Important Dates

Notices

Table of Contents

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

Description

The objective of this funding opportunity is to strengthen Canadian and international health research by supporting teams of talented and experienced researchers conducting high-quality research and providing superior research training and mentorship in the area of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms. The program emphasis is on the production of new knowledge, and the translation of research findings into improvements in the health of populations and health care systems.

Sleep and Circadian Rhythms Team Grants will support the creation or development of expert teams comprising investigators undertaking collaborative, team-based research in the area of sleep and circadian rhythms. Eligible teams will consist of at least three independent investigators, each of whom has an established research track record in areas related to the collaborative project(s) proposed. Collectively, team members will have an extensive record of success, be creative and original in their approach to research and its translation and have experience with working in research teams. It is expected that the results achieved through the Sleep and Circadian Rhythms Team Grants will be realized more rapidly and more efficiently than if the components were to be funded as a series of separate operating grants.

Successful Teams funded through this Funding Opportunity (FO) and strategic initiative will form the Sleep and Circadian Rhythms Consortium (SCRC) to facilitate inter-team collaboration, including exploration of resource-sharing opportunities, exchange of best practices in interdisciplinary team management, development of new research collaborations, enhancement of training and mentorship opportunities, and joint development of knowledge transfer and translation strategies.

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 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 and research themes that could become the focus of a strategic initiative, as well as a possible Funding Opportunity. The recommendations from the NFP workshop informed the development of this strategic initiative.

The fundamental goals of this strategic initiative include:

1. Improving our understanding of the biological mechanisms of sleep and circadian rhythms, and the causes, mechanisms, risk factors (and interactions thereof) related to disorders of sleep and circadian rhythms;
2. Developing improved prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and support systems for individuals affected by sleep disorders and disrupted circadian rhythms;
3. Facilitating a coordinated effort that will focus on investigating the impacts of sleep disruption and sleep loss on Canadians' cardiovascular, metabolic, and mental health, as well as their performance, cognition and safety.

The CIHR Team Grant program funds expert teams (uni-disciplinary teams, multi-disciplinary teams, trans-disciplinary teams, community-partnered teams, academic-industry teams, etc.). Partners can include decision-makers, program administrators, care givers, policy makers and practitioners working in health-oriented community organizations, community-based foundations and organizations, local, provincial/territorial and national health charities and non-profit organizations, hospital and research institute foundations, municipal and regional health authorities, public health departments, district health councils, and provincial/territorial government agencies.

Proposals that represent active and meaningful partnerships between community organizations and research teams based in institutions (including universities, colleges, hospitals, and affiliated research institutions) are encouraged. The unifying element underlying all successful CIHR Teams will be a commitment to excellence and the pursuit of a problem-based, collaborative approach to health research.

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.
• CIHR will provide a minimum of $1,400,000 per annum for 5 years of funding will be available for this competition, beginning in fiscal year 2010-2011. This includes $1,000,000/year for 5 years of dedicated funding from CIHR Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health on research related to ICRH mandate; $400,000/year for 5 years from CIHR Institute of Neurosciences Mental Health and Addiction on research related to its mandate; $150,000 from CIHR Institute of Human Development Child and Youth Health for research on IHDCYH priorities. CIHR anticipates that 2 to 3 Teams will be funded through this competition. This amount may increase if additional funding partners decide to participate.
• Teams invited to submit full applications may be offered development grants of up to $10,000 if requested at the Letter of Intent stage (see Letter of Intent instructions).
• Annual fixed funding levels are not stipulated in this Funding Opportunity. Rather, up to $400,000 per year is committed per team to budget, as required; annual financial support is expected to vary depending on the team's history, potential for attracting other sources of funds, and planned activities to conceptualize, develop, and achieve deliverables. Applicants recommended for funding through this funding opportunity may be required to submit a revised budget based on the total funds available.

Duration of Projects

• The CIHR Team Grant program will provide support for a maximum duration of five years. In the case of five year grants, the final 2 years of funding are subject to a satisfactory progress review in the third year of funding.
• CIHR Team Grants are renewable, subject to competition and peer review.
• 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.

