Important Dates

Notices

Table of Contents

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

Description

The purpose of the "Demonstration Projects in Mobility in Aging" funding opportunity is to enhance the capacity of knowledge users to apply research evidence to their decisions on approaches¹ - products, programs, services, and health system models - that contribute to improved Mobility in Aging. This funding opportunity is announced under the Mobility in Aging Initiative led by the CIHR Institute of Aging.

A Demonstration project is designed to evaluate the implementation of an evidence-based approach (practice, tool, program, service, policy or product)² as a viable solution to a known problem, and is aimed at assessing the merits of widespread use of such an approach.

At the outcome, a Demonstration project should contribute to the understanding of: how, why and for whom does an approach work (or not); the effectiveness and value-added of the approach compared to the status quo and/or related approaches; and the feasibility and cost-benefit of adopting the approach in the current or new jurisdiction. The research evidence should facilitate informed decisions on the initiation, continuation, revision or discontinuation of the specific approach.

Demonstration projects may, as required, involve:

• trial and comparison of different approaches targeting the same problem;
• one or more testing cohorts, settings or sites;
• creating new, and/or modifying, existing indicators and/or quantitative and qualitative tools;
• impact analysis;
• pre- and post-implementation evaluation surveys;
• cost-benefit analysis;
• study of processes by which a new approach is introduced, implemented, evaluated and/or adopted and sustained with the aim to extract best practices.

Successful Demonstration projects generally require a broad range of skills and experience, such as quantitative and qualitative research, project management, field operations, systems design and implementation, and data collection and analysis.

Background

In the context of the Mobility in Aging Initiative and this funding opportunity, "mobility" encompasses not only participation in society (e.g., ability to drive and having accessible public transportation) and physical activity, but also the performance of specific maneuvers such as walking or climbing stairs and the carrying out of instrumental activities of daily living.

Mobility is a challenge for a significant proportion of the older population. In addition to extrinsic barriers of mobility, such as inappropriate aids, transportation infrastructure and physical environments, older adults also cope with intrinsic barriers, such as fear of falling and mobility impairments. Currently of those 60 years of age or over, 13% have mobility impairments; the proportion climbing to 30% by 80 years of age. As baby boomers move through their senior years over the next 4 decades, the number of Canadians living with mobility impairments will grow exponentially. Already, 54% of Canadians 55 and older believe that they are less mobile than they were 10 years ago: more than one third have difficulty climbing several flights of stairs and one quarter have difficulty bending or stooping (28%) or walking a kilometre or more (24%).

Mobility in older adults can significantly affect social and economic independence along with physical and mental health. Research addressing the range of intrinsic and extrinsic challenges (e.g., from biological to environmental) associated with Mobility in Aging has the potential to optimize the well-being of a large number of Canadians as well as significantly reduce the nation's health care costs.

Through a number of consultations with relevant researcher and user/stakeholder communities, a key recommendation to the Institute of Aging was to address the issue of researcher to knowledge users disconnect. Participants repeatedly emphasized a need for collaboration within and across organizations, disciplines, specialties, and stakeholders to break down silos and address lack of cross-sectoral interactions.

Furthermore, participants noted that while current knowledge gaps do exist, there is a body of knowledge and evidence in Mobility in Aging that is not being used to the full advantage of knowledge users and stakeholders. There is a need to increase the use of evidence in decisions on the initiation, continuation or discontinuation of approaches/interventions (practices, tools, programs, services, policies or products). For example, studies are required to evaluate current interventions and their effectiveness, as well as how to overcome barriers to the implementation of best practices. More details on these consultations, the 4 targeted research areas, and other gaps can be found in the document: "Mobility in Aging Initiative - Priorities for Research and Research-advancing Activities Identified through Consultations". The CIHR-Institute of Aging (CIHR-IA) is responding to the above recommendations with the launch of the "Demonstration Projects in Mobility in Aging" funding opportunity.

