Important Dates

Notices

Table of Contents

• Description
• Objectives
• Eligibility
• Guidelines
• Performance Measurement
• Review Process and Evaluation
• How to Apply
• Contact Information
• Partner/Collaborator Description
• Additional Information

Description

The purpose of Partnerships for Health Systems Improvement (PHSI) is to support teams of researchers and decision makers interested in conducting applied and policy-relevant health research that is useful to health system managers and/or policy makers and strengthens the Canadian health care system. Successful applicant teams will conduct health services, health systems and policy research projects of up to three years in length in policy-relevant areas deemed to be of priority by Canada's health system decision makers.

PHSI now welcomes any health services, health systems and policy research questions as long as they respond to decision maker/knowledge user identified needs.

A revitalized PHSI program: Summary of key changes

CIHR and partners have revitalized, strengthened and improved the PHSI program. Key changes include:

• Increased CIHR funding: Teams can now apply for a maximum of $400,000 from CIHR per grant (up from $150,000 in previous PHSI competitions) for up to three years. Applicants are required to bring in 20-30% of the total PHSI grant in partner support (down from the previous 50% requirement).
• Elimination of the Letter of Intent stage: To expedite the research process, the Letter of Intent (LOI) stage has been eliminated
• Partnership development funds are available: To help teams build partnerships in preparation for PHSI, CIHR offers Partnership Development Funds of up to $15,000. These funds are available to successful applicants of the Meetings, Planning and Dissemination Grant: Partnership Health System Improvement.
• Partnership contribution can be in-kind or cash: Partner support must be 30 per cent (up to $150,000 in value) for applications in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec and 20 per cent (up to $100,000 in value) for applications in all other provinces. Partner support can take the form of in-kind contributions that reflect meaningful collaboration and that will increase the likely success of the project.
• Eligible areas of research have expanded: Previously restricted to the Listening for Direction themes, the revitalized PHSI program now welcomes any health systems and services research questions deemed relevant by Canada's health care decision makers.

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 from CIHR for this initiative is $8.1 million. Of this amount, $5.1 million is available to successful applications in any area of health systems and services research. The remaining $3 million is allocated to the specific priority areas of the partnering CIHR Institutes/Branches (see Partner/Collaborator Description section). This amount may increase if additional funding partners decide to participate.
• The maximum amount awarded by CIHR for a single grant is $400,000 for up to three years (partnership contributions are in addition to the CIHR amount). The equipment amount is awarded in year one.
• A minimum of either 20% or 30%, depending on the province, of the grant budget must come from partner funds; there is no limit to partner contributions.

Consistent with the program's emphasis on partnership and collaboration, PHSI grants are funded through a combination of CIHR and partner contributions, the latter of which may be in-kind or cash and are negotiated directly between the applicant and the partner in question. Recognizing that meaningful partnerships can be expressed in a variety of ways, in-kind contributions that reflect valuable collaboration and that will increase the likely success of the project are welcomed.

Though the funding ratios described below are the acceptable minimum, there is no limit on partner contributions to a project.

Provinces requiring 30% partnership contribution

For research being conducted in the provinces of, British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec (generally based on where the Nominated Principal Investigator or Nominated Principal Decision Maker resides), CIHR's maximum contribution to each project is $350,000 (up from $150,000 in previous PHSI competitions) over the life of the project (up to three years). Applicants are required to find cash or in-kind support from partners in the amount of $150,000, or a minimum of 30 per cent of the total grant amount, over the life of the project.

Provinces requiring 20% partnership contribution

For research being conducted in the provinces of, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba and Saskatchewan (generally based on where the Nominated Principal Investigator or Nominated Principal Decision Maker resides), CIHR's maximum contribution to each project is $400,000 (up from $150,000 in previous PHSI competitions) over the life of the project (up to three years). Applicants in these provinces are required to find in-kind or cash support from partners in the amount of $100,000, or a minimum of 20 per cent of the total grant amount, over the life of the project. This provincial partnership initiative is intended to expand the pool of available funds and thereby increase health research activity in these provinces.

Background

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is pleased to announce the revitalized Partnerships for Health System Improvement (PHSI) program. This funding initiative involves partnerships between researchers, users of research, and funders of research. Partnerships are critical to making more effective use of resources for research and increase the likelihood that findings will be translated into new knowledge to improve health, health services and health care.

PHSI is designed to accelerate the translation of applied and policy-relevant health research into policy and/or practice by linking researchers and decision makers together in a partnership throughout the research process. Through partnerships, the program aims to foster the conduct, translation and uptake of applied health services, health systems and policy research useful to health system managers and/or policy makers in order to strengthen Canada's health care system and improve the health of Canadians.

Applied health services, health systems and policy research has played an important role in discussions, debate and decision-making in health and health care in Canada for decades, and will continue to support the development of 'evidence-informed' decision making. While decision-making in health care organizations is a complex process, research evidence has an important role to play. It is becoming increasingly evident that effective knowledge translation requires continuous long-term interaction between researchers and knowledge users. Therefore, PHSI is what CIHR calls an "integrated KT" program that requires meaningful collaboration between researchers and health system decision makers likely to be able to make use of the results of the research. Decision makers are also involved with researchers in the merit review of PHSI proposals whereby the potential impact of the research on the health system, as well as scientific merit, are jointly assessed. Overall, PHSI focuses on partnerships to address Canadian health and health system challenges and to then move research into action for health and economic benefit.

The term integrated KT describes a way of doing research with researchers and decision makers 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, and co-production of knowledge, should produce research findings that are more likely relevant to and used by the end users. End of grant KT (e.g., dissemination and communication activities) is part of the integrated KT process. 

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.

Objectives

The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support teams of researchers and decision makers interested in conducting applied health services and policy research that will be useful to health system managers and/or policy makers over the next two-to-five years. More specifically, this initiative is intended to:

• Support research that "reflects the emerging health needs of Canadians and the evolution of the health system and supports health policy decision-making"¹:
• Support research relevant to decision makers by producing results that can be applied to multiple regions and/or settings;
• Foster "collaboration with the provinces and with individuals and organizations in or outside of Canada that have an interest in health or health research" and engage a variety of partners, "in or outside Canada, with complementary research interests"¹;
• Promote the "involvement and recognition of, and respect for, health researchers from [an array] of health disciplines"¹; and,
• Enable "the dissemination of knowledge and application of health research to improve the health of Canadians"¹ and strengthen the Canadian health care system.

Relevant Research Areas:

Previously limited to the Listening for Direction themes, relevant research areas have been expanded to enable the participation of more researchers, decision makers and partners. The PHSI program now welcomes any health systems, health services and policy research questions deemed relevant by Canada's health care decision makers.

Please see Partner/Collaborator Description section for the specific research foci and requirements of individual partners.

Note that applications focusing on the development of technologies are not eligible.

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.

