Communications Policy

NETWORK REQUESTS – REPORTS, INFORMATION

  1. Requests for reports or information: These requests will be sent by the Network Coordinator and will include the following:
    • the deadline;
    • the priority of the request (high, medium, low);
    • the impact of a delayed response for the Network.

    Note: E-mail requests will be sent with a “delivery receipt” notice required to ensure that the message was delivered.

    Note: If the requested material cannot be submitted by the deadline, the Network Coordinator should be informed of the circumstances and an extended deadline requested.

  2. Reminders: A reminder will be sent one day before the deadline. Once the deadline has passed, a phone call will be made to assess the situation.
  3. No Response: If no response is forthcoming, a report will be made to the Scientific Committee for recommendation on how to proceed.In the event that a response is required to release the budget instalment and no such response is received, the budget may be frozen until the issue is resolved by the Scientific Committee.

PRIORITY #1 – HIGH PRIORITY: FIRM DEADLINES

· Progress Reports, Theme Summary Reports, Milestones Updates

Impact of Delayed Response: A delay in submitting a report or update could result in its exclusion from the material sent to the Scientific Committee for review and, as a result, the project could be terminated if not approved by the Committee and the Advisory Board.

· Form 300 (from University Partner’s Office of Research Services)

Impact of Delayed Response: A delay in submitting the Form 300 for NSERC, Industry and/or University accounts could result in NSERC funding being withheld, and the subsequent withholding of budget installments to the university partners.

PRIORITY #2 – IMPORTANT: FLEXIBLE DEADLINES

· Administration – Updates and Requests for Information

Information is requested to assist the Network to meet the reporting, budget, personnel and legal requirements of the Network, and to assist the Network Administration to plan ahead in order to avoid future problems.

Impact of Delayed Response: Although the deadlines are flexible for requests for updates and information on various Network issues (budget, personnel, etc.), a prolonged delay in sending the requested material could hamper efforts to keep the Network administration and budget on track.

In addition, various statistics (numbers of HQP, technology transfer and student activities, etc.) need to be gathered for reporting to the Scientific Committee, the Advisory Board and NSERC to ensure the approval of subsequent research and budget installments.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: NO DEADLINES

· Notices

Notices and announcements of interest to Network members will be sent to the Theme Leaders for distribution to other research members, students, collaborators, etc. as appropriate. A delivery receipt notification will be included in these e-mails to ensure the messages have been received.

WEB SITE

All Network members are encouraged to check the NSERC CANRIMT web site* (www.nserc-canrimt.org) regularly for information on the following and other topics:

  1. Deadlines – upcoming deadlines will be posted on the home page of the web site.
  2. Procedures – Budget – all researchers should check the NSERC CANRIMT web site for procedures to be followed for submission of reports and other required material, as well as information on the Network annual budgets (access to these internal pages is restricted.)
  3. Careers – Job PostingsNotices of interest to Network members should only be sent to management@nserc-canrimt.org and not to other members of the Network. These items will be posted on the NSERC CANRIMT web site and students and other personnel should be directed there for this information.
  4. News – Events – Courses/Workshops – Again, notices of interest should only be sent to management@nserc-canrimt.org and not to other members of the Network. They will then be posted on the web site’s home page.

* Note: more detailed information may be accessed through links on the public pages by logging into the site.