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 support teams of researchers and decision makers/knowledge users to produce knowledge syntheses and scoping reviews. So that these projects contribute to the use of synthesized evidence in decision-making and practice, proposals will require strong partnerships with decision makers/knowledge users and well-developed knowledge translation strategies.
Applications to synthesize knowledge in any of CIHR's four themes - biomedical; clinical; health systems and services; health of populations, societal and cultural dimensions of health and environmental influences on health - are invited so long as they respond to decision maker/knowledge user identified needs.
Applications to conduct randomized controlled trials are not eligible for this funding opportunity. Applications to undertake Cochrane reviews are eligible only if the requested funds will not overlap with funding from the Canadian Cochrane Network and Centre (CCNC) and the proposed review is not one of the 30 reviews annually produced as a deliverable for CIHR funding of the CCNC.
Background
Knowledge syntheses are the cornerstone of knowledge translation. At their most basic they render our vast libraries of scientific literature useful to decision makers/knowledge users - turning that knowledge into a form that is reliable, relevant and readable. They are also a means to integrate the established literature with other forms of knowledge. A synthesis's comprehensiveness and application of scientific methods to literature analysis minimizes the risk of bias and error that may accompany single studies, so decisions are less likely to be based on poor or premature evidence. A synthesis also maps the state of our knowledge on a topic, revealing to decision makers/knowledge users where there is or is not strong evidence to inform their decisions, and guiding researchers to new avenues for primary research.
This funding opportunity will support two types of projects: knowledge syntheses and scoping reviews.
Knowledge syntheses
All forms of knowledge synthesis are invited, including systematic reviews, realist syntheses, narrative syntheses, meta-analyses, meta-syntheses, meta-ethnography and practice guidelines that synthesize evidence. Syntheses in this funding opportunity may synthesize results from qualitative research, quantitative research or draw on mixed methods. Syntheses of empirical as well as theoretical knowledge are invited. Standard protocols, handbooks and checklists exist for some synthesis methods. Applicants are encouraged to make use of and cite these resources where appropriate.
Scoping reviews
Scoping reviews are exploratory projects that systematically map the literature available on a topic, identifying the key concepts, theories, sources of evidence, and gaps in the research. They are often preliminary to full syntheses, undertaken when feasibility is a concern -- either because the potentially relevant literature is thought to be especially vast and diverse (varying by method, theoretical orientation or discipline) or there is suspicion that not enough literature exists. These entail the systematic selection, collection and summarization of existing knowledge in a broad thematic area for the purpose of identifying where there is sufficient evidence to conduct a full synthesis or where insufficient evidence exists and further primary research is necessary.
Knowledge Translation at CIHR
Knowledge Translation is a dynamic and iterative process that includes the synthesis, dissemination, exchange and ethically-sound application of knowledge to improve the health of Canadians, provide more effective health services and products and strengthen the healthcare system.
This process takes place within a complex system of interactions between researchers and decision makers/knowledge users which may vary in intensity, complexity and level of engagement depending on the nature of the research results and on the needs of the particular knowledge user.
At CIHR - we have divided KT into two main categories: end of grant and integrated KT. With end of grant KT, the researcher develops and implements a plan for making users aware of the knowledge that has been gained from the project; in integrated KT stakeholders or potential research users are engaged in the entire research process. Funding in the Knowledge Synthesis initiative requires an integrated approach to KT.
By end of grant KT, we mean the typical dissemination and communication activities undertaken by most researchers: KT to their peers such as conference presentations and publications in peer-reviewed journals. End of grant KT can also involve more intensive dissemination activities that tailor the message and medium to a specific audience, such as summary briefings to stakeholders; more interactive approaches such as educational sessions with patients, practitioners and /or policy makers; media engagement or the use of knowledge brokers. The commercialization of scientific discoveries is another form of end of grant KT.
The term integrated KT describes a different way of doing research with researchers and research users working together to shape the research process - starting with collaboration on setting the research questions, deciding the methodology, being involved in data collection and tools development, interpreting the findings and helping disseminate the research results. This approach, also known by such terms as collaborative research, action-oriented research, participatory research, community based research, mode 2 knowledge production and co-production of knowledge, should produce research findings that are more likely be relevant to and used by the end users. End of grant KT is part of the integrated KT process.
For more information about KT at CIHR please see their website.
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 initiative is $900,000. This amount may increase if additional funding partners decide to participate. Of this $ 900,000, $ 300,000 is available to conduct syntheses and scoping reviews in any health area. The remaining $ 600,000 is allocated to specific priority areas as detailed in the "Objectives" section.
