The federal Research Support Fund assists Canadian postsecondary institutions with the costs associated with managing their research enterprise, helping them to maintain a world-class research environment.
The objective of the Research Support Fund (RSF) is to assist Canadian postsecondary institutions with the expenses associated with managing the research funded by the three federal research granting agencies (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC). Research funding provided through the granting agencies is generally limited to direct project costs (e.g., research equipment, research assistant salaries, etc.). Institutions whose researchers receive funding for research also incur costs to manage their research enterprise. These are often called indirect costs of research.
RSF funds may be used to cover new expenditures, to maintain the current level of services, or to support an institution's research environment and improve its management. The five expenditure areas are:
- Research facilities;
- Research resources;
- Management and administration of an institution's research enterprise;
- Regulatory requirements and accreditation; and
- Intellectual property and Knowledge mobilization.
Overall, grants for indirect costs must add to, and not displace, any research support funds that postsecondary institutions have received from the provincial government, private sector or other federal sources.
Whether the grant pays for the maintenance of libraries, laboratories or research networking spaces, or for the technical support required for an institution's website or library computer system, the overall goal of the fund is to help ensure Canada's research institutions remain among the best in the world. By subsidizing the financial burden of indirect costs, the fund ultimately helps researchers and universities focus on delivering innovative research and scholarly excellence.
The amount of UBC’s RSF grant is calculated using an algorithm based on the amount of funding awarded in the previous fiscal year by Federal granting agencies. According to this calculation, in 2019/20 UBC's allocation will be $28,384,162. The expected allocation across the expenditure areas is as follows.
A portion of this allocation is retained to support central research administration units and core facilities, and the rest of the allocation is distributed to UBC faculties and affiliated research institutes where eligible costs are incurred.
A portion of this allocation is retained to support central research administration units and core facilities, and the rest of the allocation is distributed to UBC faculties and affiliated research institutes where eligible costs are incurred.
A portion of this allocation is retained to support central research administration units and core facilities, and the rest of the allocation is distributed to UBC faculties and affiliated research institutes where eligible costs are incurred.
The amount of UBC’s RSF grant is calculated using an algorithm based on the amount of funding awarded in the previous fiscal year by Federal granting agencies. Using this calculation, in 2016/17 UBC received a grant of $30,999,045. The expected expenditure across the five categories is shown in the chart.
Research Facilities $4,731,000.00
Research Resources $12,823,045.00
Management and Administration $10,830,000.00
Regulatory Requirements and Accreditation $2,153,000.00
Intellectual Property $462,000.00
A portion of this allocation is retained to support central research administration units and core facilities, and the rest of the allocation is distributed to UBC faculties and affiliated research institutes where eligible costs are incurred.
BC Academic Health Science Network
Canadian Institute for Advanced Research
Carey Hall and Carey Theological College
Centre for Health Services and Policy Research
Fraser Health Authority
Institute of Health Promotion Research
Interior Health Authority
Kinsmen Lab of Neurological Research
Providence Health Care
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences
- Providence Health Research Institute
- Holy Family Hospital
- Mount St. Joseph Hospital
- St. Vincent’s Hospital
- St. Paul’s Hospital
- BC Centre of Excellence for HIV/AIDS
- Canadian HIV Trials Network
Provincial Health Services Authority
- BC Cancer Agency
- BC Cancer Research Center
- Terry Fox Laboratory
- BC Centre for Disease Control
- BC Centre for Excellence for Women’s Health
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute
- BC Mental Health Society
- BC Mental Health & Addictions Research Institute (BCMHARI)
- BC Provincial Renal Agency
- BC Transplant Society
- Children’s and Women’s Health Centre of BC
- Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children
- Child and Family Research Institute
- Women’s Health Research Institute
- Forensic Psychiatric Services Commission
- Forensic Psychiatric Unit
Regent College
St. Andrew’s Hall
St. Mark’s College
TRIUMF
UBC Okanagan
Vancouver School of Theology
Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
- Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute
- Community Health Facilities in Powell River, the Sunshine Coast and along the coastal corridor
- Lions Gate Hospital
- Richmond Hospital
- Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Centre
- Arthritis Research Centre of Canada
- GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre
- Mary Pack Arthritis Centre
- UBC Hospital
- Vancouver General Hospital
- Jack Bell Research Centre
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluation [C2E2]
- Centre for Hip Health and Mobility [CHHM]
- Centre for Respiratory, Cardiac and Critical Care Medicine
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health
- Immunity and Infection Research Centre
- International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries [ICORD]
- Vancouver Prostate Centre
FACILITIES
Develop and further establish the new Plant Care Services shared facility.
