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Description
The CIHR Catalyst Grant program provides seed money, on a short-term basis, to support health research activities which represent a first step towards the pursuit of more comprehensive funding opportunities (e.g. operating grants, team grants), such as:
- the planning and execution of pilot projects or feasibility studies aiming to generate preliminary data, observations, or knowledge;
- the planning and execution of novel projects which clearly demonstrate the potential for significant impact, but which are considered high risk in nature in that they may be unsupported by proof of concept / preliminary data;
- development and / or validation of new inventions, tools, methodologies, protocols, theoretical models or frameworks;
- planning and / or development activities of expert teams (multi-disciplinary, trans-disciplinary, etc.) coming together to address health research priorities.
Funds Available
CIHR's contribution to the amount available for this initiative is subject to availability of funds voted annually to CIHR by parliamentary appropriations, and the conditions that may be attached to them.
- The total amount available for this funding opportunity is $400,000. This amount may increase if additional funding partners decide to participate.
- The maximum amount awarded for a single grant is $75,000 per annum for up to 1 year. The equipment amount, where applicable, is awarded in year one.
Partner/Collaborator Participation
CIHR is dedicated to identifying and developing collaborations with other funding organizations and stakeholders to enhance the availability of funding for this strategic initiative, and to create, where appropriate, opportunities for knowledge exchange and translation related to the scope of this particular initiative. Applicants are invited to visit the Partner/Collaborator Description section to find a list of partners/collaborators and their respective mandates and/or strategic interests. This list will continue to evolve as new partners/collaborators join in this initiative. The specific research foci and requirements for each partner/collaborator are outlined in the "Objectives" section.
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Objectives
The primary objectives of the Catalyst Grant program are to:
- Generate preliminary observations, data or knowledge, or to facilitate team formation, as a first step towards the pursuit of more comprehensive funding opportunities (e.g., operating grants, team grants) by researchers or teams of researchers
- Support original, high quality projects which have the potential to generate high impact results and/or innovative research proposals, research tools, techniques, devices, inventions, or methodologies.
The Catalyst Grant program is further expected to contribute to:
- Providing new or established investigators with funding to pursue new areas of investigation
- Providing investigators the opportunity to pursue high risk health research questions with the potential for high impact
- Providing the opportunity for a unique combination (e.g. multi-disciplinary, trans-disciplinary, international) of individual researchers to develop as a team
- Development of a culture of invention and innovation in Canada
- Mobilization of research communities to develop research agendas and/or action plans to advance research in specific priority areas.
Within the framework of the overall objectives of the CIHR Catalyst Grant Program, the specific objectives of this funding opportunity are:
- Promote innovative pilot or feasibility studies likely to lead to subsequent, funded operating grant(s) and/or programs of research and knowledge translation in the priority thematic areas
- Allow researchers to develop evidence necessary to determine the viability of new research directions in one or more of the priority thematic areas
- Build research capacity in these priority thematic areas
The role of multi-level interventions, how they are influenced by global, political, cultural, social and environmental forces, and by the actions taken by a diverse array of societal actors in health and other sectors clearly merits further study. With the recent releases of the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health, "Closing the Gap in a Generation" and the Chief Public Health Officer Report on the State of Public Health in Canada, the Canadian research community is being invited to not only respond to these national and global calls for action but to contribute to an expressed need to bolster our capacity in population health intervention research.
Each report has articulated a series of recommendations that shine the light on priority areas where further knowledge is needed to enhance our collective understanding of how best to redress health inequities1 through policies, programs and community action.
The WHO Commission's report articulates three principles of action: improve the conditions of daily life; address the inequitable distribution of power, money and resources by tackling the structural drivers operating at global, national and local levels; and, measure the problem, evaluate the impact of our actions as well as extend our knowledge base, and competencies to act. The CPHO report identifies several priority areas for action, which include an emphasis on: social investments, particularly for families with children living in poverty; community capacity, with a focus on solutions and enhanced stakeholder collaboration; intersectoral action through integrated and coherent policies within and outside the health sector; knowledge development to support, for instance, the generation of best practices from different jurisdictions, and, leadership at all levels.
While all recommendations lend themselves to further research, IPPH and its partners are particularly interested in generating knowledge and novel insights about policies, programs and community action aimed at closing the health gap. Consistent with its efforts to strengthen the quality and quantity of population health intervention research and its use, IPPH and PHAC are challenging the research community to propose innovative multidisciplinary research projects, which meet the requirements of the catalyst grant competition (see above). To this end, researchers in Canada are being encouraged to collaborate with research-, policy- and/or practice-oriented organizations, working at regional, provincial/territorial, national and/or international levels, in health or other sectors, which impact on health equity. Following this phase of catalytic funding and subject to the availability of additional resources, it is our intent to launch a research program to support multi-year policy and program intervention studies aimed at promoting health equity in health and other sectors.