- The maximum amount awarded for a synthesis is $100,000 per annum for up to 1 year. The maximum amount awarded for scoping reviews is $50,000 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 specific objectives of this funding opportunity are:
- To produce scoping reviews and syntheses that respond to the information needs of decision makers in all areas of health.
- To support the use of synthesis evidence in decision-making by building integrated and end-of-grant knowledge translation practices into the production of scoping reviews and syntheses.
- To extend the benefits of knowledge synthesis to new kinds of questions relevant to decision makers and areas of research that have not traditionally been synthesized.
Relevant Research Areas:
CIHR - Knowledge Synthesis and Exchange Branch
The Knowledge Synthesis and Exchange branch aims to advance CIHR's knowledge translation mandate by promoting and supporting excellence in knowledge translation practice and research, knowledge synthesis and exchange, as well as by building capacity in these areas.
Specific Research Foci and Requirements:
Knowledge Synthesis and Exchange Priority Research Area: (Updated: 2009-03-26)
The Knowledge Synthesis and Exchange Branch wishes to support work that focuses on advancing the science of knowledge translation and has allocated $100,000 for a separate funding pool to support a synthesis or scoping review that specifically addresses one of the following relevant research priorities:
- Measurement of KT including inventories of tools or tool sets that would enable measurement and comparison across studies
- The role of context in influencing the use of knowledge
- Tools and instruments designed to identify barriers to the use of knowledge (research findings) that may be related to: 1) potential users of the knowledge, 2) the environment or context in which the knowledge may be used, and 3) attributes or characteristics of the knowledge
Knowledge Syntheses on Neurological diseases, disorders, conditions & injuries
Neurological Health Charities Canada (NHCC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) are collaborating to build a better understanding of the epidemiology of neurological diseases, disorders, conditions & injuries in Canada.
Estimated to impact millions of Canadians, neurological conditions were recognized as a priority for the Government of Canada in the 2008 Speech from the Throne (November 19, 2008).
The agencies will be collaborating over the coming four-years to support research on cross-cutting, multidisciplinary initiatives designed to answer key questions about neurological conditions in Canada. This collaboration is unique in that it aims to address a significant number of conditions within the neurological cluster. With this in mind, CIHR’s Knowledge Synthesis and Exchange Branch has allocated $100,000 for a separate funding pool to support an initial knowledge synthesis project to summarize existing Canadian and international epidemiological studies about prevalence and incidence, or risk factors, or social, health and economic impacts of any identified neurological condition (see list below) or any combinations of these conditions. A synthesis cataloguing existing Canadian data sources relevant to each condition is also acceptable as would a synthesis of methods/approaches for undertaking prevalence and incidence, risk factor or impact studies of neurological conditions. To ensure relevance, the decision maker applicant included in applications within this funding pool must be a member of NHCC.
Conditions of Interest:
- Acquired Brain Injuries
- ALS
- Cerebral Palsy
- Dementia
- Dystonia
- Epilepsy
- Huntington’s disease
- Hydrocephalus
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Parkinson’s disease
- Spina Bifida
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Tourette Syndrome & related disorders
Those submitting applications that meet this relevant research area must clearly indicate so in the Summary of Research Proposal of the Research Module (p. 9).
CIHR Institute of Aging (CIHR-IA)
IA supports research to promote healthy aging and to address causes, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation for a wide range of conditions associated with aging. IA has identified five priority areas for research on aging and health (in no particular order): 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.
IA will contribute (subject to availability of funds) towards successful applications that fit within one or more of its priority research areas.
For the CIHR Institute of Aging applications 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).
CIHR Institute of Gender and Health (CIHR-IGH)
IGH will support syntheses or scoping reviews that focus on topics related to how sex (biological, hormonal, genetic factors)
or gender (psychological, social, cultural and structural factors), or both affect:
- disease development and health outcomes, or
- access to and receipt of appropriate therapeutics or healthcare services
CIHR Institute of Genetics (CIHR-IG)
Health Services for Genetic Diseases
The CIHR Institute of Genetics and CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research will fund up to three (3) grants in the area of "Health Services for Genetic Diseases" that address one or more of the following priorities:
- Models of service delivery
- Genetics in primary care
- Assessing new and emerging genetic technologies
- Public engagement and education
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".
CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity (CIHR-III)
III is the lead CIHR Institute for the CIHR HIV/AIDS Research Initiative and the Pandemic Preparedness Strategic Research Initiative.
