Table of Contents
Description
The purpose of this funding opportunity is to further strengthen Canadian research activity and capacity by funding Emerging Teams in Applied Health Services and Policy Research in the key strategic priority areas of: 1) Drug Policy 2) Health Information and 3) Access to Appropriate Care Across the Continuum, as well as additional health services priority areas such as Health Services for Genetic Diseases and those outlined in the national consultation document, Listening for Direction III.
It is expected that this targeted investment will increase national capacity for effective research, mentoring, education, and knowledge translation so that relevant research evidence improves the overall performance of the healthcare system.
Background
The purpose of this Emerging Team Grant initiative is to strengthen Canadian health services and policy research by supporting emerging research teams conducting high-quality research and providing superior training opportunities. The program is expected to enhance the understanding and accelerate the resolution of health issues through groundbreaking research. It is expected that this investment will further the Canadian capacity for high-quality, problem-based research on relevant health, healthcare and health system issues.
This program is intended to fund the creation or further the development of research teams undertaking collaborative research relevant to issues of significant concern to health policy decision makers. Eligible teams will consist of at least three independent investigators who will form an integrated and effective research team, ideally interdisciplinary in nature, spanning across regions and universities. It is expected that this program will enable such teams to build and strengthen capacity and add expertise, develop strategies for knowledge translation, provide superior training and mentoring environments to new researchers and achieve research excellence so that at the end of the funding period they are competitive for funding through other CIHR major funding competitions, including Team Grants in the open competition.
Through this Emerging Team Grant competition the CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research and its partners intend to fund a variety of emerging research teams (ideally national teams - with team members from different provinces/territories and/or multidisciplinary teams, trans-disciplinary teams, partnered teams, academic-industry teams, etc.). Proposals that represent active and meaningful partnerships between decision makers and research teams based in institutions (including universities, colleges, hospitals and affiliated research institutions) are welcome.
More information about the Emerging Team Grant program can be found in Emerging Team Grant Program.
Funds Available
CIHR's contribution to the amount available for this initiative is subject to availability of funds voted annually to CIHR by parliamentary appropriations, and the conditions that may be attached to them.
Funds Available for the Current Funding Opportunity:
- It is anticipated that approximately $15 million over five (5) years will be available through the current funding opportunity, enough to fund approximately ten (10) Emerging Teams ($3.3 million annually). These funds are a combination of CIHR funds and partnership funds.
- The maximum amount awarded for a single grant is $300,000 per annum for up to five years, including equipment.
- The equipment amount, where applicable, is awarded in year one.
- In the case of 5-year grants, the final two years of funding are subject to a satisfactory progress review in the third year of funding.
- Separate funding pools will be established to ensure that at least one meritorious application - that meets funding requirements, is top-ranked and deemed relevant by the funding partners - is funded in each of the eight areas outlined below.
Partner/Collaborator Participation
CIHR is dedicated to identifying and developing collaborations with other funding organizations and stakeholders to enhance the availability of funding for this strategic initiative, and to create, where appropriate, opportunities for knowledge exchange and translation related to the scope of this particular initiative. Applicants are invited to visit the Partner/Collaborator Description section to find a list of partners/collaborators and their respective mandates and/or strategic interests. This list will continue to evolve as new partners/collaborators join in this initiative. The specific research foci and requirements for each partner/collaborator are outlined in the section "Objectives".
Top
Objectives
CIHR's collaborative programs focus on support of research teams and a problem-based research culture.
Through the Emerging Team Grant program it is the intent of CIHR to fund the creation or development of research teams of investigators undertaking collaborative research relevant to issues of significance to health policy decision makers. This grant will enable such teams to:
- strengthen capacity and add expertise relevant to issues or problems of significant concern to health policy decision makers;
- develop strategies for knowledge translation and exchange;
- provide a superior training and mentoring environment; and
- be competitive for funding through other major competitions.
Proposals that represent collaborations between decision makers and research teams and/or community organizations and research teams based in institutions (including universities, colleges, hospitals, and affiliated research institutions) are encouraged. For proposals that include decision makers as application partners, the guiding principle for participation is that decision makers are active, influential and ongoing participants in the research, training, mentoring and knowledge translation activities, and that their roles have been formally agreed upon in the spirit of ensuring equity and mutual benefits from the collaboration. It is expected that these application partners will contribute to:
- formulating research agendas;
- providing input into the development of research and training projects;
- synthesizing and disseminating findings;
- applying the research findings to inform policies, programs and/or practices; and
- where appropriate, conducting the research.
For more information about knowledge translation consult Defining and Framing Knowledge Translation of the CIHR Knowledge Translation Strategy 2004-2009.
Within the framework of the overall objectives of the Emerging Team Grant Program, the specific objectives of this funding opportunity are:
- To support targeted knowledge creation and capacity building in thematic areas identified in this funding opportunity.
- To better position teams of researchers for success in CIHR open competition research funding.
- To promote networking and mentoring among researchers from different disciplines and between institutions.
- To reduce regional disparities in health research capacity.
- To stimulate the formation of national teams to address issues of national importance and to capitalize on the research advantage of different approaches to reform across the provinces.
- To promote the development and maintenance of multidisciplinary teams that conduct trans-disciplinary research in strategic thematic areas.
- To encourage the creation or enhancement of collaborative, transdisciplinary teams and environments conducive to the development of methodological and conceptual advances in the 'basic principles and application' of health services and policy research.