Applications in which the funding requested from CIHR exceeds the maximum allowable amount ($350,000 for BC, AB, ON, QC and $400,000 for SASK, MB, NB, NS, PEI, NL) are ineligible and will not be merit reviewed. The minimum partner funding requirements for each application must also be met in order to be eligible (e.g., 20 or 30 percent of the total amount of the grant, depending on the province of residence).

Applications which involve clinical interventions are ineligible and will not be reviewed by the merit review committee.

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 (equivalent to Principal Applicant) and Decision Maker Applicant (equivalent to Co-applicant). There can be multiple Principal Decision Maker Applicants and Decision Maker Applicants on an application. Proposals that do not include at least one decision maker as a principal or co-applicant are not eligible for funding. Refer to the Decision Makers section below for further details on Decision Maker Applicants.

Eligibility requirements specific to this funding opportunity include the following:

• Applicants are required to bring in 20 or 30 percent (depending on the province where the Nominated Principal Applicant resides) of the total project budget (cash or in-kind) from outside sources (competition partners or project-specific partners). Applicant teams are ineligible if they do not have the minimum partnership support required.
• At least one Decision Maker must be included in the PHSI team proposal as either a "Principle Decision Maker Applicant" or a "Decision Maker Applicant" and must be included among the list of applicants on the grant application.
• There is no limit to the number of Principal Applicants and/or Principal Decision Maker Applicants; however, one Principal Applicant or Principal Decision Maker Applicant must be named the Nominated Principal Applicant.
• Principal Decision Maker Applicants are eligible to be the Nominated Principal Applicant if they are affiliated with an institution eligible to receive CIHR funds.
• Planned research must be related to health services, health systems and policy, and must be demonstrated to be relevant and of use to health care decision makers.
• The application must include a detailed knowledge translation plan that outlines how the decision maker(s) will be integrated throughout the research process (i.e., integrated KT) and how the results of the research will be disseminated to audiences beyond the participating decision makers/knowledge users as well as how the application of the findings will be encouraged (i.e., end-of-grant KT).

Randomized Controlled Trials

Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) designed to examine organization and system level interventions within eligible research areas will be considered under this funding opportunity. RCTs will NOT be permitted when necessary background research or preliminary studies have not yet been completed. Examples include RCTs of program or policy interventions designed to improve health care delivery or strengthen health care systems. Applicants who are considering submitting a Randomized Controlled Trial application in response to this funding opportunity are required to consult CIHR RCT staff listed in Contact Information and are advised to familiarize themselves with the RCT specific guidelines and instructions, which are fully described in the Randomized Controlled Trials: 2008-2009 funding opportunity.

Applicants who include an RCT or RCT component within their project must submit a separate application to the RCT Review Committee. A PHSI application with an RCT component that is not approved by the RCT Review Committee is not eligible for funding. All PHSI applications with a randomized component must be deemed fundable by both the RCT Review Committee and the PHSI Merit Review Committee.

Note that it is the applicant's responsibility to identify their application as an RCT. However, CIHR staff and the CIHR RCT Team will determine which applications include an RCT or RCT component.

Decision Makers

A Decision Maker is defined as 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.

The two categories of decision makers are:

1. Principal Decision Maker Applicants share the responsibility for the intellectual direction of the research. There may be one or more Principal Decision Maker Applicants and this individual is eligible to be designated as the Nominated Principal Investigator. The Nominated Principal Investigator must be eligible to apply for CIHR research grants, through an Institution eligible to administer CIHR funding (refer to Responsibilities of Eligible Institutions).
2. Decision Maker Applicants contribute substantially to the intellectual content of the research. Decision Maker Applicants work in collaboration with the Principal Applicant or Principal Decision Maker Applicant who has ultimate responsibility and accountability for the project.

A Decision Maker must be involved in each application, as either a "Principle Decision Maker Applicant" or a "Decision Maker Applicant," or as the Nominated Principle Investigator, and must be included among the list of applicants on the grant application.

The participation of decision maker(s) and/or decision maker organizations on research projects is a concrete demonstration of the importance of the topic to them and their commitment to the regular sharing of issues and results related to the research. Their partnership indicates a commitment to developing an ongoing relationship with a group of researchers to help answer questions in their managerial or policy making area.

It is desirable to have decision maker partners who contribute cash and/or in-kind contributions such as staff release time. Both cash and in-kind support provided by decision maker partners is eligible as a portion of the partnership funding requirement (e.g., the 20 or 30 per cent partnership contribution).

Partners

There are two categories of partners: project-specific partners and competition partners. The former are brought to the project by the applicant, while the latter are brought to the program by CIHR and have an agreement with CIHR to provide support to this competition. The PHSI program relies on the participation of partners to promote effective knowledge translation and to make cash or in-kind contributions to the project. Applicants are invited to visit the Partner/Collaborator Description to find information about Partners and their specific mandates, involvement and contributions.

The two categories of partners are:

1. Project-specific Partners
   
   Eligible applicants may obtain contributions (cash and or in-kind) from partners, organizations or decision maker organizations that they identify themselves and with whom they negotiate. Such partners could be universities, foundations, voluntary health charities, hospitals, community groups, provider associations, government departments or the private sector.
   
   A list of project-specific partners, active in recent PHSI competitions, is provided as a reference in the Partner/Collaborator Description. Letters of Support are required.
   
   
2. Competition Partners
   
   CIHR has established competition partnerships with a number of health research funding agencies, Ministries or Departments of Health, and other stakeholders that have expressed an interest in supporting this competition. These commitments are generally restricted either to research on a particular theme, or to researchers from or working on issues that are a priority for a particular province. Although many competition partners only support researchers from their own province, they may also consider supporting other researchers with multi-jurisdictional projects.
   
   Partnership arrangements with competition partners are negotiated directly between the applicant and the competition partner in question. Applicants interested in exploring such partnerships are required to contact their potential competition partner to request supporting documentation by the partner's deadline. Specific requirements for each competition partner are detailed in the Partner/Collaborator Description section. Certain competition partners may have earlier deadlines and specific application requirements for requesting supporting documentation.
   
   The funding available from each of the competition partners is subject to revision without notice. Funding from competition partners may also be subject to confirmation that the proposed research fits within the partner's priorities.
   
   A list of competition partners that have confirmed their support (either cash or in-kind) to the current competition is provided in the Partner/Collaborator Description.

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:

• Release time for Decision Makers, more specifically up to 50% for a Principal Decision Maker Applicant(s) salary(ies), and up to 25% for other Decision Maker Applicant(s) salary(ies). A release time stipend will be awarded only upon the institution's approval to provide the decision maker with release time. The dollar amount awarded may be used only for the actual replacement costs of the designated recipient and may not be reallocated to other research expenses. Funds granted for other purposes may not be reallocated to a release time stipend. Recipients of release time stipends are not considered employees of CIHR;
• Consulting fees, provided that such costs are well justified;
• Costs of networking activities, including collaboration, planning, and research exchange activities directly related to the Team's research project, and extra travel funds required for members and trainees separated by a significant distance;
• Costs involved in dissemination of the results of the work funded under this funding opportunity to target audiences;
• Travel, accommodation, workshop/seminar costs, and other KT related activities.