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.
The HIV/AIDS Research Initiative will contribute up to $200,000 towards successful synthesis and/or scoping projects in its priority areas, which include:
- Health Systems, Services and Policy
- Resilience, Vulnerability and Determinants of Health
- Prevention Technologies and Interventions
- Drug development, toxicities and resistance
- Pathogenesis
- Issues of co-infection
Further information on the Priorities for the CIHR HIV/AIDS Research Initiative is available on the Institute website.
Pandemic Preparedness Strategic Research Initiative
The federally supported Pandemic Preparedness Strategic Research Initiative (PPSRI) was created to develop a coordinated and focused research effort and to build influenza and pandemic preparedness research capacity in Canada. Although research is an important component of Canada's plan to prepare for a pandemic influenza outbreak, it is not enough to focus on research - it is critical that research results be translated into new strategies to prevent or mitigate an outbreak. Knowledge translation (KT) is therefore an integral part of the Pandemic Preparedness Strategic Research Initiative. Through the PPSRI, III will support KT activities and uptake of the research findings related to pandemic preparedness. The PPSRI KT strategy consists of five components: integrated KT for team grants, research synthesis, KT grant supplements, meeting, planning and dissemination grants and an annual meeting of researchers and knowledge users.
Through this funding opportunity III anticipates providing funds to successful synthesis or scoping project(s) that summarize scientific literature from research carried out during previous influenza seasons and other disease outbreaks and develop recommendations that will contribute to pandemic preparedness planning and control.
Further information on the Pandemic Preparedness Strategic Research Initiative is available on the Institute website.
CIHR Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA)
The Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis will consider funding synthesis applications that are relevant to at least one of IMHA's three research priorities:
- Physical Activity, Mobility and Health
- Tissue Injury, Repair and Replacement
- Pain, Disability and Chronic Diseases
Pain, Disability and Chronic Disease:
The primary focus of this theme is to better understand the genetic and environmental causes, optimal treatment and elimination of pain and disability in one or more of IMHA's six focus areas (bone, skin, muscle, MSK rehabilitation, oral health and arthritis). A second area of significance is the need to understand the relationship between chronic diseases and conditions within IMHA's mandate (e.g. skin and bone diseases and diseases that compromise oral health). The impact of chronic musculoskeletal, oral, and skin diseases and conditions on general health and well-being is also of utmost importance.
Tissue Injury, Repair and Replacement:
This theme supports innovative research into the cause and prevention of the physical, psychological, psychosocial and economic impacts of acute and chronic injury and prostheses relevant to one or more of IMHA's six focus areas (bone, skin, muscle, MSK rehabilitation, oral health and arthritis).
Physical Activity, Mobility and Health:
Research under this theme will create a better understanding of the relationships among physical activity, mobility and MSK health at every level and every point in the life cycle, including the well being of individuals, with emphasis on one or more of IMHA's six focus areas (bone, skin, muscle, MSK rehabilitation, oral health and arthritis). The psychosocial aspects of exercise, activity and sports on populations are also relevant.
The Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine Initiative (RMNI)
The Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine Initiative (RMNI) is a partnership between CIHR and other funding agencies, government departments, and NGOs. Its goal is to improve the health of Canadians by supporting multi-disciplinary and integrative research approaches in new and emerging areas, including regenerative medicine and nanotechnology applied to health (nanomedicine).
In collaboration with other funding agencies and departments of the Canadian Government, CIHR recently supported a Canadian Workshop on Multidisciplinary Research on Nanotechnology: Gaps, Opportunities and Priorities. This workshop identified key gaps and research needs in nanotechnology, particularly as they relate to NE3LS issues (i.e. nanotechnology ethical, environmental, economic, legal and social issues), environmental and health impacts and risks, and the regulatory mechanisms needed to address them.
Based on the research priorities identified in this workshop, RMNI and its funding partners will provide research funding support through this funding opportunity (subject to availability of funds) in the following areas of nanotechnology research:
- Ethics and Related Domains
- Policy, Regulatory Development and Governance
- Science Environmental and Health Risks
- Social Science and Humanities Perspectives
- For information on specific eligible research topics, please see the Research Priorities section of the RMNI website.
Regional Partnerships Program - New Brunswick (RPP-NB)
CIHR, through the Regional Partnerships Program (RPP) to in partnership with New Brunswick-RPP may fund applications in all four themes of health research that contribute to the goal of building health research capacity in New Brunswick, which meet RPP eligibility requirements.