Relevant Research Areas:
Population health intervention research2 involves the use of scientific methods to produce knowledge about policy and program interventions that operate within or outside of the health sector and have the potential to impact health at the population level. We are encouraging researchers to draw upon scientific methods that emanate from a range of disciplinary origins (e.g. sociology, anthropology, political sciences, law, health sciences, etc.). Examples of potential research topics can include but are not limited to:
- The role of public policy and governance in mitigating the perpetuation of health inequities
- The study of unplanned consequences and antagonistic interactions between multiple policy interventions operating at different levels and/or in diverse sectors
- The role of context at multiple levels (e.g. individual, community, structural levels) and its influence(s) on policies aimed at promoting health equity
- The relative merits of different research designs to strengthen the study of natural policy experiments occurring in sectors (including those outside of health), which can contribute to a narrowing of health inequity gaps
- The differential impacts of policies on different population groups (e.g. women in precarious forms of employment)
- Comparative research within and between countries to tease out the complexities of policy interventions and context
- Inter- or cross-jurisdictional comparisons that examine the complexities of intersectoraliarity
- The development and/or testing of theoretical models to further understand how policies adapt over space and time to their socio-cultural and political context
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Eligibility
Eligibility criteria for all CIHR research funding programs apply. The business office of the institution of an eligible Nominated Principal Applicant generally administers CIHR funds. Please refer to the Eligibility Requirements for CIHR Grants and Awards regarding the eligibility requirements for individuals and institutions.
Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) will not be considered under this funding opportunity.
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Guidelines
General CIHR Guidelines
This funding opportunity will follow the General Guidelines for Grant Programs. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate the use of Gender and Sex-Based Analysis in applications.
Allowable Costs
Applicants should review the Use of Grant Funds section of the Tri-Agency (CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC) Financial Administration Guide for a complete listing and description of allowable costs and activities.
The full application must provide a detailed justification of all costs.
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.
In addition to CIHR standard guidelines and requirements, the following special conditions 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.
Access to Information Act and Privacy Act, and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)
All personal information collected by CIHR about applicants is used to review applications, to recruit reviewers, to administer and monitor grants and awards, to compile statistics, and to promote and support health research in Canada. Consistent with these purposes, applicants should also expect that information collected by CIHR may be shared as described in Use and Disclosure of Personal Information Provided to CIHR for Peer Review.
CIHR as a federal entity is subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act, therefore the requirements of these two statutes will apply to all information located in CIHR's premises including, without limitation, cost-sharing agreements related to this Funding opportunity and all matters pertaining thereto.
While respecting the application of the Privacy Act to federal entities, all signing parties involved in a collaborative agreement will also be bound by the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). All personal information (as identified by the PIPEDA) collected, used or disclosed in the course of any commercial activity under collaborative agreements related to the Funding opportunity will be collected, used and disclosed in compliance with the PIPEDA.
CIHR Guidelines for Health Research Involving Aboriginal People
The CIHR Guidelines for Health Research Involving Aboriginal People came into effect as policy for CIHR-funded research on July 1, 2008. Applicants whose proposed research will involve Aboriginal People are strongly encouraged to familiarise themselves with these guidelines and in particular with the section "Application of the Guidelines," which outlines the situations in which these guidelines apply.
Policy on Access to Research Outputs
CIHR believes that greater access to research publications and data will promote the ability of researchers and knowledge users in Canada and abroad to use and build on the knowledge needed to address significant health challenges. Open access will promote accessibility to CIHR-funded research and will serve to increase the international visibility of Canadian research. As of January 1, 2008, CIHR grant recipients are reminded to adhere with the responsibilities outlined in the Policy on Access to Research Outputs. Under this policy, grant recipients must make every effort to ensure that research papers and bio-molecular data generated from CIHR funding are freely accessible online.
Communication Requirements
Grant recipients are required to acknowledge CIHR, its institutes and partners in any communication or publication related to the project. See CIHR General Grants and Awards Policies, Public Communication and Acknowledgement of CIHR's Support for details on CIHR's communication requirements. The contributing institutes / partners will be identified on the Authorization for Funding and decision letter.
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Performance Measurement
CIHR is committed to demonstrating results to Canadians for the money invested in health research. Therefore, processes for monitoring progress and appropriate use of funds, as well as for performance measurement and program evaluation are in place. As a result, funding recipients must:
- contribute to the monitoring, review and evaluation of CIHR's programs, policies and processes by participating in evaluation studies, surveys, workshops, audits and providing data or reports as required for the purpose of collecting information to assess progress and results;
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encourage their associates, trainees and administration to participate in the monitoring, review and evaluation of CIHR's programs, policies and processes as required.
