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Description
The CIHR Journalism Award Program is a pilot program established to foster media coverage of health and health research so as to better inform Canadians of research-based health discoveries of relevance in their lives.
For the purposes of this award, health research includes, but is not limited to the following:
- biomedical research;
- clinical research;
- research in health systems and services; and
- research in population and public health.
CIHR is made up of 13 Institutes, each of which focuses on a specific area of health research, ranging from Aboriginal People’s health to population and public health. For information on the target areas of research for each institute, consult the CIHR Web site.
The Program will fund up to five Tier 1 Awards (worth $20,000 each) and up to five Tier 2 Awards (worth $10,000 each). The program is open to all working journalists in Canada - reporters, editors, photographers, producers, editorial writers and freelancers - as well as to Canadian journalists working outside the country.
Recipients may undertake projects in print, broadcast and on-line media. Projects are expected to include a period of investigation and study to assemble the information needed for a series of in-depth news or feature articles or documentaries. Some travel to interview information sources would be anticipated.
All Recipients must provide a copy of the materials prepared for publication or broadcast to CIHR. Where the target publication is in a language other than an official language (English or French), an official language translation must be provided. All Recipients must consent to the full and unlimited reuse of their materials by CIHR (including but not limited to publication on the CIHR Web site, citation in annual reports or other documents, etc.) at any time six months after the initial publication or broadcast of the material, or if the materials are not published or broadcast, 12 months after receipt of the Award.
The Recipients will also ensure that their Agreements with any third party to publish or broadcast or in any other way use the materials do not impede CIHR's right to re-use of the materials in any way as described above.
Recipients of Tier 1 Awards may not apply for additional CIHR Journalism Awards before December 31, 2009.
Funds Available
CIHR's contribution to the amount available for this Program is subject to availability of funds voted annually to CIHR by Parliamentary appropriations, and the conditions that may be attached to them.
- The total amount available for this funding opportunity is $150,000 in fiscal year 2008-2009.
- Tier 1 Awards are valued at $20,000 and Tier 2 Awards are valued at $10,000.
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Objectives
The specific objectives of this program are:
- To encourage Canadian journalists to go "above and beyond" their normal level of coverage of health research issues, and report in depth on key issues of interest to the Canadian public;
- To support the synthesis, dissemination, exchange and ethically sound application of research-based knowledge to improve the health of Canadians;
- To build interest in health research issues among Canadian reporters, photographers, freelancers and editors;
- To increase the number of journalists with an interest and expertise in health research issues;
- To satisfy the continuing demand by Canadians for more quality coverage of health related issues; and
- To recognize excellence in Canadian health research reporting and support excellent journalism in health and health research.
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Eligibility
Any working journalist - reporter, editor, photographer, producer, editorial writer or freelancer - reporting on health or health research issues, or wishing to do so, is eligible. Applicants must be Canadian citizens, or permanent residents of Canada. (Canadian citizens working as journalists outside the country are also encouraged to apply).
Individuals may only apply once to this competition. Applicants should clearly indicate whether they are applying for a Tier 1 or Tier 2 Award, and should provide a comprehensive rationale for the choice. Applicants must apply as individuals and not as teams of two or more. If a proposal would require the resources of a team (e.g., a cameraperson to accompany the reporter/producer), the applicant should treat the additional personnel as subcontractors.
Tier 1 applicants must have at least five years of prior work experience as a journalist. Tier 2 applicants must have as a minimum a degree or diploma from a university or college, with courses or specialization in health or science journalism. In addition, applicants should choose the award level that best matches the scope of the project they are undertaking, in terms of time and budget required.
Freelance journalists are expected to have at least six items published or broadcast by major media outlets in the 12 months previous to their date of application.
Applicants should indicate how the Award will enable them to undertake a project beyond the normal scope of their work. Proposed projects must have some linkage to Canada and relevance to Canadian audiences.
Recipients will be selected primarily on the basis of previous work and commitment to report on health issues, as well as the scope and merit of work proposed in their applications. There should be a strong connection between the work proposed and Canadian health research.
Eligibility criteria for all CIHR research funding programs apply. Please refer to the Eligibility Requirements for CIHR Grants and Awards regarding the eligibility requirements for individuals and institutions.
Awards will be made via a one-time payment and must be taken up by March 31, 2009. The period of the award is 12 months.
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Guidelines
Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate the use of Gender and Sex-Based Analysis in applications.
Conditions of Funding
All conditions specified in CIHR General Grants and Awards Policies shall apply to applications funded through this funding opportunity. Conditions cover areas such as Applicant and Institutional Responsibilities, Ethics, Official language policy, Access to Information and Privacy Acts, and Acknowledgement of CIHR Support. Successful applicants will be informed of any special financial conditions prior to the release of funds or when they receive CIHR's Authorization for Funding (AFF) document.
Access to Information Act and Privacy Act, and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)
All personal information collected by CIHR about applicants is used to review applications, to recruit reviewers, to administer and monitor grants and awards, to compile statistics, and to promote and support health research in Canada. Consistent with these purposes, applicants should also expect that information collected by CIHR may be shared as described in Use and Disclosure of Personal Information Provided to CIHR for Peer Review.