More information on the research priorities of New Brunswick can be found on their website.
The maximum amount awarded for a synthesis is $100,000 per annum for up to 1 year. The maximum amount awarded for scoping reviews is $50,000 per annum for up to 1 year.
The Regional Partnerships Program provides funding for highly ranked applications within the fundable range that are not funded through the regular CIHR competition to which they were submitted.
Please note that in order to be considered for RPP funding, researchers must have their applications screened through the internal review procedures of the New Brunswick RPP Advisory Board a minimum of two weeks prior to submitting their application to CIHR in order for their grant to be eligible for consideration for RPP funding.
Additional Information:
- Recipient will be the top ranked researcher that meets eligibility requirements;
- The grant must be held in New Brunswick and in accordance with the CIHR-RPP guidelines.
- For eligibility guidelines, see the New Brunswick- CIHR RPP program description.
- Those submitting applications that meet the relevant research areas of the Regional Partnerships Program (RPP) in partnership with New Brunswick-RPP must clearly indicate so in the Summary of Research Proposal of the Research Module (p. 9).
- For questions about this research initiative and research objectives, see "Contact Information".
Regional Partnerships Program - Newfoundland and Labrador (RPP- NL)
CIHR, through the Regional Partnerships Program (RPP), in partnership with Newfoundland and Labrador - RPP may fund applications in all four themes of health research in Newfoundland and Labrador, pending funding availability, which meet RPP eligibility requirements.
More information on the research priorities of Newfoundland and Labrador can be found on their website [ PDF | Help ]
The maximum amount awarded for a synthesis is $100,000 per annum for up to 1 year. The maximum amount awarded for scoping reviews is $50,000 per annum for up to 1 year.
The Regional Partnerships Program provides funding for highly ranked applications within the fundable range that are not funded through the regular CIHR competition to which they were submitted.
Additional Information:
- The grant must be held in NL and in accordance with the CIHR-RPP guidelines.
- Recipients will be the top ranked researchers that meet the above criteria.
- Please note that researchers must submit their applications at least one month prior to the CIHR deadline to have their applications vetted by the internal review procedures at RPP- Newfoundland and Labrador in order for their grant to be eligible for consideration for RPP funding. Contact: Office of Research and Graduate Studies, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's NL.
- Those submitting applications that meet the relevant research areas of the Regional Partnerships Program (RPP) in partnership with Newfoundland and Labrador - RPP must clearly indicate so in the Summary of Research Proposal of the Research Module (p. 9)
- For questions about this research initiative and research objectives, see "Contact Information".
Regional Partnerships Program - Prince Edward Island (RPP-PEI)
CIHR, through the Regional Partnerships Program(RPP), in partnership with Prince Edward Island-RPP may fund applications that span the four themes of research that contribute to the goal of building health research capacity in PEI. The following areas of research strength at UPEI reflect these four themes:
- Cardiovascular and respiratory health research
- Metabolism, nutrition and diabetes
- Human development and cognition
- Cancer research
- Applied health services and health promotion
- Natural products and human health
- Population health.
More information on the research priorities of Prince Edward Island can be found at in the University of Prince Edward Island Strategic Plan [ PDF | Help ].
The maximum amount awarded for a synthesis is $100,000 per annum for up to 1 year. The maximum amount awarded for scoping reviews is $50,000 per annum for up to 1 year.
The Regional Partnerships Program provides funding for highly ranked applications within the fundable range that are not funded through the regular CIHR competition to which they were submitted.
Please note that in order to be considered for RPP funding, researchers must have their applications screened through the internal review procedures at the PEI Health Research Institute a minimum of two months prior to submitting their application to CIHR in order for their grant to be eligible for consideration for RPP funding.
Additional Information:
- The grant must be held in Prince Edward Island;
- Recipient will be the top ranked researcher that meets eligibility requirements.
- For eligibility guidelines, see the PEI-CIHR RPP program [ PDF | Help ] description.
- Those submitting applications that meet the relevant research areas of the Regional Partnerships Program (RPP) in partnership with Prince Edward Island-RPP must clearly indicate so in the Summary of Research Proposal of the Research Module (p. 9)
- For questions about this research initiative and research objectives, see "Contact Information".
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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.
Specific Eligibility Requirements
Please note: In addition to standard CIHR applicant roles (i.e., Principal Applicant, and Co-Applicant), two additional applicant roles apply to this competition: Principal Decision-Maker Applicant and Decision-Maker Applicant, which are equivalent to Principal Applicant and Co-Applicant respectively. There can be multiple Principal Decision-Maker Applicants and Decision-Maker Applicants on an application.