The following expenditures are NOT eligible for funding received through this funding opportunity:

• Bridging or emergency funding;
• To support ongoing studies.

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:

• Within six months after the end of the grant's term, the Nominated Principal Applicant is required to submit a final performance report, summarizing the results and describing how the grant funds were used.
• Funded teams are required to file a mid-term progress report with CIHR, the decision maker applicants, project-specific and competition partners. A standard progress report form will be provided by CIHR to successful applicants.

Grant recipients are encouraged to take all reasonable steps to ensure timely dissemination of research findings to a broad array of appropriate audiences and stakeholders.

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.

Performance Measurement

CIHR is committed to demonstrating results to Canadians for the money invested in health research. Therefore, processes for monitoring progress and appropriate use of funds, as well as for performance measurement and program evaluation are in place. As a result, funding recipients must:

• adhere to CIHR's reporting requirements and provide required information in a timely fashion;
• 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.

All grant recipients will be expected to participate in the evaluation strategy, contributing advice, data and reports as required for assessment purposes.

Review Process and Evaluation

Relevance Review

All CIHR Institutes/Branches partnering on this funding opportunity (refer to Partner/Collaborator Description section for a list of all CIHR partners) 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 CIHR Institutes/Branches partnering on this funding opportunity will have access to anonymized project titles and summaries to conduct relevance review.

Upon completion of merit review, CIHR and the CIHR Institutes/Branches will receive the ratings, rankings and merit review committee recommendations on the funding level and grant or award term for those applications that are found to be relevant to the specific research areas and objectives of this initiative; and are rated within the CIHR fundable range. CIHR and the CIHR Institute/Branch funding will be allocated accordingly in order to maximize the number of applications funded. Applications deemed relevant to the specific priority areas of the partnering CIHR Institutes/Branches will be funded from the top down in order of ranking as far as the targeted budgets will allow. Likewise, applications in the general pool of health systems and services research, which are not funded through a specific priority area, will be funded in rank order as far as the budget will allow. Applications that receive a score below 3.5 will not be funded.

Merit Review

A CIHR merit review committee will evaluate the full applications. The committee will be created specifically for this competition. Committee members are selected based on suggestions from many sources including the institute(s)/portfolio(s) and partner(s), following CIHR's Policy on Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality in the context of Merit, Relevance and Peer Review (CCIP). For information on CIHR's peer review process in general, see the Peer Review section of CIHR's website.

Each application will be assigned to three members of the committee: two internal reviewers (a decision maker and a researcher) and a reader.

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).

Merit Review will involve using the following criteria to evaluate the applications:

1) Potential Impact

• Likely significance of the research for the decision maker partners and the responsiveness of the proposed research activities to the decision maker's needs;
• The involvement of decision makers as active partners in the research;
• Relevance to decision makers beyond those participating in the project;
• Likelihood that the project will have a positive and substantive impact on health outcomes, practice or policy;
• The quality, feasibility, appropriateness and potential impact of the knowledge translation plan (including both integrated and end-of-grant KT activities).

2) Scientific Merit

• Relevance of the proposal to the objectives of this funding opportunity;
• The clarity and originality of research questions and objectives;
• The appropriateness, innovativeness (where relevant) and quality of the methods;
• The study rationale is informed by a complete review of the relevant literature;
• How well the applicants have identified and addressed the limitations to their approach;
• The experience and skills of the investigative team - track record, importance and originality of past research, historical productivity and impact; likelihood that this team can complete the research being proposed; reasonableness of time commitments to research.

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.

Common Scale for Evaluation

The committee will use the CIHR Merit Review Scale to assess all applications:

Although committee members score to one decimal place, final scores are calculated to two decimals.

How to Apply

Note: This funding opportunity requires the use of ResearchNet to apply for funding. (Updated: 2009-03-06)

• The application process for this funding opportunity is comprised of one step: Application.
  • Important: For applicants considering partnerships with either Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec (FRSQ) or the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec, there is a Letter of Intent stage administered by FRSQ. Please refer to the Partner/Collaborator Description section for complete details and deadlines.
• To complete your Application, follow the steps identified below.
• An overview of CIHR's application processes can be found under Apply for Funding.
• Reminder to applicants: Please ensure that your application is complete, includes all required signatures (application participants, organizational and partner signatures both National and/or International, as identified in the "Participant Categories for CIHR Grants" and the "Meaning of Signatures on Application Forms" sections of the CIHR Grants and Awards Guide) and is submitted on time to CIHR. As of September 1, 2008, CIHR no longer assumes responsibility in following-up with applicants who submit an incomplete application. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted into the competition.

To complete your application using ResearchNet:

1. Register to obtain a CIHR PIN. (this includes all applicants and co-applicants, including Decision Maker applicants).If you already have a CIHR PIN, do not re-register.
2. Register with the Common CV network. This will allow you to access the Common CV. If you have already registered with the Common CV, do not re-register. During the ResearchNet e-Submission process, you will be directed to complete a Common CV (for CIHR) by entering the data requirements which are common to all agencies on the first screen of each section (Identification, Contact Information, etc.) and by completing additional CIHR-specific data.
3. Register to obtain a ResearchNet account. You should only have one ResearchNet account. If you have already accessed ResearchNet, please do not register for a new account.
4. Logon to ResearchNet and follow the on-screen instructions for full application. Provide clear and concise answers to all applicable questions in one of the official languages.

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.)

