# Cover Page

## Project Title: VOHRC financial literacy and awareness initiatives for the fiscal year 2024-2025

## Applicant: Vision of Hope Resource Centre

##

Submitted to: The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA)

## Contact Information: Dr. Jackie Dell, Eecutive Director

## Date of Submission: December 2023, 27

# Table of Contents

- Executive Summary .......................................................................................................... 1

- Problem Statement ........................................................................................................... 3

- Project Description ............................................................................................................ 5

- Objectives ..................................................................................................................... 5

- Methods ....................................................................................................................... 6

- Activities ...................................................................................................................... 7

- Outcomes .................................................................................................................... 8

- Impact .......................................................................................................................... 9

- Monitoring and Evaluation Plan ....................................................................................... 10

- Sustainability Plan ............................................................................................................ 12

- Budget and Budget Narrative ........................................................................................... 13

- References ....................................................................................................................... 15

- Appendix .......................................................................................................................... 17

# Executive Summary

This project aims to investigate the impact of social media on mental health among Canadian youth, aged 15 to 24. It will explore the positive and negative effects of social media use on various aspects of mental health, such as self-esteem, mood, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. It will also examine the factors that influence the relationship between social media and mental health, such as frequency, duration, content, and context of social media use, as well as individual and environmental characteristics. The project will use a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data from surveys, interviews, and online observations. The expected outcomes of the project are: (1) a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the impact of social media on mental health among Canadian youth; (2) a set of recommendations and best practices for promoting positive and preventing negative effects of social media on mental health; and (3) a contribution to the academic and public discourse on the role and responsibility of social media platforms and users in fostering mental health and well-being. The project will have a significant impact on the field of social media and mental health research, as well as on the policy and practice of mental health promotion and prevention among Canadian youth.

The total budget for this project is $50,000, which will be funded by a SSHRC grant. The budget includes the following items and costs:

- Coordinator: The project will hire a project coordinator, who will oversee and manage the project activities, such as the data collection, analysis, and dissemination. The project coordinator will work for 10 months, at a salary of $10,000. The project coordinator will have a PhD degree in social sciences, and relevant experience and skills in social media and mental health research.

- Administration: The project will incur administrative and operational costs, such as printing, photocopying, mailing, phone, and office supplies. The administrative and operational costs will amount to $6,000, based on the previous projects of similar nature and scope.

- Space rent: The project will rent office and meeting space, for conducting the surveys, interviews, and online observations, as well as the data analysis and report writing. The space rent will cost $6,000, based on the current market rates and the availability of the space.

- Professionals: The project will hire professionals, such as consultants and experts, to provide guidance and advice on the design and implementation of the project, as well as the interpretation and dissemination of the findings and recommendations. The professionals will charge $10,000, based on their qualifications and reputation in the field of social media and mental health.

- Equipment: The project will require a laptop, software, and internet access, for conducting the surveys, interviews, and online observations, as well as the data analysis and report writing. The laptop will cost $2,000, and the software and internet will be provided by the university. The laptop will have a high-performance processor, memory, and storage, and the software will include SPSS, R, NVivo, Atlas.ti, Web Scraper, and ParseHub.

- Materials: The project will offer incentives to the participants of the surveys and interviews, in the form of gift cards, to increase the response rate and the quality of the data. The project will distribute 500 gift cards, each worth $10, for a total cost of $5,000. The gift cards will be from popular online retailers, such as Amazon or iTunes.

- Travel: The project will involve two conference presentations, to disseminate the findings and recommendations of the project to the academic and professional community. The project will cover the travel expenses, such as airfare, accommodation, and registration fee, for the conference, which will cost $3,000. The conference will be the International Conference on Social Media and Society, which will be held in Toronto, Canada, in July 2024.

- Dissemination: The project will also involve two publications, to disseminate the findings and recommendations of the project to the wider public and policy makers. The project will pay the publication fee, which will cost $1,000, for the journal, which will be the Journal of Youth Studies, a reputable and peer-reviewed journal in the field of social media and mental health.

- Contingency: The project will allocate a contingency fund, to cover any unforeseen expenses that may arise during the project, such as changes in prices, rates, or policies, or unexpected delays or difficulties. The contingency fund will amount to $7,000, which is 14% of the total budget, and is within the acceptable range of contingency planning.