In this funding opportunity the term knowledge user is used as a synonym for decision maker, which is the terminology used in CIHR's Grants and Awards Guide. CIHR defines a decision maker as follows:
A Decision Maker is an individual who makes decisions about, or influences, health policies or practices. Decision makers can be practitioners, educators, health care administrators, elected officials, and individuals within the media, health charities, patient user groups or the private sector. They can work at the local community, municipal, provincial or national level. Decision Makers are those individuals who are likely to be able to make use of the results of the research.
Eligibility requirements specific to this funding opportunity include the following:
- Both decision-makers/knowledge users and researchers are eligible applicants;
- Proposals must involve at least one decision maker/knowledge user as an applicant on the proposal and submit a decision-maker CV. They must also provide a letter of support outlining the importance of the synthesis to their role and how they anticipate using the results of the synthesis or scoping review.
- Decision makers/knowledge users are eligible to be the Nominated Principal Applicant if they are affiliated with an institution eligible to receive CIHR funds.
Other Requirements
- Applications to undertake Cochrane reviews are eligible only if the requested funds will not overlap with funding from the Canadian Cochrane Network and Centre (CCNC) and the proposed review is not one of the 30 reviews annually produced as a deliverable for CIHR funding of the CCNC.
- CIHR recognizes that updating out-of-date syntheses can be as important as conducting new ones. Applicants wishing to do an update must clearly justify the need to do the update.
- For internationally-focused syntheses, at the time of the funding start date the Nominated Principal Applicant must be affiliated with and able to receive funding from an institution eligible to receive CIHR funding (according to eligibility requirements for CIHR Grants and Awards described above), for this competition.
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Guidelines
General CIHR 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.
The following expenditures will be considered eligible for funding received through this funding opportunity:
Equipment, Maintenance and Service costs
- Purchase and maintenance of research equipment and other research tools
Salary Costs
- The salary (ies) of a professional co-ordinator, knowledge broker, or research assistants
- Release time payments for the decision-maker co-applicants to a maximum of $50,000 per annum for full-time employment (FTE) (includes Nominated Principal Decision Maker Applicants).
Knowledge-Translation Related Costs
- Regional, national and international networking and exchange activities during the planning and dissemination of the research synthesis (e.g. networking, conferences, workshops, meetings, communication and dissemination methods). Eligible activities must involve substantive and meaningful interaction between researchers and intended decision makers/knowledge users
- Costs associated with the creation and distribution of dissemination and communication tools (e.g. plain language summaries or other mechanisms)
- Costs associated with ensuring open access to the findings (e.g., costs of publishing in an open access journal or making a journal article open access).
Applicants may increase funding for their proposal and further demonstrate the level of engagement of their decision-maker co-applicants through additional cash or in-kind commitments from their relevant organizations.
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.
In addition to CIHR standard guidelines and requirements, the following special requirements shall apply:
- The Nominated Principal Investigator is required to submit a final report within 6 months of the termination of their grant. A standard template will be provided.
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.
CIHR Guidelines for Health Research Involving Aboriginal People
The CIHR Guidelines for Health Research Involving Aboriginal People came into effect as policy for CIHR-funded research on July 1, 2008. Applicants whose proposed research will involve Aboriginal People are strongly encouraged to familiarise themselves with these guidelines and in particular with the section "Application of the Guidelines," which outlines the situations in which these guidelines apply.
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
N/A
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Review Process and Evaluation
Relevance Review (Updated: 2009-03-26)
The Knowledge Synthesis and Exchange Branch and the Institute of Aging, Institute of Gender and Health, Institute of Genetics, Institute Of Health Services and Policy Research, Institute of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis, Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine Initiative, and the Regional Partnerships Program ,will provide funding for applications that are relevant to (in alignment with) the objectives and research priority areas described in the Objectives section.
Prior to merit review, the Knowledge Synthesis and Exchange Branch, Institute of Aging, Institute of Gender and Health, Institute of Genetics, Institute Of Health Services and Policy Research, Institute of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis, Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine Initiative, and the Regional Partnerships Program will have access to anonymized project titles and the summary of the Research Proposal of the Research Module (p. 9)
for all applications submitted to this program.
The following criteria will be used in conducting the relevance review.
- Alignment with the partner's specific research foci and requirements as outlined in the Objectives section.