Objectives

The objectives of the Team Grant program are:

• to support expert teams of talented and experienced researchers
• to support high-quality research that addresses an important health and disease, health care or health system problem or issue which is best approached through a collaborative team
• to provide superior research training and mentorship environments
• to support the production of new knowledge and the translation of research findings into improvements in the health of Canadians and the Canadian health care system

For community-focused proposals, the guiding principle for participation is that community groups are active, influential and ongoing participants in the research, training, mentoring and knowledge translation activities, and that their roles have been formally agreed upon in the spirit of ensuring equity and mutual benefits from the partnership.

It is expected that the partners will contribute to:

• Formulating research agendas
• Providing input into the development of research and training projects
• Synthesizing and disseminating findings
• Applying the research findings to inform policies, programs and/or practices, and
• In some cases, conducting the research

Information about knowledge translation can be found in the section "Defining and Framing Knowledge Translation" of the CIHR Knowledge Translation Strategy 2004-2009.

Within the framework of the objectives of the Team Grant program noted above, the specific objectives of this funding opportunity are:

• Encourage team-based research that spans from molecules to populations, is multi-disciplinary and multi-thematic, and involves cross-disciplinary interaction.
• Support expert teams of talented and experienced researchers;
• Support high-quality, novel, innovative, and inventive research to address sleep and circadian rhythms that is best approached through a collaborative team;
• Advance knowledge transfer and translation concerning sleep and circadian rhythms into improved health, policies, services, products and health care systems; and
• Provide superior research training and mentorship environments.

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

Relevant Research Areas:

Please note: Only applications that are relevant to the mandates of ICRH and INMHA (see links) will be considered under this initiative. Funding will be provided by each institute for applications directly relevant to their mandate.

The research areas listed below (as identified through the NFP workshop) 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.

1. Sleep-related breathing disorders

• 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, men and/or women.
• Further research to understand the nature and pathophysiological basis of cognitive deficits experienced even by properly treated OSAS patients. Investigations could include, for example, studies of sleep disorders and cognitive decline in the aging population or on deficits in behaviour and emotional.regulation in children.

2. Insomnia

• Large-scale effectiveness trials to evaluate various treatment options for insomnia and/or short/inadequate sleep, regardless of the source (e.g., work schedule, mental illness, environmental factors, lifestyle choice) in specific populations (e.g., the elderly, children, menopausal women) and in patients with comorbid medical and psychiatric disorders. 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 impact 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.
• Studies investigating sleep deprivation and sleep disorders with respect to development of mental illness and psychiatric disorders in children and adults and impairment of cognitive skills such as attention, memory and vigilance.

3. Movement disorders

Restless legs syndrome (RLS)

• Investigations into markers of CVD in patients with RLS and/or period leg movements (PLMS), including the study of underlying genotypic characteristics and the effect of treatment

REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD)

• Investigations into markers of neurodegeneration in patients with RBD and in animal models of RBD.

4. Circadian rhythm disorders

The link between night shift work and health hazards such as metabolic and CVD have been well established. However, 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.

Specific Requirements

Successful Teams will form a Sleep and Circadian Team Grants Consortium (SCRC) to further facilitate collaborative research, training and knowledge translation among the Teams. The Consortium is described in more detail below.

Sleep and Circadian Rhythms Consortium (SCRC)
Successful Teams funded through this Funding Opportunity will form the CSRC to facilitate inter-team collaboration, including exploration of resource-sharing opportunities, exchange of best practices in team management, development of new research collaborations, enhancement of training and mentorship opportunities, and joint development of knowledge transfer and translation strategies. The Consortium will consist of the two to three successful Teams funded through this Funding Opportunity and will operate with guidance from an Executive Steering Committee and External Advisory Panel. The Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-PIs of each Team must agree to be active participants in Consortium-wide activities as deemed necessary by appropriate oversight committees. Such activities may include development of a common website, sharing best practices relating to the management of teams, development of new research proposals, student/trainee exchanges, and organization of public forums, workshops and similar events to facilitate knowledge translation and transfer.

CSRC Executive Steering Committee
The Executive Steering Committee will consist of Team Leaders, two additional investigators per Team, and representatives from Canadian and international partner organizations. The PI and two Co-PIs must agree to participate in an Executive Steering Committee that will meet quarterly by teleconference and once each year in person, to encourage exchange of information among participating CSRC Teams.