- To create opportunities and initiate career paths for young and established investigators who are new to conducting health research.
- To facilitate the integration of knowledge translation strategies and activities into routine activities of research teams.
Relevant Research Areas:
The CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research and its partners will provide funding for applications for Emerging Teams that are determined to be relevant by the CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research and its partners to the following research areas. Further information on each of the areas is provided below.
I. Access to Appropriate Care across the Continuum
- Health Human Resources (CIHR/Health Canada Team)
- Strategic Management for Timely Treatment (CIHR/Health Canada Team)
- Models of Care to Improve Access and Delivery for Musculoskeletal Oral or Skin Diseases and Conditions (CIHR Team)
II. Drug Policy:
- Effectiveness, Safety and Adverse Events (CIHR Team)
- Policies for Equitable Access to Medications (CIHR/Health Canada Team)
III. Health Information (CIHR Team)
IV. Health Services for Genetic Diseases (CIHR Team)
V. Listening For Direction (LfD) III Theme Areas (CIHR Team)
FURTHER DETAIL ON EACH OF THE THEME AREAS (I-V) ABOVE FOLLOWS:
I. Access to Appropriate Care across the Continuum:
Canadians expect timely, co-ordinated access to high quality healthcare services. They expect that the health services and treatments they receive are based on the best and most current evidence, and will improve their health and quality of life. They also expect the latest innovations (drugs, therapies, diagnostics, etc.) to be publicly-funded. Meeting these expectations is a challenge for federal, provincial and territorial governments alike. For the most part, decision makers are aware of the problems, disparities and barriers that exist. But they need evidence-informed approaches and implementation strategies to improve access to, and the public's understanding of, appropriate care across the continuum, including services offered by the private sector.
- Health Human Resources (CIHR/Health Canada Team)
Health human resource (HHR) issues continue to top decision makers' concerns. Effective approaches to the planning, management and training of HHR are vital in a responsive healthcare system that meets the population's needs today and in the future.
Five major areas have been identified for further research: evaluation of innovative service delivery models; capacity to identify, track and share HHR planning information; alignment of education curricula with health system needs and policy; effective use of all health professionals' competencies; and capacity to retain healthcare providers.
The CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research, in partnership with Health Canada, will support one (1) Emerging Team in Health Human Resources.
Areas of investigation should include one or more of the following:
- Evaluation of HHR competencies, curricula, entry-to-practice requirements, roles, new providers, collaborative practice, practice environments, innovative models of care, deployment, retention initiatives, and change management initiatives vis-à-vis patient outcomes, wait times, costs, and patient and provider satisfaction
- Assessment of ways to move towards a system of HHR planning that better reflects underlying population health needs, including the development of the methodologies and models required for such planning and the assessment of existing data in terms of requirements for improvements and gaps
- Assessment of coordinated, ongoing mechanisms to identify, track, acquire, transfer and exchange HHR knowledge
Funding for this Emerging Team is provided by the CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research, in partnership with Health Canada. Health Canada's objectives are listed in the Partner/Collaborator Description section below.
- Strategic Management for Timely Treatment (CIHR/Health Canada Team)
Canadians are concerned about wait times, not only in terms of getting into the system, but also of moving through it. This applies to wait times for surgical and diagnostic services, treatments (e.g., cancer), as well as for other kinds of care (e.g., long-term care, home care, etc.). Strategic management of wait times includes addressing questions of appropriateness of treatment, prioritization of patients, appropriate length of the wait given need, and management of the waiting experience. Attention must also be given to wait time management procedures (and what we can learn from other sectors), information management, change management and cultural change, and strategies to engage providers and administrators in finding solutions.
Additionally, study and evaluation are needed of the several initiatives that have been initiated to address wait times, (e.g., the prioritization of certain services, wait time guarantees, etc.). Best practices and evidence from other jurisdictions can also inform policy and management approaches in Canada.
The CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research, in partnership with Health Canada, will fund one (1) Emerging Team in the area of Strategic Management for Timely Treatment.
Areas of investigation must include one or more of the following:
- Measure and map wait times across the continuum of care, and their impact on health outcomes and quality of life
- Address questions of the appropriateness of treatment in the context of services for which there are particular wait time issues
- Develop methods for the fair prioritization of patients who are waiting.
- Identify best practices for patient-centred wait list management and improving the waiting experience
- Assess management techniques from other sectors (e.g., airlines, couriers, etc.) and their application to health wait times
- Analyse the role of electronic health records and other information technologies in the strategic management of wait times
- Develop pathways to change management and culture change
- Evaluate federal and provincial initiatives to address wait times (e.g., the prioritization of certain services, wait time guarantees, etc.)
- Identify best practices in wait times management and reduction, and assess the evidence from other jurisdictions
- Develop mechanisms of engaging the public and addressing their expectations
- Assess the impact of the media on perceptions of wait times
Funding for this Emerging Team is provided by the CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research, in partnership with Health Canada. Health Canada's objectives are listed in the Partner/Collaborator Description section below.
In addition, it may be possible that the successful Emerging Team would act as a resource to provide knowledge and expertise to the provinces and territories on patient wait time guarantees (e.g., pilot project evaluation framework).
