Interdisciplinary Think Tank Award Program

PI – The Principal Investigator (PI) must be a Rotman faculty member that holds an academic appointment and is eligible to hold a Western Research account. They will be responsible for administrative aspects of the award such as correspondence, finances, ethics approvals, etc. Please visit the website to learn more about becoming a Rotman member (link). PIs can apply for only one award in each competition and hold only one award at any given time. They may be listed as a co-applicant on other applications.

Think Tank Team – Teams must include two or more Rotman faculty members from distinct disciplines. Applicants are strongly encouraged to include additional Rotman members (core, associate, and trainees) and non-Rotman members (on or off campus experts and relevant stakeholders) to broaden interdisciplinary perspectives and contributions – at the application stage or as part of the proposed work. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consider equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization and the involvement of early career investigators (within 10 years of their faculty appointment). New collaborations are welcomed, but not required. All listed applicants must have contributed to the conception/design of the proposed project; assisted in writing the proposal, approved the final submission, and agreed to share responsibility and be accountable for the proposed work. Trainees must obtain permission from their supervisor(s) to participate in the think tank (Note: trainees would normally not be listed as applicants unless they meet the applicant criteria.) For more information of how to build authentic research partnerships please visit RECAP – Western Research – Western University (link).

Trainee Support – All proposals are required to dedicate at least 50% of the proposed budget to supporting graduate students and/or post-doctoral trainees (e.g., GSA, RA) with a designation of a Rotman Interdisciplinary Research Training Award.

To support the institute’s commitment to ensuring the social relevance of our work, and to breaking down barriers that prevent communication between different perspectives, between disciplines, or within society at large, each successful PI or designated team member is required to: 1) take part in the Rotman Lunchtime Talk Series and 2) provide a one-page final report to be included in the Rotman Annual Report. Other reporting requests may be forwarded as opportunities come forward.

Recruitment Pitch – Award winners will be asked to deliver a brief “pitch” at a Rotman event to present their proposed work. The goal will be to raise awareness, look for potential interest by other institute members and experts in joining the team, and promote training opportunities. Award winners are encouraged to provide details about the research problem / the gaps being addressed, and about the team they hope to form to accomplish the project. Date: By April 9th, 2025

Lunchtime Talk – Lunchtime talk events are typically one hour with two to three 15-min presentations that are open to the broad Rotman membership (i.e., investigators, trainees, and partners). Think tank Lunchtime Talk presentations will typically occur within 6 months of receiving the award in order to provide a progress update and get the membership excited about next steps. As in the “pitch” award winners are encouraged to provide details about the research problem / the gaps being addressed, and about the team gathered to accomplish the project. To facilitate interaction with the audience, the presenters may choose to highlight potential risks and mitigation plans or unique disciplines, stakeholders or expertise that the team is seeking to expand collaboration. Date: By Nov. 1st, 2025

Final Report – A one-page final report detailing project accomplishments and outcomes will be requested by Rotman at the end of the funding period. A template will be provided. Project updates beyond the final report may be requested from time to time for Rotman Annual Reporting. Date: By April 30th, 2026

End-of-Grant Lunchtime Talk (Optional) – Award winners may choose to do an end-of-grant presentation to update members on progress and impact of the project, knowledge translation plans, leveraging opportunities, and/or future research directions.

External Funding Application – Proposed work is expected to lead to external funding applications within one year of its end date. Award recipients who fail to fulfill this program requirements may lose eligibility for future funding through the Rotman Institute for a period of five years.

 Funding Acknowledgement – All publications and presentations arising from research funded in whole or in part by the Interdisciplinary Think Tank Award Program must include acknowledgment of support from the Rotman Institute of Philosophy – “This work/study was/is supported/funded by an Interdisciplinary Think Tank Award from the Rotman Institute of Philosophy at Western University”. 

Ethics Approvals: Humans Animals & Biohazards

All proposals involving research ethics: human subjects, animal subjects, or biohazardous materials must be approved by the appropriate Western certification review committee. If awarded, funds will be encumbered until appropriate approvals are confirmed.

Accounts and Expenses

Each award will be set up as an “unrestricted research account” through Western Research expected to be accessible at the beginning of the funding period. Applicants are expected to expend the funds in the manner proposed in the original request within 12 months. Unspent funds will be returned to the institute at the end of the funding period. However, an extension may be granted at the discretion of the Research Advisory Committee in special circumstances.

Eligible expenses: salaries for employees, services, and publication expenses.

Ineligible expenses: indirect costs, travel, conference registration, or general computing equipment/software. Equipment (including software), which costs no more than 20% of the total budget and which is essential to carry out the proposed project may be requested. The budget justification must include a brief description of the duties of the personnel requested and the required qualifications, and a brief explanation as to why the position is necessary for the project.

Previously Funded Projects – The Rotman Institute has been able to fund a wide range of projects that align with the Institute’s strategic priorities. Here is a listed of recently awarded Think Tank Projects:
– “Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Cognitive Security and Insecurity”
– “Ecological Psychology in Society”
– “Computational Epistemology”
– “The Extended Synthetic Biology Network: Actors and Values”
– “Cross-Discipline Dialogue on Weight Stigma, Obesity, and Eating Disorders”