ANNEX B - SAR NIF Application Form Instructions

This document should be referenced by the applicant when completing the SAR NIF application form. The first 17 sections of the SAR NIF Application Form (Annex C) capture the following:

• General tombstone information;
• Summary of the proposed project;
• Links to the National SAR Program Priorities; and,
• Details of the proposed project.

Section 18 - Budget (Annex D) provides details on the financial requirements of the proposed project. Section 19 - Project Plan Detail (Annex E) consolidates the project activity plan with the budget to provide information necessary to develop the reporting and payment schedule for an eligible recipient.

It is important that all applicants complete each section adequately. This information will be used by the SAR NIF Merit Board to review, assess and recommend applications to the ICSAR for endorsement and to the LMSAR for approval.

Section 1 - Project Title

Provide a name that reflects the objective(s) of the proposed project.

Section 2 - SAR Project Jurisdiction

(a) Indicate whether the proposal supports SAR responsibilities under:

• Federal jurisdiction (Applicant must complete Section 3)
• Provincial/Territorial jurisdiction (Applicant must complete Section 4)

(b) Indicate if the applicant is a recognized SAR volunteer association (applicant must complete section 3 or 4 to indicate whether the proposal will be supported by a Federal Department/Agency or a Provincial/Territorial Government).

Section 3 - Supporting Federal Department/Agency

Indicate the principal Managing Department/Agency (MDA) that is supporting the proposed project. Select only one option.

Section 4 - Provincial/Territorial Government (P/T)

Indicate the P/T that is either applying for SAR NIF funding or supporting the proposed project from an association. Select only one option.

Section 5 - Contact Information

Provide the contact information of the individual who will act as the project manager.

Section 6 - GST/HST Status

Indicate the GST/HST Status of the organization or association that is applying for funding. To assist in determining the status, you may consult the following table.

Section 7 - Summary of the Project

Provide a brief description of the proposal and its intended outcome(s).

Section 8 - Length of the Project

The SAR NIF can provide funding for a period of up to 3 years. Select one of the three options.

Section 9 - National SAR Program Annual Priorities

• Identify which annual priorities of the National SAR Program are being addressed in the proposal and explain how.
• Demonstrate the link between the proposal and the priorities of the supporting P/T or MDA.

The National SAR Program Annual Priorities are:

Section 10 - National SAR Program Objective

Identify which of the National SAR Program objectives the proposal will address. While your initiative may address both objectives, please select the primary one.

Section 11 - Research and Development

Applicants submitting a research and development (R&D) application must provide a complete R&D proposal as a separate document. This proposal must contain the following elements:

• Abstract or Project Summary (Statement of Work);
• Table of Contents;
• Literature Review;  
• Methodology, expected outcomes/results;  
• Biographical Sketch (for key personnel); and
• Resources (Equipment and Facilities).

Section 12 - Identification of Need

Identify and demonstrate the need for the proposal. The need can be demonstrated by the use of statistics, empirical data, needs assessment studies/surveys, etc.

Section 13 – Details of the project

Provide details of the project. They must contain the following elements:

• Objectives of the project: Identify the objectives and how they will address the need that has been identified.
• Activities involved: Identify the activities that must be undertaken to achieve the stated objectives. Provide details.
• Purchases: Identify the key items that are required and provide justification.
• Involvement: Identify the groups/organizations that will be participating in the project and what their roles and level of involvement is.
• Deliverables: Identify the anticipated deliverables of the project (reports, publications prototypes, products, etc.).

Section 14 – Communications Plan

Demonstrate how the project progress and results will be communicated to the SAR community and identify the mechanisms that will be used to accomplish this. Ensure that these costs are factored into the total project budget.

Section 15 – Sustainability
Demonstrate how you will maintain the results of the project once NIF funding has ended (i.e. store and maintain equipment, continue to provide training or services, Web site, etc.).

Section 16 – Performance Measurement
Demonstrate how you will assess the success of your project and at which intervals.

Section 17 - Declaration

The signatory of the SAR NIF application form must be the project manager of the proposed project.

Section 18 - SAR NIF Budget Form (Annex D)

The SAR NIF Budget Form provides the NSS with the financial information regarding the proposal.
Both sections of the form must be completed:

1. Estimated Cost reflects the total anticipated costs of the proposal.
2. Cost Sharing reflects other sources of assistance (cash or in-kind) needed to complete the project.

Applicants are required to identify the budget line item, estimated cost and the details of whether the funds will come from the NSS or other sources.  Costs should include applicable taxes; unless the applicant is GST/HST exempt or a GST/HST registrant (refer to table under Section 6).

Section A - Goods

This section refers to the materials, supplies, rentals, utilities and communication products that are required for the proposal.

For example:

(1) Urban SAR and SAR NIF

This section refers to the location, extrication and initial medical stabilization of victims trapped in collapsed structures and other entrapments (transportation accidents, mines, collapsed trenches, floods, etc.)
The NSS will not provide SAR NIF funding for activities related to Urban SAR.
Urban SAR non-eligible expenditures include, but are not limited to:

• Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and replacement cylinder;
• cold and wet weather gear, hazmat and CBRN equipment;
• confined space rescue equipment;
• breaching, breaking, coring and cutting equipment; hydraulic concrete cutting chain saws and pumps;
• lightweight rapid heavy shoring component systems;
• welding and cutting tools;
• power generators;
• chainsaws, cut off saws, pneumatic nailers and wood construction tools;
• optical, acoustic, seismic search equipment including associated canine care equipment;
• hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical equipment for lifting loads; and,
• air monitoring / gas detection equipment; thermal imaging cameras, etc.

Also ineligible under the SAR NIF are functions and equipment which are considered to be the routine responsibility of first responder agencies (police, fire, and ambulance) such as uniforms, protective gear, flashlights, boots, self-rescue bags, tactical wear, etc.
Section B - Personnel
This section refers to the costs associated with wages and salaries to be paid or accrued by full-time, part-time and professional (contractual) employees for their work related to the project.

For example:

(1) Benefits

Benefits include, but are not limited to: fringe benefits, dental, medical, CPP, EI, etc.

Section C - Travel

This section refers to the costs associated with travel. To be eligible, all travel must be clearly linked to the objectives and activities of the initiative and take place within Canada.

To determine rates for travel please consult the Government of Canada Travel Directive available on the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat Web site at
 http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pubs_pol/hrpubs/tbm_113/menu-travel-voyage-eng.asp. 
The following definitions apply to each of the sub-categories for personnel:

For example:

Section 19 - SAR NIF Project Plan Detail (Annex E)

This section provides the NSS with the information necessary to determine the reporting and payment schedule for SAR NIF recipients. It should be noted that transfer payments will be made on a quarterly basis.

For example:

SAR NIF Applicants are required to complete a table for each year for which they are seeking funding from the NSS.

SAR NIF projects must not begin before April 1st of the coming Government of Canada fiscal year (April 1 to March 31) or until a Contribution Agreement has been signed by all parties.

SAR NIF Applicant's Checklist (Annex F)

To ensure that your application is complete, we encourage you to use the “SAR NIF Applicant’s Checklist (Annex F)” available in the Applicant’s Guide.  This checklist provides details concerning the documents that must be submitted with your application in order to be considered for SAR NIF funding.