- Models of Care to Improve Access and Delivery for Musculoskeletal Oral or Skin Diseases and Conditions (CIHR Team)
Some of the current models of access and delivery of care for arthritis, bone, muscle, musculoskeletal (MSK) rehabilitation, oral, and skin conditions and diseases are inadequate to meet the present and future needs. In addition, a more effective and efficient use of available resources is needed to decrease wait times and healthcare costs while increasing access, quality of the care, services, and improving outcomes and ultimately quality of life for Canadians with arthritis, bone, muscle, MSK rehabilitation, oral and skin conditions and diseases.
The CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research, in partnership with the Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis will fund one (1) Emerging Team in the area of Models of Care to Improve Access and Delivery for Arthritis, Bone, Muscle, MSK Rehabilitation, Oral or Skin Diseases and Conditions.
Areas of investigation should include one or more of the following:
- Measure and map wait times for arthritis, bone, muscle, MSK rehabilitation, oral or skin diseases or conditions across the continuum of care and their impact on patient outcomes and quality of life.
- Identify and test best practices on how to implement more effective, efficient, appropriate and safe alternative models of care across the continuum from access through delivery.
- Develop and apply health economic indicators for evaluating "cost-effectiveness" of effective, efficient, appropriate and safe alternative models of care taking into consideration differential outcomes based on cultural background, age, gender, geographic region, etc.
- Identify barriers and facilitators for implementing new models of care.
- Generate frameworks and policy solutions to improve arthritis, bone, muscle, MSK rehabilitation, oral or skin health in the short, medium and long-term.
Funding for this Emerging Team is provided by the Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis. Further details on the institute's mandate can be found on their website. Also, those applicants whose focus is on arthritis specifically, should refer to the proceedings resulting from the Summit on Standards for Arthritis Prevention and Care where some of the Canadian research priorities and research knowledge gaps were identified by multiple stakeholders from the public and private sectors, and members of the general public.
II. Drug Policy
The CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research has identified drug policy as a priority research area. Prescription medications are a vital part of the Canadian healthcare system. They save lives, treat diseases and improve the quality of life for many. As well as improving lives, drugs have helped ease the burden of use in the healthcare system by shortening and preventing hospital stays. However, prescription drug use presents several challenges to the healthcare system. For example, it is the fastest growing and second largest category of healthcare expenditure in Canada. While governments have major concerns about sustainability, citizens expect the latest drugs approved for market to be available to them, regardless of cost. There are also concerns about the safety of drugs used, particularly in populations that were not the subject of research trials and in off-label use. Governments across Canada are endeavouring to address these challenges and ensure both good health outcomes and system sustainability.
First Ministers have agreed that no Canadians should suffer undue financial hardship in accessing needed drug therapies, and that affordable access to drugs is fundamental to equitable health outcomes for all Canadians. In September 2004, First Ministers directed Health Ministers to establish a Ministerial Task Force to develop and implement the National Pharmaceuticals Strategy to address the challenges and opportunities across the drug lifecycle: it is related to three themes: access; safety, effectiveness and appropriate use; and sustainability. The strategy includes actions to assess cost drivers and cost-effectiveness including best practices in drug plan policies, to develop options for catastrophic pharmaceutical coverage and a National Drug Formulary, to improve access to breakthrough drugs, non-patented drugs and best prices for drugs and vaccines, and to enhance the prescribing behaviour of healthcare professionals. Further research in these areas is required to provide the best evidence to support drug policy development and initiatives.
The CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research and its partners will fund two (2) Emerging Teams, one in each of the following research areas in Drug Policy. These two Emerging Teams must have members with host institutions in three or more provinces or territories. (Updated: 2007-07-25)
- Effectiveness, Safety and Adverse Events (CIHR Team)
Areas of investigation must include one or more of the following:
- Determining the factors that impact on safe, appropriate and effective medication use
- Assessing the infrastructural and organizational influences on optimal medication use
- Evaluating the impact of current policies and regulations on safe, appropriate and effective medication use, and developing alternative recommendations as appropriate
- Determining effective ways to improve prescribing and patient safety related to prescription drugs, including physical, procedural, behavioural, technical and system innovations
- Assessing enablers of and barriers to implementing effective adverse-event reduction systems, including post-marketing surveillance
- Developing methods for uptake of best practices
- Investigating the role of the patient and consumer in improving safety and effectiveness
Primary data collection, as well as inter-provincial and multi-method research, is encouraged.
Funding for this Emerging Team is provided by CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research. Additional funding partners may be added to this particular Team funding opportunity as additional funding partners confirm their support.
- Policies for Equitable Access to Medications (CIHR/Health Canada Team)
Areas of investigation must include one or more of the following:
- Identifying critical success factors involved in allocating resources for prescription medications that result in effective and efficient health and access gains, including assessments of best practices and their generalizability
- An evaluation of health outcomes among those with differential access to prescription medications
- An assessment of access to medications based on the various provincial programs and their nature
- Evaluation of the impact on health outcomes and healthcare costs, as well as sustainability of the different provincial drug programs and formularies
- An assessment of the effects of different cost sharing methods
- Investigating the ethical basis of the methods used to allocate resources for prescription drugs for populations and individuals
- Consideration of the impact of regulatory policies on access to drugs
- Addressing the implications of genomics and pharmacogenetics
Primary data collection, as well as inter-provincial and multi-method research, is encouraged.
Funding for this Emerging Team is provided by CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research in partnership with Health Canada (National Pharmaceuticals Strategy). Health Canada's objectives are listed in the Partner/Collaborator Description section below.
