4.4 Infrastructure control

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The recipient institution, alone or in a group composed primarily of eligible institutions, will:

  • Operate and use the research infrastructure as specified in the funded project
  • Maintain majority ownership, where appropriate, and operational control over the research infrastructure, including responsibility for its access and oversight of associated scientific programs
  • Ensure that all CFI-funded research infrastructure is insured, including powered vehicles.

In situations where it is not feasible or appropriate for the recipient institution or a group composed primarily of eligible institutions to own the infrastructure, the recipient institution should discuss this as soon as possible with their Senior Programs Officer.

The recipient institution must seek pre-approval from the CFI to transfer the ownership of the research infrastructure to another eligible institution, a group composed primarily of eligible institutions, or a non-CFI-eligible organization (e.g., to install the infrastructure in an international project or facility).

These responsibilities hold over the useful life of the research infrastructure and for a minimum of five years. The useful life of the research infrastructure refers to the period during which the infrastructure is expected to provide benefits and remain usable for its intended purpose, taking into account normal repairs and maintenance. 

4.4.1 Infrastructure disposal

When an institution decides that equipment purchased with a CFI award has reached the end of its useful life (e.g., is no longer required for the research project, is beyond repair or is completely outdated) the institution is expected to dispose of the equipment according to its internal policies. The CFI encourages institutions to dispose of equipment in an environmentally friendly fashion and consider whether outdated equipment can be recycled, sold or donated to other researchers or institutions in Canada or abroad, or other organizations as appropriate. Such considerations should always be subject to appropriate due diligence, risk assessment, reasonableness and discretion. 

The CFI also expects institutional equipment disposal policies to ensure that proper precautions and procedures are in place to protect personal research data confidentiality, typically by wiping all research, personal and confidential data from a disposed piece of equipment.