_42ff6b-f3> |
April 30 15674_3a4b6b-23> |
April 1 to June 30 15674_732726-bd> |
June 30 15674_cdba5c-5a> |
July 31 15674_279461-d0> |
July 1 to September 30 15674_1ada72-51> |
September 30 15674_32f23b-be> |
October 31 15674_d5fd11-4c> |
October 1 to December 31 15674_5e2545-d8> |
December 31 15674_de3dc6-7b> |
January 31 (following year) 15674_86da45-36> |
Amount:
Phase 1: Up to $20,000
Phase 2: Up to $50,000
Matching Funds:
Minimum 50% of the Connected Minds award contribution. Applicants are required to provide a matching funds contribution. Please specify matching funds information in the budget template
Applicants:
Applicants must be Connected Minds members.
In recognition of the underrepresentation of Black and Indigenous Peoples within the disciplines Connected Minds touches upon, at least 10% of available prototyping awards will be designated for qualified applicants identifying as African, Caribbean, and Black, and at least 10% for Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Metis, and Inuit), totaling at least 20% of all prototyping awards. To qualify for these designated awards, applicants must complete the voluntary self-identification form and meet the minimum requirements set for the award. Any proposals addressing Indigeneity will be reviewed by the Indigenous Advisory Circle.
Project Duration:
Phase 1: 4-6 months
Phase 2: 6-12 months (extension to 18 months possible with justification)
USE OF FUNDS:
- Phase 1 – Early-stage prototype development (hardware or software) where experimental or technical data are still required.
- Phase 2 – Full prototype development (hardware or software) of a product.
- The funds can be utilized as salary, material, or fee-for-service.
- As per CFREF rules, these funds cannot be used to pay patent fees.
Last updated: 05/03/2024