Operational and governance plans Plant Care Services are implemented
- Increased number of new and returning users from baseline
- Profile of users reflects the multi-disciplinary nature of researchers in this space
RESOURCES
Improve the functionality and access to the Researcher Information Service (RISe) platform with new modules
Number of new RISe modules
- Retrofit RISe with new functionality and develop and implement integration pathway with the new financial system scheduled to be deployed in FY21
- Integration of existing financial data into the new finance system to enable ongoing management of research funding
MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
Establish refreshed model for management of major prizes and awards
Refreshed Prizes & Awards function is implemented
- Implement new Prizes & Awards strategy
- Diversity of nominations for major prizes and awards
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND ACCREDITATION
Implement new opportunities to enable meaningful and compliant review of human, animal, and biosafety research protocols
Improve existing modules in the Research Information Services (RISe) Platform
- Retrofit RISe data structure with the new finance system to ensure seamless compliance between human, animal and biosafety research protocols with funded research projects
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND KNOWLEDGE MOBILIZATION
Establish the Innovation Partnerships function as a core element of the Innovation UBC strategy
Innovation Partnerships function is established and recognized at the University
- Research partnerships
- Diversity of research partners
- Partnerships involving Canada’s Digital Technology Supercluster
FACILITIES
Further develop shared infrastructure
Number and maturity of shared infrastructure initiatives.
- Governance models for new initiatives are in place;
- Fully costed funding models for new initiatives are in place;
- Planning and priority-setting for future initiatives is in place.
Status: Objective Met
UBC launched the new Plant Care Services shared facility in early 2019. This platform has engagement and support from three faculties, a sustainable budget model, and an effective governance structure. Plans are ongoing to prioritize additional shared facilities.
RESOURCES
Improve the functionality and access to the Researcher Information Service (RISe) platform with new modules..
Number of new RISe modules
- Online grant submission module complete;
- Prioritized work plan in place and approved for new and refreshed modules.
Status: Objective Met
Grant submission business analysis was completed which will assist the research community in timely and more accurate grant proposals. As part of this, a new module went through discovery and architecture sessions for management of the Centres and Institutes that can span multiple academic units. Also UBC launched the Indirect Cost of Research Rates (ICR) information module in 2019 . This enabled UBC RISe users which include researchers and research administrators to look up Sponsor and related programs for the applicable ICR rate in RISe to enable accurate budgeting.
MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
Improve workflow efficiencies in pre-award administration.
Processing time and accuracy of pre-award documentation.
- Improved accuracy in pre-award documentation;
- Improved workflow between Research Finance and grants administration;
- Improved workflow for sponsored research contracts and Research Finance.
Status: Objective Met
Pre-award business and technical function groups improved SOP documentation which has improved the pre-award process for the community enabling more timely support. Workflow was improved to assist in the integration of more, and more accurate financial data between RISe and PeopleSoft. As part of this, a focus on contract research workflow improvements, enabled more accurate indirect cost allocations reducing the administrative overhead from previous years.
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND ACCREDITATION
Implement new opportunities to enable meaningful and compliant review of human and animal research protocols
New modules in the Research Information Services platform.
- Implementation of module to facilitate the BC Ethics Harmonization Initiative, a provincial resource to facilitate transformational health system research that crosses institutional and geographic boundaries;
- Development of a Pedagogical Merit Review module for animal care teaching protocols, in response to a CCAC finding on a recent site review.
Status: Objective Met
The Provincial Research Ethics Platform (PREP) that enables provincial research ethics harmonization was implemented in 2018, and has had a meaningful impact on the efficiency of the ethical review of studies being conducted at multiple BC institutions. The Pedagogical Merit Review module is operational, and satisfies the CCAC recommendation.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND KNOWLEDGE MOBILIZATION
Develop robust knowledge mobilization plan, as one of four pathways for Innovation UBC.
