From: Heather Boon, Vice-Provost, Faculty & Academic Life
Leah Cowen, Vice President, Research & Innovation and Strategic Initiatives
Date: April 26, 2024
Re: Updating the Process for MRA Approvals for Teaching Stream Faculty and Librarians, (PDAD&C #37)

We are writing further to PDAD&C #4 (2022) regarding a change to the My Research Applications & Agreements (MRA) access approvals process for teaching stream faculty members and librarians. In 2022, a process was implemented via MRA removing the requirement for VPFAL approval and instead providing the Dean’s office or Principal’s office at UTM and UTSC, or the Office of the University Chief Librarian an additional level of review for MRA submissions from teaching stream faculty members and librarians. Following extensive discussions with UTFA and consultations with Dean’s Office colleagues, this additional level of approval will no longer be required and will be removed from the MRA system.  

While tenure stream faculty, teaching stream faculty, and librarians constitute separate categories of appointment at the University, we have agreed with UTFA that any review and administrative approval of grant applications and research agreements for teaching stream faculty members and librarians will be subject to the same process as for grant applications and research agreements submitted by tenure-stream faculty members. Irrespective of any determination made by the University regarding Principal Investigator eligibility status, all applicants are also subject to the eligibility guidelines of the research sponsor. 

Please ensure that any divisional MRA/PI eligibility related resources are updated in accordance with this change. Please contact your Dean’s Office with any questions regarding implementation of this change.