DARE: Discovery, Achievement, and Research Excellence at USask is an initiative out of the Office of the Vice-President Research. DARE provides targeted programming for faculty who are new to USask to help launch their research programs and build cross-campus connections. New faculty within 5 years of their hire date, including Early Career Researchers, can benefit from our practical and tailored resources, interdisciplinary grant development programming, and networking events, all designed to empower USask’s new researchers.

Welcome to USask

DARE provides an early introduction to the USask research community. The DARE program:

  • Reaches out to and meets with new faculty hires;
  • Establishes critical connections across USask;
  • Offers strategic pilot programming;
  • Answers questions and provides resources to help launch your research program.

For more information and questions, contact dare.rasi@usask.ca

Programs and Resources

DARE is designed to provide incoming faculty and Early Career Researchers (ECRs) with the practical supports to give our USask researchers a competitive edge. One way we seek to do this is through our grant development programs.

New Frontiers in Research Fund - Exploration Grant 2025 Information Session

DARE is designed to provide incoming faculty and ECRs with the practical supports to give our USask researchers a competitive edge. One way we do this is through our grant development programs. This session will provide information about our grant development programs, focusing on our upcoming development program for NFRF’s Exploration Grant that will run this summer.

Have you had a great research idea but were afraid it was too risky and would never get funded? The NFRF Exploration Grant might be the answer! The objective of the Exploration grant is to inspire high-risk, high-reward, and interdisciplinary research. Specifically, the Exploration stream supports projects that:

  • bring disciplines together beyond traditional disciplinary or common interdisciplinary approaches;
  • propose to explore something new, which might fail; and
  • have the potential for significant impact 

This grant is a great opportunity for Early Career Researchers (ECRs), as a proportion of awards equal to the proportion of applications that are led by ECRs will be reserved for these researchers (an eligible ECR submission must have both the NPI and Co-PI (if applicable) as ECRs).

Come learn more about a grant opportunity that supports researchers thinking "out of the box”! The Teams invite link will be sent to you after you register.

When: Tuesday, May 27, 2025, 1:30-2:30 PM                 
Where: Online, via Teams

2025 DARE Undergrad Training and Mentorship Awards

The 2025 DARE Undergrad Training and Mentorship Awards program will support USask faculty within the first five years of their academic appointment to hire, train and mentor an undergraduate summer student to support their research, scholarly, or artistic works (RSAW) program.

Eligibility: faculty within the first five years of their academic appointment at USask in the Social Sciences, Humanities, and Fine Arts and/or conducting Patient-Oriented Research (POR)
Number of Awards available: Ten Stream 1: SSHFA Awards & Five Stream 2: SCPOR Awards
Award Amount: $6000 (faculty top-up required)
Award term: 14-16 weeks from May to August 2025
Deadline to Apply: February 7, 2025

Please reach out to dare.rasi@usask.ca if you would like more information on what an undergraduate assistant role can look like or with questions about the application.

If you have questions about the eligibility of your project or how to conduct POR, please contact scpor@usask.ca.

SHRF Establishment Grant | Grant Development Program - Winter 2025

NFRF Exploration | Grant Development Program - Fall 2024

NFRF Exploration | Grant Development Program - Fall 2023

SSHRC Connection Grant | Grant Development Program - Winter 2024

2024 DARE Undergrad Training and Mentorship Awards - Winter 2025

To learn more about these previous Grant Development Programs, please contact us at dare.rasi@usask.ca.  

Your Guide to Navigating Research at USask

Welcome to the University of Saskatchewan! 

USask has a lot of valuable research and funding opportunities to help you with your research needs and questions. 

 

Office of the Vice President Research
 
                           

Your Start Up Funds: A Guide

For more specialized information, please contact dare.rasi@usask.ca, and we will connect you with the people who can best assist you. 

DARE provides tailored resources, interdisciplinary grant development programming, and networking events, all designed to empower USask's new researchers. 

Events

One of DARE’s key objectives is to identify and build interdisciplinary relationships between a variety of USask audiences. Specifically, cultivating interdisciplinary, cross-campus connections and opportunities for networking through a series of scheduled events. 