New Knowledge Exchange unit is established and recognized at the University.
- Knowledge Exchange unit established;
- Associate Director, Kx is in-post
- Draft strategic and operational plans are prepared following broad stakeholder consultation.
Status: Objective Met
The Associate Director, Knowledge Exchange was successfully recruited to UBC in 2018. Operational and strategic plans are in development, and an advisory committee representing a broad group of stakeholders is in place. The Unit is becoming recognized as a go-to resource for knowledge exchange expertise.
FACILITIES
Increase the research capacity of UBC by renovating and/or and maintaining new and existing research facilities
Amount of significantly renovated research space
Increase efficiency, capacity and effectiveness of space utilization through reconfiguration of facilities such as the Sequencing & Bioinformatics Consortium and the Biomedical Research Centre
Status: Objective Met
New capacity was created for the Sequencing & Bioinformatics Consortium, and a range of new facilities were created in the Biomedical Research Centre. Reconfiguration of certain animal care facilities was also undertaken in anticipation of new accreditation that is anticipated in 2019.
RESOURCES
Increase access to research resources and performance data such as the Sequencing & Bioinformatics Consortium, and by maintaining and expanding library resources and online tools such as UBC’s Open Collections project, and the Health Data Asset Inventory.
Volume of library holdings and researcher access to online tools and services
Expand service across all disciplines working on small- to medium-sized gene sequencing projects through the Sequencing & Bioinformatics Consortium. Establish the Health Data Asset Inventory as an important resource, and increase the number of assets in the data set.
Status: Objective Met
The Sequencing & Bioinformatics Consortium has become established as a high-quality facility for small- to medium-sized gene sequencing projects on campus. It provides an excellent complement to other facilities in the area that serve much larger projects with a higher throughput model. The Consortium provides both sequencing services and scientific consultation on study design and analysis. The Health Data Asset Inventory has become established as an important resource, as have datasets related to equity and diversity metrics.
MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
Increase the efficiency of the grant application and administration process by improving workflows for faculty and research personnel through new systems such as online clinical data sharing agreements and enhanced modules in the Researcher Information Services such as the Financial Status and Online Grant Submission Modules
Time required to develop and process grant applications and clinical data sharing agreements
Reduction in processing time and duration for the grant development, application and clinical data sharing cycle
Status: Objective Met
New efficiencies in the pre-award workflow for both grant and sponsored research have been possible because of the Research Support Fund. The creation of an online clinical data sharing agreement mechanism has significantly reduced processing times, with eligible projects now able to create a partially executed agreement immediately. In 2017/18 114 partially executed agreements were generated using this system.
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND ACCREDITATION
Ensure UBC researchers meet all regulatory requirements in the most efficient manner by maintaining facilities, providing training, improving communications, and streamlining regulatory processes
Level of animal care training, findings on CCAC inspections, time to achieve full or conditional approval for animal or ethics protocols
Increase in the number of people trained in animal care and scholarly integrity. Increase visibility and content of the harmonized ACS and ACC websites. Zero “major” CCAC findings on inspection. Reduction in the time for animal and ethics protocols to be approved
Status: Objective Met
The Animal Care & Use Program continues to provide both mandatory and optional training opportunities to staff, researchers and students. Improvements have been made to the online presence of the Animal Care Committee and Animal Care Services to help enable better understanding and uptake of the various regulatory requirements. There were no “major” findings in the last CCAC visit. Cycle times for animal and human ethics review are stable; opportunities for further improvement relate to ongoing training around regulatory and policy requirements.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND KNOWLEDGE MOBILIZATION
Through enhanced integration of the governance and operations of Innovation UBC, continue to provide internationally recognized level of service to researchers and external partners through the University-Industry Liaison Office, UBC Corporate Relations, and entrepreneurship @UBC
Knowledge mobilization metrics such as patenting, licensing, invention disclosures, spin-off company creation, venture participation in the entrepreneurship @UBC program, and industry partnerships created through the UILO and Corporate Relations
Maintain indicator performance levels, focus on increasing service levels to internal and external stakeholders. Launch new governance model and operational plan for Innovation UBC.