The project will follow the ethical principles and guidelines of the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2). The project will obtain the approval from the Research Ethics Board (REB) of the University of Toronto before conducting the data collection. The project will ensure the respect, protection, and well-being of the participants, by obtaining their informed consent, ensuring their confidentiality and anonymity, minimizing their risks and harms, and maximizing their benefits and rights. The project will also respect the intellectual property and ownership of the data and sources used in the project, by acknowledging and citing them properly, and avoiding plagiarism and fabrication.

The project will monitor and evaluate its progress and results, using both quantitative and qualitative indicators and methods, such as surveys, interviews, online observations, content analysis, sentiment analysis, thematic analysis, descriptive and inferential statistics, and correlation, regression, ANOVA, and chi-square tests. The project will collect and analyze the data at the baseline, midline, and endline stages of the project, and compare and integrate the findings to provide a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the research question. The project will also use feedback and learning to improve its performance and quality, and to address any challenges or limitations that may arise during the project.

The project will ensure its sustainability and impact, by developing and implementing a sustainability

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Problem Statement

Social media has become an integral part of the lives of many young people around the world. According to Statistics Canada, in 2018, 94% of Canadians aged 15 to 24 used social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and TikTok, on a regular basis. Social media offers various benefits and opportunities for young people, such as connecting with friends and family, expressing themselves, learning new things, and engaging in civic and social issues. However, social media also poses various risks and challenges for young people, such as cyberbullying, misinformation, privacy breaches, and addiction. Moreover, social media may have a significant impact on the mental health of young people, which is a growing concern in Canada and globally. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, one in five Canadians will experience a mental health problem or illness in any given year, and youth are among the most vulnerable groups. Mental health problems and illnesses can affect various aspects of young people’s lives, such as their physical health, education, employment, relationships, and quality of life. Therefore, it is important to understand how social media influences the mental health of young people, and how to maximize its positive and minimize its negative effects.

The main research question of this project is: How does social media impact the mental health of Canadian youth, aged 15 to 24? The sub-questions are:

• What are the positive and negative effects of social media use on various aspects of mental health, such as self-esteem, mood, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation, among Canadian youth?
• What are the factors that influence the relationship between social media and mental health, such as frequency, duration, content, and context of social media use, as well as individual and environmental characteristics, among Canadian youth?
• What are the recommendations and best practices for promoting positive and preventing negative effects of social media on mental health among Canadian youth?

This project is innovative and relevant, as it addresses a timely and important issue of social media and mental health among Canadian youth, using a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative and qualitative data from different sources and methods. The project is expected to generate new and valuable knowledge and insights, as well as practical and actionable recommendations and best practices, that can inform and improve the policy and practice of mental health promotion and prevention among Canadian youth. The project is also expected to have a significant and lasting impact on the field of social media and mental health research, as well as on the academic and public discourse on the role and responsibility of social media platforms and users in fostering mental health and well-being.

Sure, I will continue with the rewritten proposal. 😊

Project Description

The project description will detail the objectives, methods, activities, outcomes, and impact of the project. The project description will include the following sections:

Objectives

The objectives of the project are:

• To investigate the impact of social media on mental health among Canadian youth, aged 15 to 24, using a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative and qualitative data from surveys, interviews, and online observations.
• To explore the positive and negative effects of social media use on various aspects of mental health, such as self-esteem, mood, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation, among Canadian youth.
• To examine the factors that influence the relationship between social media and mental health, such as frequency, duration, content, and context of social media use, as well as individual and environmental characteristics, among Canadian youth.
• To provide a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the impact of social media on mental health among Canadian youth, and to generate new and valuable knowledge and insights for the field of social media and mental health research.
• To develop and disseminate a set of recommendations and best practices for promoting positive and preventing negative effects of social media on mental health among Canadian youth, and to contribute to the academic and public discourse on the role and responsibility of social media platforms and users in fostering mental health and well-being.
• To have a significant and lasting impact on the policy and practice of mental health promotion and prevention among Canadian youth, and to improve their physical, emotional, social, and academic outcomes and quality of life.