The purpose of the Executive Steering Committee will be to discuss and evaluate concerns and cooperative activities of the CSRC. The Executive Steering Committee may form subcommittees as needed (e.g., training, knowledge translation, best practices, etc.). A major goal of Executive Steering Committee meetings is to facilitate progress by providing a forum for sharing skills, ideas, technology, data, and resources among participating CSRC sites. At the meetings, it is anticipated that participants will also discuss issues concerning project coordination, knowledge translation, training, quality assurance, etc. CSRC Teams will also respond to recommendations provided by an independent External Advisory Panel.

SCRC External Advisory Panel
Members of the External Advisory Panel will be nominated by the Executive Steering Committee in collaboration with the ICRH and all Canadian and international partners, and will be invited by ICRH on behalf of partners. Applicants should not suggest names for External Advisory Panel members in their grant application. A Chairperson will be chosen from among the External Advisory Panel members. The Chairperson will be an accomplished senior scientist from academia and/or industry with a background in sleep and circadian rhythms etc. The External Advisory Panel will meet annually with CSRC members to review interim progress of the individual Teams and provide an annual report and recommendations to funding partners and the Executive Steering Committee. The External Advisory Panel will review mid-term progress reports and provide recommendations to ICRH and funding partners as to whether funding should continue after year three.

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.

Specific Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility requirements specific to this funding opportunity include the following:

• The proposal must be relevant to the ICRH mandate, as found through link in the Description Section.

Each eligible Sleep and Circadian Rhythms Team Grant application will include the following:

• A Team Leader who meets the criteria of "Principal Applicant" as described in the CIHR Participant Categories for CIHR Grants. The Team Leader must be a researcher with proven leadership capabilities and experience who will act as research program director and who will assume administrative responsibility for the grant.
• At least two additional independent investigators who have an established research track record in areas related to the collaborative project(s) proposed, who together with the Team Leader will form an integrated and more effective research team. Teams with a nucleus of experienced and productive investigators are encouraged to include some promising new investigators in the team. 
• Collectively, team members must have an extensive record of success, be creative and original in their approach to research and its translation, and have experience working in research teams. The specific contribution of each team member and community partner, where applicable, must be described.

In addition, the following special conditions apply:

• The members of the Team Grant may pursue other avenues of research in addition to their commitment to the Sleep and Circadian Rhythms Team Grant; however, each individual investigator must contribute sufficient time to the Sleep and Circadian Rhythms Team Grant research program to ensure the achievement of its research objectives.
• Members of a team may be located in one or more departments, faculties or CIHR-eligible institutions in Canada. However, partners strongly encourage multi-institutional collaboration among team members. As well, international or private sector collaborators who make a substantial intellectual contribution to the research program may be listed as additional team members; however, CIHR funding is restricted to CIHR eligible Institutions.

RCTs will NOT be permitted when necessary background research or preliminary studies have not yet been completed. Consult CIHR RCT staff should you require further clarification.

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.

Funding can be used to support:

• Research operating costs for the proposed collaborative research program, which must be distinct in its objectives from those for which team members currently receive funding. Where an application includes overlap with an existing CIHR grant, and that application is successful in the CIHR Team Grant competition, continued funding of the ongoing grant will be reviewed.
• Purchase of equipment and maintenance contracts for common services and shared facilities;
• Costs of data collection, database and maintenance of information holdings directly related to the CIHR Team Grant research program;
• Costs of regional, national and international networking activities, including collaboration, planning, and knowledge exchange activities, directly related to the CIHR Team Grant research program;
• Salaries of research assistants, technicians and other personnel who will enhance the collaborative research productivity of the Team;
• Support of research trainees, at the rate specified by CIHR for trainees paid from research grants. CIHR Team Grants are expected to provide a superior training environment;
• Salary of a professional coordinator and/or administrative assistant;
• Release time payments to enable employees of community partners to participate in the research program, limited to 50% of salary costs, and an overall maximum of $100,000 per year;
• A maximum of $20,000 annually for a release time stipend for the team leader;
• Costs involved in linkage with and dissemination of research findings to those who use the results, as appropriate for the research program (including other researchers, the public, practitioner and policy communities, and the industrial sector).