• The Application (see summary of requirements in Appendix 2) is comprised of:
  • All ResearchNet tasks completed.
  • Common CVs for the Nominated Principal Applicant, all Principal Applicants and co-Applicants;  
  • Decision maker 2-page free-form CVs, plus Page 1 of the Common CV;
  • Partner letters of support; 
  • Attachments.
• The Research Summary must address the objectives of this funding opportunity and describe the potential contribution the research will make to the development of policy or decisions.
• The Research Proposal may be up to 13 pages in length. In the first 12 pages of the Research Proposal the scientific merit and potential impact assessment criteria in the section Review Process and Evaluation Criteria should be considered. The following questions must also be addressed:
  • What issue does the proposed research address within the eligible research theme area?
  • What evidence is there that this issue is important from a manager or policy maker perspective?
  • How do you see the results of this project affecting the financing, organization, management, regulation, or delivery of services for Canadians?
  • What are the research questions and objectives? The appropriate literature should be referenced.
  • What are the methods and approach to analysis?
  • What linkages does the project have and/or will it develop with specific individuals and/or groups of managers and/or policy makers?
  • What strategies will be used to encourage knowledge translation involving individuals, managers and/or policy makers identified above?
• The last page of the research proposal (page 13), must outline the main activities and milestones for the proposed funding period in diagram form (i.e., the research timeline). Do not forget to allocate sufficient time and resources for ongoing interaction and/or final communication between researchers and relevant audiences of managers or policy makers.
• Budget Information and Supporting Documents Task
  • In the Financial Assistance Requested Details attach a document detailing the justification of all project costs including all costs associated with the knowledge translation plan.
  • Include costs, both cash and/or in-kind, to be covered by the competition and project funding partners. These must be listed in the "Other Funding" column of the Financial Assistance Requested section. The budget requested from CIHR must be listed under the "CIHR" column.
• Common CVs
  • A Common CV must be provided for the Nominated Principal Investigator, all Principal Applicants and all Co-applicants. Please note that Draft CVs will not be accepted. Once you have completed all of the required information, under functionalities (on the right hand side of your screen) click on "validate my CV"; after correcting any errors, click on "Finalize and submit my CV"; a PDF will be generated.
• Decision Maker CVs must contain the following information: (Updated: 2009-03-03)
  • Page 1 of the Common CV is required (drafts will not be accepted):
    • Name and contact information of Decision Maker Applicant (including mailing address, e-mail and phone number)
    • CIHR PIN
  • A two-page free form CV with the following information:
    • Name
    • Keywords: list up to 10 keywords to describe your expertise
    • History: qualifications, work experience, distinctions, awards etc.
    • Experience in the management of innovation and change
    • Most significant contributions
• Identify Partners Task
  • Complete for all funding partners, i.e., decision-making partner(s), and/or project-specific partner(s) and/or competition partner(s), contributing cash and or in-kind support.
  • Ensure that each partner's financial authority has signed the module. This signature may be different from that of the letter of support.
• Attachments
  • Signed letters of support from cooperating agencies or groups (for data access or provision, permission for interviews, plans for use of results by decision makers, organizations etc.).
  • List of all measurement tools proposed for the use in the project (append a copy of any tools that are not readily available in the published literature).
  • A maximum of five publications (this is optional)

Your Application will be submitted using ResearchNet. Only the signed Signature Pages must be sent to (postmarked no later than the application deadline date):

Partnerships for Health System Improvement
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Room 97, 160 Elgin Street
Address locator: 4809A
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0W9

Contact Information

For questions on CIHR funding guidelines, how to apply, and the peer review process contact:

Marilyn Desrosier
Research Officer
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-952-0707
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: phsi-pass@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

For questions about this initiative and research objectives contact:

Meghan McMahon
Senior Projects Officer
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 416-978-5172
Fax: 416-978-5171
Email: meghan.mcmahon@utoronto.ca

For questions about Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) applications contact:

Irwin Schweitzer
Trials Officer (RCT program)
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-941-0718
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: irwin.schweitzer@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

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.

Sources of CIHR Support

Applicants are not required to contact the individual CIHR Institutes, Branches, Programs or Initiatives described below to secure funding from CIHR.

CIHR Institutes/Branches

CIHR - Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health (IAPH)
CIHR - IAPH supports health research that addresses the special health needs of Aboriginal peoples in Canada, and aims to improve the health of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples through the assertion of Aboriginal understandings of health and by fostering innovative community-based and scientifically excellent research.

CIHR - Institute of Aging (IA)
IA supports research that promotes healthy aging and addresses causes, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation for a wide range of conditions associated with aging. One of the five priority topics of the Institute of Aging is "Health services and policy relating to older people." Recent national consultations with seniors and seniors' organizations (the IA-led Regional Seniors' Workshops on Research) consistently identified age-appropriate health care and continuity of care as vital issues for health research in Canada among other priorities. Other IA Initiatives relevant to this funding opportunity include the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, Cognitive Impairment in Aging, and Mobility in Aging.

IA will contribute up to $500,000 to successful applications that fit within one or more of its priority research areas, with emphasis on the area of Mobility in Aging in the context of the aging and maintenance of functional autonomy priority.

CIHR - Institute 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. ICRH embraces a range of research from fundamental bio-medical and clinical research, to research on health systems, health services, the health of populations, societal and cultural dimensions of health and environmental influences on health. With PHSI, ICRH will fund applications that are determined to be relevant to one or more of the priority areas listed below and that are relevant to the health systems and/or health services focus of this funding opportunity.

In March 2007, following consultations with the ICRH community and Institute Advisory Board, the following new priorities were identified:

1. Genetics/biomarkers
2. Psychosocial, behavioural, environmental research
3. Technology
4. Sleep, circadian impact on circulatory/respiratory health, metabolism and obesity
5. Injury repair, inflammation mechanisms of chronic disease
6. Transplantation, regeneration, stem cells, bioethics
7. Aging, changing epidemiology

A non-exhaustive list of examples of research that might be supported includes:

• Study the efficacy of health services and quality improvement interventions that support evidence-based public policy on the wide range of chronic conditions noted above (e.g., heart, lung, stroke, etc.)
• Investigate issues related to appropriate access and delivery of health services and treatments that enhance physical activity and respiratory health
• Modify and/or verify existing health system strategies to reduce inflammation related to chronic disease

CIHR - Institute of Gender and Health (IGH)
IGH supports research that examines how sex (biological-genetic dimensions) and gender (social-cultural dimensions) affect the health of men and women, boys and girls. IGH will contribute up to $400,000 to this competition to support successful PHSI projects in the area of gender and health care delivery. Projects will be considered that address access to and delivery of gender appropriate services across the continuum (including primary care, acute care, home and community care, etc). This work can, but is not required to, include a consideration of barriers to appropriate care, or the evaluation of new models of care for particular groups.

CIHR - Institute of Genetics (IG)
The Health Services for Genetic Diseases Strategic Initiative grew out of a shared concern - between the CIHR Institutes of Genetics (IG) and Health Services and Policy Research (IHSPR) - that rapid growth in genetic knowledge and technologies required corollary developments in health services and policy research to ensure that genetic healthcare could be organized, regulated, managed, financed, funded, used and delivered in the interest of improving the health and quality of life of all Canadians.

Depending on available funds, the IG will support applications in one or more of the following areas of investigation:

• Models of service delivery
• Genetics in primary care
• Assessing new and emerging genetic technologies
• Public engagement and education

CIHR - Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (IHSPR)
IHSPR champions and supports excellent health services and policy research and knowledge translation to identify, understand and address health system needs and challenges and to contribute to health system accessibility, responsiveness, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability.

IHSPR will support research topics related to the Listening for Direction III (LfD III) themes. Eleven priority themes were identified through the latest round of national LfD consultations which was launched in 2007 and consisted of nine consultation workshops held coast to coast across the country from February to April. Participants in the LfD III consultations included policy makers, managers, researchers, and representatives of health-related organizations. The list of themes can be found on the CIHR - Institute of Health Services and Policy Research website.

