CPSIF core values
The CPSIF is a program supported by the Dean’s Office, Engineering Alumni & Friends, departments and divisions of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, the Engineering Society (EngSoc), and the You’re Next Career Network (YNCN). The program supports student initiatives that align with the following core values:
- Enhances the undergraduate and/or graduate student experience in the Faculty
- Builds an inclusive community among students and alumni
- Contributes to leadership and/or professional development of students in the Faculty
- Increases the visibility, profile and/or awareness of the Faculty, EngSoc, and/or the discipline of engineering itself
Given differences in the goals and activities of student groups, each group is not required to demonstrate alignment with all four listed values; however, at least one the values (and preferably more) should be evident when groups apply for funding.
Key dates & deadlines
The 2024-25 CPSIF cycle closed on October 2, 2024. Funding decisions will be shared in early November.
Since 2016, CPSIF has moved from three cycles to a single cycle, with a Fall deadline for student group applications. Student groups are encouraged to start considering their plans for the next school year in preparation for requesting all funding for 2024-2025 in their fall applications. Requests for funding should cover the period from September 2024 to August 2025.
Additionally, since moving to a single cycle process in 2016, CPSIF has allocated $355,000 - $375,000 annually towards funding an average of 90 student groups each year. The total funding requested by groups each year tends to be approximately double the amount of funding available.
Groups are encouraged to keep these numbers in mind when developing their budget and CPSIF applications. For groups that are looking for additional funding, there are other options that can be considered, including UTSU funding, UTGSU Donation Requests, the Student Initiative Fund, or additional funding opportunities from other Faculties or University offices (subject to eligibility). Some groups may also consider exploring working with corporate donors.
The key dates and deadlines for the 2024-25 CPSIF cycle are:
- Tuesday September 3, 2024: 2024-25 CPSIF application period opens
- Wednesday October 2, 2024 (12 p.m. ET / noon): 2024-25 CPSIF application period closes
- Tuesday November 5, 2024: Student groups notified of funding decisions
- TBD* – Friday January 31, 2025: Cheque pick up period
- Tuesday May 20, 2025 (11:59 p.m. ET): Successful applicants submit Impact Report
*The cheque pick up start date is delayed and the website will be updated when more information is available. Funded groups will be directly updated via email.
Groups are expected to demonstrate professionalism throughout the CPSIF process and adhere to the published deadlines. Cheques that are not picked up by the end of the pick-up period will be returned to the issuing funding area, and will also incur a demerit point, which will factor into funding decisions for the next CPSIF cycle. Late submissions for Impact Reports will also incur demerit points, and a group that does not submit an Impact Report will be ineligible to receive future funding until a report is submitted.
Note: You may only apply once per academic/fiscal year. To ensure an accountable and fair process, student initiative funding requests made outside of this program deadline will not be considered. Additionally, groups working with corporate donors or non-U of T students under the age of 18 must contact the relevant offices by Wednesday September 18, 2024. Please review the CPSIF Application Form (2024-2025) section for more details.
Eligibility & guidelines
Eligibility
Effective Fall 2024, in order to be eligible to apply for CPSIF, student groups must be either recognized by the University of Toronto (e.g. Recognized Student Groups, departmental student associations) or recognized by the Engineering Society ( i.e. affiliated clubs, associated entities, project directorships, and discipline clubs).
Applications with the following requests will not be funded:
- Student groups who have not submitted the Impact Report for previously approved CPSIF funding.
- Student groups that have not taken into account event planning and/or risk management practice.
- Student group activities that include travel-related or alcohol-related expenses.
- Student groups that exclude any student or student group from participation.
- Applications that are made on behalf of groups outside of the University of Toronto community, i.e. an application is submitted by a University of Toronto St. George student on behalf of their community-based organization.
- Applications requesting funding for retroactive expenses (i.e. the expense does not fall within the current academic/fiscal year).
- Applications requesting funding for the purpose of fundraising.
- Applications requesting funding for personal expenses.
Guidelines
In terms of guidelines for applicants - while there can be variances across the different funding areas - the CPSIF funding areas generally take into consideration some of the following points when making funding decisions:
- Overall Engineering student engagement with group activities.
- Student groups and activities that build an inclusive community and foster Skule™ pride amongst students and alumni.
- Student groups and activities that build the reputation of the Faculty and highlight the ingenuity of U of T Engineering students.
- Student groups and activities that contribute to leadership and/or professional development of students in the Faculty.
- Student groups and activities that benefit undergraduate and/or graduate students, the University, and the broader community locally and/or globally.
- The number of members or executive members that are connected to a particular funding area (e.g. affiliated groups, departmental representation) and/or activities related to the mission of a specific funding area (e.g. alumni involvement, professional development focus, discipline-specific activities).
- A clear budget document outlining how previous funding has been spent, how requested funding will be spent, and an explanation of any carryover.
Impact reports
The CPSIF Impact Report is compiled to highlight the accomplishments of funded student groups. By sharing your story, you will be inspiring the engineering community and encouraging more students to get involved.
In 2023-24, the format of the impact report changed. Moving forward, rather than an essay format submission, groups fill out a form with information about their group’s activities and achievements. This will remain the format for the impact report in 2024-25.
During the 2023–2024 school year, a total of $375,790.40 was granted to 81 student groups. The 2023-24 CPSIF Impact Report provides summaries of the impact that the funds have made for engineering students.
As a reminder, future funding is contingent upon your group submitting the Impact Report Form; late submissions will incur demerit points. Impact Report submissions for 2024-25 will be due Tuesday May 20, 2025.
While Impact Reports allow student groups to demonstrate their success at the end of the year, there are also opportunities to showcase your achievements during the year. You are encouraged to share any group accomplishments or major events with the Registrar’s Office; they can share this with the wider Skule community on your behalf via their e-newsletter.
