CNRC — Centre canadien de données astronomiques ### 📋 Eligible Entities - Research institutions affiliated with Canadian universities - Not-for-profit research organizations with demonstrated astronomy or data management capabilities - Canadian astronomical observatories and research centers - Consortiums of eligible institutions collaborating on astronomical research - Organizations must have established infrastructure or capacity to utilize large-scale scientific computing resources - Entities must demonstrate institutional commitment to open science and data sharing principles ### 💰 Funding Details - Grant Type: Non-repayable infrastructure and operational funding - Funding Model: Cost-shared arrangement (specific matching percentages determined by proposal merit and institutional capacity) - Scope: Large-scale scientific computing infrastructure investment - Distribution: Multi-year funding for sustained operations and specialist expertise - No loan repayment required — funds operate as operational grants for infrastructure maintenance and data management services - Actual funding amounts vary based on institutional needs assessment and competitive evaluation ### 🛠️ Approved Expenses - Scientific computing infrastructure (hardware, servers, storage systems for large datasets) - Data management systems and architecture development - Specialized staffing in astronomy and data science expertise - Software development for astronomical data processing and analysis - Data archival and preservation systems - Network infrastructure for data accessibility - Maintenance and operations of computing facilities - Training and capacity building in astronomical data techniques - Open science initiatives supporting data sharing and accessibility ### ⚠️ Conditions & Milestones - Institutional Commitment: Recipients must demonstrate long-term institutional support and matching contributions - Open Data Mandate: Funded data must be made accessible to the Canadian and international astronomical research community - Performance Reporting: Regular reporting on data volumes managed, research outputs, and user engagement metrics - Compliance Requirements: Must align with CNRC standards for scientific integrity and data governance - Multi-Year Operations: Funding structured for sustained, long-term infrastructure operation (typically 5+ year commitments) - Accessibility Standards: Systems must meet established accessibility and interoperability standards - Progress Milestones: Quarterly or annual reviews