IHSPR has committed up to $2.1 million to successful applications in this competition.

CIHR - Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (IHDCYH)
CIHR - IHDCYH promotes and supports research that improves the health and development of mothers, infants, children, youth and families in Canada and throughout the world. Through our support, researchers address a wide range of health concerns, including those associated with reproduction, early development, childhood, adolescence.

IHDCYH will potentially commit up to $600,000 to successful applications in the following research priority: access to mental health, social, and educational services for children and youth including, but not restricted to:

• Interventions to improve access to treatment and support services provided by mental health professionals, social workers, and educators
• Interventions to reduce wait times for evaluation, referral, treatment, and support
• Socioeconomic, language, and other barriers to access to care and services

CIHR - Institute of Infection and Immunity (III)
The CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity will contribute up to $300,000 over three years to successful applications in the area of "Healthcare Associated Infections" (HAI) within the broader theme of 'infection control.' Infections that are acquired in acute, long term or continuing care facilities pose an important threat to patient health and safety and there continues to be important knowledge gaps in how infection in hospitalized patients can best be prevented.

Of particular interest to III is the potential for applying research findings directly to changing policies or procedures in order to reduce infection rates. In order to facilitate change, this funding opportunity is intended to create partnerships between infection control practitioners, epidemiologists, and administrators or policy makers in hospitals, and long term or continuing care facilities. III will support research in the following areas, but not restricted to:

• Research leading to a reduction in the transmission of infectious agents, through the continuing education of hospital staff and development of new technologies or hospital practices that minimize the risk of infection
• Research promoting the evaluation of alternatives to antibiotic use and facilitate the containment of antibiotic resistant infections

CIHR - III - HIV /AIDS Research Initiative (Updated: 2009-02-13)
The CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity (CIHR - III) manages the CIHR HIV /AIDS Research Initiative, a component of the Federal Initiative to Address HIV /AIDS in Canada . Specifically, the III - HIV /AIDS Research Initiative is interested in research which provides data and information to:

• improve capacity to increase access to care, treatment and support; and
• assist in the development of new programs along the prevention-care continuum for people living with HIV /AIDS, gay men, injection drug users, Aboriginal people, prison inmates, youth and women at risk for HIV .

The CIHR - III HIV /AIDS Research Initiative will contribute up to $600,000 to this competition to support successful PHSI projects in the areas listed above.

CIHR - Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA)
The CIHR Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA) has committed up to $600,000 to this competition for applications that are determined to be relevant to the research priority area described as Physical Activity, Mobility and Health. Research under this theme will create a better understanding of the relationships among physical activity, mobility and musculoskeletal health at every level. Examples of research that might be supported follow. These are not intended to be exhaustive and there is no intent to imply that applications in these research areas would be more successful than those in other health services and policy research areas.

• Investigate physical medicine and rehabilitative health system strategies for soft tissue injuries
• Modify and/or verify existing health system strategies to reduce pain, injury and disability in the IMHA focus areas
• Investigate issues related to access and delivery of health services and treatments that enhance physical activity, mobility and health
• Study the efficacy of health services and quality improvement interventions that support evidence-based public policy on physical activity, mobility and health

CIHR - Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA)
INMHA supports research to enhance mental health, neurological health, vision, hearing, and cognitive functioning and to reduce the burden of related disorders through prevention strategies, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation.

Research on co-morbidity of mental illness with addiction problems as well as co-occurrence of brain disorders with other health problems (e.g., diabetes, obesity, cancer, cardio-respiratory diseases, etc.) are one of INMHA's research priorities. Depending on availability of funds, INMHA may support research on the development of integrated and appropriate health care services and treatments for affected individuals. Please see the 2005 priority setting workshop report on co-morbidity for more information.

In addition, INMHA is interested in research focusing on Mental Health in the Workplace. Depending on availability of funds, eligible research priorities within the topic of mental health and health care workplaces include, but are not limited to:

• Mental health promotion in health care workplaces
• Stigma and health care work
• Transforming knowledge into practice
• Disability management and return to work

Projects must include health system decision makers from human resources, other relevant departments, and/or a variety of agencies (e.g., institutions, health regions, provincial ministries).

CIHR - Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes (INMD)
INMD following an extensive environmental scan and stakeholder input identified 'Obesity and Healthy Body Weight' as its focus for strategic research funding. To effectively reverse this epidemic it is imperative that research generate new knowledge on the multiple and interacting causes of obesity, on best practices for its prevention in both individuals and populations, and on cost-effective and ethical measures for treatment. Other examples of areas of interest to INMD include: access to care for obese and morbidly obese patients, impact of obesity on other areas of health services such as orthopedic surgery, cost effectiveness of bariatric surgery programs and research to evaluate the need for specialized hospital equipment for morbidly obese people. For more information about INMD's strategic priority visit Excellence Innovation and Advancement in the Study of Obesity and Healthy Body Weight.

Depending on available funds, through this competition CIHR - INMD will support research in all research themes, which are relevant to issues related to the measures, causes, prevention, treatment or consequences of obesity.

Joint CIHR - Institute of Population and Public Health & PHAC - Office of Public Health Practice Initiative
CIHR - IPPH supports research into the complex interactions, which determine health, and its application to improve the health of individuals, communities and global populations. This initiative directly responds to one of the Institute's strategic priorities, which is to strengthen public health policy and practice capacity across the country and encourage linkages with research. The mission of the Public Health Agency of Canada is to promote and protect the health of Canadians through leadership, partnership, innovation and action in public health. Focused on more effective efforts to prevent chronic diseases, like cancer and heart disease, prevent injuries and respond to public health emergencies and infectious disease outbreaks, PHAC works closely with provinces and territories to keep Canadians healthy and help reduce pressures on the health care system. PHAC's Office of Public Health Practice aims to improve public health infrastructure by focusing on workforce, information and knowledge systems, and public health law and information policy through leadership, innovation and concerted action. CIHR - IPPH and PHAC- OPHP jointly support a number of other funding programs to encourage linkages between academia and public health practice.

Eligible Research Areas

IPPH will contribute up to $600,000 to the following eligible research areas that link with a number of Listening for Direction III theme areas related to population and public health.