C3 will provide monthly, informal networking opportunities inviting faculty to come to casually meet over coffee to build interdisciplinary relationships, exchange ideas, and explore opportunities.

All faculty are invited to drop by!

Who: Faculty from all levels along the career spectrum are welcome
Where: Coffee and tea on us at Louis' Loft!
When: Drop-in style to support various faculty schedule
  • March 10, 2025, 9:30 – 11:00AM
  • April 10, 2025, 10:00-11:30 AM
  • May 13, 2025, 9:30-11:00 AM
  • June 11, 2025, 1:00-2:30 PM

Registration is not required, but if you want a reminder in your calendar, let us know here.

Reminders of upcoming C3 meet-ups will also be sent out via the DARE mailing list. Please reach out to Jennifer Reynolds at dare.rasi@usask.ca if you would like more information or have any questions.

Table Talks

Welcome to DARE’s Table Talks. The purpose of our Table Talks is to inform and inspire. We will be tackling topics important for fostering research success. Bring your lunch and come join us!

De-mystifying International Partnerships and Research Collaborations
Join the International Office for an interactive session that will cover partnership initiations, seed funding for research and development collaborations, scaling up partnerships and sustaining the impact of collaborations, as well as an overall guide on how to navigate the international partnership and research landscape. 

When: April 2, 2025, 12:00-1:00 PM                 
Where: CGPS Boardroom, Thorvaldson 118 

Introduction to Research Security
Research Security is a growing area. The Federal government has new requirements for researchers engaging in partnerships to conduct their research. Briefly, there are 2 Canadian research security policies which require researchers to conduct risk assessments. This involved a process of "Know Your Research" and "Know Your Partner." In this process, we work with you to identify potential risks to the research and, if necessary, devise a mitigation plan. In this session, you will learn about these new requirements and resources that can assist in addressing the risk assessment. Lisa Belhumeur will lead this session. She is the Senior Security Specialist within the OVPR. Lisa comes to the University with over 15 years of security intelligence and investigative experience in the national security context.  

When: May 21, 2025, 12:00-1:00 PM                 
Where: CGPS Boardroom, Thorvaldson 118 

Navigating New Frontiers: Identity, Language, and Research for Early Career Researchers
Join us for an insightful presentation delving into the dynamic interplay between identity, language, and research. You will discover how your personal and professional identities shape your research journey and influence your academic voice. In this session, we will also explore strategies to navigate the evolving landscapes of research with confidence and clarity to facilitate research excellence and success. This session will be hosted by Yolana Palmer-Clarke, PhD. Yolanda has over 25 years of experience in the fields of education and research. She is currently a Learning Specialist at the University of Saskatchewan Library. She also worked as a research manager, research coordinator, and research officer in the colleges of Education, Nursing, and Medicine.  

