Volt-Age Quest: Explorations in Research-Creation

Achieving a just and equitable energy transition requires more than technological innovation. It also requires different ways of asking questions, generating knowledge, engaging communities, and imagining how change can take place.

Volt-Age recognizes research-creation as an important part of this interdisciplinary research ecosystem. Artistic practices can contribute not only to community engagement and knowledge mobilization, but also to research design, methodologies, and the development of new ways of understanding the social, cultural, and experiential dimensions of energy transition.

Volt-Age Quest invites research-creators from across Concordia’s Faculty of Fine Arts to develop projects that engage with Volt-Age research and explore themes related to electrification and energy transition. Proposals that connect with areas being explored by existing Volt-Age Impact Projects and Living Labs interested in collaborating with artists will be prioritized. 

Applicants may apply to one of three funding streams. The scale, duration and proposed outcomes of the project should be appropriate to the funding stream selected.

Matching funds are not required.

Funding may be used for eligible direct costs of research, including materials, supplies, equipment, dissemination activities, and support for students and highly qualified personnel (HQP). Applicants should consult the CFREF Administration Guide for complete information on eligible direct research costs.

Extensions will only be considered in exceptional circumstances, such as health or family emergencies, and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Quest is a rolling call. Applications may be submitted at any time and will be reviewed twice annually.

Applications received after a deadline will be considered during the following review cycle.

Applicants must:

• Be a full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty member in Concordia University’s Faculty of Fine Arts.
• Have held, currently hold, or have applied for SSHRC or other external competitive research funding within the past seven years.
• Not currently hold internal funding from Volt-Age or the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation (OVPRII) related to the project being proposed.

Researchers at all career stages are encouraged to apply.

Quest welcomes research-creation projects that explore electrification and energy transition through the diverse practices and perspectives represented across Concordia’s Faculty of Fine Arts.

Proposals engaging with the following areas will be prioritized as they directly connect with Volt-Age themes and initiatives:

Community Energy Systems
Designing and implementing efficient renewable energy solutions that are financially viable and community-driven.

Decarbonized Food Production
Developing sustainable approaches to energy-efficient food production in remote and urban settings, including integrated building-based greenhouses.

Building Retrofits for Energy Efficiency
Developing digital tools and platforms that use building data to support individuals, communities and organizations in making decisions about energy-efficient retrofits.

Reimagining Climate Resilience
Exploring interdisciplinary approaches to preparing cities for climate shocks in more energy-efficient and equitable ways, addressing policy gaps and supporting vulnerable and marginalized communities.

Electrifying Society with Batteries
Advancing sustainable local supply chains for ultra-fast-charging and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries to support off-grid energy systems, electric vehicles and zero-emission buildings.

Electrified Transportation Ecosystems
Exploring pathways toward resilient and equitable transportation ecosystems that integrate electrified, automated and shared-use transportation within Canada’s existing social and infrastructural realities.

Sustainable and Electrified Concordia
Engaging researchers from different disciplines and campus communities in hands-on exploration and co-creation to develop and test new approaches to electrifying and decarbonizing Concordia’s campus. 

Quest is designed to support high-quality research-creation that brings artistic practices, perspectives and methodologies into dialogue with Volt-Age research.

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• The quality of their engagement with Volt-Age research themes and relevant project topics.
• The potential for meaningful collaboration with Volt-Age researchers.
• The potential to leverage external funding.
• The contribution the project could make to the research-creator’s field, the Volt-Age network and/or society.
• The relevance and quality of the research question.
• Opportunities to provide research and training experiences for students.
• The quality and potential impact of anticipated research outputs.

Funded researchers will be required to submit a final report outlining the work completed and resulting research outputs, along with documentation from public events where applicable. All funded activities and expenses must take place within the approved funding period.

Applicants must submit a complete application package as one compiled PDF.

1. Project summary

• Small Pilot Project: maximum 300 words
• Mid-Scale Research: maximum 400 words
• Large-Scale Project: maximum 500 words

2. Biographical statement

Maximum 150–200 words.

3. Detailed proposal

The proposal must include:

• Methods and anticipated outcomes
• Project timeline
• Budget and budget justification

Maximum length:

• Small Pilot Project: 1,500 words
• Mid-Scale Research: 2,000 words
• Large-Scale Project: 2,500 words

4. Applicant CV

Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the new Tri-Agency CV format. The existing SSHRC-specific Canadian Common CV (CCV) format will also be accepted.

5. Artist’s portfolio

Include an artist’s portfolio or a link to relevant materials available online.

Email the complete application as a single PDF to volt-age@concordia.ca.

Questions

Questions about Volt-Age Quest, the application process, or opportunities to connect with Volt-Age researchers can be directed to: volt-age@concordia.ca