Specific requirements that relate to this funding opportunity are:
- The formation of national teams to capitalize on the research advantage of different approaches to drug policy across the provinces
- The integration of knowledge exchange with policy makers including Health Canada and the provinces into routine activities of research teams
- To foster linkages and create an environment of collaboration and exchange with health system managers and policy makers to support the timely and effective application of research into policies, programs and practice
III. Health Information (CIHR Team)
Just over four years ago, the Romanow Report emphasized the urgent need to establish the information infrastructure required to support reform efforts of Canada's healthcare system. Subsequent initiatives to build this infrastructure have included Canada Health Infoway's efforts together with those of the provinces to create electronic health records (EHRs), and the Canadian Institute for Health Information's work to increase its complement of electronic databases and improve the compatibility and intra-operability of data across jurisdictions.
Despite these initiatives, we are a long way from the point where all researchers can conduct timely cross-jurisdictional health services and policy research using the available electronic resources. Coherent national frameworks must be developed now to allow for the secondary use of data by decision makers and researchers. These frameworks must be in place to fully utilize the rich and complex data that could emerge from all data sources, including data from administrative databases, electronic health records, registries, biological samples, surveys, and primary data collected by researchers. Analysis is also required on how to best employ EHRs as a data source for research, planning, and performance improvement while respecting relevant privacy and ethical issues.
Investment in the area of Health Information is important as Canada lags behind internationally in the development of frameworks for the secondary use of data by health services researchers and the implementation of EHRs.
The CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research will support one (1) Emerging Team in Health Information.
Areas of investigation must include one or more of the following:
- Evaluate provincial EHR implementations, particularly in terms of cost, change management processes, outcomes, and patient and provider satisfaction
- Assess the impact of privacy laws and ethical requirements on the secondary use of health-related electronic data resources and develop methods and techniques to protect privacy and ensure confidentiality whilst ensuring access by researchers and decision-makers to data, including EHR data, (e.g., assessing alternative mechanisms for acquiring informed consent)
- Analyze best methods for engaging the public to understand better their concerns about privacy and confidentiality associated with the secondary use of data
- Develop frameworks, methods, techniques and strategies for improving data quality, definitions, linkability and strategies so as to improve access to data for all researchers and decision makers
Funding for this Emerging Team is provided by the CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research. Additional partners may be added to this Team as partners confirm funding for this team.
IV. Health Services for Genetic Diseases (CIHR Team)
The Health Services for Genetic Diseases Strategic Initiative grew out of a shared concern between the CIHR Institutes of Genetics and Health Services and Policy Research that rapid growth in genetic knowledge and technologies required corollary developments in health services and policy research to ensure that genetic healthcare could be organized, regulated, managed, financed, funded, used and delivered in the interest of improving the health and quality of life of all Canadians. Only four years ago there were few Canadian investigators doing research in this field, with virtually no cross-talk between the health services and policy research and genetics communities. By 2005, a strong new cross-disciplinary, collaborative research community had taken root and is now actively working with policy makers and system managers to address issues of rapidly increasing importance to our healthcare system.
The CIHR Institute of Genetics and CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research will fund two (2) Emerging Teams in the area of Health Services for Genetic Diseases.
Areas of investigation must include one or more of the following:
- Models of service delivery. There is a need to understand the ways in which genetic services are currently delivered to Canadians, to evaluate alternate models for the delivery of these services, and to consider how genetic services can best be developed to address new and emerging genetic technologies and services. Thus, this initiative calls for research to describe and assess models of service delivery, taking into account what exists, what works, how change can be managed, and outcomes assessed. This could include exercises to map models of service delivery across the country and evaluations of the relative effectiveness (or cost-effectiveness) of different models for delivering genetic health services, including considerations such as the mix of healthcare professionals, alternative clinical approaches to delivery, whether services should be centralized or regionalized, the role of the private sector, or how to ensure equitable access for Canadians of different geographic, cultural or ethnic origins.
- Genetics in primary care. As genetic science and technology expand the scope for genetic medicine and raise the public profile of genetic issues, primary care providers are expected to play an increasingly important role in the triaging and provision of genetic services. Thus, this initiative calls for focused attention to the role of primary care providers in genetic healthcare, including family history taking, referral guidelines and tools, the roles (and availability) of various primary care providers (including family physicians, genetic counsellors, genetic nurses, etc.), and the relative effectiveness of different ways of empowering primary care providers to assess and appropriately integrate genetic services into their practices.
- Assessing new and emerging genetic technologies. There is a continued need to develop evidence to support decision makers in the assessment of new and emerging genetic technologies. Thus, this initiative calls for research to enhance our understanding of the cost effectiveness and utility of genetic tests, technologies, products or services, to develop (and evaluate) ways to address the needs of policy makers for timely access to various sources of evidence, and to support decisions (including the use of decision frameworks and tools) regarding which genetic health services should be provided, by whom, in what settings, and how they should be financed.
- Public engagement and education. There is a need to engage various 'publics' (lay, professional, provider, policy maker, etc.) regarding the meaning, utility, acceptability and desirability of existing and emerging genetic technologies, taking into account limitations in scientific knowledge, and sometimes-inflated expectations about scientific potentials. Thus, this initiative encourages research to gauge the attitudes of various groups, and evaluate approaches to engagement and education that empower citizens, consumers and providers, and inform policy makers.