Status: Objective Met
Innovation UBC was launched with great success, and formalizes the connection between four pathways including knowledge exchange, partnership development, commercialization, and entrepreneurship. Applications to the entrepreneurship @UBC program remain stable, and domain expertise through the entrepreneur-in-residence program continues to strengthen. Service standards for patenting, licensing, and spin-off creation are stable, and opportunities to improve service standards are under active consideration.
FACILITIES
Increase the research capacity of UBC by renovating and/or and maintaining new and existing research facilities
Amount of significantly renovated research space
Increase efficiency, capacity and effectiveness of space utilization through reconfiguration of facilities such as the Advanced Research Computing (ARC) service and the Preclinical Discovery Centre
Reported Outcome: Target Met
The Preclinical Discovery Centre is scheduled for completion in 2017. This leading-edge facility is based at an academic health centre site, and is intended to replace an existing but out-of-date rodent-holding facility. With animals expected to occupy the facility this year, the capacity, efficiency and effectiveness of our animal care and use program will be significantly enhanced, particularly given its location at a teaching hospital.
The Research Support Fund also enabled the physical integration of the Advanced Research Computing team. This team had previously been distributed across UBC, and their now being co-located has immediately enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of the high-performance computing and advanced research computing consulting services the team offers the UBC research enterprise.
RESOURCES
Increase access to research resources and performance data such as the Advanced Research Computing (ARC) service and by maintaining and expanding library resources and online tools such as SciVal and the UBC Research Metrics portal
Volume of library holdings and researcher access to online tools
Expand service across all disciplines working on questions that have large data and computational power needs through services such as ARC. Expand library holdings and increase the number of researchers accessing online research tools
Reported Outcome: Target Met
The Advanced Research Computing team has completed over 100 consultations, 38 data-research infrastructure presentations to internal and external stakeholders, 18 training sessions to over 450 attendees, and has over 150 participants registered for a high-performance computing Summer School. The University Data Centre has expanded, and new users are engaging with the Advanced Research Computing unit each month.
The University Library has implemented the first automated storage and retrieval system in Canada, and has a capacity of over 1,000,000 volumes.
The Research Metrics portal, a central, curated resource for senior administration, grant facilitators and others, now has almost 400 registered users. The number of users has been steadily increasing on a year-over-year basis. The portal presents data on research funding awarded to UBC, and is a resource for operational and strategic decision makers.
MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
Increase the efficiency of the grant application and administration process by improving workflows for faculty and research personnel through new systems such as online Non-disclosure Agreements (NDA) and enhanced modules in the Researcher Information Services such as the Peer Review Module
Time required to develop and process grant applications and NDAs
Reduction in processing time and duration for the grant development, application and NDA cycle
Reported Outcome: Target Met
Improvements in the RISe system have focused on reducing turnaround time in the application and development cycle. Turnaround time in application processing has been improved through deployment of an onsite signatory at BC Children’s Hospital Institute. Further efficiencies will be realized in a new RISe workflow that enables paperless approval. Other improvements continue to be made that improve the efficiency of the entire review cycle. For example, a newly implemented pre-review feature allows certain types of deficiencies in applications to be addressed before the application is sent to the ACC or REB for review. The RSF will enable additional improvements to the RISe system in FY17/18. Business analysis is ongoing to assess and prioritize additional system efficiencies.
The University-Industry Liaison Office implemented an automated industry-friendly NDA web-portal. This resource allows UILO staff to focus on more complex agreements, while reducing the number of negotiated non-disclosure agreements by 40%.
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND ACCREDITATION
Ensure UBC researchers meet all regulatory requirements in the most efficient manner by maintaining facilities, providing training, improving communications, and streamlining regulatory processes
Level of animal care training, scholarly integrity training, time to achieve full or conditional approval for animal or ethics protocols
Increase in the number of people trained in animal care and scholarly integrity. Increase visibility and content of the harmonized ACS and ACC websites. Reduction in the time for animal and ethics protocols to be approved
Reported Outcome: Target Met
In FY17, 820 students were trained in the animal care and use program, compared with 748 in FY16. With the benefit of the Research Support Fund, the Animal Care & Use Program (ACUP) has been able to improve the efficiency of a system for sharing sensitive policy and other documents. We are also using this resource as a repository for training materials, and as a communication pathway for users of UBC’s animal care facilities. The ACUP website has been refreshed to provide a much more engaging, easy-to-navigate and comprehensive resource for people wanting to learn about the Program. The site now houses guides to help researchers navigate the process from funding and proposal development through to knowledge translation, guidelines on general rodent care and procedures, and information about the University’s training requirements for animal handling and protocol writing.
