October 1 2025, 1-2pm ET. 
 *please note the 1pmET start time*  
Internal grant programs have been shown to enhance research capacity among faculty members and increase external research funding success (Balaji et al 2007, Kivist, J., & Mathies, C. 2023). Canadian universities and colleges use internal grant programs to help drive external funding success but also to incentivize a range of scholarly activities or approaches including community based / partner informed research, student research, open access publishing, teaching innovation, experimentation in knowledge dissemination and more.
This session will draw on the experiences of the internal grant programs of three institutions: Vancouver Island University, Kwantlen Polytechnic University and University Canada West. Speakers will share key parameters and goals of their suite of grants. We will explore design considerations, mechanics and how to measure success. This interactive session will provide written case studies of faculty grant programs at each institution and seek experiences from audience members on their approaches. The session will cover practical questions such as evaluation models, post project reporting, and choosing the best grant value. It will also explore broader questions including aligning with institutional research strategy and if is necessary to avoid favouring those who are already productive.

Presented by Stewart Fast, Keith Leung, and Lindsay Frehlick


Stewart Fast is Director of the Office of Research and Scholarship at University Canada West. He has over 15 years professional experience in research and science environments in higher education, private sector and government settings. Past positions include Manager at NSERC and Research Director in a multidisciplinary institute. He holds a PhD in Geography from UOttawa and is an adjunct professor at Carleton University.


Keith Leung is a Research Facilitator at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU). He has extensive experience conducting humanities and social science research. He has managed multiple SSHRC- and NSERC-funded research projects and collaborated extensively with researchers in Canada and abroad. At KPU, he works closely with researchers to help establish their research agendas, build scholarly portfolios, and support research clusters. His work also involves developing and managing internal programs that offer funding for small-scale research, publications, and teaching releases.


Lindsay Frehlick is the Director of Research Services at Vancouver Island University (VIU) where she provides leadership and support for VIU’s scholarship, research, and creative activities. She holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from UVic and has extensive research administration experience – specializing in research partnerships, innovation management and research services. She is passionate about advancing translational and community-engaged research that impacts society.

Event Date: 01 Oct 2025 | City: | Venue: Online