This funding opportunity is announced under the CIHR Institute of Genetics and CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research "Health Services for Genetic Diseases Strategic Initiative".
V. Listening for Direction III Theme Areas (CIHR Team)
In addition to the priority areas described above, at least two (2) additional Emerging Teams will be funded related to the theme areas identified in Listening For Direction (LfD) III: National Consultation on Health Services and Policy Issues. These theme areas were determined through a consultation process with decision makers across Canada. At the time of writing, the LfD III theme areas were not yet finalized. However, a list of the preliminary research themes is available on-line and the final consultation report will be available as soon as possible. Applicants will not be penalized for working from the draft as opposed to the final consultation document.
Funding for these Emerging Teams is provided by the CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research. Additional partners may be added to this Team as partners confirm funding for these two teams.
Top
Eligibility
Eligibility criteria for all CIHR research funding programs apply. The business office of the institution of an eligible Nominated Principal Applicant generally administers CIHR funds. Please refer to the Eligibility Requirements for CIHR Grants and Awards regarding the eligibility requirements for individuals and institutions.
Eligibility Criteria
Each eligible Emerging Team Grant application will include:
- A Team Leader who meets the criteria of "Principal Applicant" as described in the Participant Categories for CIHR Grants and who will assume administrative responsibility for the grant as Nominated Principal Applicant. In addition, the Team Leader must be a researcher with proven leadership capabilities and experience who will act as research program director.
- At least two additional independent investigators who meet the criteria of "Principal Applicant" as described in the Participant Categories for CIHR Grants who together with the Team Leader will form an integrated and more effective research team. Teams with a nucleus of experienced and productive investigators are encouraged to include some promising, new investigators in the Team. At least two of the investigators must have an established research track record in areas related to the collaborative project(s) proposed.
The following special conditions apply:
- Members of a Team may be located in one or more departments, faculties or CIHR-eligible institutions in Canada. As well, decision makers (health system managers or health services policy makers), international or private sector collaborators who make a substantial intellectual contribution to the research program may be listed as additional Team members.
- The team, as a whole, should not, at the time of submission, benefit from any infrastructure program of CIHR (e.g., the Groups program), or of any other federal (e.g., Canada Foundation for Innovation) or provincial agencies designed to facilitate group activities that was awarded more than seven years prior to this announcement. Individual team members may be part of other research teams or groups, as long as there is minimal to no overlap in the research programs. (Updated: 2007-08-17)
Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) will not be considered under this funding opportunity.
Top
Guidelines
This funding opportunity will follow the General Guidelines for Grant Programs. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate the use of Gender and Sex-Based Analysis in applications.
Allowable Costs
Applicants should review the Use of Grant Funds section of the Tri-Agency (CIHR, NSERC ad SSHRC) Financial Administration Guide for a complete listing and description of allowable costs and activities.
Through the Emerging Team Grant program, funding can be used to support:
- Research operating costs for the proposed collaborative research program (where an application includes overlap with an existing CIHR grant, and that application is successful in the Emerging Team Grant competition, continued funding of the ongoing grant will be reviewed).
- Purchase of equipment and maintenance contracts for common services and shared facilities.
- Costs of data collection, database and maintenance of information holdings directly related to the Emerging Team Grant research program.
- Costs of regional, national and international networking activities, including collaboration, planning, and knowledge exchange activities, directly related to the Emerging Team Grant research program.
- Salaries of research assistants, technicians and other personnel (eligible to receive salary) who will enhance the collaborative research productivity of the Team
- Support of research trainees, at the rate specified by CIHR for trainees paid from research grants.
- Salary of a professional coordinator and/or administrative assistant.
- Minimal operating costs for planning and pilot projects.
- Release time stipends to enable employees of community partners to participate in the research program, limited to 50% of their current salary and up to an overall maximum of $50,000 per year.
- A maximum of $20,000 annually for a release time stipend for the Nominated PI/Team Leader.
- Establishment funds and salary for New Investigators joining the team (New Investigators are within the first five years of their independent research careers). Salary contributions paid for by the Emerging Team Grant must not exceed the stipend paid to CIHR New Investigators. Those paid from the Emerging Team Grant cannot also hold a Canada Research Chair or another salary award. Note that new investigators paid from the grant can not be listed as co-applicants on the grant application. Similarly, they can not be listed as co-investigators on the grant after it is approved; however they can be considered members of the team.
- Costs involved in linkage with and dissemination of research findings to those who use the results, as appropriate for the research program, (including other researchers, the public, practitioner and policy communities, and the industrial sector).
Co-applicants may not receive a salary, stipend, or honorarium from CIHR grants, with the exception of co-applicants who are trainees or research associates, and the release time stipends for the team leader and employees of community partners as described in Participant Categories for CIHR Grants.
The full application must provide a detailed justification of all costs.
Conditions of Funding
All conditions specified in CIHR General Grants and Awards Policies shall apply to applications funded through this Funding opportunity. Conditions cover areas such as Applicant and Institutional Responsibilities, Ethics, Official languages policy, Access to Information and Privacy Acts, and Acknowledgement of CIHR's Support. Successful applicants will be informed of any special financial conditions prior to the release of funds or when they receive CIHR's Authorization for Funding (AFF) document.