Applications to the Animal Care Committee (ACC) are now automated in the University’s RISe system, and we have already seen a decrease in cycle time for applications to the ACC as a result of this change.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND KNOWLEDGE MOBILIZATION
Continue to provide internationally recognized level of service to researchers and external partners by supporting the activities of offices and initiatives such as the University-Industry Liaison Office, entrepreneurship@ UBC and the Innovation Office
Knowledge mobilization metrics such as patenting, licensing, invention disclosures, spin-off company creation, venture participation in the entrepreneurship@ UBC program, and industry partnerships created through the Innovation Office
Maintain indicator performance levels, focus on increasing service levels to internal and external stakeholders
Reported Outcome: Target Met
During fiscal year 2017 the number of technology disclosures received by the UILO remained steady at 154. A total of 154 patents were filed in FY2017, down from the previous year, but commercialization agreements increased to 122 (encompassing licenses, assignments, term sheets and options). In FY16 the number of spin-off companies based on UBC intellectual property rose to 13 from 8 in FY15, and rose again in FY17 to 15. The RSF helped enable a new automated, industry-friendly NDA web-portal in order to re-allocate staff time on to higher value contracts. As a result, the number of negotiated NDA decreased 40%. 1,326 industry-based research contracts were carried out in 2017, with a combined budget value 11% higher than in FY16.
FACILITIES
Increase the research capacity of UBC by renovating and/or and maintaining new and existing research facilities
Amount of significantly renovated research space
Increase efficiency, capacity and effectiveness of space utilization through reconfiguration of facilities such as the Centre for Disease Modelling
Reported Outcome: Target Met
In 2015, the Centre for Disease Modelling (CDM) underwent a major renovation and reconfiguration. This facility houses mouse and rat facilities, and was expanded to accommodate animals from another facility on campus that was being decommissioned. Upgrades to the facility – that will allow a broader range of research activity – included improved vibration and sound control, elimination of airlocks creating safer and more efficient transport of supplies, and improved physical barriers between breeding and other zones within the facility.
Other more general upgrades included an improved air filtration and HVAC systems, new autoclaving and laundry systems, an expansion of the network to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide which are now available to more procedure rooms within the facility, and installation of additional drains in the cage processing rooms, allowing for more efficient operations and reduced downtime for reusable assets. Existing assets including a DEXA scanner and gamma irradiator were moved to other parts of the CDM facility to allow greater access and improved efficiency.
The renovation also saw improvements in staff facilities, including enhancements to locker rooms, office space, and other common areas.
RESOURCES
Increase access to research resources and performance data by maintaining and expanding library resources and online tools such as SciVal and the UBC Research Metrics portal
Volume of library holdings and researcher access to online tools
Expand library holdings and increase the number of researchers accessing online research tools
Reported Outcome: Target Met
In the 2015-2016 fiscal year, the Library saw an increase in the use of all library e-resources since the previous year. In particular, ebook section downloads increased over 40% from previous year. In 2014-2015, the section downloads were 5,223,874. In 2015-2016, the section downloads increased to 7,308,647, representing an increase of 2,084773 downloads.
Ejournal article downloads increased 11% over the same time period. In 2014-2015, article downloads were 7,115,728. In 2015-2016, the article downloads increased 805,399 for a total of 7,921,127.
In addition, Library holdings (electronic and physical) were increased in several areas. The increases were not as great as compared to previous years as a result of the collections budget situation.
|
FY 2014/15 |
FY 2015/16 |
Change |
% change |
|
|
Unique eBook titles |
1,894,548 |
2,102,033 |
207,485 |
11% |
|
Unique eJournal titles |
371,752 |
392,329 |
20,577 |
6% |
|
Physical items |
4,955,122 |
4,999,993 |
44,871 |
1% |
A decision was made to acquire access to the SciVal platform through the Office of Research Services rather than the library. The UBC Research Metrics portal is managed through the VPRI Office, and was expanded to include data on international partnerships.