Methods

The methods of the project are:

• Research design: The project will use a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data from surveys, interviews, and online observations. The project will adopt a convergent parallel design, in which the quantitative and qualitative data will be collected and analyzed separately, and then integrated and compared to provide a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the research question. The project will follow a cross-sectional design, in which the data will be collected at one point in time, rather than longitudinally, due to the time and resource constraints.
• Data collection methods: The project will use three data collection methods: surveys, interviews, and online observations. The surveys will be administered online, using a web-based platform, such as SurveyMonkey or Qualtrics. The surveys will consist of closed-ended and open-ended questions, measuring the demographic characteristics, social media use, and mental health of the participants. The surveys will use validated scales and instruments, such as the Social Media Use Integration Scale (SMUIS), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item Scale (PHQ-9), and the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R). The interviews will be conducted online, using a video-conferencing platform, such as Zoom or Skype. The interviews will be semi-structured, using a set of open-ended questions, exploring the participants’ experiences, perceptions, and opinions on the impact of social media on their mental health. The interviews will be audio-recorded and transcribed for analysis. The online observations will be conducted online, using a web-scraping tool, such as Web Scraper or ParseHub. The online observations will collect and analyze the content and context of the participants’ social media posts, comments, likes, shares, and reactions, on various platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and TikTok. The online observations will use content analysis and sentiment analysis techniques to identify the themes, patterns, and emotions expressed in the online data.
• Data analysis methods: The project will use both descriptive and inferential statistics to analyze the quantitative data from the surveys and online observations. The project will use SPSS or R software to perform the data analysis. The project will use frequency distributions, means, standard deviations, and percentages to describe the demographic characteristics, social media use, and mental health of the participants. The project will use correlation, regression, ANOVA, and chi-square tests to examine the relationships between the variables of interest, such as social media use and mental health, and the moderating or mediating effects of the factors, such as frequency, duration, content, and context of social media use, and individual and environmental characteristics. The project will use thematic analysis to analyze the qualitative data from the interviews and online observations. The project will use NVivo or Atlas.ti software to perform the data analysis. The project will use a deductive and inductive approach to identify, code, and categorize the themes, patterns, and meanings in the qualitative data. The project will also use triangulation and integration techniques to compare and combine the quantitative and qualitative findings, and to provide a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the research question.

Activities

• Online workshops: We will conduct 10 online workshops, one per month from March to December 2024, on various topics related to the integration and empowerment of newcomers and immigrants in Canada. The topics will include: Canadian culture and values, language and communication skills, job search and career development, entrepreneurship and innovation, civic engagement and leadership, etc. Each workshop will last for 90 minutes and will consist of a presentation by an expert facilitator, followed by a Q&A session and a group discussion. The workshops will be delivered via Zoom and will be recorded and uploaded to our website for future reference. The expected number of participants per workshop is 50.
• Mentoring program: We will match 100 newcomers and immigrants with 100 mentors who have similar backgrounds, interests, and goals. The mentors will be selected from our network of successful professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders who have experience in working and living in Canada. The mentoring program will run for 10 months, from March to December 2024, and will involve regular online meetings, feedback sessions, and action plans. The mentors will provide guidance, support, and advice to the mentees on various aspects of their personal and professional development. The mentees will also have the opportunity to shadow their mentors in their workplaces and learn from their experiences.
• Networking events: We will organize 10 networking events, one per month from March to December 2024, to connect newcomers and immigrants with each other and with other members of the Canadian society. The networking events will be held in different venues across the city, such as community centers, libraries, cafes, etc. The events will feature guest speakers, panel discussions, and interactive activities on topics such as: cultural diversity and inclusion, social and professional networking, community involvement and volunteering, etc. The events will also provide a platform for newcomers and immigrants to showcase their talents, skills, and achievements. The expected number of attendees per event is 100.
• Resource development: We will create and distribute various resources to help newcomers and immigrants in their integration and empowerment process. The resources will include: a handbook on living and working in Canada, a directory of local services and organizations, a newsletter with updates and opportunities, a podcast with stories and tips, etc. The resources will be available in multiple languages and formats, such as print, digital, audio, and video. The resources will be developed by our team of experts, consultants, and volunteers, with inputs from the newcomers and immigrants themselves. The resources will be disseminated through our website, social media, email, and partners.

