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Description
Note: The objective of the Focus on Stroke program has changed for 2008. The emphasis of this strategic initiative is on building capacity for later pillar stroke research and supporting research training of health professionals (e.g. nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, speech therapists).
The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, the Canadian Stroke Network, the CIHR Institute of Aging and the CIHR Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health are pleased to provide a special opportunity in the area of stroke training under the Focus on Stroke initiative. At present, Canada has a shortage of highly qualified personnel including stroke physicians, nurses, and other health professionals involved in research.
The Focus on Stroke initiative has been launched for the the past seven years. A total of 116 awards have been supported to date.
Doctoral Research Awards and Research Scholarships are also being launched under this initiative; please see the Doctoral Research Award: Focus on Stroke and Other: Focus on Stroke funding announcements for details.
Funds Available
Up to $150,000 in partner funds have been identified to support Doctoral Research Awards and Postdoctoral Fellowships. In addition, it is expected that additional partnership funds will be available.
The partners will provide support to highly qualified postdoctoral candidates wishing to receive further research training. The award consists of:
- a $40,000 stipend for PhDs, $50,000 stipend for MDs
- a $5,000 research allowance for both PhD and MD
- for up to 3 years.
Please note that funding under this initiative is subject to the availability of partner funds.
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Objectives
The aim of this initiative is to build greater capacity for stroke research in Canada and to encourage more research by health professionals such as those in nursing, social work, pharmacology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, nutrition, pathology, and medicine.
Increased stroke research capacity is needed in Canada to build on recent advances in stroke medicine and to prepare the health care system for the rising burden of stroke due to the aging population.
Relevant Research Areas:
Applicants must clearly articulate relevance of the proposed research to stroke in order to be eligible for funding. In addition, the focus of the research must be primarily (60% or more) in later health research themes/pillars (i.e. clinical, health services/health systems and population health). Please note that applicants whose projects are relevant to stroke, but are not 60% or more in later pillars are eligible for support through the HSFC's regular personnel award programs.
While any research area relating to stroke is eligible for this competition, the CIHR-IA will provide its funds for meritorious applications with an emphasis on the research scholar category, that are relevant to the Mobility in Aging Initiative. Under this initiative, the IA is interested specifically in research that deals with the functional limitations of individuals as a consequence of stroke rather than the disease itself. As well, the research and research design must include aging and/or the aged (generally above the age of 65) as essential elements of the objectives, hypotheses and analyses (e.g. dynamics of aging, age-relevant models and/or aged subject, uniqueness of aging or aged population).
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Eligibility
The eligibility criteria under the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada's regular personnel award programs apply to these awards.
In addition to the regular HSFC guidelines, applicants must adhere to the following:
- Please note that as indicated in the Heart and Stroke Foundation guidelines, as of July 1 of the award year, applicants must not have completed more than four years of post-PhD research experience. Undergraduate medical school and residency training is not considered as research experience.
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Guidelines
For the full funding opportunity description, please consult the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada website.
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Performance Measurement
CIHR, HSFC and CSN have put in place processes for monitoring progress and appropriate use of funds, as well as for performance measurement and program evaluation. As a result, funding recipients may be asked to:
- 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.
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Review Process and Evaluation
The HSFC peer review process (Junior Personnel Committee) will be utilized to assess the scientific excellence of applications to this initiative. Please note that application information will be shared with partner organizations in this strategic initiative for program administration and record-keeping purposes.
Evaluation
Applications will be assessed using the following criteria:
- The quality of the applicant, including:
- Academic Record. An undergraduate 4th year GPA >3.5 and GPA >3.5 for all graduate level courses is a minimum requirement.
- Research experience and potential.
- Documented publications. Applicants must have at least one first or second authored paper as a minimum requirement. Greater consideration will be given to those applicants with at least one first author paper.
- The research environment, including the supervisor with whom the applicant intends to work.
- The quality of the research project.
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How to Apply
For the full funding opportunity description, please consult the Heart and Stroke Foundation website.
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Contact Information
For further information about this funding opportunity, please contact:
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
Ann Nguyen
Information/Project Coordinator, Research
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
Telephone: 613-569-4361, ext. 268
E-mail: anguyen@hsf.ca
CIHR Institute of Aging
Linda Mealing
Assistant Director, Partnerships
Institute of Aging
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
160 Elgin Street
Ottawa ON K1A 0W9
Telephone: 613-952-4537
Fax: 613-954-1800
E-mail: linda.mealing@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
CIHR Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health
Christine Lavictoire
Assistant Director
Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
160 Elgin Street
Ottawa ON K1A 0W9
Telephone: 613-954-0544
Fax: 613-954-1800
E-mail: christine.lavictoire@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
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Partner/Collaborator Description
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (HSFC)
The HSFC, a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke and reducing their impact through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living, and advocacy.
Canadian Stroke Network (CSN)
The mission of the Canadian Stroke Network (CSN) is to reduce the effects of stroke on the lives of Canadians and on Canadian society. The CSN will place Canada at the forefront of stroke research through its multi-disciplinary research program, high-quality training for Canadian scientists and clinicians, and national and global partnerships. The new knowledge generated by the network's research activities will help launch a competitive Canadian commercial presence.
Partners
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
CIHR is the Government of Canada's agency for health research. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to catalyze its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health-care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 11,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada.
CIHR - Institute of Aging (IA)
The fundamental goal of the CIHR Institute of Aging is the advancement of knowledge in the field of aging to improve the quality of life and the health of older Canadians. IA has identified five priority areas for research on aging and health: aging and maintenance of functional autonomy; biological mechanisms of aging; cognitive impairment in aging; healthy and successful aging; and health services and policy relating to older people.
CIHR - Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (ICRH)
ICRH supports research into the causes, mechanisms, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation for a wide range of conditions associated with the heart, lung, brain (stroke), blood, blood vessels, critical and intensive care, and sleep. The ICRH vision is to achieve international leadership by fostering an environment of openness, excitement, energy, commitment and excellence in highly ethical, partnered initiatives focused on research, research training, and research translation for the circulatory and respiratory sciences and for the betterment of the health of Canadians. In March 2007, following consultations with the ICRH community and Institute Advisory Board, the following new priorities were identified:
- Genetics/biomarkers;
- Psychosocial, behavioural, environmental research;
- Technology;
- Sleep, circadian impact on circulatory/respiratory health, metabolism and obesity;
- Injury repair, inflammation mechanisms of chronic disease;
- Transplantation, regeneration, stem cells, bioethics;
- Aging, changing epidemiology.
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