Threats to the public's health continue to be highlighted in Canada's media. These threats include: contaminated water and food supplies; SARS and influenza; increases in chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes; and shifts in their underlying socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental determinants. These trends have underscored the critical importance of public health but also highlighted the vulnerability of our public health infrastructure. A number of federal, provincial, and territorial commissions and committees have produced reports with several recommendations to address the public health system's weaknesses. These reports recommend infrastructure renewal to more effectively execute the five essential functions of public health - population health assessment, health promotion, disease and injury, health protection and health surveillance. In response to these challenges, the CIHR - Institute of Population and Public Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada's Office of Public Health Practice would like to encourage applied public health services research in partnership with decision makers in public health policy and practice settings. Illustrative examples of research topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Workforce planning and the work environment in public health. For example:
  • Application of methods for assessing and projecting the multidisciplinary mix of public health practitioners needed to respond to current and emerging public health challenges
  • Change management approaches to improve public health practice
• Relative strengths of different governance structures being implemented as part of public health reforms within provinces/territories;
• Financial analysis of public health service organizations, including current trends in expenditures and sources of funding, with an emphasis on the comparative analysis of benefits and risks of each major approach across Canada;
• Organizational skills and resources (e.g. information systems, program funding) required to deliver quality programs and services in different jurisdictional contexts
• Ethical considerations in scaling up or sustaining public health programs
• Application of different approaches to scaling up or sustaining public health programs, policies or practices at local, regional, provincial/territorial, or national levels
• Strengthening the capacity of public health practitioners and organizations to address the burden of chronic disease and/or support action on the social determinants of health (as outlined in the CPHO Report and the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health).

CIHR - Knowledge Synthesis and Exchange (KSE) Branch
Knowledge translation is a dynamic and iterative process that includes 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 health care system. The KSE Branch mandate is to advance CIHR's KT mandate by promoting and supporting excellence in KT practice and research, knowledge synthesis and exchange, as well as by building capacity in these areas. The KSE Branch will contribute up to $640,000 to successful applications in this competition.

Competition Partners

Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR)
AHFMR supports a community of researchers who generate knowledge the application which will improve the health and quality of life of Albertans and people throughout the world. The long-term commitment is to fund health research based on international standards of excellence and carried out by new and established investigators along with researchers in training.

AHFMR encourages partnerships with researchers through this program in order to create a more evidence-based health care system. The Foundation will fund applications in all themes depending on availability of funds.

AHFMR may contribute up to a maximum of $150,000 per project or 50 percent of total costs, whichever is less. Funding is reserved for Alberta-based researchers and decision makers.

Applicants interested in being considered for AHFMR support must submit a detailed letter of request, including a research summary to AHFMR by March 2, 2009, in order to receive the necessary documentation to include with their full application. For further information contact:

Dr. Pamela Valentine
Director, Grants & Awards
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research
Telephone: 780-423-5727
Fax: 780-429-3509
Email: pamela.valentine@ahfmr.ab.ca

Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec (FRSQ) and Ministère de la Santé et des services sociaux du Québec (MSSS)
Québec researchers whose projects are selected through the Partnerships for Health System Improvement program can receive up to $80,000 in additional funding from the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux and the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec.

It should be noted that this funding is available only to researchers who are domiciled in Québec, and that the number of projects funded and the amounts awarded are conditional on the appropriation of funds by the Assemblée nationale du Québec.

Researchers who wish to obtain this additional funding must submit a letter of intent through the FRSQ program Recherches sur les services de santé du FRSQ [in French only] (Québec's counterpart to the Partnerships for Health Improvement Program) no later than January 30, 2009. Applications must be submitted by a principal investigator who has the status of an independent investigator.

It should be noted that an application will not be co-funded by the FRSQ/MSSS unless the principal investigator is an early-stage researcher (corresponding to level Junior 1 in the FRSQ Research Scholars and Clinical Research Scholars program; see the FRSQ Web site for more information). In this case, it is expected that the team will include one or more senior researchers in a mentoring capacity.

However, for projects that are considered high priority, applications from senior researchers may also be selected and funded by the MSSS.

For any additional information, please consult the FRSQ Web site or contact:

Ginette Piché
Director of Programs
Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec
Telephone: 514-873-2114, Extension 241
Email: gpiche@frsq.gouv.qc.ca

Claude Dussault
Assistant Director General for Evaluation, Research and Innovation
Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux
Telephone: 418-266-7025
Email: claude.dussault@msss.gouv.qc.ca

Manitoba Health Research Council (MHRC)
The MHRC is mandated to promote and assist basic, clinical and applied research in the health sciences in Manitoba and advise the minister in respect of such matters relating to health research as the minister may refer to the council for its consideration.

From moneys received from the Province, council provides funds for research in the health sciences through a number of grants and awards programs. Through the Partnerships for Health System Improvement Program, Manitoba Health Research Council has up to $100,000 per year available for successful new applications.

The following conditions apply:

• A Manitoba researcher or decision maker must be the principal or co-principal investigator
• The funds provided by MHRC must be used in Manitoba or demonstratively benefit Manitobans
• Includes policy makers on the team
• Has approval of at least one of the following people:
  • CEO of a Regional Health Authority, or designate
  • Deputy Minister of Manitoba Health, or designate

In the event that there are more successful applications than available funds, applications will be funded based on the priority rating established by the CIHR merit review panel, on funding availability, and the potential impact of the proposed research on the health of Manitobans.

Researchers interested in being considered for MHRC support must submit a detailed letter of request, including a research summary to MHRC by March 2, 2009 in order to receive the necessary documentation to include with their full application.

Please note that the PHSI competition is administered by CIHR and all queries regarding the application process must be directed to CIHR, not to the MHRC or Manitoba Health.

For further information regarding specific requirements, please contact:

Manager, Funding Programs
Manitoba Health Research Council
Telephone: 204-783-4249
Email: shannon.rogalski@mhrc.mb.ca

The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) (Updated: 2009-03-03)
One of the top priorities of the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) is to support research that finds ways to help the growing number of homeless people (and those at risk and in transition) who have a mental illness. The MHCC may contribute up to $1 million for successful projects submitted to the April 2009 competition and to the two subsequent competitions (or until funds run out) that are complementary to the MHCC's 5 City Research Demonstration Homeless Project. As a PHSI competition funding partner, the MHCC will contribute up to $150,000 in partnership funding per successful project in the provinces of BC, AB, ON and QC, and $100,000 in partnership funding in all other provinces.

Three priority areas within mental health and homelessness are eligible for MHCC partnership funds:

(1) A minimum of $330,000 in partnership funding is available for research questions that are generated by researchers and decision-making partners and that align with the priority topic: mental health and homelessness in youth.

(2) A minimum of $330,000 in partnership funding is available for research questions that are generated by researchers and decision-making partners within the general area of mental health and homelessness and that align with the priority topic: mental health and homelessness in northern and remote areas (e.g., one or more of the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and northern regions of the provinces).

(3) A minimum of $340,000 in partnership funding is available for research topics and questions dedicated to mental health and homelessness. Possible areas for investigation include:

• development of policy-relevant method(s) that enable cross-provincial analyses of homelessness trends and enhance policy makers' understanding of the causes and consequences of homelessness
• participatory action research to develop innovative prevention and service programs
• evaluations of effective strategies for achieving collaboration across governmental levels to address homelessness
• understanding and modifying the causes of homelessness in at risk populations

The following special conditions apply:

• Applicants interested in being considered for MCHH partnership funds must submit a detailed letter of request that clearly specifies which of the three mental health and homelessness priority areas their research addresses and page one of the Partnership Module to the MHCC, no later than March 2, 2009. Applicants must identify the specific priority area in the "Partner Name" box of the Partnership Module (e.g., MHCC – Youth). Requests for support must be accompanied by a research summary that enables MHCC to assess the relevance of the project and alignment with the identified mental health and homelessness priority area. If the proposal is deemed relevant, the MHCC will sign the Partnership Module.
• The project must be related to homelessness and mental health and the applicants must include MHCC as a partner in their knowledge translation plans.
• A final report submitted no later than six months after the completion of the project will be required. MHCC will provide the template to successful applicant teams.

