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Description
The Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative (CHVI) invites applications from individuals or small teams of Canadian researchers interested in contributing toward the development of an HIV vaccine. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to further strengthen Canadian HIV/AIDS research by providing seed money, on a short-term basis, to support innovative health research activities which represent a first step towards the pursuit of more comprehensive funding opportunities (e.g. operating grants, team grants), such as pilot projects; and feasibility studies aimed at generating preliminary data, observations, or knowledge.
In partnership with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), CHVI will focus in part on Discovery and Social Research and provide support to HIV vaccine discovery and social research while strengthening the capacity and promoting greater involvement and collaboration amongst researchers in Canada and low- and middle-income countries. This particular funding opportunity highlights the need for new and novel approaches to maximize the potential for important scientific discoveries in the area of HIV vaccines.
This funding opportunity is announced under the strategic initiative CIHR HIV/AIDS Research Initiative.
Background
In Canada, HIV infects 2,500 additional people each year and disproportionately targets certain segments of the population. Around the world there are approximately 4.1 million new HIV infections per year and some countries have rates as high as 25%. Research is needed in many areas of HIV/AIDS and research focused on HIV prevention is seen as a critical step in controlling the epidemic.
Despite the progress that has been made, after more than two decades of HIV vaccine research many fundamental scientific questions remain unanswered. Missing is innovative research and vaccine design, as well as interest in testing novel hypotheses such as induction of broadly neutralizing antibody responses, triggering mucosal innate and adaptive immune responses, or mechanisms to achieve the same protective effects as live attenuated vaccines, but with fewer risks.
The CIHR Catalyst Grant program provides seed money, on a short-term basis, to support health research activities which represent a first step towards the pursuit of more comprehensive funding opportunities (e.g. operating grants, team grants), such as:
- the planning and execution of pilot projects or feasibility studies aiming to generate preliminary data, observations, or knowledge;
- the planning and execution of novel projects which clearly demonstrate the potential for significant impact, but which are considered high risk in nature in that they may be unsupported by proof of concept/preliminary data;
- development and/or validation of new inventions, tools, methodologies, protocols, theoretical models or frameworks; and
- planning and/or development activities of expert teams (multi-disciplinary, trans-disciplinary, etc.) coming together to address health research priorities.
This funding opportunity is part of the larger Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative (CHVI), a five-year collaborative initiative between the Government of Canada and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and represents a significant Canadian contribution to global efforts to develop a safe, effective, affordable and globally accessible HIV vaccine. As a partner of the CHVI, CIHR is responsible for implementing the Discovery and Social Research program area of the initiative in collaboration with CIDA.
At the CHVI Consultations held in February 2008, participants identified priority areas requiring funding in three research streams including the HIV Vaccine Discovery and Social research stream. As a result of their inputs, Large Team Grants and Operating Grants will be funded in the identified priority areas. Participants at the consultations also highlighted a need to support new investigators and innovative approaches where there might not be sufficient preliminary data for them to be funded through regular CIHR competitions.
This funding opportunity aims to encourage and stimulate new and established investigators (individuals or small teams) to undertake high quality research projects in areas where little preliminary data is available, that have the potential to generate high impact results and/or innovative research proposals, tools, techniques, inventions or methodologies.
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 total amount available for this funding opportunity is $500,000. This amount may increase if additional funding partners decide to participate.
- Up to 5 catalyst grants will be funded.
- The maximum amount awarded for a single grant is $100,000 per annum for up to 1 year.
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 "Objectives" section.
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Objectives
The primary objectives of the Catalyst Grant program are to:
- generate preliminary observations, data or knowledge, or to facilitate team formation, as a first step towards the pursuit of more comprehensive funding opportunities (e.g. operating grants, team grants) by researchers or teams of researchers; and
- support original, high quality projects which have the potential to generate high impact results and/or innovative research proposals, research tools, techniques, devices, inventions or methodologies.