With the exception of co-applicants who are trainees or research associates, co-applicants may not receive a salary, stipend, or honorarium from CIHR grants on which they are a co-applicant (as described in Participant Categories for CIHR Grants). The only exception is the release time stipends for the team leader and employees of community partners as described.

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 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

In addition to following the policies relating to the Public Communication and Acknowledgment of CIHR's Support, team grant recipients will also be required to adhere to special branding requirements as a condition of receiving a CIHR Team Grant. The official Team name is "CIHR Team in (area of research)." In cases where there is another major funding partner a shared title should be considered. The format of a shared title is " CIHR/(partner name) Team in." The Team name must be used in all communication and promotion relating to the CIHR Team Grant. A team name must be proposed as part of the application for a CIHR Team Grant. Successful applicants and their host institutions will be required to agree in writing to proper use of the Team name as well as the CIHR (and applicable partners) logo(s) on appropriate communications materials such as brochures, letterhead, publications and media materials. Recognition guidelines, including instructions on logo use, will be provided to successful applicants as part of the approval package.

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. A Progress Report for Long-Term Grant Holders (5 or more years) will be required in year 3 of five-year grants. Grantees are required to submit the "Progress Report for Long-Term Grant Holders (5 or more years)" form [ PDF (fillable, 95 KB) | PDF (47 KB) | Help ] describing the progress made and the publications issued since the start of the grant. CIHR will cancel the last 12 months of the grant if the progress is unacceptable and will cancel the final two years of the grant if it does not receive a report.
• 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.

As the lead Institute of this initiative, ICRH has established a reporting framework, and in collaboration with partners will:

• create a formal network of successful Teams referred to as the Sleep and Circadian Rhythms Consortium (SCRC);
• establish an External Advisory Panel comprised of international and national experts to evaluate the Teams on an annual basis;
• organize an annual Reporting and Advisory Session (RAS);
• provide Teams with an annual reporting template and performance survey for completion each year for the purpose of maximizing the potential of the research programs;
• conduct a mid-term review for the purposes of evaluating continued funding after year three; and
• co-organize, with partners, regular research-oriented meetings for members of the SCRC.

As a member of the Sleep and Circadian Rhythms Consortium, successful Teams will meet on an annual basis to participate in an evaluation/progress review meeting that is led by an External Advisory Panel. In some years, this review may coincide with a scientific meeting, the objectives of which are to bring together Team Leaders and representatives from the Teams to share knowledge, and best practices in order to facilitate the development of linkages across Teams.

The External Advisory Panel will assist research Teams to maximize research, training and knowledge translation outcomes of the research program. The External Advisory Panel will:

• review annual progress reports;
• provide constructive written and verbal feedback to the Teams in response to their annual report; and
• review the Team website

Expectations

Teams of the Sleep and Circadian Rhythms Consortium (SCRC) will:

• attend an annual one day Reporting and Advisory Session (RAS) and present research objectives, methodology, findings, outcomes, budget and other information requested by the External Advisory Panel;
• prepare and submit an annual progress report and a performance survey;
• participate in regularly held scientific meetings to exchange ideas and research results with other research teams and stakeholders;
• participate in a nominal number of teleconferences organized by ICRH and partners as required (e.g., explanation of reporting processes, etc.); and
• ensure that the website created as a result of the grant is maintained and accessible for review by the External Advisory Panel (e.g., publications and team membership listings are up-to-date, etc.).

Partners may cancel funding of the grant if progress is deemed unacceptable or if they do not receive annual reports by the date requested.

The following table is intended to further clarify objectives by linking them to expected outcomes and measures which will be included in CIHR's Management Resources and Results Structure (MRRS), as required by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.

Review Process and Evaluation

Relevance Review

Relevance review will be conducted at the Letter of Intent stage. Representatives from ICRH, IHDCYH and INMHA will have access to the anonymized Letter of Intent package and the one-page attachment describing how the proposed research addresses the objectives and relevant research areas (see How to Apply). At the full application stage, these representatives will have access to an updated version of the one-page attachment and the anonymized research proposal summary to conduct relevance review.

The following criteria will be used in conducting relevance review.