In addition to CIHR standard guidelines and requirements, the following special conditions shall apply:
- Emerging Teams must submit an annual report to CIHR with a detailed summary of their activities and a discussion of the impact of their research. A standard reporting template will be provided by CIHR IHSPR and partners.
- Within six months after the end of the grant's term, the Nominated Principal Applicant is required to submit a final performance report, summarizing the results and describing how the grant funds were used. A standard form will be provided by CIHR.
Access to Information Act and Privacy Act, and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)
All personal information collected by CIHR about applicants is used to review applications, to recruit reviewers, to administer and monitor grants and awards, to compile statistics, and to promote and support health research in Canada. Consistent with these purposes, applicants should also expect that information collected by CIHR may be shared as described in Use and Disclosure of Personal Information Provided to CIHR for Peer Review.
CIHR as a federal entity is subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act, therefore the requirements of these two statutes will apply to all information located in CIHR's premises including, without limitation, cost-sharing agreements related to this Funding opportunity and all matters pertaining thereto.
While respecting the application of the Privacy Act to federal entities, all signing parties involved in a collaborative agreement will also be bound by the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). All personal information (as identified by the PIPEDA) collected, used or disclosed in the course of any commercial activity under collaborative agreements related to the Funding opportunity will be collected, used and disclosed in compliance with the PIPEDA.
Communication Requirements
In addition to following the policies relating to the Public Communication and Acknowledgment of CIHR's Support, Emerging Team Grant recipients will also be required to adhere to special branding requirements as a condition of receiving a CIHR Emerging Team Grant. The official name of the team is "CIHR Team in (area of research)." In cases where there is another major funding partner a shared title should be considered. The format of a shared title is "CIHR/(partner name) Team in (area of research)." The name of the Team must be used in all communication and promotion relating to the CIHR Emerging Team Grant. A team name must be proposed as part of the application for a CIHR Emerging Team Grant. Successful applicants and their host institutions will be required to agree in writing to proper use of the team name as well as the CIHR (and applicable partners) logo(s) on appropriate communications materials such as brochures, letterhead, publications and media materials. Recognition guidelines, including instructions on logo use, will be provided to successful applicants as part of the approval package.
Top
Performance Measurement
CIHR is committed to demonstrating results to Canadians for the money invested in health research. Therefore, processes for monitoring progress and appropriate use of funds, as well as for performance measurement and program evaluation are in place. As a result, funding recipients must:
- adhere to CIHR's reporting requirements and provide required information in a timely fashion. A Progress Report for Long-Term Grant Holders (5 or more years) will be required in year 3 of five-year grants. Grantees are required to submit the "Progress Report for Long-Term Grant Holders (5 or more years)" describing the progress made and the publications issued since the start of the grant. CIHR will cancel the last 12 months of the grant if the progress is unacceptable and will cancel the final two years of the grant if it does not receive a report. The "Progress Report for Long-Term Grant Holders (5 or more years)" can be found under List of Forms and Guidelines for Completion;
- contribute to the monitoring, review and evaluation of CIHR's programs, policies and processes by participating in evaluation studies, surveys, workshops, audits and providing data or reports as required for the purpose of collecting information to assess progress and results;
- encourage their associates, trainees and administration to participate in the monitoring, review and evaluation of CIHR's programs, policies and processes as required.
Top
Review Process and Evaluation
For the Letter of Intent (LOI) stage, the review process will take place in two stages: the relevance review and the peer review.
Relevance Review
A relevance review will be conducted at the Letter of Intent stage, prior to peer review. At the LOI stage representatives from all partners listed in the Partner/Collaborator Description section will have access to the anonymized versions of the one-page attachment entitled "Emerging Team Grant - Applied Health Services and Policy Research" describing how the research proposed addresses the objectives and relevant research areas described in the section "Objectives" (see How to Apply). At that time, partners will identify those projects that are relevant and reflect their research objectives. Where an anonymized title and summary is not deemed relevant by the funding partners, the LOI will not be evaluated by peer review and the proposed project will not be further considered in this competition.
Peer Review
Each Emerging Team Grant application will be evaluated as a single, integrated entity: the Team research program and the collaborative aspect. It is critical to demonstrate that the Emerging Team Grant will strengthen capacity and bring added value in terms of its approach to the health and wellness, healthcare delivery or health system issues, and the speed and efficiency with which new knowledge will be generated and translated into improvements in health and/or the healthcare system through the innovative research proposed by the team.
Applications will be reviewed by specifically-constituted, multidisciplinary peer review committee(s) formed for the purposes of reviewing Emerging Team Grants. Committee members are selected based on suggestions from many sources including the institute(s) / portfolio(s) and partner(s), following CIHR's Policy on Confidentiality, Conflict of Interest and Privacy Issues in Peer and Relevance Review (CCIP). For information on CIHR's peer review process in general, see the Peer Review section of CIHR's web site.
Once peer review of LOIs is completed, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application.
After peer review of the full applications, the representatives from all partners listed in the Partner/Collaborator Description section will receive the rankings and peer review committee recommendations on funding level and term for the applications that are rated in the CIHR fundable range and are found to be relevant to the specific objectives of the research initiative and the research areas described under "Objectives" and "Relevant Research Areas."
Applications receiving a score less than 3.5 on the CIHR 0 to 4.9 rating scale are not eligible to receive funding. Applications being considered for funding in the area of "Health Services for Genetic Diseases" must receive a rating of 3.7 or above to be funded. The CIHR rating scale is described in CIHR Peer Review Process: Policies and Responsibilities of Grants Committee Members.