CIHR as a federal entity is subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act, therefore the requirements of these two statutes will apply to all information located in CIHR's premises including, without limitation, cost-sharing agreements related to this funding opportunity and all matters pertaining thereto.
While respecting the application of the Privacy Act to federal entities, all signing parties involved in a collaborative agreement will also be bound by the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). All personal information (as identified by the PIPEDA) collected, used or disclosed in the course of any commercial activity under collaborative agreements related to the Funding opportunity will be collected, used and disclosed in compliance with the PIPEDA.
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.
Communication Requirements
Award recipients are required to acknowledge CIHR, its institutes and partners in any communication, publication or broadcast related to the Award.
Recipients may be asked to make presentations at CIHR journalist workshops or at the annual meetings of the Canadian Science Writers Association and/or by the Association des communicateurs scientifiques du Québec.
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Performance Measurement
CIHR is committed to demonstrating results to Canadians for the money invested in health research and the communications of research-based information to the Canadian public. As a result, funding recipients must contribute to the monitoring, review and evaluation of CIHR's programs, policies and processes by providing data or reports as required for the purpose of collecting information to assess progress and results.
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Review Process and Evaluation
Merit Review
A merit review committee will evaluate the full applications. The committee will include members nominated by the Canadian Science Writers Association and by the Association des communicateurs scientifiques du Québec. Nominations will be in conformance with CIHR's Policy on Confidentiality, Conflict of Interest and Privacy Issues in Peer and Relevance Review (CCIP).
Evaluation Criteria
The following general criteria for evaluating training award applications will be used:
- Novelty and importance of the ideas proposed for investigation by the Applicant. (Special consideration will be given to proposals that address areas of health research that are underreported in Canada.)
- Reputation/audience of proposed media outlets for the dissemination of the work produced.
- The use of research-based information as a key component for the work proposed. (There should be a strong connection between the ideas proposed and Canadian health research.)
- Achievements and activities of the Applicant, including publication credits, showing experience in reporting on the topic proposed for investigation.
Applicants for Tier 1 Awards are strongly encouraged to have a letter of intent from a reputable, wide-audience media outlet to publish/broadcast their work. Applicants for Tier 2 Awards are encouraged to provide a letter of intent to publish/broadcast, or as a minimum, their proposal should outline the steps they plan to take to publish/broadcast the materials and target media.
As well, applications will be judged as to whether the scope of the proposed project represents good value relative to the monetary amount of the Award and whether the Applicant has the experience and ability to carry out the project.
Applications will be pooled separately into Tier 1 and Tier 2 groups for evaluation. Only the top five applications with scores greater than 90 points (out of 150 maximum) in each pool will be funded. Applications that fail to receive funding in the Tier 1 group will not be reconsidered for Tier 2 awards (and vice versa).
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How to Apply
(Please note that there is no formal application form.)
Applications with all supporting materials must be submitted by December 15, 2008. To apply, e-mail the following materials to journalism.awards@cihr-irsc.gc.ca, with subject line "lastname firstname CIHR Award Application:
- Your Curriculum vitae and details of previous awards, prizes or fellowships;
- A detailed letter describing your career goals and reasons for applying for the Award (300 words maximum);
- A clear indication of whether you are applying for Tier 1 or Tier 2 Award, along with a comprehensive rationale as to why your application meets the criteria for award level you have chosen.
- A short outline of the project(s) you would want to complete during the Award, along with proposed target media for publishing/broadcast (three pages maximum);
- A letter of intent from a reputable, wide-audience media outlet to publish/broadcast your work (strongly recommended);
- A budget outlining your planned expenses in conducting the research required for the Award and estimated timeframe for the research;
- Samples of recent work (Maximum six samples - see conditions below. Please note that samples will not be returned.); and
- One to three letters of support from other journalists familiar with your work, including a letter from your current senior editor or news director supporting your application (If you are a freelance journalist, you may send a letter of support from an editor, producer or colleague familiar with your recent work.) Letters can be sent directly to CIHR (at the e-mail address above) or included with the application.
Samples of recent work: Samples should be provided as follows:
- Print applicants: Original clips should be provided as PDF files where possible. Freelancers may also wish to provide original text files as submitted to the publishing medium. Photographs should be submitted as .jpg or .tiff files.
- Broadcast applicants: applicants may send files as Mpeg files. Each piece must be identified with your name, program title, running time and date aired.
- Material in languages other than Canada's official languages (English and French) must be accompanied by an official-language translation.
Please ensure that your application is complete and is submitted on time to CIHR. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted into the competition.
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Contact Information
For questions on CIHR funding guidelines, how to apply, and the merit review process contact:
Adrian Mota
Team Lead, Targeted Initiatives Branch
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Tel: 613-941-3543
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: adrian.mota@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
For questions about this initiative and the objectives of this funding opportunity contact:
Michael Dwyer
Public Affairs Officer
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Tel:: 613-941-0688
E-mail: michael.dwyer@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
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