Outcomes

The outcomes of the project are:

• A comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the impact of social media on mental health among Canadian youth, aged 15 to 24, using a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative and qualitative data from surveys, interviews, and online observations.
• A set of recommendations and best practices for promoting positive and preventing negative effects of social media on mental health among Canadian youth, based

Sure, I will continue with the rewritten proposal. 😊

Outcomes

The outcomes of the project are:

• A comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the impact of social media on mental health among Canadian youth, aged 15 to 24, using a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative and qualitative data from surveys, interviews, and online observations.
• A set of recommendations and best practices for promoting positive and preventing negative effects of social media on mental health among Canadian youth, based on the findings and insights of the project, and aligned with the existing literature and evidence on the topic.
• A contribution to the academic and public discourse on the role and responsibility of social media platforms and users in fostering mental health and well-being, by disseminating the findings and recommendations of the project to various audiences and platforms, using various products and outputs, such as reports, articles, podcasts, videos, and infographics.
• A generation of new and valuable knowledge and insights for the field of social media and mental health research, by addressing the gaps and limitations in the existing literature and knowledge, and by using a rigorous and innovative research design and methods.
• An improvement of the policy and practice of mental health promotion and prevention among Canadian youth, by informing and influencing the decision makers and practitioners who are involved and interested in the topic of social media and mental health, and by providing them with practical and actionable recommendations and best practices.
• An enhancement of the physical, emotional, social, and academic outcomes and quality of life of Canadian youth, by increasing their awareness and understanding of the impact of social media on their mental health, and by empowering them to use social media in a healthy and responsible way.

Impact

The impact of the project is:

• The project will have a significant and lasting impact on the field of social media and mental health research, by advancing the theoretical and empirical knowledge and understanding of the topic, and by providing a comprehensive and nuanced perspective on the impact of social media on mental health among Canadian youth.
• The project will have a significant and lasting impact on the academic and public discourse on the role and responsibility of social media platforms and users in fostering mental health and well-being, by engaging and communicating with various stakeholders, such as researchers, practitioners, policy makers, and media, and by providing them with credible and relevant findings and recommendations.
• The project will have a significant and lasting impact on the policy and practice of mental health promotion and prevention among Canadian youth, by informing and influencing the decision makers and practitioners who are involved and interested in the topic of social media and mental health, and by providing them with practical and actionable recommendations and best practices.
• The project will have a significant and lasting impact on the physical, emotional, social, and academic outcomes and quality of life of Canadian youth, by increasing their awareness and understanding of the impact of social media on their mental health, and by empowering them to use social media in a healthy and responsible way.

Sure, I will continue with the rewritten proposal. 😊

Monitoring and Evaluation Plan

The monitoring and evaluation plan will describe how the project will measure and report its progress and results, and how it will use feedback and learning to improve its performance and quality. The monitoring and evaluation plan will include the following sections:

Indicators

The indicators are the specific and measurable criteria that will be used to assess the achievement of the objectives and outcomes of the project. The indicators will be based on the logic model and the theory of change of the project, and will be aligned with the data collection and analysis methods. The indicators will include both quantitative and qualitative indicators, such as:

• Number and percentage of participants who completed the surveys, interviews, and online observations
• Mean and standard deviation of the scores of the participants on the scales and instruments measuring social media use and mental health
• Correlation, regression, ANOVA, and chi-square coefficients and p-values of the relationships between the variables of interest, such as social media use and mental health, and the factors, such as frequency, duration, content, and context of social media use, and individual and environmental characteristics
• Themes, patterns, and meanings identified in the qualitative data from the interviews and online observations
• Triangulation and integration results of the quantitative and qualitative findings
• Number and percentage of stakeholders who received and accessed the products and outputs of the project, such as reports, articles, podcasts, videos, and infographics
• Number and percentage of stakeholders who expressed satisfaction and agreement with the findings and recommendations of the project
• Number and percentage of stakeholders who implemented or adopted the recommendations and best practices of the project
• Number and percentage of participants who reported improvement in their mental health and well-being after the project

Methods

The methods are the specific and systematic procedures that will be used to collect and analyze the data for the indicators. The methods will be based on the research design and the data collection and analysis methods of the project, and will be consistent and appropriate for the indicators. The methods will include both quantitative and qualitative methods, such as:

• Surveys: The project will use online surveys, consisting of closed-ended and open-ended questions, to collect and measure the quantitative and qualitative data for the indicators, such as the demographic characteristics, social media use, and mental health of the participants, and their satisfaction and agreement with the findings and recommendations of the project. The project will use a web-based platform, such as SurveyMonkey or Qualtrics, to administer the surveys, and SPSS or R software to analyze the surveys.
• Interviews: The project will use online interviews, consisting of semi-structured and open-ended questions, to collect and measure the qualitative data for the indicators, such as the experiences, perceptions, and opinions of the participants and the stakeholders on the impact of social media on their mental health, and their implementation or adoption of the recommendations and best practices of the project. The project will use a video-conferencing platform, such as Zoom or Skype, to conduct the interviews, and NVivo or Atlas.ti software to analyze the interviews.
• Online observations: The project will use online observations, consisting of web-scraping and content analysis techniques, to collect and measure the quantitative and qualitative data for the indicators, such as the content and context of the participants’ social media posts, comments, likes, shares, and reactions, and their improvement in their mental health and well-being after the project. The project will use a web-scraping tool, such as Web Scraper or ParseHub, to collect the online data, and SPSS or R software to analyze the online data.

Data Collection and Analysis Plan

The data collection and analysis plan is the detailed and specific plan that will describe when, where, how, and by whom the data for the indicators will be collected and analyzed. The data collection and analysis plan will include the following elements:

• Baseline: The baseline data will be collected and analyzed at the beginning of the project, before the data collection, analysis, and dissemination activities start, to establish the current situation and status of the participants and the stakeholders, and to provide a reference point for comparison and evaluation. The baseline data will be collected and analyzed using the methods described above, such as surveys, interviews, and online observations, between January and March 2024.
• Midline: The midline data will be collected and analyzed at the middle of the project, after the data collection and analysis activities are completed, and before the data dissemination and presentation activities start, to measure and report the progress and results of the project, and to provide feedback and learning for improvement and adjustment. The midline data will be collected and analyzed using the methods described above, such as surveys, interviews, and online observations, between April and May 2024.
• Endline: The endline data will be collected and analyzed at the end of the project, after the data dissemination and presentation activities are completed, to measure and report the final outcomes and impact of the project, and to provide lessons learned and recommendations for future research and action. The endline data will be collected and analyzed using the methods described above, such as surveys, interviews, and online observations, between June and July 2024.

Data Management and Reporting Plan

The data management and reporting plan is the detailed and specific plan that will describe how the data for the indicators will be stored, protected, shared, and reported. The data management and reporting plan will include the following elements:

• Data storage and protection: The data will be stored and protected using secure and reliable platforms and tools, such as cloud storage, encryption, password, and backup. The data will be stored and protected in accordance with the ethical principles and guidelines of the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2), and the privacy policies and regulations of the University of Toronto and the SSHRC grant committee. The data will be stored and protected for the duration of the project, and for at least five years after the completion of the project, or as required by the funder or the university.
• Data sharing and access: The data will be shared and accessed by the project team members, the participants, the stakeholders, the funder, and the university, as appropriate and necessary, for the purposes of the project. The data will be shared and accessed in accordance with the informed consent of the participants, the confidentiality and anonymity agreements, and the data sharing and access policies and regulations of the University of Toronto and the SSHRC grant committee. The data will be shared and accessed using secure and reliable platforms and tools, such as email, Dropbox, Google Drive, and Zoom.
• Data reporting and dissemination: The data will be reported and disseminated to the project team members, the participants, the stakeholders, the funder, the university, and the wider public, as appropriate and necessary, for the purposes of the project. The data will be reported and disseminated in accordance with the data reporting and dissemination plan of the project, and the data reporting and dissemination policies and regulations of the University of Toronto and the SSHRC grant committee. The data will be reported and disseminated using various products and outputs, such as reports, articles, podcasts, videos, and infographics, and various platforms and channels, such as websites, journals, podcasts, YouTube, and Facebook.

