The Tyler Lewis Clean Energy Research Grant (also referred to as the “Grant”) was established to provide financial support and promote graduate student research in the field of clean energy at Canadian Universities. Clean energy encompasses energy sources and processes that are an alternative to fossil fuels, with minimizing, neutral or ameliorating consequences on the environment. The objective of the Tyler Lewis Clean Energy Research Grant is to develop research skills and assist in the training of qualified individuals.

The value of the grant is $15,000 and will be awarded on an annual basis to one eligible student. Up to two additional grants [$10,000 each] may be awarded on any given year based upon the recommendation of the Foundation’s Grant Advisory Committee. The selection process and post-award administration are carried out by the Tyler Lewis Clean Energy Research Foundation (also referred to as the “Foundation”) and Charitable Gift Funds Canada Foundation. Students may submit their application by e-mail to info[at]tylerlewis.ca.

Download the 2024 Tyler Lewis Clean Energy Research Foundation grant application here.

Download the 2024 Tyler Lewis Clean Energy Research Foundation grant application instructions here.

Deliverable

The grant recipient is expected to prepare an article on their research for publishing on the Tyler Lewis Clean Energy Research Foundation website and any other Foundation promotional material or donor communications. The article should provide a general overview of the project to which the funding contributed.

The length of tenure will be 1 year, with a possibility to extend.

Application Procedure

Required Documents
To be considered for this grant, all of the following documents must be submitted prior to midnight (PST) September 30, 2024 (no exceptions will be allowed):

• Application Form (submitted as a single PDF file)
• Curriculum Vitae (PDF format only)
• Proof of Enrollment in Full-time Graduate Studies at a Canadian University from the Registrar’s Office (offer letter from the department is not considered proof of enrolment)
• Two Letters of Recommendation:  Recommendation letters must be emailed directly to the Foundation by the letter’s author with the applicant’s name in the “subject” line (PDF format only). Applicants are responsible for ensuring their reference letters are submitted prior to the application deadline (no exceptions)
• Proof of citizenship or permanent residency, in the form of either a Canadian Passport, Canadian birth certificate or Permanent Residence card (Driver’s license is not considered proof)

Eligibility

To be eligible for this Grant, the applicant must be:

• A Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada
• A post-graduate student attending a Canadian Institution
• Hold an undergraduate degree in Engineering or Science.

To be eligible for this Grant, the project must:

• The duration of the project must be at least one full year.
• Demonstrate potential and advancement of knowledge in a Clean Energy research field.

Clean energy encompasses energy sources and processes that are alternatives to traditional fossil fuels, with minimizing or ameliorating consequences on the environment.

Conflict of Interests

Foundation board members and their immediate family members are not eligible to receive the Grant.

Selection Criteria and Scoring

Selection Criteria:

• Relevance of work experience and academic training to field of proposed research
• Research ability and potential contribution to the advancement of knowledge in a Clean Energy research field. (Significance, feasibility, and merit of proposed research)
• Enthusiasm for research and interest in discovery
• Demonstrate a lifestyle that is in-line with environmental consciousness
• Developed leadership and interpersonal skills

Important Dates

• Application available: May 24, 2024
• Application submission deadline: September 30, 2024 at Midnight (PST)
• Notice to applicants: On or before December 2, 2024
• Funds available to be released: On or before December 16, 2024

Grant Conditions and Disbursement

The Grant will be disbursed to the institution as directed by the Tyler Lewis Clean Energy Research Foundation and Charitable Gift Funds Canada Foundation. Since, by regulation, grants will be made to the applicant’s institution and not directly to the successful applicant, students should check with the faculty of graduate studies at their host university with regard to its processes for accepting this external award on their behalf.

The disbursement schedule is as follows:

• 90% of the Grant to be delivered upon issue of the award.
• 10% of the Grant to be issued upon delivery of article suitable for posting on the TLCERF website.

The institution and project supervisor will be in charge of disbursements. Grant proceeds are to be used to directly support the successful candidate’s research project.

Other than the Foundation’s limited right to publish the recipient’s article, the Foundation will waive its rights to any intellectual property arising from the recipient’s project supported in part by the Grant.

Use and Disclosure of Information

Information submitted as part of the application, including personal information, will be collected by the Foundation and used by and disclosed to the selection committee for the purpose of evaluating applications and selecting a recipient. Information will also be disclosed to Foundation board members to facilitate administrative communications. The applications may be read by experts other than the members of the foundation to help evaluate the merit of the project, however, all information will remain classified.

The Foundation may also feature the recipient and his/her project in various Foundation publications, including the Foundation website, promotional materials and donor communications.

Grant Award Spending Policy

The funding is available to cover incurred costs required to carry out the Masters/PhD project and moreover attributed specifically to research efforts. All expenses should be directly relevant to the students’ research outputs, at the discretion of the awardee’s research supervisor. For more information on the grant award spending policy, please see here.

Contact Information

Completed applications can be sent to info[at]tylerlewis.ca.