Research Assistantships Initiative (RAI)
The RAI is a joint initiative between NBIF and the New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labor (PETL). It provides applied researchers funding to hire undergraduate and graduate student research assistants.
All Eligible Principal Investigators who do not currently hold an active RAI award are able to apply. PIs intending to apply to the ECR stream must have held their first independent academic position within the last five years. Individuals will be able to extend this time frame for career interruptions including parental leave, maternity leave, compassionate leave, sick leave or other interruptions. All other applicants should submit to the main-stream.
Eligible expenses include student stipends of up to $7,500 per undergraduate or college student, and up to $15,000 per graduate student. A maximum of up to $45,000 may be requested in each application. Applicants may submit only one application this round.
Submit applications via the NBIF Application portal. Indicate whether your submission is for the early career stream or to the main stream of applications. Submission timelines will vary from year to year, but will typically open in October and close in February. Notices of decision (NOD) will be sent the institution’s research administration office and the applicant following review before the end of each fiscal year. Annual budgeting for this program is subject to change.
Applicants in either stream of funding may apply for a 1 or 2-year award. Applicants awarded a 1-year grant will be required to submit a final report 3 months following the project end date (determined based off of the indicated project start date). Applicants awarded a 2-year award will be required to submit an interim report 1 year into the project, and a final report 3 months following the project end date (determined based off of the indicated project start date).