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Review Process and Evaluation
Relevance Review
The CIHR Institute of Population and Public Health / Public Health Agency of Canada will provide funding for applications that are relevant to (in alignment with) the specific objectives and research priority areas described in the Objectives section.
Prior to peer review, the CIHR Institute of Population and Public Health / Public Health Agency of Canada will have access to anonymized project titles and summaries to conduct relevance review.
Upon completion of peer review, the CIHR Institute of Population and Public Health / Public Health Agency of Canada will receive the ranking list, merit scores (ratings) and recommendations on funding level and award term for the applications that fall in the fundable range and have been determined to be relevant to the specific research areas and objectives of the initiative. The list will be used for funding decision-making purposes and will remain anonymous.
Peer Review
A CIHR peer review committee will evaluate the full applications that are deemed relevant. The committee may be drawn from one of CIHR's pre-existing committees or may be created specifically for this funding opportunity. Committee members are selected based on suggestions from many sources including the institute(s) / portfolio(s) and partner(s), following CIHR's Policy on 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 web site.
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 "Rating of Grant Applications" (section 7.2 number 3). (Updated: 2009-02-10)
The following evaluation criteria will apply to peer review of Catalyst Grant applications:
- How important and original are the hypotheses, questions, or issues to be addressed, and how clearly are they formulated?
- How important and novel are the outcomes expected from the proposed research activities? What is the potential for important new observations, tools/techniques, knowledge or impact in health research, or for the expected outcomes to build a foundation for the pursuit of more comprehensive funding opportunities?
- How well will the proposed approach address the hypotheses or questions? How well have the applicant(s) anticipated difficulties in their approach and considered alternatives? How critically is the relevant literature appraised and evaluated?
- How appropriate to the proposed research activities is the training or track record of the applicant(s)? Are the reviewers confident that the applicant(s) can accomplish the work proposed?
Notes:
- It will be recognized by reviewers that preliminary data or observations for novel ideas or totally new research directions will generally not be available, and therefore there will be a minor emphasis on preliminary data or observations.
- Researchers, regardless of career stage, would not be expected to have an extensive publication record in the new field, but rather to possess a set of transferable competencies that will enable them to accomplish the proposed objectives.
- For projects of a high risk nature, the potential for great scientific gain should offset the risk of failure.
- There should be minimal or no overlap with other funded work.
The following evaluation criteria are specific to this funding opportunity:
- The researcher must demonstrate how their proposed project either addresses one or more of the relevant research areas (as stated above), OR how it relates to either the CPHO Report or WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health.
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How to Apply
Note: This funding opportunity requires the use of ResearchNet to apply for funding.
Additional instructions that must be followed for this funding opportunity:
(Note: These additional instructions supersede all other policies or guidelines published by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, including, but not limited to, the Grants and Awards Guide, the Memorandum of Understanding, etc.)
- The maximum number of pages for the Research Proposal attachment is 8 pages excluding figures or tables.
- Mail the Signature Page PDF and 8 copies plus original of any high resolution photographs or figures (if applicable) to:
RE: "Catalyst Grant: Health Equity"
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Room 97, 160 Elgin Street
Address locator: 4809A
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0W9
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Contact Information
For questions on CIHR funding guidelines, how to apply, and the peer review process contact:
Ghisline Bourque
Program Delivery Officer
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-941-0861
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: ghisline.bourque@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
For questions about this initiative and research objectives contact:
Kim Gaudreau
Institute of Population and Public Health
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-957-6128
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: kim.gaudreau@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
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Partner/Collaborator Description
Note: Additional partners/collaborators, including partners/collaborators from industry and the private sector are expected to join this funding initiative over the coming year.
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada's agency for health research. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to enable its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health-care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to nearly 12,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada.
CIHR Institute of Population and Public Health
CIHR's IPPH supports research into the complex interactions, which determine health, and its application to improve the health of individuals, communities and global populations.
Partners
Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
The broad mandate 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. The Agency's primary role is to lead federal efforts and mobilize pan-Canadian action in preventing disease and injury and promoting and protecting national and international health. To fulfill this role, the Agency collaborates with a wide range of partners, to make Canadians healthier, reduce health disparities and strengthen public health capacity. In order to further build the evidence base related to reducing health disparities, the Strategic Initiatives & Innovations Directorate of PHAC is particularly interested in supporting catalyst grant applications, which address the priority theme areas which address the priority theme areas of this funding opportunity.
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Additional Information
1 For the purposes of this funding opportunity, the terms health inequities will be used. Health inequities arise when the bias and discrimination, that result in differences in access to the resources and opportunities for health between social groups is considered unfair or unjust. Strictly speaking, health inequalities mean differences in the health status of populations or population sub-groups. Yet, health inequalities can be used to encompass both concepts.
2 Working definition used by PHIRIC.
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