Table of Contents
Description
The purpose of this funding opportunity is to further strengthen Canadian and international health research by supporting high-quality, novel, innovative, and inventive investigations that focus on the impacts of sleep disruption and sleep loss (due to Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB), insomnia, Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), circadian disorders or a combination of these conditions) on Canadian's cardiovascular, metabolic, and mental health, as well as their performance, cognition, and safety. The Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (ICRH), the Institute of Aging (IA), the Institute of Gender and Health (IGH), and the Institute of Human Development Child and Youth Health (IHDCYH) of CIHR and its partners encourage proposals that provide experimental rather than correlational studies to advance the search for biomarkers (genetic, metabolic, brain imaging, electrophysiological and cognitive) of sleep disorders and the associated higher risk for other medical conditions. In addition, it is recommended that special attention be paid to the impact of disrupted sleep on the following four specific populations: children, women, the elderly and Aboriginal people.
Background
Sleep is a universal biological imperative that plays a critical role in maintaining and restoring health. Human physiology includes a system of circadian rhythms that helps regulate sleep and influences virtually all other physiological and pathological processes underlying health and illness. Over 25% of Canadians suffer from either sleep or circadian rhythm disorders (Williams, 2001). This percentage increases significantly with aging. According to a survey in the United-States (National sleep Foundation, Sleep in America Poll, 2003), 44% of elderly subjects report sleep difficulties at least a few nights per week or more. Disrupted sleep and circadian rhythms have far-reaching short- and long-term consequences for physical health, mental health, productivity, safety and overall quality of life. Total direct and indirect costs of sleep disorders were estimated at $7.5 billion for Australia in 2004 (in a population of 20.1 million), implying an annual cost for Canadians of almost $12 billion (Hillman et al., 2006).
Lack of sleep is so common in our society that it is almost taken for granted. In the past 40 years, people in the United States have slept 1.5 to 2 hours less a night, and the proportion of young adults who slept less than 7 hours a night more than doubled between 1960 and 2001–2002 (from 15.6% to 37.1%; Kripke et al., 1979; nsf, 2002). Lack of sleep has become a widespread phenomenon, driven by the demands and opportunities of our 24-hour lifestyle and by the high prevalence of sleep and circadian rhythm disorders. Nearly one third of adults, report they are sleeping less than 6 hours a night, suggesting that we live in a sleep-deprived society (Bonnet and Arand, 1995).
We are only beginning to realize and directly measure the magnitude of the social and economic costs of sleep and circadian rhythm disorders. Yet despite their high prevalence and societal impact, these disorders are not generally recognized as an important public health issue in Canada, and the general public, health practitioners and policy makers are still largely unaware of the problem.
To better identify the pressing research questions and knowledge gaps in this important area of research, the CIHR Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (ICRH) and other partners supported and participated in a New Frontiers Program (NFP) workshop in June 2008. The overarching objective of the NFP workshop was to discuss and identify knowledge gaps, as well as research themes that could become the focus of a strategic initiative, as well as possible Request for Applications. The recommendations from the NFP workshop informed the development of this strategic initiative.
The fundamental goals of this strategic initiative include:
- Improving our understanding of the causes, biological mechanisms, risk factors (and interactions thereof) of sleep disorders and circadian rhythms;
- Developing improved prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and support systems for individuals affected by sleep disorders and circadian rhythms.
The specific objectives of this strategic initiative will be accomplished through the offering of two Funding Opportunities (FOs):
- Sleep and Circadian Rhythms: Team Grants, and
- Sleep and Circadian Rhythms: Operating Grants.
Funds Available
CIHR's contribution to the amount available for this initiative is subject to availability of funds voted annually to CIHR by parliamentary appropriations, and the conditions that may be attached to them.
- The total amount available for this initiative is $1,100,000, which includes: $300,000 of dedicated funding from CIHR Institute of Aging for research on older adults and aging; $650,000 from CIHR Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health on research related to ICRH mandate; $100,000 from CIHR Institute of Gender and Health for research on gender and sex issues related to sleep; $50,000 from CIHR Institute of Human Development Child and Youth Health for research on IHDCYH priorities. The Lung Association will consider supporting relevant applications, depending on availability of funds. This amount may increase if additional funding partners decide to participate.
- The maximum amount awarded for a single grant is $100,000 per annum for up to two years. The equipment amount 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 specific objective of this funding opportunity is:
- To support high-quality, novel, innovative, and inventive research that focuses on the impacts of sleep disruption and sleep loss (due to Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB), insomnia, Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), circadian disorders or a combination of these conditions) on Canadian's cardiovascular, metabolic, and mental health, as well as their performance, cognition, and safety
Relevant Research Areas:
This strategic initiative announcement will provide funding for applications that may focus on the research areas described below (as identified through the NFP workshop). Please note that these lists are not intended to be exhaustive and there is no intent to imply that applications in these areas would be more successful than those in other areas.
Please note: the proposal must be relevant to the ICRH mandate, as found through the link in the Description Section.