The University is assisting the Library this year (2016-2017) with a lift to the collections budget of $2 million dollars. $300,000 of the $2 million lift will be a permanent addition to the collections budget. With this assistance the Library is able to renew the vast majority of the serial and databases subscriptions this year as well as restart the Library monographic approval plans. Without the assistance this would not have been possible. In fiscal year 2015-2016, the University assisted the library with a one -time $600,000 dollar lift.
MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
Increase the efficiency of the grant application process by improving workflows for faculty and research personnel through new systems such as enhanced modules in the Researcher Information Services and implementing WorkZone within support offices
Time required to develop and process grant applications
Reduction in processing time and duration for grant development and application
Reported Outcome: Target Met
In FY16 research funding at UBC increased by 13% from $530 million to $599 million compared to the past year. Total number of funded projects also increased by 6% from 8,278 to 8,766. Numbers of new, peer-reviewed projects, showed a significant increase of 16% from 3,560 to 4,142 over the year. Review and approval time for applications approved by the university remained constant despite the increased volume. Review and processing time from the time of award to issuance of account details decreased by one day from 13 to 12 days.
Workflows were streamlined in the Researcher Information Services (RISe) system with enhanced modules in research funding reporting as well as a new peer review module. Improvements to the existing Extended Reporting module made self-service reporting for the faculties and departments easier. To leverage improved technology upgrades to the RISe new reporting tools are being evaluated with the goal of enhancing and expanding current reporting capabilities. The new peer review module for animal care was successfully deployed allowing secure and streamlined review of protocols within RISe as well as automated workflow to handle routing of documents through the review processes.
Project management software WorkZone was implemented in the ORS in 2015/16. This package provides strategic research funding development services designed to develop capacity and build collaborations. Implementing WorkZone is still in process and is being evaluated as it, and other project management systems, are being assessed for suitability to meet the needs of the entire group.
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND ACCREDITATION
Ensure UBC researchers meet all regulatory requirements in the most efficient manner by maintaining facilities, providing training and streamlining regulatory processes
Level of animal care training, time to achieve full or conditional approval for animal or ethics protocols
Increase in the number of people trained in animal care, reduction in the time for animal and ethics protocols to be approved
Reported Outcome: Target Met
The average cycle time from protocol submission to approval is 42 days. Since the introduction of pre-review and conditional approval, a large percentage of protocols are approved outright. Conditional approval is given when protocols are missing information that does not affect animal welfare.
The animal care training program at UBC was re-engineered to include a significant amount of hands on training and score participants based on their competency and proficiency, as opposed to being evaluated on a simple pass/fail basis. The training program is made up of online modules including the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) ethics course, and practical components. The number of participants in this training program has increased yearly:
|
Course |
# Researchers: 2013 |
# Researchers: 2015 |
|
Introduction to Working with Rodents in Research |
140 |
319 |
|
Rodent Anesthesia |
78 |
139 |
|
Rodent Surgery |
105 |
67 |
|
Workshops |
48 |
191 |
We believe this enhanced training has resulted in the reduction in the number of any non-compliance issues that has been observed since the revised approach was implemented.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND KNOWLEDGE MOBILIZATION
Continue to provide internationally recognized level of service to researchers and external partners by supporting the activities of offices and initiatives such as the University-Industry Liaison Office and entrepreneurship@ UBC
Knowledge mobilization metrics such as patenting, licensing, invention disclosures, spin-off company creation and participation in the entrepreneurship@ UBC program
Maintain service levels, increase spin-off company creation, increase participation in entrepreneurship@ UBC
Reported Outcome: Target Met
Thirteen spin-off companies were created by UBC faculty, staff and students in 2015/16, 5 more than in 2014/15. Since 1984, UBC and the UILO have supported the creation of 182 spin-off companies. This puts UBC in the 92nd percentile among North American universities and the 97th percentile for Canadian universities for start-up activity. The 61 start-ups formed from licensed UBC technology between 2005 and 2015 have together raised greater than $540 million in capital and employ more than 400 people.
