IFA Canada Grants, Scholarships, and Awards Policy

Purpose

IFA Canada is prepared to fund grants, scholarships and awards that promote research and knowledge sharing about international tax issues relevant to Canada and which generate interest from and opportunities for students, academics, and professionals in the field of international taxation.

Policy

This policy establishes guidelines for receiving and evaluating applications to IFA Canada for grants, scholarships and awards. The intent is to ensure that funding is provided to projects that further IFA Canada’s stated purposes. It is expected that any work product or paper that is produced from any IFA Canada supported project is intended to advance the public good and not for private gain. Examples of this could include publication in an academic journal or presentation at an academic or not-for-profit conference. It would also include supporting a student opportunity at a recognized university or research institute. In addition, any IFA Canada funds are intended to be expendable (i.e., would not go into an endowed fund).

Under this policy, the Research Committee, which will be composed of a group of IFA council members, is mandated to receive written proposals and to make recommendations to the IFA Canada Executive Committee for the funding by IFA Canada of grants, scholarships and awards.

This policy shall be reviewed annually by the IFA Canada Executive Committee and may be modified at any time.  A current version of this policy shall be made available on the IFA Canada website.

Funding Amounts

The maximum annual total funding amount will be determined each year by the IFA Canada Executive.  Requests in excess of budget may be referred to the IFA Canada Executive Committee.  Requests for funding in amounts under $5,000 will not generally be considered.  Amounts budgeted may not be expended if suitable applications are not received.

Eligibility

1. Applicants for research grants must be students, academics or professionals in Canada working or studying in the field of international tax.

2. The proposed research project should involve or relate to international tax issues which are relevant in Canada.

3. Proposals for awards or scholarships should be for students at recognized Canadian institutions for academic performance at such institutions or for papers written by such students or for papers written by professionals working in international taxation in Canada. Eligible papers and courses must be relevant to international tax issues relevant in Canada.  Awards may also be granted for competitions involving Canadian students and/or professionals in the area of international taxation, even if non-Canadians are competing and are eligible for the award.

Application Process:

1. Applications must be completed by submitting our online form and emailing us your full proposal. Applications will be reviewed at least twice yearly in advance of IFA Canada Council May and November meetings.

2. Grant applicants must provide their personal information and a detailed proposal outlining their research project and its proposed duration, milestones, costs and proposed and possible sources of funding outside of IFA Canada. The amount requested from IFA Canada must be included in the application, along with the proposed use of the specific funds requested.

3. Grant applicants must demonstrate the international nature of the subject and its relevance to Canada, show how the proposal advances tax knowledge, and show how the project connects with and provides opportunity for students, academics and professionals.

4. Research grants are not automatically renewed. Recipients from past years may apply each year to be considered for renewal and applications will be reviewed in accordance with these guidelines.
5. Scholarship and Award proposals should specify the number of years which it is proposed that the scholarship or award will be funded.

 Selection Process:

1. Applications will be reviewed by the Research Committee of IFA Canada Council, which will make recommendations to the IFA Canada Executive Committee.

2. The Research Committee will evaluate applications based on this policy and the overall strength and quality of the proposal.

3. Applicants may be invited for an interview with the Research Committee.

Guidelines for evaluating applications:

1. Quality of the proposed research in terms of the significance of the research question, potential contribution of the research to existing knowledge, and potential for publication of the research result.
2. Demonstrated capability of the application to execute the proposed project (e.g., pertinent experience and knowledge, time commitment and/or institutional support, etc.)
3. Exceptions to the policy may be made on a case-by-case basis, where deemed to be appropriate by the Research Committee or the IFA Canada Executive Committee.