The Catalyst Grant program is further expected to contribute to:
- providing new or established investigators with funding to pursue new areas of investigation;
- providing investigators the opportunity to pursue high risk health research questions with the potential for high impact;
- providing the opportunity for a unique combination (e.g. multi-disciplinary, trans-disciplinary, international) of individual researchers to develop as a team;
- development of a culture of invention and innovation in Canada; and
- mobilization of research communities to develop research agendas and/or action plans to advance research in specific priority areas.
Within the framework of the overall objectives of the CIHR Catalyst Grant Program, the specific objectives of this funding opportunity are to:
- enable Canadian basic science and clinical researchers to explore unique/novel ideas and contribute to international efforts in HIV vaccine development;
- build capacity for HIV vaccines discovery research in Canada; and
- create mechanisms for individual investigators and teams funded under the initiative to network and share information with one another and other relevant international networks and consortia (e.g. other Gates Foundation funded programs, NIH and The Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise).
Relevant Research Areas
This Request for Applications is open to biomedical and clinical research that is required for the discovery and development of HIV vaccines. Examples of eligible research topics include:
- novel approaches to induction and long-term maintenance of mucosal innate and adaptive immune responses;
- novel approaches to developing prophylactic vaccines aimed at induction of broadly neutralizing antibodies and B cell responses to HIV;
- development and testing of therapeutic HIV vaccines;
- studies aimed at better understanding the correlates of immune protection relating to HIV; and
- development and testing of novel vaccine adjuvants.
More information on the research priorities of this initiative can be found on the CHVI website. Research in the priority areas described above that focuses on at risk populations including people living with HIV/AIDS, men who have sex with men, injection drug users, Aboriginal peoples, prison inmates, youth at risk, women at risk and people from countries where HIV is endemic, is encouraged.
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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.
Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) will not be considered under this funding opportunity.
Note: No applicant can be named as "Principal Applicant" on more than two applications of the CHVI Discovery and Social Research funding opportunities (Catalyst, Operating and Large Team grants).
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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 and SSHRC) Financial Administration Guide for a complete listing and description of allowable costs and activities.
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 language policy, Access to Information and Privacy Acts, and Acknowledgement of CIHR 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.
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.
Policy on Access to Research Outputs
CIHR believes that greater access to research publications and data will promote the ability of researchers and knowledge users in Canada and abroad to use and build on the knowledge needed to address significant health challenges. Open access will promote accessibility to CIHR-funded research and will serve to increase the international visibility of Canadian research. As of January 1, 2008, CIHR grant recipients are reminded to adhere with the responsibilities outlined in the Policy on Access to Research Outputs. Under this policy, grant recipients must make every effort to ensure that research papers and bio-molecular data generated from CIHR funding are freely accessible online.
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.
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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; and
- encourage their associates, trainees and administration to participate in the monitoring, review and evaluation of CIHR's programs, policies and processes as required.
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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). For information on CIHR's peer review process in general, see the Peer Review section of CIHR's website.
Evaluation Criteria
Peer review will be conducted in accordance with the CIHR Peer Review Process - Policies and Responsibilities of Grants Committee Members, including the standard evaluation criteria described under "Factors in the Assessment" (section 6.2).
The following evaluation criteria will apply to peer review of Catalyst Grant applications:
- How important and original are the hypotheses, questions, or issues to be addressed, and how clearly are they formulated?
- How important and novel are the outcomes expected from the proposed research activities? What is the potential for important new observations, tools/techniques, knowledge or impact in health research, or for the expected outcomes to build a foundation for the pursuit of more comprehensive funding opportunities?
- How well will the proposed approach address the hypotheses or questions? How well have the applicant(s) anticipated difficulties in their approach and considered alternatives? How critically is the relevant literature appraised and evaluated?
- How appropriate to the proposed research activities is the training or track record of the applicant(s)? Are the reviewers confident that the applicant(s) can accomplish the work proposed?
Notes:
- It will be recognized by reviewers that preliminary data or observations for novel ideas or totally new research directions will generally not be available, and therefore there will be a minor emphasis on preliminary data or observations.