The UILO’s Sponsored Research Group leads Canadian universities in contract negotiation, having negotiated 2,523 contracts in 2015/16, accounting for $142.6M in research funding. The number of contracts negotiated has been increasing by approximately 8% every year over the last decade, while the time to negotiate those contracts is steadily being reduced.
The e @ UBC program created numerous opportunities for participation in entrepreneurship activity throughout the pathway from idea to funding. Two sector-specific activity tracks were created – one in the life sciences and one in impact (social / environmental) ventures to reflect specific entrepreneurial potential on campus. Increased participation was seen in activities across the idea-to-funding process funnel; notable examples include consistent attendance at weekly orientation sessions, and more than 120 attendees at so-called Startup Weekends, which are concentrated, sector-specific opportunities for teams to develop business ideas and hypotheses. A new lecture series on venture creation topics was very well attended, as was a venture showcase event which exposed high potential ventures to an external business and financial audience. Other collaborative initiatives engaged stakeholders from key Faculties to develop and promote entrepreneurship at UBC.
Facilities
UBC’s average building age is approximately 35 years old, and deteriorating laboratories have to be improved to comply with current codes and to meet changing demands in order to attract and retain world-class investigators.
RSF funds at UBC mitigate deferred maintenance, cover operating costs and help provide valuable technical support for our laboratories, helping to provide an optimal lifecycle for our buildings.
Specific examples of RSF support for facilities include:
- The renovation of the Robert H.N. Ho Research Centre atrium space located at the Vancouver General Hospital campus. The new space will support advanced cross-disciplinary researchers from the Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, OvCare and the Vancouver Prostate Centre.
- The replacement of vital components for research and communications systems and the renewal of important maintenance contracts
- The occupancy costs of new buildings such as the Centre of Brain Health
- Support of the WestGrid for UBC Information Technology
Resources
RSF funding supported multiple resources at UBC, including the UBC Library.
In the past year UBC Libraries has, through subscriptions, provided online access to:
- More than 1.8 million e-books; usage exceeds 3.9 million annually
- More 331,000 e-journals (tripled since three years ago); usage exceeds 7.6 million article downloads
- More than 2,000 bibliographic and full text databases
- More than 500,000 locally produced digital items
UBC Libraries physical collections include:
- More than 7.4 million items in the collection
- Nearly 877,599 maps, audio, video and graphic materials
- More than 5.3 million microforms
UBC also provided access to Springers' ebooks and ejournals.
Management + Administration
Expenditures pertaining to the management and administration of UBC’s research enterprise represent the largest portion of our RSF grant funding. Without these key personnel the research performance at UBC would be significantly impaired. Examples of RSF funded support include:
- UBC is exploring mechanisms such as shared research systems to increase the efficiency and decrease costs in BC.
- Many of UBC’s faculties and affiliated institutions hire dedicated staff to assist with research and grant facilitation and planning.
- RSF funds also support the planning and promotion of research at UBC
Regulatory Requirements + Accreditation
RSF Funds have supported activities to ensure the health and safety of UBC researchers, and to enable them to pursue world-class research in facilities found only in premier institutions. Some examples of RSF fund allocation include:
- UBC’s affiliated Research Ethics Boards (REBs) oversee more than 7,000 research studies involving humans annually
- An internal audit of our processes was conducted for ensuring compliance with US Federal Government enacted regulations pertaining to Financial Conflict of Interest requirements
- RSF funds contributed to UBC’s continuing efforts to assist with provincial harmonization of multi-jurisdictional studies in BC.
- Continual review and approval to ensure appropriate safe handling, use, and disposal of infectious agents and hazardous materials.
- An effective Occupational Research Health and Safety Program, including an ever-expanding Biosafety Program, Chemical Safety program, and a Radiation Safety program
Intellectual Property
As the first Canadian office of its kind, the UBC University Industry Liaison Office (UILO) exemplifies the pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit of UBC, and the University has become a recognized international leader for its commercialization activities.
Funding from the Research Support Fund has provided critical value-added support for several key positions and activities within the UILO. Through the salary support of key staff in the UILO office, the Research Support Fund is core to the success of technology transfer operations and has allowed the development and support of successful new initiatives such as the UILO start-up services voucher program, knowledge mobilization initiatives and the Global Access Initiative.
RSF funding has been used to support patent applications and to provide salary support for multiple positions within the UILO.