Upon completion of merit review, the Knowledge Synthesis and Exchange Branch, Institute of Aging, Institute of Gender and Health, Institute of Genetics, Institute Of Health Services and Policy Research, Institute of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis, Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine Initiative, and the Regional Partnerships Program will receive the ranking list, merit scores (ratings) and recommendations on funding level and award term for the applications that fall in the fundable range and have been determined to be relevant to the specific objectives of the research initiative and the research priority areas described under "CIHR Research Priority Areas". CIHR, Knowledge Synthesis and Exchange Branch, and competition partner funding will be allocated accordingly in order to maximize the number of grants that are funded. Unless otherwise stated, the applications relevant to the specific research foci will be funded from the top down as far as the budgets will allow. The remaining applications will be funded by the general pool of funds from the top down as far as budgets will allow. Applications that receive a ranking below 3.5 will not be funded. The list will be used for funding decision-making purposes and will remain anonymous.
Merit Review
A CIHR merit review committee, comprised of relevant research and decision maker/knowledge user peers, 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
Merit 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 are specific to this funding opportunity. Reviewers will apply the following criteria to arrive at scores for potential impact and scientific merit.
Potential Impact
- Degree to which the question responds to a knowledge gap identified by decision makers/knowledge users
- Commitment and capacity of participating decision makers/knowledge users to use the synthesis results.
- Likelihood that the project will have a positive and substantive impact on health outcomes, practice or policy
- Overall quality and feasibility of the end-of-grant knowledge translation plan
- Relevance to decision makers/knowledge users beyond those participating in the project
Scientific Merit
- Clarity of the research questions
- Extent to which the proposal demonstrates that the synthesis, scoping review or update is needed and has not already been done
- Quality of the collaboration between researchers and decision makers/knowledge users (on both research and knowledge translation activities)
- Appropriateness and rigour of the methods
- Productivity and experience of the research team; capacity of the team to achieve the proposed research and knowledge translation activities (includes expertise in the content area covered by the synthesis, expertise in synthesis methods, and expertise in information retrieval)
Potential impact and scientific merit will be weighted equally. Only those applications receiving a score of 3.50 or more on both potential impact and scientific merit will be considered for funding. These scores will then be averaged into a single score.
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How to Apply
Note: This funding opportunity requires the use of CIHR Web Forms to apply for funding.
Additional instructions that must be followed for this funding opportunity:
(Note: These additional instructions supersede all other policies or guidelines published by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, including, but not limited to, the Grants and Awards Guide, the Memorandum of Understanding, etc.)
- In the Research Funding Program section of the Research Module, select "Strategic Initiative" and enter the title of this funding opportunity, Knowledge Synthesis Grant.
- Complete the Research Module.
- For this funding opportunity the research proposal section of the Research Module is limited to 9 pages. References (including figures and tables) may be listed in additional pages. The summary of progress (pg.10) should not be submitted.
- The Research Module must include the following sections:
- Project relevance (up to 3 pages)
Describe the knowledge gap that will be filled by this project, accounting for previous work done in the area, fit with the priorities listed in this funding opportunity (if applicable), how researchers and decision makers/knowledge users will benefit from new knowledge in the area, and how the participating decision makers/knowledge users contributed to the formulation of the research question. If this is an update to an out-of-date synthesis, provide a clear justification for the need to do an update. If this is an application to undertake a Cochrane review, you must submit a letter from the Canadian Cochrane Network and Centre (CCNC), confirming that the proposed review is not one of the 30 reviews already funded by CIHR through its contribution to the CCNC. This letter may be included as part of the references submitted for the Research Module. If this is an application to the funding pool for Knowledge Syntheses on Neurological diseases, disorders, conditions & injuries, you must clearly indicate that the decision-maker applicant is a member of Neurological Health Charities Canada (NHCC).
- Research Plan (up to 3 pages)
Describe the methods, detailing sources of data, inclusion/exclusion criteria, critical appraisal techniques, methods for synthesizing findings, and strategies to ensure methodological rigor.
- Integrated Knowledge Translation (Researcher- Decision maker/Knowledge user Collaboration) (2 pages)
Describe the participating decision makers/knowledge users and their role in the project, including the fit between the research area and their - responsibilities, and their commitment and capacity to use the research results. The project must involve at least two interactive sessions between researchers and decision makers/knowledge users to share interim results and to review the synthesis or scoping review results and agree on recommendations for practice or policy. Detail the plan to share interim results with the participating decision makers/knowledge users and how they will be involved in crafting the recommendations near the completion of the project.