Sustainability Plan

The sustainability plan will describe how the project will ensure its long-term viability and impact, and how it will secure the necessary resources and support for its continuation and replication. The sustainability plan will include the following strategies:

• Creating and maintaining a network of stakeholders, such as researchers, practitioners, policy makers, and media, who are interested and involved in the topic of social media and mental health, and who can support and advocate for the project’s findings and recommendations. The project will use various platforms and channels, such as websites, email, social media, and newsletters, to communicate and collaborate with the stakeholders, and to update them on the progress and results of the project. The project will also invite and involve the stakeholders in the data collection, analysis, dissemination, and presentation activities, and solicit their feedback and input. The project will also organize and participate in events and meetings, such as workshops, seminars, webinars, and conferences, to network and interact with the stakeholders, and to share and exchange the knowledge and insights of the project.
• Producing and disseminating various products and outputs, such as reports, articles, podcasts, videos, and infographics, that communicate the project’s findings and recommendations to different audiences and platforms, and that can be used for further research, education, and action. The project will use various formats and styles, such as academic, professional, and popular, to tailor the products and outputs to the needs and preferences of the audiences, and to increase their accessibility and usability. The project will also use various platforms and channels, such as websites, journals, podcasts, YouTube, and Facebook, to reach and engage the audiences, and to increase their visibility and impact. The project will also use various strategies, such as branding, marketing, and promotion, to enhance the quality and attractiveness of the products and outputs, and to increase their recognition and reputation.
• Securing and diversifying the sources of funding and support, such as grants, donations, sponsorships, and partnerships, that can enable the project’s continuation and replication in other contexts and settings. The project will use various methods and tools, such as proposals, budgets, reports, and testimonials, to demonstrate and justify the value and impact of the project, and to persuade and convince the potential funders and supporters to invest and contribute to the project. The project will also use various strategies, such as networking, negotiation, and collaboration, to establish and maintain positive and productive relationships with the current and prospective funders and supporters, and to ensure their satisfaction and commitment to the project.

Budget and Budget Narrative

The budget and budget narrative will provide a detailed and realistic estimate of the costs and resources required for the project, and specify the sources of funding and support. The budget and budget narrative will include the following sections:

Budget

The budget will present the budget items and costs in a table format, as shown below:

Item	Description	Total Cost	Source
Coordinator	Project coordinator	$10,000	SSHRC grant
Administration	Administrative and operational costs	$6,000	SSHRC grant
Space rent	Rent for office and meeting space	$6,000	SSHRC grant
Professionals	Professional fees for consultants and experts	$10,000	SSHRC grant
Equipment	Laptop, software, and internet	$2,000	SSHRC grant
Materials	Survey and interview incentives (gift cards)	$5,000	SSHRC grant
Travel	Conference presentation	$3,000	SSHRC grant
Dissemination	Publication fee	$1,000	SSHRC grant
Contingency	Unforeseen expenses	$7,000	SSHRC grant
Total		$50,000	SSHRC grant

Budget Narrative

The budget narrative will explain and justify the budget items and costs, and how they relate to the objectives and methods of the project. The budget narrative will include the following paragraphs:

• Coordinator: The project will hire a project coordinator, who will oversee and manage the project activities, such as the data collection, analysis, and dissemination. The project coordinator will work for 10 months, at a salary of $10,000. The project coordinator will have a PhD degree in social sciences, and relevant experience and skills in social media and mental health research. The project coordinator will be responsible for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the project, and will ensure its quality and timeliness. The project coordinator will also communicate and collaborate with the project team members, the participants, the stakeholders, the funder, and the university, and will report and present the progress and results of the project.
• Administration: The project will incur administrative and operational costs, such as printing, photocopying, mailing, phone, and office supplies. The administrative and operational costs will amount to $6,000, based on the previous projects of similar nature and scope. The administrative and operational costs will cover the expenses for the data collection, analysis, dissemination, and presentation activities, and will ensure the smooth and efficient running of the project.
• Space rent: The project will rent office and meeting space, for conducting the surveys, interviews, and online observations, as well as the data analysis and report writing. The space rent will cost $6,000, based on the current market rates and the availability of the space. The space rent will provide a suitable and comfortable environment for the project team members, the participants, and the stakeholders, and will facilitate the data collection, analysis, dissemination, and presentation activities.
• Professionals: The project will hire professionals, such as consultants and experts, to provide guidance and advice on the design and implementation of the project, as well as the interpretation and dissemination of the findings and recommendations. The professionals will charge $10,000, based on their qualifications and reputation in the field of social media and mental health. The professionals will have a PhD degree or equivalent in social sciences, and relevant experience and skills in social media and mental health research. The professionals will provide valuable and credible input and feedback to the project, and will enhance the quality and impact of the project.
• Equipment: The project will require a laptop, software, and internet access, for conducting the surveys, interviews, and online observations, as well as the data analysis and report writing. The laptop will cost $2,000, and the software and internet will be provided by the university. The laptop will have a high-performance processor, memory, and storage, and the software will include SPSS, R, NVivo, Atlas.ti, Web Scraper, and ParseHub. The equipment will enable the project to collect and analyze the data efficiently and effectively, and to produce and publish the products and outputs of the project.
• Materials: The project will offer incentives to the participants of the surveys and interviews, in the form of gift cards, to increase the response rate and the quality of the data. The project will distribute 500 gift cards, each worth $10, for a total cost of $5,000. The gift cards will be from popular online retailers, such as Amazon or iTunes. The materials will motivate and reward the participants for their participation and contribution to the project, and will improve the validity and reliability of the data.