Evaluation Criteria
General criteria for assessing applications are listed below. CIHR recognizes that applicant Teams will emphasize different approaches to research and knowledge translation.
Impact
- How important and original are the contributions expected from the research proposed? What is the potential for important new knowledge or its impact on health and health research? How relevant is the research program to decision makers in terms of treating a significant issue or problem?
Innovation
- Does the proposed program challenge the current research thinking and paradigms and/or address unexplored areas?
- How important, novel and/or original are the hypotheses or the questions to be addressed, and how clearly are they formulated?
- How will an Emerging Team Grant add value by bringing together researchers with decision makers and community partners in a meaningful collaboration to advance our understanding of the health problem or issue?
Methodology
- Is the health, disease, healthcare or health system issue approached through an original, cohesive/integrated and feasible research plan that will generate valid, reliable and useful knowledge?
- Has the Team identified the roles and contributions of all the parties in planning, execution and evaluation, as well as management activities?
- Does the Team have a plan for engaging and linking with, and a description of the approaches that will be taken to reach, those who will utilize and apply the results?
Applicant's Productivity, Experience and Training
- How appropriate to the research proposed is the training or track record of the applicants?
- Have team members demonstrated sustained productivity, creativity and originality in their research?
Environment
- Has the Team demonstrated the potential for excellence through their approach to recruiting members and providing a superior training opportunity for graduate and/or post-doctoral trainees, as well as independent investigators who may be new to the team's area of research?
Knowledge Translation
- The knowledge translation component of the plan clearly:
- Identifies intended user audiences and knowledge translation strategies; and,
- Demonstrates potential for probable uptake and use of knowledge by identified users (including an analysis of potential contextual barriers faced) as a result of the knowledge translation strategies, including the intention of the researcher to involve intended users early and often in the research process.
Partners
- What is the extent and depth of partnerships with health services and policy organizations locally, regionally, provincially/territorially or nationally?
- Is there demonstrated involvement with health policy decision making structures at local, regional, provincial/territorial and/or national levels?
- Are governance and management structures in place to ensure the meaningful integration of decision makers and community partners in the decision-making process?
- To what extent are partners involved and committed to formulating the research agenda, providing input into the development of research and training projects, disseminating findings, and applying the outcomes of research?
- Does the proposal demonstrate the involvement of the necessary local, regional, provincial/territorial, national and/or international partners in the planning and execution of the research plan, and the application of the research results? Will this involvement permit research activities and outcomes that would not otherwise be possible?
Top
How to Apply
Applicants are advised to review CIHR's grants and awards policies and guidelines outlined in the CIHR Grants and Awards Guide.
The application process is comprised of two stages: 1) Letter of Intent, and 2) Full Application.
1) Letter of Intent (LOI)
In the first stage of the application process the Nominated Principal Applicant is required to submit a Letter of Intent.
Applicants are advised to follow the instructions on the Acceptable Application Module Formats page which outlines formatting requirements for the LOI and attachments.
The name of the Team Lead (nominated principal applicant) must appear on each free form page of the LOI.
The Letter of Intent must include:
a) The Registration pages of the CIHR Research Module:
To generate the Registration pages, you must access the CIHR Web Forms. Under Research funding program select Emerging Team and complete six sections of the Research Module Web form, namely:
- Research Funding Program
- Nominated Principal Applicant
- Project
- Applicants / Co-Applicants
- Suggested External Referees
- Collaborators and Committees (do not fill in "Suggested Peer Review Committee")
b) A cover page of maximum one page (free form; a standard form is not available for the cover page) indicating:
- the title of the Team program as it will appear in publicity and other announcements (CIHR Team in (area of research) or with another major funding partner CIHR/(partner name) Team in (area of research));
- the title of this funding opportunity: "Emerging Teams in Applied Health Services and Policy Research"
- a brief description (10 lines maximum) of the research area of the proposal;
- five keywords describing the research;
You must clearly indicate in the cover page, one of the following eight priority areas your application is addressing. Please indicate only one priority area.
Access to Appropriate Care across the Continuum
- Health Human Resource
- Strategic Management for Timely Treatment
- Models of Care to Improve Access and Delivery for Musculoskeletal Oral or Skin Diseases and Conditions
Drug Policy
- Effectiveness, Safety and Adverse Events
- Policies for Equitable Access to Medications
6. Health Information
7. Health Services for Genetic Diseases
8. Listening For Direction (LfD) III Theme Areas
c) In a table format, a list of all applicants with their affiliations and expertise (the list need not be final at the Letter of Intent stage).
d) Proposal.
In a maximum of five pages (not including references), the proposal must outline clearly each of the elements below:
- the objectives of the research program to be undertaken by the Team over the period of funding;
- the nature of the Team and extent of collaboration between investigators and decision-makers and/or community partners, with an explanation of the anticipated value added to the research program through the synergy of the Team;
- the proposed roles of partners in the planning and execution of the research program and the dissemination and utilization of the research results;
- the knowledge translation plan, including proposed organizational structures for engaging and linking with those who will ultimately use the research findings;
- the research training and mentoring environment that will provide a superior experience for undergraduate, graduate and/or post-doctoral trainees, including those with a health professional background;
- the preliminary plan for the research program and schedule of work;
- the nature and extent of the host institutions' financial and other forms of long-term commitment to the Team's research, and to ensuring a favorable environment for carrying out the research activities.
e) List of references cited in the proposal.
f) Page 1 of the Common CV and a brief free-form curriculum vitae (maximum two pages per applicant) for a maximum of five of the principal applicants. This must include information on grants held (source, type, title, amount/year, and duration), relevant publications from the last five years, and 5-10 expertise keywords. Full CVs will not be considered.