Recommendations:

• Research topics and questions are welcome from the five demonstration cities (Vancouver, Winnipeg, Moncton, Montreal or Toronto) that are part of the 5 City Research Demonstration Homeless Project and/or from other communities.
• The MHCC recommends that potential applicants apply for PHSI Development Funds (up to $15,000) in CIHR's December 2008 call for applications to build partnerships and early development of a research plan pertaining to the MHCC's areas of particular interest. Eligibility for the MHCC's PHSI development funds requires that applicants invite MHCC to participate as a partner in the development activity. For more information, please visit the PHSI Development Funds call for applications.

For further information and to request MHCC partnership support please contact:

Carol Adair
Suite 800, 10301 Southport Lane SW
Calgary, Alberta T2W 1S7
Phone: 403-385-4036
Fax: 403-385-4044
Email: nmurphy@mentalhealthcommission.ca

Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR)
The Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research leads, partners and serves as a catalyst to build British Columbia's capacity for excellence in clinical, biomedical, health services and population health research. Through a restricted grant from the BC Ministry of Health, the Foundation facilitated the development and supports the operations of a provincial Health Services and Policy Research Support Network (HSPRSN) to advance health services and policy research activity and capacity in the Province.

Up to $500,000 per year is available from the HSPRSN as a contribution to match applications to the CIHR Partnerships for Health System Improvement Program and other partnership opportunities.
The following conditions apply:

• A BC researcher or decision maker must be the principal or co-principal investigator.
• The project must be a priority for the BC Ministry of Health and/or BC Health Authorities and preferably for more than one BC Health Authority.
• The matching funds provided by HSPRSN must be used in BC or demonstratively benefit BC.

HSPRSN Partnership Program Funds will be allocated as follows:

• To support a maximum contribution of up to $100,000 per successful application over the duration of the award term.
• If there are more successful applicants eligible for matching funds than can be supported by the available HSPRSN matching funds, funding will be allocated in ranked order to support the top ranked applicants.

Researchers interested in being considered for MSFHR support must submit a detailed letter of request, including a research summary to MSFHR by March 2, 2009 in order to receive the necessary documentation to include with their full application.

For further information, please contact:
Nancy Mathias
Health Services & Policy Research Support Network
c/o Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research
Telephone: 604-730-8322
Email: nmathias@msfhr.org

New Brunswick Health Research Foundation (NBHRF)
The New Brunswick Health Research Foundation supports, coordinates, and promotes all aspects of health research and innovation in New Brunswick. The long term vision for the NBHRF is to provide leadership and support to enhance New Brunswick's health research capacity and competitiveness, ultimately leading to improvements in health and economic opportunity.

The NBHRF supports the development of partnerships between researchers and decision makers and will fund applications based on the following conditions:

• Priority will be based on funding availability
• Funding is reserved for NB-based researchers and decision makers
• Funding will support research in all health research themes
• The matching funds provided by NBHRF must be used in NB or benefit NB

Researchers interested in being considered for NBHRF partner funding through the PHSI program must submit a detailed letter of request to NBHRF by March 2, 2009 in order to receive the necessary documentation to include with their full application. Prior approval from NBHRF is required to be eligible for NBHRF-PHSI program partner funds.

The maximum NBHRF partner funding available is $100,000 per grant (pending budget availability).

For further information, please contact:
Mr. Robert Simpson
Executive Director
New Brunswick Health Research Foundation
930 Prospect St.
Fredericton, NB E3B 2T8
Tel: 1-506-455-8886
Email : info@nbhrf.com

Newfoundland and Labrador Industrial Research and Innovation Fund (IRIF)
The Industrial Research and Innovation Fund (IRIF) is a dedicated research fund of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. It provides matching funds for investigators at Memorial University who have secured eligible, peer-reviewed research awards from federal and/or private sector sources. The IRIF was established to improve Memorial University's competitiveness relative to other institutions in Canada and to attract new funding in support of research and development in the province.

Proposals supporting R&D investments in high growth clusters of excellence as identified by the province, and offering significant long term economic development potential (i.e. advanced manufacturing, ocean technology and marine science, life sciences, pharmaceutical research, value-added natural resources, and the energy sector) are given priority.

Applications to the IRIF must demonstrate a link to Memorial University's strategic research plan and include evidence of an award from an eligible funding source. All applications are submitted to the IRIF by Memorial's Vice-President (Research). Researchers interested in being considered for IRIF support must submit a detailed letter of request, including a research summary by March 2, 2009 in order to receive the necessary documentation to include with their full application.

For further information, contact:

Christopher W. Loomis,
Vice President (Research)
Memorial University
Telephone: 709-737-2530
Email: vp.research@mun.ca

Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation (NSHRF)
The mission of the Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation (NSHRF) is to help improve the health of Nova Scotians through the development and support of a vibrant and sustainable health research community in Nova Scotia, to the extent possible with efficient use of available funds.

The purpose of the Partnership for Health Systems Improvements (PHSI) program is to support alliances of researchers and decision-makers in conducting applied health services and policy research, which will be of use to health system managers and/or policy makers. NSHRF partner funding through the PHSI program is for research projects in which Nova Scotia researchers and decision makers figure prominently.

Researchers interested in being considered for NSHRF partner funding through the PHSI program must submit a detailed letter of request to NSHRF by March 2, 2009 in order to receive the necessary documentation to include with their full application. Prior approval from NSHRF is required to be eligible for NSHRF-PHSI program partner funds. A letter of support will be provided by NSHRF if the application meets the NSHRF requirements. Priority is based on funding availability and the potential impact of the proposed research on the health of Nova Scotians.

The maximum NSHRF partner funding available is $100,000 per grant (pending budget availability).

For further information, please contact:

Jennifer McNutt
Manager, Health Research and Matching Grants Programs
Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation
Telephone: 902-424-3370
Email: jennifer.mcnutt@gov.ns.ca

Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC)
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) aims to achieve better health in Ontario. To deliver better health care, fundamental changes to the health care system are required. In order to achieve this goal we must re-establish a health care system in Ontario that is patient-focused, results-driven, integrated and sustainable. The plan for transforming the system is complex, but is anchored on a clear vision for health care in Ontario - healthy Ontarians in a healthier Ontario.

MOHLTC is a non-funding competition partner that continues to encourage partnerships with researchers in creating a more evidence-based health care system.