- End-of-grant Knowledge Translation Plan (1 page)
Identify the end-of-grant knowledge translation goals, audiences/participants (including the participating decision makers/knowledge users and sharing beyond the study participants), methods and resources. Consider: What knowledge should be transferred? To whom? By whom? How? With what effect? Explain how the knowledge translation strategies employed should lead to the use of synthesis evidence in decision-making and/or practice. Demonstrate that the team has the capacity and expertise to undertake the KT plan.
- Complete the Common CV Module.
- Researchers:
- You must submit full common CV modules for the Nominated Principal Applicant, Principal Applicants, and one Co-Applicant of the team. Only abbreviated CVs (maximum 3 pages) are required for any additional Co-Applicants. Full CVs will not be considered for these applicants. The abbreviated CV should respect the formatting guidelines (see section entitled "How to prepare and format all attachments", Research Module, page 8). The abbreviated CV must include the following:
- Name
- PIN
- Affiliation
- Academic/Training Background
- Work Experience
- Distinctions/Credentials
- Publication Record relevant to this proposal (last 5 years).
- In addition to these 3 pages, the abbreviated CV should include an Appendix entitled "Support from Other Sources". In this appendix, applicants must provide information on other funding support which has budgetary overlap with the current application. In two sections, Currently Held and Applied for, please provide for each grant:
- Title of proposal;
- Funding sources and Program names;
- Grant number;
- Budgetary overlap with present application (%);
- Conceptual/budgetary relationships to present application;
- Personnel paid on grant; and
- Summary.
- The first page of the CV should only include the contact information of the applicant (mailing address, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address, and CIHR PIN). This information must be kept separate from the rest of the CV because it will not be forwarded to reviewers. All applicants must have a CV and a CIHR PIN. The second and third page of the CV should include information on current grants held including % budgetary overlap with any current grant, relevant publications from the last five years, and expertise keywords.
- Decision makers/Knowledge users
- Decision makers/knowledge users are not required to use the common CV module. Instead, they must submit a three-page free-form CV.
- Page one should include:
- Name and contact information (including mailing address, e-mail and phone number)
- CIHR PIN
- Keywords: list up to 10 keywords to describe your expertise
- This page will not be forwarded to reviewers
- Pages two and three should include:
- Name, current position and responsibilities
- History: qualifications, work experience, distinctions, awards, etc.
- Experience in the management of innovation and change or working with researchers
- Most significant contributions
- In addition to these 3 pages, the abbreviated CV should include an Appendix entitled "Support from Other Sources". In this appendix, applicants must provide information on other funding support which has budgetary overlap with the current application. In two sections, Currently Held and Applied for, please provide for each grant:
- Title of proposal;
- Funding sources and Program names;
- Grant number;
- Budgetary overlap with present application (%);
- Conceptual/budgetary relationships to present application;
- Personnel paid on grant; and
- Summary.
- Complete the Budget Module.
- Clearly justify all budget items (including cash and in-kind contributions)
- Submit signed letter(s) of support from each of the decision-maker applicant(s). The letter should explain the role of the decision maker/knowledge user and demonstrate his or her interest in the topic and commitment to the project and using the results of the synthesis. If the letter(s) is not signed or included in the application, the application will be considered incomplete and withdrawn from the competition. Please Note: The merit review committee reads these letters quite carefully to assess the degree of commitment of the decision-maker/knowledge user applicant(s). Decision-makers/knowledge users are advised to personally write their letters, rather than sign a form letter crafted by someone else on the team.
- Courier the original and 6 copies of the full application by the application deadline.
