Table of Contents
Description
CIHR's mandate 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 health care system. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to build capacity in health journalism and communications across all sectors of health research, including biomedical, clinical, health services and policy, and population and public health. By increasing the number of Canadians engaged in communicating the results of health research, in a variety of formats, CIHR hopes to raise the level of understanding of health related issues and research among a variety of audiences, including the general public, health professionals and policy makers. It is expected that this targeted investment will lead to more effective communication of health research in Canada.
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.
The maximum amount awarded for a single award is $26,000 for up to two years:
- Trainee stipend: $21,000 per annum.
- For awards held outside Canada, $5,000 is added to the annual stipend.
- This award is non-renewable.
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
The specific objectives of this funding opportunity are:
- To build capacity in health journalism and communications
- To raise the level of understanding of health related issues and research across a variety of audiences
- To increase effective communication of health issues and/or health research in Canada
- To build capacity for journalists/communicators to contribute to evidence-based health discourse in Canada
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.
Specific to CIHR training awards, please refer to the General Guidelines for Training Programs.
Specific Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility requirements specific to this funding opportunity include the following:
- This funding opportunity is open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
- This funding opportunity is open to those who have completed one or more degrees related to human health or have completed any degree supplemented by significant interest and a proven aptitude for health communications
- Only those students who have applied or have been accepted in a full-time journalism or communications training program in a university or college are eligible for support.
- Applicants may not hold any other federally-funded scholarship award.
Top
Guidelines
General CIHR Guidelines
This funding opportunity will follow the General Guidelines for Training Programs. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate the use of Gender and Sex-Based Analysis in applications.
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 requirements prior to the release of funds or when they receive CIHR's Authorization for Funding (AFF) document.
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
Grant recipients are required to acknowledge CIHR, its institutes and partners in any communication or publication related to the project. See CIHR General Grants and Awards Policies, Public Communication and Acknowledgement of CIHR's Support for details on CIHR's communication requirements. The contributing institutes / partners will be identified on the Authorization for Funding and decision letter.
Recipients of the award will be asked to submit at least two pieces of health research journalism or communications (i.e. article written for an online or print magazine, an audiovisual clip, etc.) completed as part of their training. These materials may be used to promote the Health Research Communications Award (HRCA), to draw attention to HRCA winners and to raise awareness of CIHR. As such, these materials may be featured in whole or in part as part of print and / or online communications materials prepared by CIHR. Recipients will also be asked to submit a 500 word report following the end of the award reflecting on how this award has affected their work in health journalism and communications.
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:
- 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
Peer Review
A CIHR peer review committee will evaluate the full applications. The committee may be drawn from one of CIHR's pre-existing committees or may be created specifically for this funding opportunity. 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).
Evaluation Criteria
Doctoral Research Awards are reviewed in accordance with the Guide for Reviewers - CIHR Doctoral Research Awards.
Master's Awards are reviewed in accordance with the Guide for Reviewers - CIHR Master's Award.
The following general criteria for evaluating training award applications will be used:
- Achievements and Activities of the Candidate
- Characteristics and Abilities of the Candidate
- Research Training Environment
The following evaluation criteria are specific to this funding opportunity:
- Aptitude for communicating health and health research material
- Commitment to pursuing health research communications training/career
- Commitment to contributing to the evidence-based health discourse in Canada
Top
How to Apply
The application process is comprised of one step: Submission of a Full Application.
Review the application instructions provided in How to Apply for Funding.
Select "Health Research Communications Awards Form" from the List of Forms and Guidelines for Completion.
A complete application consists of:
- Health Research Communications Awards application form;
- Official transcripts of the candidate's complete academic record to date. CIHR will only accept an official student's copy of the transcript if submitted in the original sealed envelope from the institution. Certified true copies will only be accepted from institutions outside North America;
- Two letters of reference from suitably qualified referees (i.e supervisor, employer) attesting to the applicant's communications ability, commitment and interest;
- Two samples of the applicant's health communications. Applicants are encouraged to send one communication aimed at the general public and one more targeted communication. Three (3) copies of each sample are required;
- Proof of acceptance or application to a journalism or communications degree program.
- Personal CV.
Send the completed application package by courier to:
RE: "Health Research Communications Award"
Research Capacity Development
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Room 97, 160 Elgin Street
Address locator: 4809A
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0W9
Top
Contact Information
For questions on CIHR funding guidelines, how to apply, and the peer review process contact:
Denise Aubin
Program Delivery Coordinator
Research Capacity Development
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-954-1963
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: daubin@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
For questions about this initiative and research objectives contact:
Andrea Smith (Updated: 2008-03-12)
Senior KSE Specialist
Knowledge Synthesis and Exchange Branch
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-948-2682
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: andrea.smith@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
Top
Partner/Collaborator Description
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 health care system.
CIHR - Knowledge Synthesis and Exchange Branch
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research's (CIHR) principal 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 health care system. The CIHR Knowledge Synthesis and Exchange Branch is dedicated to supporting outstanding research and research synthesis, building capacity for the uptake of knowledge and strengthening the science of knowledge translation best practices in the interest of improving the health and quality of life of all Canadians.
Top
| 