Any additional materials will not be sent to the review committee; this includes letters of support, figures not included in the proposal, updates on publications, updates on other support received, letters confirming academic appointment, reprints, etc.
Additional instructions must be followed for this funding opportunity:
- Within the Research Funding Program section of the application web form, select the box marked "Strategic Initiative" and enter the title of this funding opportunity in the space provided.
- Provide an additional one-page attachment entitled "Emerging Team Grant - Applied Health Services and Policy Research" describing how the research proposed addresses the objectives and relevant research areas described in the section "Objectives." State the title of the proposal project and indicate one (and only one) Priority Area.
- Complete the Applicant Consent Form for Use and Disclosure of Personal Information Provided to CIHR for Peer Review, which is included in the application form.
2) Full Application
Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application. Only invited full applications will be peer reviewed. Details of the full application procedure will be provided by CIHR to those invited to apply. This will involve a full description of the individual components making up the team's research program, as well as a description of the added value of the proposed integrated research proposal. It is expected that the full application will be generally consistent with the letter of intent with respect to the outline of the research program, the participating investigators, the decision makers, and the partners.
Send the original Letter of Intent and five copies by Courier to:
RE: "CIHR - IHSPR Emerging Team Grants"
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Room 97, 160 Elgin Street
Address locator: 4809A
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0W9
Top
Contact Information
For questions specific to the Emerging Team Grant Program, including CIHR funding guidelines, how to apply, and the peer review process contact:
Ghisline Bourque (Updated: 2008-05-30)
Program Delivery Officer
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-941-0057
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: ghisline.bourque@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
For questions about the objectives and relevant research areas:
Michèle O'Rourke
Associate, Strategic Initiatives
CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research
Telephone: 613-952-4539
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: morourke@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
Top
Partner/Collaborator Description
Note: Additional partners/collaborators, including partners/collaborators from industry and the private sector are expected to join this funding initiative over the coming year.
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
CIHR is Canada's major federal funding agency for health research. Its objective is to excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products and a strengthened Canadian healthcare system.
CIHR - Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (IHSPR)
IHSPR is dedicated to supporting innovative research, capacity-building and knowledge translation initiatives designed to improve the way healthcare services are organized, regulated, managed, financed, paid for, used and delivered, in the interest of improving the health and quality of life of all Canadians.
CIHR - Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health (IAPH)
IAPH supports health research that addresses the special health needs of Aboriginal peoples in Canada, and aims to improve the health of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples through the assertion of Aboriginal understandings of health and by fostering innovative community-based and scientifically excellent research.
CIHR - Institute of Aging (IA)
The CIHR Institute of Aging supports research that promotes healthy aging and addresses causes, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation for a wide range of conditions associated with aging. One of the five priority topics of the Institute of Aging is ''Health services and policy relating to older people.'' Recent national consultations with seniors and seniors' organizations (the IA-led Regional Seniors' Workshops on Research) consistently identified age-appropriate healthcare and continuity of care as vital issues for health research in Canada. Other IA priorities relevant to this funding opportunity include Cognitive Impairment in Aging and Mobility in Aging.
IA will contribute up to $200K per year over 5 years to support successful applications that relate significantly to the health and quality of life of older adults (generally above the age of 65). Research and research design should address issues of aging and/or the aged as essential elements of the objectives, hypotheses and analyses (e.g., dynamics of aging, age-relevant models and/or aged subjects, uniqueness of aging or aged population). For applications related to Mobility in Aging, please see the Emerging Team Grant: Alliances in Mobility in Aging.
CIHR - Institute of Genetics (IG)
IG supports research on the human and model genomes and on all aspects of genetics, basic biochemistry and cell biology related to health and disease, including the translation of knowledge into health policy and practice, and the societal implications of genetic discoveries.
CIHR - Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA)
IMHA is committed to sustaining health and enhancing quality of life by eradicating the pain, suffering and disability caused by the broad array of musculoskeletal (MSK) diseases and conditions.
Partners
Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI)
An independent not-for-profit corporation, CPSI functions at arm's length from governments, system stakeholders and regulatory bodies. CPSI performs a coordinating and leadership role across sectors and systems, promotes effective strategies and leading practices to improve patient safety, and raises awareness with stakeholders, patients and the general public about patient safety.
Health Canada
Health Canada is the federal department responsible for helping Canadians maintain and improve their health, while respecting individual choices and circumstances. By working with others, Health Canada strives to:
- Prevent and reduce risks to individual health and the overall environment;
- Promote healthier lifestyles;
- Ensure high quality health services that are efficient and accessible;
- Integrate renewal of the healthcare system with longer term plans in the areas of prevention, health promotion and protection;
- Reduce health inequalities in Canadian society; and
- Provide health information to help Canadians make informed decisions.
Top
Additional Information
More information about this program can be found in the Emerging Team Grant Program Overview.
Top
|