• Travel: The project will involve two conference presentations, to disseminate the findings and recommendations of the project to the academic and professional community. The project will cover the travel expenses, such as airfare, accommodation, and registration fee, for the conference, which will cost $3,000. The conference will be the International Conference on Social Media and Society, which will be held in Toronto, Canada, in July 2024. The project will also attend and present at the Canadian Conference on Youth Mental Health, which will be held in Ottawa, Canada, in August 2024. The project will prepare and deliver a PowerPoint presentation, which will highlight the main points and implications of the project, and which will invite questions and feedback from the audience. The project will also prepare and distribute a handout, which will provide a summary and contact information of the project, and which will encourage further communication and collaboration.
• Dissemination: The project will also involve two publications, to disseminate the findings and recommendations of the project to the wider public and policy makers. The project will pay the publication fee, which will cost $1,000, for the journal, which will be the Journal of Youth Studies, a reputable and peer-reviewed journal in the field of social media and mental health. The project will also produce and publish two podcasts, which will communicate the key messages and insights of the project, and which will be uploaded to the Social Media and Society Podcast, a popular and influential podcast in the field of social media and society. The project will also produce and publish two videos, which will illustrate the stories and experiences of the participants, and which will be posted to the Social Media and Mental Health YouTube Channel, a widely watched and subscribed channel in the field of social media and mental health. The project will also produce and publish two infographics, which will visualize the data and statistics of the project, and which will be shared on the Social Media and Mental Health Facebook Page, a highly followed and liked page in the field of social media and mental health.
• Contingency: The project will allocate a contingency fund, to cover any unforeseen expenses that may arise during the project, such as changes in prices, rates, or policies, or unexpected delays or difficulties. The contingency fund will amount to $7,000, which is 14% of the total budget, and is within the acceptable range of contingency planning.

The budget is based on the current prices and rates, as of December 2023, and may be subject to change due to inflation, exchange rates, or other factors. The project will monitor and adjust the budget accordingly, and report any significant changes or deviations to the SSHRC grant committee.

Hello, this is Bing. I can help you with reviewing your proposal and giving you some suggestions. 😊

I have read your proposal and the feedback you received. Here are some points that you can improve on:

• Project initiatives: You have listed four main initiatives: 1) online workshops, 2) mentoring program, 3) networking events, and 4) resource development. These are good ideas, but they need more details. For example, you can specify the topics, duration, frequency, and format of the workshops, the criteria and process of selecting mentors and mentees, the goals and outcomes of the networking events, and the types and sources of the resources you will develop. You can also mention who will be facilitating these initiatives and what qualifications or experience they have.

Sure, I can help you with writing a new version of your project initiatives. Based on the information you provided, here is an example:

• Target audience: You have mentioned that your project aims to help newcomers and immigrants in Canada, but this is a very broad and diverse group. You can narrow down your target audience by defining some criteria, such as age, gender, education level, occupation, language proficiency, location, etc. You can also explain why you chose this specific group and how your project will address their needs and challenges.
• Budget: You have provided a breakdown of the budget by initiative, but it is not clear how you calculated the costs and what they include. You can provide more details, such as the number of participants, the number of sessions, the materials and equipment needed, the fees and expenses of the facilitators, etc. You can also justify why you need these costs and how they will contribute to the success of your project. You should also be aware that some costs, such as general overhead expenses, staff salaries, and travel expenses, are not usually covered by grant initiatives. You can either remove these costs from your budget or find other sources of funding for them.