Send the completed registration and application packages by courier to:
RE: "Knowledge Synthesis Grant"
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:
Anne-Marie Rollin (Updated: 2009-03-26)
Program Delivery Coordinator
Targeted Initiatives Branch
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-957-8641
Email: anne-marie.rollin@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
For questions about this initiative and research objectives contact:
Kristina Harris
Senior KSE Specialist, Knowledge Synthesis and Exchange Branch
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-941-4437
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: kristina.harris@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
Regional Partnerships Program – Contact Information
For questions about this initiative and research objectives contact:
Erik Blache
Senior Advisor, Partnerships and Citizen Engagement
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-948-2684
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: erik.blache@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
For questions on RPP funding guidelines and how to apply contact:
Lisa Rivet (Updated: 2009-03-26)
Program Delivery Coordinator
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-954-5998
Fax: 613- 954-1800
Email: lisa.rivet@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
For questions about the RPP-New Brunswick Advisory Board review process and criteria, please contact:
John Boyne
Administrator, Medical Research Fund of New Brunswick
P.O. Box 5100
520 King Street
Fredericton, NB, E3B 5G8
Telephone: 506-444-3222
Fax: 506-453-2958
Email: john.boyne@gnb.ca
For questions about the RPP-Newfoundland and Labrador process and criteria, please contact:
Office of Research and Graduate Studies
Faculty of Medicine
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Room H-1759, Health Sciences Complex
St. John's, NL, A1B 3V6
Telephone: 709-777-6762
Fax: 709-777-7501
For questions about the RPP-Prince Edward Island process and criteria, please contact:
Leslie Cudmore
University of Prince Edward Island
Office of Research & Development
550 University Avenue
Charlottetown, PE, C1A 4P3
Telephone: 902-566-0709
Fax: 902-620-5092
Email: lcudmore@upei.ca
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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)
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada's agency for health research. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to enable 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 nearly 12,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada.
CIHR Knowledge Synthesis and Exchange Branch (KSE)
The Knowledge Synthesis and Exchange branch aims to advance CIHR's knowledge translation mandate by promoting and supporting excellence in knowledge translation practice and research, knowledge synthesis and exchange, as well as by building capacity in these areas.
Partners
CIHR Institute of Aging (CIHR-IA)
The Institute of Aging (IA) supports research to promote healthy aging and to address causes, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation for a wide range of conditions associated with aging. IA has identified five priority areas for research on aging and health (in no particular order): healthy and successful aging, biological mechanisms of aging, cognitive impairment in aging, aging and maintenance of functional autonomy, and health services and policy relating to older people.
CIHR Institute of Gender and Health (CIHR-IGH)
IGH supports research that addresses how sex (biological-genetic dimensions) and gender (social-cultural dimensions) interact with other socio-cultural, bio-physical, and political-economic factors to influence health and create conditions that differ with respect to risk factors or effective interventions for males and females throughout the lifespan. The objectives of the Institute for Gender and Health are to (1) generate evidence regarding the impact of sex and gender on health status, health behaviour, and health services use throughout the life span; (2) enhance understanding of how gender, sex and health interact with other health determinants; (3) provide evidence to inform the design of programs, policies and practices; (4) build the capacity of gender and health researchers in Canada; and (5) advance the gender and health perspective nationally and internationally.
CIHR Institute of Genetics (CIHR-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 Health Services and Policy Research (CIHR-IHSPR)
IHSPR is dedicated to supporting innovative research, capacity-building and knowledge translation initiatives designed to improve the way health care 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 Infection and Immunity (CIHR-III)
The CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity supports research to enhance immune-mediated health and to reduce the burden of infectious disease, immune-mediated disease, and allergy through prevention strategies, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation.
CIHR Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (CIHR-IMHA)
IMHA supports research to enhance active living, mobility and movement, and oral health; and addresses causes, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation for a wide range of conditions related to bones, joints, muscles, connective tissue, skin and teeth.
To achieve its vision, IMHA focuses on three strategic research priorities:
- Physical Activity, Mobility and Health
- Tissue Injury, Repair and Replacement
- Pain, Disability and Chronic Disease
The Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine Initiative (RMNI)
The Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine Initiative (RMNI) provides funds for multi-disciplinary and integrative research in new and emerging areas that span the mandate of CIHR, including nanomedicine and regenerative medicine. Supported research fields include nanotechnology applied to health (nanomedicine), stem cells, tissue engineering, rehabilitation sciences, and related social, ethical, environmental, economic, and legal issues. The goals of the initiative include the regeneration and repair of injured tissues and organs, the development of specialized tools and interventions needed to treat diseases and restore function, and the maintenance of health and the prevention of disease. Co-led by the CIHR Institutes of the Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA) and the Institute of Genetics (IG), RMNI is an integrative model of collaboration between funding agencies, government departments, NGOs and industry.
Regional Partnerships Program (RPP)
The Regional Partnerships Program (RPP) was initiated in 1997-98 by the Medical Research Council (MRC) in response to a decline in funding to health researchers in Manitoba, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan. The overarching objective of the program is to build partnerships and to support health research capacity development in less populous regions of Canada. This investment recognizes the benefit of local health research capacity and is designed to enable researchers in less populous regions of Canada to meet CIHR's mandate through the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians. In addition to funding health research, the RPP supports a local strategic planning process to establish research priorities and to build on the local strengths and interests of the institutions.
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