• For the Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health, it is critical that the proposal is relevant to the ICRH mandate, as found through link in the Description section.

Upon completion of peer review of the full applications, the representatives from ICRH, IHDCYH and INMHA will receive the ratings, rankings and peer review committee recommendations on funding level and term for the applications that are rated in the CIHR fundable range and are found to be relevant to the specific objectives of the research initiative and the research areas described under "Objectives" and "Relevant Research Areas". These applications will be funded from the top down in order of ranking as far as budgets will allow. Applications that receive a ranking below 3.5 will not be funded.

LOI Review

A CIHR LOI review committee will evaluate the LOIs. The committee will be drawn from many potential sources, including members of the full application peer review committee, members of partnering Institute Advisory Boards, members of external partner Science Advisory Boards, and other scientific experts as required. The committee will assess the LOIs according to the following criteria:

Program Eligibility Criteria

• Responds to one of the Eligible Research Areas for this funding opportunity
• The contributions expected from the proposed research is important and original
• There is potential for important new knowledge or impact on health and health research

Program Objectives

• Does the team bring together researchers from different disciplines, with adequate expertise to cover the proposed subject area and research project?
• Is there sufficient collaboration between team members so that the team approach will enhance the understanding or resolution of the health issue, when compared to an equivalent number of independent research projects (i.e. value added)?
• Does the proposal aim to create opportunities for young and established investigators who are new to conducting health research?

LOIs that meet all criteria and objectives for this initiative will be given an overall rank, taking into consideration the novel and innovative aspects of the proposed research and the fit to the Sleep and Circadian Rhythms Team Grant program objectives. LOIs receiving a high or medium priority ranking will be invited to submit a full application.

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.

Eligible Letters of Intent (LOIs) and applications will be evaluated by a specifically-constituted, multidisciplinary peer review committee(s) designed specifically for the review of CIHR Team Grants. The committee may include individuals from partner communities. The expert committee may make suggestions to the applicants on how to strengthen their detailed proposal. It could, for example, suggest the grouping of complementary applications, and propose additional partnerships or funding sources.

Once the review of LOIs is completed, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application by the deadline date. The names of teams that will be invited to apply and the topic of their research will be published on the CIHR website.

CIHR Team Grant applications will be evaluated as a single, integrated entity. While each research component included in the application must be meritorious, it is critical to demonstrate that the CIHR Team Grant brings added value, in terms of the approach to the health and disease, health care or health system issue, and the speed and efficiency with which new knowledge will be generated, or translated into improvements in health or the health care system, when compared with funding the proposed work as a series of separate operating grants.

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.

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: Letter of Intent and Application.
• To complete your "Phase 1: Letter of Intent", follow the instructions identified in the Team Grant – ResearchNet "Letter of Intent" Phase Instructions. To complete your "Phase 2: Application", follow the instructions identified in the Team Grant - 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.)

Letter of Intent (LOI)

• Please note: At the LOI stage, the following documents must be titled (in the "Description" field) and included as attachments beside "Other" in the "Attach Other Application Materials" task in ResearchNet:
  • cover page
  • applicant table
  • reference bibliography
  • development budget, if applicable (see “Funds Available” section for availability and amounts)
  • objectives page
• Detailed instructions regarding each of these sections are found below in number 3.

The Letter of Intent must include:

1. A brief curriculum vitae (maximum two pages per applicant) for a maximum of five of the key applicants. This must include information on grants held (source, type, title, amount/year, duration), relevant publications from the last five years and 5-10 expertise keywords. Full CVs will not be considered. (To be attached in the "Attach Common CVs and Supporting Documents" task). Please note: Only 5 free-form CVs are required, therefore, when any additional applicants are listed please upload a 1 page PDF entitled: "CV not required". (Updated: 2009-10-02)
2. The Research Proposal in the "Enter Project Information and Supporting Documents" task under "Project Information", is limited to five pages (not including references). The proposal must outline clearly each of the elements below:
   • the objectives of the research program to be undertaken by the Team over the period of funding;
   • the nature of the Team and extent of collaboration between investigators, with an explanation of the anticipated value added to the research program through the synergy of the Team (why this cannot be funded through one or more operating grants);
   • the research training and mentoring environment that will provide a superior experience for undergraduate, graduate and/or post-doctoral trainees, including those with a health professional background;
   • the preliminary plan for the research program and schedule of work;
   • the nature and extent of the host institutions' financial and other forms of long-term commitment to the Team's research, and to ensuring a favourable environment for carrying out the research activities;
   • the plan, including proposed organizational structures for engaging and linking with those who will ultimately use the research findings;
   • if the team involves partners, the proposed roles of partners in the planning and execution of the research program and the dissemination and utilization of the research results.
3. Attachments (To be attached under "Other" in the "Attach Other Application Materials" task):
   1. Cover page: maximum one page free form - a standard form is not available for the cover page indicating:
      • the title of the Team program as it will appear in publicity and other announcements (CIHR Team/Emerging Team in area of research);
      • the title of the proposal;
      • the title of this funding opportunity;
      • a brief description (10 lines maximum) of the research area of the proposal;
      • five keywords describing the research.
   2. Applicant table: in a table format, a list of all applicants with their affiliations and expertise (the list need not be final at the Letter of Intent stage).
   3. Reference bibliography: a short bibliography (maximum one page) of any references cited in the Letter of Intent
   4. Development budget: (where applicable) a development grant request whereby applicants may request funds to be used in the development of the Full Application. The development grant request comprises a one-page request outlining the activities for which the development grant will be used plus a one-page budget description (see “Funds Available” section of Funding Opportunity for availability and amounts);
   5. Objectives page: provide an additional one-page attachment (to be identified by the title of the opportunity) describing how the research proposed addresses the objectives and relevant research areas described in the section “Objectives’.
4. Please Note: Effective this competition, the required signatures at the LOI stage of this Funding Opportunity MUST include all Team members (Nominated Principal Applicant and all co-applicants) AND their institutions. (Updated: 2009-09-30)

Please note: Any additional materials will not be sent to the review committee; this includes letters of support, figures not included in the proposal, updates on publications, updates on other support received, letters confirming academic appointment, reprints, etc.

Application

• Once the review of LOI's is completed, selected applicants will be invited to submit an application by the deadline date. The names of teams that will be invited to apply and the topic of their research will be published on the CIHR website.
• Research Proposal - A maximum of 11 pages may be attached in the case of two applicants. A maximum of 13 pages may be attached when there are three or more applicants. Any additional pages will be removed.
• Publications - a maximum of five publications may be attached from the past five years. Any additional publications will be removed. (Updated: 2009-09-28)

Contact Information

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

Olivier Jacob-Gravel (Updated: 2010-05-19)
Team Lead, Program Delivery
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-952-5728
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: olivier.jacob-gravel@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

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 Circulatory and Respiratory Health
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:

1. Obesity, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Complications
   
2. Technology for diagnostic and therapeutic advances, including imaging technologies for early detection of disease
   
3. Psychological, social, behavioral and environmental determinants of at risk behaviour for chronic disease, and means of effective interventions
   
4. Sleep: circadian impact on respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, metabolism and obesity, and means of diagnosis, treatment and prevention
   
5. Biomarkers for chronic disease, including genetic, proteomic and phenotypic markers for prevention, diagnosis and guidance for therapy
   
6. Aging and the cardiorespiratory system: changing epidemiology, physiology and means to healthy aging and disease prevention
   
7. Injury repair and inflammation: mechanisms leading to the development of chronic diseases and their potential prevention
   
8. Transplantation-regeneration-cell based therapies to effect cure rather than palliation, including relevant bioethics aspect

Partners

CIHR - Institute of Human Development Child and Youth Health
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.

CIHR - Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addictions
The vision of the Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA) is that innovative research will provide new knowledge of the biological and socio-cultural processes underlying neurological, mental and addictive disorders. As such, the INMHA's mission is to foster excellence in innovative, ethically responsible research in Canada that aims to increase our knowledge of the functioning and disorders of the brain and the mind, the spinal cord, the sensory and motor systems, as well as mental health, mental illness and all forms of addiction. The INMHA intends to support initiatives that mobilize and link scientists in innovative collaborative programs across these research domains. The INMHA seeks to translate this new knowledge into a better quality of life for all Canadians through improved outcomes, health promotion and health care services.