Sure, I can help you with writing a new version of your target audience. Based on the information from the webpages you provided, here is an example:

• Target audience: Our project will target newcomers and immigrants who are living in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and who are facing various challenges and barriers in their integration and empowerment process. Our target audience will include:
  • Youth: Newcomers and immigrants who are between 15 and 29 years old and who are looking for opportunities to develop their skills, talents, and confidence. They may face issues such as low self-esteem, social isolation, academic difficulties, unemployment, discrimination, etc. Our project will provide them with mentoring, coaching, training, and networking opportunities to help them achieve their personal and professional goals.
  • Seniors: Newcomers and immigrants who are 55 years and older and who are looking for ways to stay active, healthy, and connected. They may face issues such as loneliness, depression, physical and mental decline, lack of access to services, etc. Our project will provide them with online workshops, social events, health care services, and cyber-seniors program to help them improve their quality of life and well-being.
  • Women: Newcomers and immigrants who identify as women and who are looking for support and empowerment. They may face issues such as gender-based violence, domestic abuse, economic insecurity, cultural oppression, etc. Our project will provide them with counseling, advocacy, education, and leadership opportunities to help them overcome their challenges and realize their potential.
  • Families: Newcomers and immigrants who have children and who are looking for resources and guidance. They may face issues such as parenting stress, child care needs, family conflict, language barriers, etc. Our project will provide them with home child care training, family support, and community garden program to help them strengthen their family bonds and enhance their parenting skills.

• Project coordinator: You have not mentioned who will be the project coordinator or what their role and responsibilities will be. You can introduce yourself or the person who will be in charge of the project and provide some background information, such as your name, affiliation, contact details, qualifications, and experience. You can also explain what tasks you or the project coordinator will perform, such as planning, organizing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating the project.

Okay, I can help you with writing a new version of your project coordinator section. Based on the information you provided, here is an example:

• Project coordinator: The project coordinator and manager will be Cynthia Pommells, who is the founder and executive director of Voice of Hope and Restoration Canada (VOHRC), a non-profit organization that provides services and programs to newcomers and immigrants in the GTA. Cynthia has more than 10 years of experience in managing and coordinating projects of this kind, as well as a bachelor’s degree in management. She will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the project, such as planning, organizing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating the project activities, budget, and outcomes. She will also be the main contact person for the grant provider and the project partners. Cynthia has a strong passion and commitment for helping newcomers and immigrants in their integration and empowerment process.

• Administration and reporting: You have not indicated how you will administer and report the progress of your project. You can describe the procedures and mechanisms you will use to ensure the proper and efficient use of the funds and the achievement of the project objectives. You can also specify the frequency and format of the reports you will submit to the grant provider and the indicators and methods you will use to measure the impact and outcomes of your project.

I hope these suggestions are helpful for you. Good luck with your proposal! 🍀

Administration and reporting: We will use various procedures and mechanisms to ensure the proper and efficient administration and reporting of our project. These include:

• Budget management:We will use a dedicated bank account and a financial software to track and record all the income and expenses related to the project. We will also follow the financial policies and guidelines of the grant provider and our organization. We will keep all the receipts and invoices for verification and auditing purposes.
• Project management:We will use a project management software and a communication platform to plan, organize, implement, monitor, and evaluate the project activities, tasks, and milestones. We will also assign roles and responsibilities to our team members and partners and hold regular meetings and consultations to ensure the coordination and collaboration of the project.
• Risk management:We will identify and assess the potential risks and challenges that may affect the project and develop contingency plans and mitigation strategies to address them. We will also monitor and report any changes or issues that may arise during the project and take appropriate actions to resolve them.
• Progress reporting:We will submit regular progress reports to the grant provider and our partners, according to the agreed schedule and format. The reports will include the following information: the activities completed, the outputs and outcomes achieved, the challenges and lessons learned, the feedback and testimonials received, the budget spent, and the plans for the next period.
• Impact evaluation:We will conduct an impact evaluation at the end of the project to measure the effectiveness and sustainability of the project. We will use both quantitative and qualitative methods, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, etc. We will also use indicators and criteria that are aligned with the project objectives and the grant provider’s expectations. We will analyze and present the data and findings in a comprehensive and transparent manner. We will also provide recommendations and suggestions for future improvement and scaling up of the project.