The Shared Research Platforms Competition offers an opportunity for research facilities across a range of disciplines at UBC Vancouver to receive support and resources for their ongoing operations. This competition supports Strategy 7 of UBC's Strategic Plan to strengthen shared infrastructure and resources to support research excellence.
Shared research platforms (SRPs) are research facilities funded by the VPRI and faculties, departments, or other units at UBC Vancouver to serve a range of research users. Through this competition, VPRI has an aim to support a diverse array of facilities. Funding recipients will become a designated shared research platform (SRP) at UBC Vancouver, with the VPRI providing partnership funding to complement existing host department/unit funding.
Award Details
- This opportunity is for research facilities that have been in operation for four or more years.
- A maximum of five research facilities will be designated shared research platforms through this competition.
- Competition funding is for a three-year term, beginning April 1, 2026.
- When selected to become an SRP, the VPRI will contribute up to $100,000 per year towards the facility’s operations.
- The award amount is dependent on an application evaluation and a financial audit.
- Potential SRPs are required to have a diversified funding model, see eligibility criteria below.
To be eligible to apply for the SRP competition, research facilities must satisfy the following requirements:
- Established track record: This competition is restricted to existing research facilities. The facility must have been in continuous operation for four or more years, demonstrating stability and a history of serving the research community.
- Diversified funding model: The facility must have a diversified funding structure, which must include (but is not limited to) user fees from both internal and external researchers and financial contributions from one or more host units at the university such as departments, institutes or Faculties.
- Shortlisted applicants are required to verify financial contributions from their host unit(s) in the financial audit package (due July 18).
- Active faculty leadership: The facility must be sponsored by a faculty member (i.e. Scientific Advisor, Platform Director, or equivalent) who provides strategic oversight, advocacy and support for its long-term success.
- Open access for researchers: The facility must be accessible to researchers regardless of their institutional affiliation, with no obligation for collaboration or co-authorship.
- Specialized infrastructure: The facility must include dedicated equipment and space designed to support research.
- Expert management and oversight: The facility must have dedicated management staff with the necessary technical and subject-matter expertise to oversee its operations and ensure effective support for users.
As part of the portfolio of shared research platforms at UBC Vancouver, successful facilities will support a balance of goals and principles, including:
- adding to the diversity of research areas supported through SRPs;
- the impact of research services provided by the facility;
- the innovation facilitated by the facility;
- provisioning of unique and/or critical services by the facility;
- management of the facility for operational sustainability; and
- the ability to align with strategic interests.
Applications will be adjudicated by the VPRI’s SRP advisory council and appropriate external reviewers. The council comprises members of the UBC research community with broad expertise in shared research infrastructure, appointed to three-year terms.