For more information, please contact:

Esther Terner
Research Analyst, Research Unit
Health System Strategy Division
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Telephone: 416-327-8365
Email: esther.terner@ontario.ca

Prince Edward Island Health Research Institute (PEIHRI)
The mission of the Prince Edward Island Health Research Institute is to support, promote and enhance high quality research related to human health on PEI, thereby contributing to the health of Islanders and to the economy of Prince Edward Island.

The PEI Health Research Institute is committed to:

• Functioning as a resource centre for individuals and organizations interested in health research
• Developing and support quality research and researchers to meet the criteria of excellence established by nationally peer-reviewed funding and publishing agencies
• Facilitating and encouraging research collaborations across disciplines with regional, national, and international partners
• Creating a local, national, and international profile for PEI as a favourable location for health research

Researchers interested in being considered for PEIHRI partner funding through the PHSI program must submit a detailed letter of request to PEIHRI by March 2, 2009 in order to receive the necessary documentation to include with their full application. Prior approval from PEIHRI is required to be eligible for PEIHRI-PHSI program partner funds. Priority is based on funding availability and the potential impact of the proposed research on the health of Prince Edward Islanders.

The maximum PEIHRI partner funding available is $100,000 per grant (pending budget availability).

For further information, please contact:

Donna Murnaghan
Director of Programs and Partnerships
PEI Health Research Institute
Room 504, Dalton Hall
University of Prince Edward Island
550 University Avenue
Charlottetown, PE, C1A 4P3
Telephone: 902-894-2812
Fax: 902-894-2811
Email: dmurnaghan@upei.ca

Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF)
Saskatchewan funds for PHSI are managed by the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation. SHRF is the provincial agency responsible for funding, facilitating and promoting health research in Saskatchewan. This includes leading the implementation of the province's Health Research Strategy.

Eligibility for Competition Partner Support from SHRF:
To be eligible for SHRF support, applications must:

• have a Principal Applicant in Saskatchewan or significant research activity in Saskatchewan with a core member of the team in Saskatchewan able to hold and manage the funds through a Saskatchewan university. Priority will be given to PHSI teams with a Saskatchewan Principal Applicant;
• be recommended for funding in CIHR's merit review process; and
• request no more funding from the Foundation than 20% of the total PHSI grant (e.g., CIHR=$400,000 SHRF=$100,000).

Process for Obtaining Competition Partner Support from SHRF:
To request SHRF support, applicants must send to SHRF at the address below by March 2, 2009:

• Page 1 of the PHSI Partnership Module, with all relevant fields completed;
• a copy of Page 1 of the grant application form (recognizing it may not be final at this stage); and
• the total amount and sources of funding being requested for the PHSI grant as a whole, including the amount being requested from SHRF.

Using only the information requested above, SHRF will assess the application's eligibility for SHRF support and respond to the applicant within 10 working days. SHRF will not review any part of the full application prior to submitting to CIHR. For applications that are deemed eligible for SHRF support, SHRF will complete and return Page 1 of the Partnership Module directly to the requestor.

Final Funding Confirmation:
SHRF's will potentially contribute $150,000 to this PHSI competition, which may support two to three grants, depending on amounts requested. In the event that there are more successful applications than available funds can support, applications will be funded based on the priority rating established by the CIHR merit review panel, the eligibility conditions noted above, and funding availability.

For further information, please contact:

Alexa Briggs, Funding Programs Manager
Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation
253 - 111 Research Drive
Saskatoon, SK S7N 3R2
Telephone: 306-975-1686 or 306-976-1680
Email: abriggs@shrf.ca

Project-specific Partners/Decision Maker Partners

Applicants may also wish to approach other organizations when seeking sources of funding. A list of project-specific partners, of one or more projects funded through past PHSI program competitions, is detailed below (please note that this list is not all-inclusive).

• Acadia University
• Agence de développement des réseaux locaux des services de santé et des services sociaux de l'Estrie
• Alberta Cancer Board
• Alberta Health & Wellness
• Annapolis Valley District Health Region
• Bayer Canada
• BC Cancer Agency
• BC Centre for Disease Control
• BC PharmaCare
• Bridgepoint Health Research Institute
• Calgary Health Region
• Canadian Association of Pediatric Health Centers
• Canadian Pharmacists Association
• Cancer Care Ontario
• Capital Health
• Carrefour de santé de Jonquière
• Catholic Family Services of Hamilton
• Centre de Formation continue (CFC) Université de Sherbrooke
• Centre de recherche Fernand-Seguin
• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
• Centre for Healthcare Innovation and Improvement
• Centre Hospitalier Robert-Giffard
• Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke
• Children's and Women's Health Centre of BC
• Community Information Service Hamilton-Wentworth
• David Thompson Health Region
• Douglas Hospital
• East Central Health
• Foothills Hospital
• Grey Nuns Community Health
• Grocer-Ease
• GTA Rehab Network
• Hamilton Community Care Access Centre
• Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
• Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario
• Hôpital Louis H. Lafontaine
• Hospital for Sick Children
• Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences
• Interior Health Authority
• IWK Health Centre
• L`Université Laval
• London Health Sciences Centre
• Maison Michel-Sarrazin
• McGill University Health Centre
• McMaster University, System-Linked Research Unit (SLRU)
• Memorial University of Newfoundland
• Mount Sinai Hospital
• Muscular Dystrophy Canada
• Northern Lights Health Region
• Nova Scotia Department of Health
• Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare in British Columbia
• Ontario Association of Nonprofit Homes
• Ontario Community Support Association
• Ontario Long Term Care Association
• Ontario Lung Association
• Ottawa Hospital General Campus
• Peel Public Health
• Queen's University
• Regional Geriatric Program Central
• Ryerson University
• Saint Mary's University
• Seniors Activation Maintenance Program
• Simon Fraser University
• Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton
• South Shore District Health Authority
• Southwestern Ontario (SWO) Regional Stroke Strategy
• St. Joseph's Health Care
• St. Michael's Hospital
• Toronto Community Care Access Centre
• United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton
• Université de Sherbrooke
• Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
• University of British Columbia
• University of Calgary
• University of Northern British Columbia
• University of Ottawa
• University of Toronto
• University of Victoria
• Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)
• Vancouver Island Health Authority
• Victoria General Hospital
• Victoria Hospice
• Winnipeg Regional Health Authority

Additional Information

Appendix 1a: Example of Details of Financial Contributions Requested from Partners with necessary justifications (not provided on this example).

Appendix 1b: Example of Details of Financial Contributions Requested from Partners

Appendix 2: PHSI Full Application Requirements

Note: Partners must be named and identified. Contributions must be corroborated through letters of support.

1. The Objectives for the current competition refer to: Statutes of Canada 2000 Chapter 6 Bill C-13." Act to establish the Canadian Institutes of Health Research" 13, April 2000.