Role of the Scholarship, Research and Creative Activity Office
The Scholarship, Research, and Creative Activity (SRCA) Office aims to create a culture at Vancouver Island University where new knowledge, innovation, applications and works are created and shared resulting in positive impacts on society, our economy and the environment. The staff collaborate with units and groups across the institution to implement the Strategic Research Plan.
The SRCA office is also charged with the responsibility to ensure VIU follows the guidelines outlined in the Agreement of the Administration of Agency Grants and Awards by Research Institutions. In general, this includes:
- providing an adequate physical and organizational infrastructure for the conduct of research, research training, and other activities funded by an Agency.
- developing and implementing effective policies, administrative systems, procedures and controls to ensure that all activities funded by an Agency are conducted in compliance with all legislated requirements and agency policies and procedures.
How does SRCA support researchers?
- Planning and coordinating professional development activities to build capacity to undertake research
- Helping researchers identify sources of internal and external funding
- Supporting researchers in the development of proposals, applications and awards
- Reviewing and assisting in drafting research contracts
- Developing, maintaining and managing systems to help researchers administer their research funding such as establishing cost centres, award announcements, providing support to hire research personnel and track reporting requirements
- Assist researchers in identifying potential community or industry partners
- Supporting researchers in their knowledge mobilization activities
- Promoting community-engaged scholarship activities among the VIU community such as the Lunch and Learn, Community Partner Series and Real Trips
- Providing support to institutional committees
- Coordinating the review of applications for ethical review for projects including human subjects or animals
- Promoting awareness and coordinating celebrations and recognition of SRCA
- Coordinating support for IP and protection of new inventions
- Acting as a liaison with funding agencies
- Providing support to students applying for undergraduate and graduate research awards and scholarship applications
- Developing, maintaining and managing systems for research scholarships and awards
- Organizing training and professional development opportunities to enhance capacity to undertake research
- Coordinating opportunities to showcase and celebrate student research
How does SRCA support student researchers?
- Providing support to students applying for undergraduate and graduate research awards and scholarship applications
- Developing, maintaining and managing systems for research scholarships and awards
- Organizing training and professional development opportunities to enhance capacity to undertake research
- Coordinating opportunities to showcase and celebrate student research
- Acting as liaison with funding agencies