Important Dates

Notices

Notice 1:

• This funding opportunity has a two step application process. Phase 1 requires you to complete a Letter of Intent (LOI). Phase 2 requires you to complete an Application upon invitation. The LOI and Application instructions can be found in the How to Apply section of this funding opportunity description.

Notice 2:

• The content of this funding opportunity has been updated
  Date updated: 2010-07-14
  Section updated: Important Dates (Phase 2: Application Notice of Decision)

Notice 3:

• 2009-12-17: Please note that CIHR's Grants and Awards Guide has been updated. You can address any eligibility question to the CIHR funding guidelines contact found in this funding opportunity.

Table of Contents

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

Description

Part of CIHR's mandate is to promote research that addresses Nanotechnology Applied to Health (Nanomedicine), Stem Cells, Tissue Engineering, and Rehabilitation Sciences. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to further strengthen multi-disciplinary research approaches to regenerative medicine and nanomedicine by supporting truly innovative and leading edge multi-disciplinary research directed against key health research problems. It is expected that this targeted investment will lead to the long-term goal of developing innovative and socially-validated treatment approaches based on the science of regenerative medicine and nanomedicine that will ultimately result in improved quality of life for individuals, their families, and populations.

This funding opportunity is announced under the Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine Initiative (RMNI). Please see the list of Eligible Research Areas for this funding opportunity on the RMNI website.

The purpose of the Emerging Team Grant program is to strengthen Canadian health research by supporting research teams conducting high-quality research and providing superior training opportunities. The program is expected to enhance the understanding and accelerate the resolution of health issues through new directions of research proposed. It is expected that this investment will further the Canadian capacity for high-quality, problem-based research on relevant health, health care and health system issues.

This program is intended to fund the creation or further development of research teams undertaking collaborative research relevant to a significant health problem or issue. Eligible teams will consist of at least three independent investigators who will form an integrated and effective research team. It is expected that this program will enable such teams to build or strengthen capacity and add expertise, develop strategies for knowledge translation, provide superior training and mentoring environments and achieve research excellence.

Through the RMNI Emerging Team Grant program, CIHR intends to fund a variety of emerging research teams (multi-disciplinary teams, trans-disciplinary teams, partnered teams, academic-industry teams, etc.). 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 welcome.

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 $16,550,000. This amount may increase if additional funding partners decide to participate.
• The maximum amount awarded for a single grant is $500,000 per annum for up to 5 years. The equipment amount, where applicable, is awarded in year one. In the case of 5 year grants, the final two years of funding are subject to a satisfactory progress review in the third year of funding.

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

CIHR's collaborative programs focus on support of research teams and a problem-based research culture.

Through the Emerging Team Grant program it is the intent of CIHR to fund the creation or development of research teams of investigators undertaking collaborative research relevant to a significant health problem or issue. This grant will enable such teams to:

• Strengthen capacity and add expertise relevant to a significant health problem or issue.
• Develop strategies for knowledge translation and exchange.
• Provide a superior training and mentoring environment.

Proposals that represent collaborations between community organizations and research teams based in institutions (including universities, colleges, hospitals, and affiliated research institutions) are welcome.

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 collaboration.

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.
• In some cases, conducting the research.

For more information about knowledge translation consult "Defining and Framing Knowledge Translation"of the CIHR Knowledge Translation Strategy 2004-2009.

Within the framework of the overall objectives of the Emerging Team Grant Program noted above the specific objectives of this funding opportunity are:

• To address scientific questions/problems related to regenerative medicine and nanomedicine as described in the Eligible Research Areas for this funding opportunity on the RMNI website.

Relevant Research Areas:

The CIHR Institutes and partner organizations on this funding opportunity will provide funding for applications that are determined to be relevant to the following research areas:

• Nanotechnology applied to health – Nanomedicine
• Stem Cells
• Tissue Engineering
• Rehabilitation Sciences

For more information on these research areas, including detailed descriptions and examples of eligible research topics, please see the Eligible Research Areas for this funding opportunity on the RMNI website.

For more information on CIHR Institute and partner organization research interests, please see the Partner/Collaborator Description section.

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.

Each eligible Emerging Team Grant application will include:

• A Team Leader who meets the criteria of "Principal Applicant" as described in the CIHR Participant Categories for CIHR Grants and who will assume administrative responsibility for the grant as nominated Principal Applicant. In addition, the Team Leader must be a researcher with proven leadership capabilities and experience who will act as research program director.
• At least two additional independent investigators who meet the criteria of "Principal Applicant" as described in the CIHR Participant Categories for CIHR Grants 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.

