Research & Funding - TOARC - The Ontario Aggregate Resources Corporation

RESEARCH FUNDING

Aggregate Resources Trust Research Funding

Overview And General Information For Applicants

Introduction

The Aggregate Resources Trust was established in 1997 to provide a vehicle within which certain administrative functions related to the management of aggregate resources in Ontario could be undertaken in partnership with the aggregate industry. Accordingly, subsections 6.1 (1) and 6.1 (3) of the Aggregate Resources Act, R.S.O. 1990, Chap. A.8, as amended (the Act), gave the Minister the power to create the Aggregate Resources Trust (the Trust) and appoint a trustee to look after its affairs. The Ontario Aggregate Resources Corporation (TOARC) was created to act as trustee of the Trust with the Ontario Stone Sand & Gravel Association (formerly the Aggregate Producers Association of Ontario) being the sole shareholder. Trust affairs are managed by an independent Board of Directors according to specific terms and conditions outlined in a Trust agreement signed between the Ministry of Natural Resources and TOARC.

Funds to support research projects come in part from income earned on Trust assets and in part from a portion of the licence fees paid by aggregate producers. The Board of Directors determines the level of funding for any particular research project after carefully considering the research project and its relevance and application to the aggregate industry at large.The Trust will consider research proposals that will provide new insights into a broad range of problems related to the mining and delivery of aggregates including the mitigation of extraction impacts and the rehabilitation of depleted sites. The Trust will consider any proposal falling within its mandate of “research on aggregate resource management, including rehabilitation”.

The Trust has supported small projects requiring minimal funding as well as multi-year projects costing over two hundred thousand dollars. Funding for any particular project will depend upon the availability of funds from investments or the portion of fees dedicated for such purposes. The level and duration of funding is the sole prerogative of the Board of Directors.

The Trust has a number of purposes, one of which is to support:

“Research on aggregate resources management, including rehabilitation"

ELIGIBILITY OF FUNDING

Who is eligible for research funds?

The intent of the Trust is to fund the best research on aggregate resource management and rehabilitation. TOARC, therefore, allows all qualified researchers to submit proposals for funding and will sponsor proposals from Researchers from various communities and sectors including researchers, scholars and professionals affiliated with the following institutions and organizations:

Canadian Post- secondary institution and their affiliated research institutes;
Canadian Nongovernmental not-for profit organizations (including community or charitable organizations);
Canadian Government departments or agencies, when specific programs of those departments or agencies do not fund the activity that forms the subject matter of the proposal;

Applications from organizations outside of Ontario may be considered if the proposal relates to work to be conducted in Ontario.

Other organizations, as determined by the TOARC Board of Directors, on the condition that their research or research- related activity falls within the Trust’s mandate.

WHAT KIND OF RESEARCH WILL THE TRUST FUND

PROPOSAL REVIEW PROCESS

The Researcher must develop a proposal to submit for review by the TOARC Board of Directors. This includes any requests for funding or in-kind support.

It is suggested that the Researcher contact TOARC staff prior to the start of the proposal as they may help direct the Researcher with proposal development prior to its submission for Board review. All Research proposals submitted must contain a purpose, defined objectives and deliverables, budget and timeline.

What A Research Proposal Should Include

A clear statement of all research goals and objective
A clear statement of the benefits of the research to the aggregate industry or associated stakeholders
The broad scope of the work
A proposed time frame for completing the research project
A clear reporting commitment for interim reports, final report, etc., description of specific tasks within the broader scope, specifics of a commitment to participate in meetings or steering committees (if applicable)
Travel requirements necessary for completion of the research
A listing of previous research undertakings and publications (if any)
A list of all project personnel, their credentials and involvement in the project
An itemized budget for all aspects of the work including
- Labour (including wage rates & benefits)
- Supplies, travel and other services
- Timetable for receipt of research funds
An outline of research study design and methodology
A list of project partners and the nature of the partnership (work or funding), partner contributions (funding or otherwise)
Communication of research results and any publication issues (if applicable)
Any other matters consider important by the applicant.

Board Recommendation
Trust staff will prepare a recommendation to the Board of Directors respecting the research proposal and request for funding.

Board Presentation
If the Board deems it necessary, the applicant will be asked to appear before the Board of Directors of the Trust at a regularly scheduled meeting to present the research proposal and answer any questions the Board may have.

Board Decision
The applicant will be informed by Trust staff regarding the decision made by the Board of Directors with respect to the research proposal and funding request.

LEGACY PITS & QUARRIES

Abandoned pits and quarries were integral to building roadways, bridges, corridors
and foundations for other infrastructures, and for this reason they are referred to as “legacy sites”.