When: June 17, 2025, 12:00-1:00 PM                 
Where: Murray Library, Room G3 
February 12, 2025 - Preparing for Research Data Management Policies and Procedures: How to Develop a Data Management Plan 
Tri-Agency funders (SSHRC, CIHR, and NSERC) and scholarly journals have begun developing policies to ensure that researchers appropriately manage and share their research data. In this session, you will learn about data management requirements and expectations, with a focus on how to create a data management plan to better manage your research data and comply with Tri-Agency policy. This session will also highlight what supports are available on campus to help you with your own research data management needs.  
January 8, 2025 - Writing an Academic Article: Tips from a Writing Coach
The importance of publishing in academic cannot be overstated. This Table Talk session is the second on the topic of writing. This session will focus on writing an academic article, the strengths and weaknesses as witnessed by an academic writing coach. 
December 10, 2024 - Intro to Grant Writing
Grant writing can be tough, and always takes longer than anticipated. This Table Talk session is one of several on the topic of grant writing. The session discusses grant writing 101 - structure, approach, and how to write an impactful lay summary.
November 5, 2024 - Building Your Research Team: Strategies for Mentoring and Training Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars
Mentorship, training, and planning for highly qualified personnel is an essential skill for early career researchers and scholars. In this one-hour session Dr. Jaswant Singh, Associate Dean Academic Excellence and Innovation in the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, will discuss strategies for building your research team and recruiting graduate students, share best practices for mentorship and training, and answer your questions about building and supporting your research team.
October 23, 2024 - Navigating Your Academic Career
Wondering how to strategically navigate an academic career? This Table Talk session brings you fellow USask academic (and author of the book Navigating an Academic Career: A Brief Guide of PhD students, Postdocs and New Faculty) Dr. Jeffrey McDonnell, to discuss how to survive (and thrive) in academia. This talk will give you practical guidance on branding and other soft skills, tips for effective time management and writing high-impact research papers, and insights into developing leadership skills and mentoring others.
June 18, 2024 - Navigating AI Ethics, Tools, and Publishing: A Guide for Early Career Researchers
Generative artificial intelligence changes every week, and understanding its ethical implications to your research, as well as available tools and publishing parameters will be key for early career researchers. This one-hour session with USask librarian Ann Liang will offer an overview into generative AI's strengths and weaknesses, using tools like Research Rabbit as well as what publishers are outlining for researchers in regard to the use of generative AI in research.
April 17, 2024 - Understanding Mitacs Funding Opportunities
Mitacs boosts innovation across Canada. Faculty in any discipline can use Mitacs programs whether they collaborate with a partner organization or not. Dr. Zsuzsa Papp, Senior Advisor at Mitacs will discuss opportunities to grow your research capacity by connecting with partners. Programs such as Mitacs Accelerate, Business Strategy Internship (BSI), and Globalink Research Internship programs will be discussed. These programs support large or small projects, student stipends, and other research costs when you collaborate with partner organizations.
March 12, 2024 - The Importance of Telling Your Research Story
The Research Profile and Impact (RPI) unit at USask is here to support researchers, staff and leaders to effectively be heard and understood with both internal and external messages. We are here to create compelling materials and new tools for audiences with the overall goal of building USask's reputation and showing the world the exciting research, scholarly and artistic work that takes place on this campus every day. During this session, Leslie-Ann Schlosser, Director of Research Profile and Impact, will explain why you should see storytelling as part of your research process – not an afterthought. Communicating efficiently, using plain language and accessing channels like social media can all lead to positives for you and your research.
February 13, 2024 - Establishing Your Online Identity and Tracking Your Scholarly Impact
The online environment gives researchers more opportunities than ever to establish themselves in specific research areas, to promote their research, and to track the impact made by their scholarly contributions. Come to this session to find out about some of the most commonly used tools and metrics to track and enhance your scholarly impact. You will learn about ORCID, Google Scholar profiles, ResearchGate, X (formerly Twitter), citations, altmetrics, and more.
January 16, 2024 - Grant Writing: Impactful Knowledge Mobilization (KMb)
Most grants require a knowledge mobilization component. This Table Talk session is the second of several on the topic of grant writing. This session discusses key components of knowledge mobilization – understanding the value of KMb; creating a KMb plan; the importance of partner engagement; and arts-based approaches to add to your KMb toolbox. So, bring your lunch and let's discuss the best approaches on how to get the “right information” to the “right people” at the “right time.”
December 7, 2023 – Intro to Grant Writing
Grant writing can be tough, and always takes longer than anticipated. This Table Talk session is the first of several on the topic of grant writing. This session discusses grant writing 101 - structure, approach, and how to write an impactful lay summary.
November 16, 2023 – Understanding the Grant Lifecycle at USask
Need to understand how to apply for and manage grants at USask? This Table Talk session brings together a panel of research administrators to discuss the grant lifecycle, including pre- and post-award. So, bring your lunch and your questions.
October 19, 2023 – Building Your Research Program
Wondering where to begin to start building your research program? This Table Talk session brings together a panel of researchers spanning across different career stages and disciplines to discuss key factors in building your research program. Bring your lunch and your questions. Topics touched upon will include setting up your research space, planning for funding and publications, accessing mentorship, recruiting students, and more.

Connect with DARE

Join our mailing list to receive targeted information for new hires, invitations to exclusive events and workshops, and stay abreast of exciting opportunities for new faculty hires!

The DARE Team:

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