- Researchers, regardless of career stage, would not be expected to have an extensive publication record in the new field, but rather to possess a set of transferable competencies that will enable them to accomplish the proposed objectives.
- For projects of a high risk nature, the potential for great scientific gain should offset the risk of failure.
- There should be minimal or no overlap with other funded work.
The following evaluation criteria are specific to this funding opportunity:
- potential to contribute new knowledge toward the development of an HIV Vaccine;
- potential impact of the proposed project on the field of HIV Vaccine Discovery research; and
- extent to which the proposed project challenges the current research thinking and paradigms and/or address unexplored areas in HIV Vaccine related research.
CIHR recognizes that applications will emphasize different approaches to research and to knowledge translation, therefore reviewers and committees are expected to weight evaluation criteria such as the above differently from one application to another.
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How to Apply
Note: This funding opportunity requires the use of CIHR Web Forms to apply for funding.
- A step-by-step overview of CIHR's application processes can be found under How to Apply for Funding.
- The application process for this funding opportunity is comprised of two steps: Registration and Application.
- To complete your Registration and Application, follow the instructions identified in the Catalyst Grants - Web Forms - "Registration" Phase Instructions and the Catalyst Grants - Web Forms "Application" Phase Instructions.
- Reminder to applicants: Please ensure that your application is complete (including all required signatures) and submitted on time to CIHR. Effective September 1, 2008, CIHR will assume no responsibility in following-up with applicants who submit an incomplete application. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted into the competition.
Additional instructions that must be followed for this funding opportunity:
- In the Research Funding Program section of the Research Module, select "Strategic Initiative" and enter the title of this funding opportunity.
- Use the CIHR Research Module, but for the Research Proposal, submit a maximum of 5 pages.
Send the completed registration and application packages by courier to:
RE: "Catalyst Grants - HIV/AIDS Vaccine Discovery Research"
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Room 97, 160 Elgin Street
Address locator: 4809A
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0W9
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Contact Information
For questions on CIHR funding guidelines, how to apply, and the peer review process contact:
Liliane Chénard
Program Delivery Officer
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-957-3118
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: liliane.chenard @cihr-irsc.gc.ca
For questions about this initiative and research objectives contact:
Paula Kirton
HIV/AIDS Research Initiative
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
160 Elgin St., Address locator: 4809A
Ottawa, ON K1A 5A3
Telephone: 613-952-3654
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: paula.kirton@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
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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 - Institute of Immunity and Infectious Diseases (III)
III is the lead CIHR Institute for the CIHR HIV/AIDS Research Initiative. This initiative, supported by the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada, promotes Canadian research and builds research capacity in order to increase our understanding of the virus, the epidemic and effective responses. Further information on the Priorities for the CIHR HIV/AIDS Research Initiative is available on the Institute website.
Partners
Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative (CHVI)
This funding opportunity is launched as part of the Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative. CHVI is a five-year collaborative initiative between the Government of Canada and the Bill & Melinda Gate Foundation with the following goals: to coordinate Canadian domestic and international contribution to the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise, accelerate development of a preventive HIV vaccine and collaborate with key global and domestic partners. This collaboration builds on the Government of Canada's commitment to a comprehensive, long-term approach to address HIV/AIDS globally and domestically. Participating federal departments and agencies include: the Public Health Agency of Canada, Industry Canada, Health Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the Canadian International Development Agency.
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
CIDA has as its mandate to contribute to poverty reduction and sustainable human development in developing countries. The recent policy statement on Strengthening Aid Effectiveness allows CIDA to support programs that assist developing countries to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set for 2015. CIDA's Strategy for Health and its Social Social Development Priorities: A Framework for Action, and the resulting HIV/AIDS and Health and Nutrition Action Plans, all recognize the importance of evidence-based programming and the need for further research to continuously improve the impact and cost-effectiveness of Canadian Official Development Assistance (ODA).
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