In addition, the following special conditions apply:

• Members of a Team may be located in one or more departments, faculties or CIHR-eligible institutions in Canada. As well, international or private sector collaborators who make a substantial intellectual contribution to the research program may be listed as additional Team members.

Specific Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility requirements specific to this funding opportunity include the following:

• Currently- or previously-funded RMNI Team grant holders are eligible to submit new applications to this funding opportunity. RMNI funding must have ended by the start date of this opportunity funding period for the application to be considered eligible as a new proposal seeking to continue or expand previously-funded research projects. Note that these will NOT be considered as renewals of existing Team grants, but new submissions that must meet the eligibility requirements defined in this competition. All submissions to the current Emerging Team Grant competition will be evaluated on an equal basis.

Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) will be considered under this funding opportunity. (Updated: 2009-09-24)

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.

Through the Emerging Team Grant program, funding can be used to support:

• Research operating costs for the proposed collaborative research program (where an application includes overlap with an existing CIHR grant, and that application is successful in the Emerging 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 Emerging Team Grant research program.
• Costs of regional, national and international networking activities, including collaboration, planning, and knowledge exchange activities, directly related to the Emerging Team Grant research program.
• Salaries of research assistants, technicians and other personnel (eligible to receive salary) 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.
• Salary of a professional coordinator and/or administrative assistant.
• Minimal operating costs for planning and pilot projects.
• Release time stipends to enable employees of community partners to participate in the research program, limited to 50% of their current salary and up to an overall maximum of $50,000 per year.
• A maximum of $20,000 annually for a release time stipend for the Nominated PI/Team Leader.
• Establishment funds and salary for New Investigators joining the team (New Investigators are within the first five years of their independent research careers). Salary contributions paid for by the Emerging Team Grant must not exceed the stipend paid to CIHR New Investigators. Those paid from the Emerging Team Grant cannot also hold a Canada Research Chair or another salary award. Note that new investigators paid from the grant can not be listed as co-applicants on the grant application. Similarly, they can not be listed as co-investigators on the grant after it is approved; however they can be considered members of the team.
• 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).

Co-applicants may not receive a salary, stipend, or honorarium from CIHR grants, with the exception of co-applicants who are trainees or research associates, and the release time stipends for the team leader and employees of community partners as described in Participant Categories for CIHR Grants.

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.
• The Nominated Principal Applicant (or delegated co-Principal Applicant) is required to participate in one RMNI Team Grant Holders Workshop during the term of their Emerging Team Grant, date to be determined in consultation with all grant holders. All travel costs for the Nominated Principal Applicant or delegate to attend this workshop are to be borne by the applicant, and may be reimbursed from the Emerging Team Grant according to the allowable use of grant funds for travel costs detailed in theCIHR Grants and Awards Guide.

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, Emerging Team Grant recipients will also be required to adhere to special branding requirements as a condition of receiving a CIHR Emerging Team Grant. The official name of the team 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 (area of research)." The name of the Team must be used in all communication and promotion relating to the CIHR Emerging Team Grant. A team name must be proposed as part of the application for a CIHR Emerging 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.

Review Process and Evaluation

Relevance Review

Relevance review will be conducted at the full application stage. For planning purposes, at the Letter of Intent stage representatives from CIHR Institutes and partner organizations 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.

Upon completion of peer review of the full applications, the representatives from CIHR Institutes and partner organizations 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? (NB: while training is encouraged, this is not a requirement of the Emerging Team Grant program).

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 RMNI Emerging Team Grant program objectives. LOIs receiving a high or medium priority ranking will be invited to submit a full application.

Peer Review

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

Each Emerging Team Grant application will be evaluated as a single, integrated entity: the Team research program and the collaborative aspect. It is critical to demonstrate that the Emerging Team Grant will strengthen capacity and bring 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, through the new directions of research proposed by the team.

Applications will be reviewed by specifically-constituted, multidisciplinary peer review committee(s) designed specifically for the review of RMNI Emerging Team Grants. 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.

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 / Emerging Team Grant - "Letter of Intent" Phase Instructions. To complete your "Phase 2: Application", follow the instructions identified in the Team Grant / Emerging 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.
• The Research Proposal must not exceed a maximum of 13 pages.
• The maximum number of publications that may be submitted is 10. (Updated: 2009-09-28)

Contact Information

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

Kelly Fitzpatrick
Team Lead
Knowledge Creation Programs
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-941-4640
Fax: 613-952-2277
Email: kelly.fitzpatrick@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

For questions about this initiative and research objectives contact:

Eric Marcotte, Ph.D
Associate Director
Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 905-467-1822
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: eric.marcotte@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.

The Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine Initiative (RMNI)
The Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine Initiative (RMNI) provides funds for multi-disciplinary and integrative research in new and emerging areas that span the mandate of CIHR, including nanomedicine and regenerative medicine. Supported research fields include nanotechnology applied to health (nanomedicine), stem cells, tissue engineering, rehabilitation sciences, and related social, ethical, environmental, economic, and legal issues. The goals of the initiative include the regeneration and repair of injured tissues and organs, the development of specialized tools and interventions needed to treat diseases and restore function, and the maintenance of health and the prevention of disease. Co-led by the CIHR Institutes of the Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA) and the Institute of Genetics (IG), RMNI is an integrative model of collaboration between funding agencies, government departments, NGOs and industry.

CIHR - Institute of Aging
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 research areas for research on aging and health , which will be considered within this initiative (in no particular order): Healthy and successful aging; Biological mechanisms of aging; Cognitive impairment in aging; Aging and maintenance of functional autonomy; and health services and policy relating to older people. The Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine Initiative (RMNI) aligns strongly with CIHR IA's Mobility in Aging Initiative and the identified research and knowledge translation gaps:

• Understanding and defining mobility in aging: trajectory of mobility status in health and disease, and from function to impairment
• Maintaining and restoring mobility in aging: impact of behavior, prevention, intervention and health system models
• Measures, tools, and technologies in research, assessment and mobility aids
• and maintenance of functional autonomy, and health services and policy relating to older people.

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

The ICRH will consider providing financial support to highly ranked ICRH-relevant projects, depending on availability of funds.

CIHR - Institute of Genetics
The mission of the Institute of Genetics (IG) is to support excellent research on the genetic and biochemical basis of health and disease, including the interaction of genes with the physical and social environments, to facilitate the translation of research findings into health policy and practice, and to examine the ethical, legal and social implications of genetic discoveries. The IG encourages translational research by fostering collaboration between the basic and clinical research communities, and collaborates with other Institutes of CIHR to optimize the impact of genetic discovery on other disciplines. A critical responsibility of the IG is to examine the ethical, legal and social implications of new genetic discoveries.

CIHR - Institute of Infection and Immunity
The Institute of Infection and Immunity (III) seeks to establish national leadership, priorities and programs that promote innovative research to reduce the global burden of infection and immune-based disease and improve quality of life. The III supports research to enhance immune-mediated health and to reduce the burden of infectious disease, immune-mediated disease, and allergy through prevention strategies, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation. The III has identified a need to support the development of new tools, technologies and methods capable of providing non-invasive evaluation of infectious and immune processes in vivo.

CIHR - Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis
The Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA) will support research to enhance active living, mobility and movement, and oral health; and to address causes, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation for a wide range of conditions related to bones, joints, muscles, connective tissue, skin and teeth. The mission of IMHA is to eradicate pain, suffering and disability, in order to enhance quality of life for people affected by arthritis, and musculoskeletal, oral and skin conditions. Applications will be considered in IMHA's six focus areas: arthritis, bone, oral health, muscle, MSK rehabilitation, and skin and must be linked to one of its three research priorities:

• Physical Activity, Mobility and Health
• Tissue Injury, Repair and Replacement
• Pain, Disability and Chronic Diseases

CIHR – Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction
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.

Canadian Space Agency (Updated: 2009-10-07)
The primary objectives of the Space Life Sciences Program of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) are to explore basic principles of biology to understand the role of gravity in life processes, to better understand how life functions and adapts to the environment of space and readapts upon return to the conditions on Earth, and to obtain knowledge and develop technology to produce safer space travel and improve life on Earth. Particular areas of interest include bone and muscle loss, adaptation of heart and other body systems and organs to weightlessness, maturation of organisms in space, biological effects of space radiation, and space psychology.

Space life science is essential in the preparation for the exploration of space. Long duration flight will become commonplace in future inter-planetary exploration, and understanding the biological consequences of microgravity and radiation exposure may be essential to survival. As more becomes known of these factors, countermeasures and pre-adaptations can be developed. Significant benefits to the quality of life and contributions to human welfare on Earth can be expected from the enhanced knowledge and new medical technologies resulting from the program.