1. Sleep-related breathing disorders
- Animal models mimicking Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrom (OSAS) and Central Sleep Apnea Syndrome (CSAS) to determine the physiological, cellular and molecular mechanisms that sustain these adverse effects into wakefulness.
- Further research to better understand the relationships between Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrom (OSAS) and other conditions resulting in disrupted or short sleep, energy metabolism and proneness to overweight/obesity. With respect to this topic, studies could focus on specific populations, such as children, the elderly, men and/or women.
- Further research to understand the nature and pathophysiological basis of cognitive deficits experienced even by properly treated OSAS patients.
2. Insomnia
- Validation of new treatment delivery models in order to make such treatments more widely available to both patients and health-care providers. Large-scale dissemination of these interventions would contribute to the direct transfer of new knowledge on sleep therapies to patients and clinicians.
- Studies investigating the impacts of insomnia/sleep loss on factors promoting the development and the progression of cardiovascular disorders (CVD), including the study of potential common genetic bases for CVD and insomnia.
3. Movement disorders
Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
- A search for other markers of CVD (nocturnal dipping, carotid artery intima-media thickness, endothelial function, etc.) in patients with RLS.
- Assessments of whether treatment of RLS/PLMS with dopaminergic drugs (known to decrease sympathetic tone) translate into a decrease in nocturnal and diurnal SBP, or whether they prevent the development of CVD or stroke in RLS cases.
REM sleep behaviour disorder
4. Circadian rhythm disorders
The link between night shift work and health hazards such as metabolic and CVD have been well established, but studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms involved, design ergonomic work schedules that minimize the risks, and discover methods to counteract the serious health problems inherent in night and shift work. Some important targets include the following:
- Development of appropriate animal models to establish causal links between circadian disturbances and metabolic and CVD.
- Studies to understand why some individuals are relatively unaffected by night shift work or transmeridian travel and others have excessively negative reactions, in order to identify individuals at risk and develop countermeasures adapted to different populations.
- Studies to determine why some negative outcomes linked to shift work appear to be especially common in women. In general, there is little information available on whether men and women are affected differently by sleep loss and circadian disturbances, and at different life stages.
- Studies to understand why tolerance to night work and jet lag decreases with age.
- Further studies to assess the impact of sleep disorders (especially OSAS) and circadian disturbances on the health of Aboriginal people.
Research priorities in specific populations
It is encouraged that special attention be paid to the impact of disrupted sleep on the following four specific populations for whom much less information is available than for middle-aged men:
1. Children: because of the significant impact of short sleep duration in early childhood on subsequent cognitive development and the risk of obesity
2. Women: because of the high prevalence and the impact of sleep disruption (SDB, insomnia, RLS/PLMS and) associated with pregnancy, post-partum and menopause on cardiovascular and mental health, and our relative ignorance of the impact of female reproductive hormones on these conditions
3. The Elderly: because of major age-related changes to the sleep-wake cycle, the higher prevalence of SDB and insomnia with age, and the highest all-cause and cardiovascular mortality due to sleep disorders in the elderly. Sleep disorders are exacerbated in the older population, in which defining and treating conditions is often complicated by the existence of multiple pathologies, cognitive and physiological impairments, polypharmacy, increased incidence of treatment-related side effects and other physiological changes.
The CIHR Institute of Aging (IA) will consider supporting applications that relate directly to the aging process and/or specifically to the health and quality of life of older individuals (generally above the age of 65). Research and research design should consider the biology and physiology of aging and/or the aged as well as address issues of aging and/or the aged as essential elements of the objectives, hypotheses and analyses. The CIHR Institute of Aging will provide funding for applications that are determined to be relevant to the following research areas:
- Functional limitations in aging: Functional limitations as a consequence of sleep disorders and their impact on the physical and psychological health and vulnerability of the older individual (generally accepted as 65 and older).
- Biology of aging and extrinsic factors: The aging process and other mechanisms and factors that provoke the increased vulnerability to the development of sleep disorders with advancing age.
- Age-relevant therapies and interventions: Therapies and interventions to prevent, delay or treat sleep disorders that consider the unique biology and physiology of the older individual.
4. Aboriginal people: considering the unique issues of circadian entrainment and sleep in northern latitudes.
In addition, researchers are encouraged to take into consideration how sex and gender factors might contribute to sleep disturbances.
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Eligibility
Eligibility criteria for all CIHR research funding programs apply. The business office of the institution of an eligible Nominated Principal Applicant generally administers CIHR funds. Please refer to the Eligibility Requirements for CIHR Grants and Awards regarding the eligibility requirements for individuals and institutions.
Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) will not be considered under this funding opportunity.
Specific Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility requirements specific to this funding opportunity included the following:
- CIHR Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health will support applications focusing on research related to ICRH mandate
- CIHR Institute of Aging will support applications focusing on research on older adults and aging
- CIHR Institute of Gender and Health will support application focusing on research on gender and sex issues related to sleep
- CIHR Institute of Human Development Child and Youth Health will support application focusing on research on IHDCYH priorities
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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.
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.
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;
- 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 Circulatory and Respiratory Health and its partner organizations will provide funding for applications that are relevant to (in alignment with) the objectives and research priority areas described in the Objectives and Specific Eligibility Requirement sections.
Prior to peer review, the CIHR Institutes of Aging, Circulatory and Respiratory Health, Human Development Child and Youth Health, and Gender and Health as well as the Lung Association will have access to anonymized project titles and summaries to conduct relevance review.
Upon completion of peer review, the CIHR Institutes of Aging, Circulatory and Respiratory Health, Human Development Child and Youth Health, and Gender and Health as well as the Lung Association 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. 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 Understand Peer Review section of CIHR's website.
Evaluation Criteria
Peer review will be conducted in accordance with The CIHR Peer Review Process – Policies and Responsibilities of Grants Committee Members. Reviewers will use the following set of criteria for the evaluation of all CIHR grant applications:
1. Research Approach
2. Originality of the Proposal
3. Applicant(s)
4. Environment for the Research
5. Impact of the Research
A detailed elaboration of these criteria can be found in the Information for Peer Reviewers section of CIHR website.
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How to Apply
Note: This funding opportunity requires the use of ResearchNet to apply for funding.
- The application process for this funding opportunity is comprised of two steps: Registration and Application.
- To complete your Registration and Application, follow the instructions identified in the Grants – ResearchNet "Registration" Phase Instructions and the Grants – ResearchNet "Application" Phase Instructions.
- An overview of CIHR's application processes can be found under Apply for Funding.
- Reminder to applicants: Please ensure that your application is complete (including all required signatures) and submitted on time to CIHR. Effective September 1, 2008, CIHR will assume no responsibility in following-up with applicants who submit an incomplete application. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted into the competition.
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.)
Your Application will be submitted using ResearchNet. Only the signed Signature Pages must be sent (courier stamped no later than the application deadline date) to:
RE: “Operating Grant: Sleep and Circadian Rhythms”
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:
Wendy Street
Team Lead Program Delivery
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-952-5701
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: wendy.street@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
For questions about this initiative and research objectives contact:
Ilana Gombos, PhD
Assistant Director
Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-954-0544
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: ilana.gombos@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)
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 Aging (IA)
IA supports research to promote healthy aging and to address causes, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation for a wide range of conditions associated with aging. IA has identified five priority areas for research on aging and health: aging and maintenance of functional autonomy; biological mechanisms of aging; cognitive impairment in aging; healthy and successful aging; and health services and policy relating to older people.
CIHR – Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (ICRH)
ICRH supports research into the causes, mechanisms, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation for a wide range of conditions associated with the heart, lung, brain (stroke), blood, blood vessels, critical and intensive care, and sleep. The ICRH vision is to achieve international leadership by fostering an environment of openness, excitement, energy, commitment and excellence in highly ethical, partnered initiatives focused on research, research training, and research translation for the circulatory and respiratory sciences and for the betterment of the health of Canadians. In March 2007, following consultations with the ICRH community and Institute Advisory Board, the following eight priorities were identified:
- Obesity, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Complications
- Technology for diagnostic and therapeutic advances, including imaging technologies for early detection of disease
- Psychological, social, behavioral and environmental determinants of at risk behaviour for chronic disease, and means of effective interventions
- Sleep: circadian impact on respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, metabolism and obesity, and means of diagnosis, treatment and prevention
- Biomarkers for chronic disease, including genetic, proteomic and phenotypic markers for prevention, diagnosis and guidance for therapy
- Aging and the cardiorespiratory system: changing epidemiology, physiology and means to healthy aging and disease prevention
- Injury repair and inflammation: mechanisms leading to the development of chronic diseases and their potential prevention
- Transplantation-regeneration-cell based therapies to effect cure rather than palliation, including relevant bioethics aspect
Partners
CIHR – Institute of Gender and Health (IGH)
The mission of CIHR's Institute of Gender and Health (IGH) is to foster research excellence regarding the influence of gender and sex on the health of women and men throughout life and apply these research findings to identify and address pressing health challenges. IGH encourages researchers to align their research with the six strategic research directions outlined in IGH's 2009-2012 strategic plan.
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, and adolescence.
The Lung Association
The Lung Association is a national, incorporated, registered volunteer health charity. The Lung Association works to improve the lung health of Canadians through research, prevention, education and advocacy. We lead national and international initiatives in lung health and are the primary resource for lung health in Canada.
Our major programs and services include a national respiratory research program, patient education programs in disease and issue areas such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, tuberculosis, air quality, and tobacco prevention, protection and control.
The Lung Association is a partnership of 10 provincial and territorial lung associations. Also in our network are the Canadian Thoracic Society (our medical area) and the Canadian Respiratory Health Professionals.
Sleep disordered breathing is an important public health problem. Without adequate high quality sleep, people cannot function effectively at home, at work or in the community. Research is needed on the prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing and the effects of sleep disordered breathing on neurocognitive and cardiovascular function.
The Lung Association encourages innovative and inventive research in the area of sleep disordered breathing and will consider supporting relevant applications depending on availability of funds.
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