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. Should CIHR funding levels be decreased by Parliament, CIHR reserves the right to defer or suspend payments to grants received as a result of this funding opportunity.

• The total amount available for this funding opportunity is $900,000. This amount may increase if additional funding partners decide to participate.
• The maximum amount awarded for a single grant is between $50,000 to $200,000 per annum for terms between 1 and 3 years.
• The equipment amount, where applicable, is awarded in year one.

Partner 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 Description section to find a list of partners and their respective mandates and/or strategic interests. This list will continue to evolve as new partners join in this initiative. The specific research foci and requirements for each partner are outlined in the "Objectives" section.

Objectives

The specific objectives of this funding opportunity are:

• promote and advance the uptake of research and evidence into action in Mobility in Aging;
• bridge the worlds of academic researchers and knowledge users in the Mobility in Aging community;
• build capacity in the knowledge user community to better identify and use evidence in their everyday business;
• provide credible validation (or invalidation) of approaches for decision makers in the research and knowledge user communities.

Relevant Research Areas:

The CIHR Institute of Aging will provide funding for applications that are determined to be relevant research and research-related activities of the Mobility in Aging Initiative:

• biological and physiological factors;
• behavioural and psychosocial factors;
• biomedical, clinical and technological innovations;
• prevention, rehabilitation and management;
• environmental factors - social, economic, policy and physical.

Within or across any of the above areas, eligible activities also include addressing ethical issues/impact of the research, research translation and research outcomes. There is potential overlap between the above areas, and restriction to solely one area is not expected. Similarly, addressing multiple areas is not an absolute requirement, although multi-disciplinary approaches are encouraged.

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 Individual Eligibility Requirements regarding the eligibility requirements for individuals and institutions.

Eligibility to Apply:

In order for your application to be accepted:

1. The Nominated Principal Applicant must be an independent researcher.
2. At least one project participant, other than the Nominated Principal Applicant, must be a Principal knowledge user. (Updated: 2010-03-24)

Randomized Controlled Trials:

Applications involving Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) are accepted and encouraged where appropriate based on scientific and methodological grounds.

Guidelines

General CIHR Guidelines

This funding opportunity will comply fully with the policies and guidelines outlined in the CIHR Grants and Awards Guide. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate the use of Gender and Sex-Based Analysis in applications. This encouraged approach does not contradict CIHR-IA's promotion and support of research that advances the health and quality of life of older adults (generally above the age of 65).

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.

For this funding opportunity please note the following regarding funding:

• CIHR-IA encourages cash and in-kind contributions from those organizations that have the financial capacity and are in a position to benefit financially or otherwise from the conduct and outcomes of the Demonstration project, be they a key knowledge user organization, the host for the implementation and evaluation of the approach, or other. CIHR would not expect partner contributions to total to more than 66% of the cost of the Demonstration project. For reference, examples of in-kind contributions can be found under the "Additional Information" section. For Industry partners, see CIHR's "In-kind Eligibility Table" listing types of in-kind (cash-equivalent) contributions.
• Funding is not intended to cover costs to implement approaches already planned or initiated, but rather the costs related to addressing the research questions on the approach.

Global Health Research and International Collaborations

As outlined in the CIHR Grants and Awards Guide Global Health Research Section and International Collaborations Section, applicants who are eligible for CIHR funding may apply to CIHR's funding opportunities for funds to support research to be carried out in, or in direct collaboration with researchers and/or decision-makers based in, other countries. CIHR contributes to, and supports international research projects and international collaborations to address a range of research areas, including but not limited to established priorities in global health research and contributes to the development of health-research capacity both internationally and at home.

Conditions of Funding

Successful applicants funded through this funding opportunity and any other persons working on the project must comply fully with the "policies and guidelines in the conduct of research". Policies and guidelines cover areas such as Applicant Responsibilities, 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.

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 CIHR's Policy on Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality in the context of Merit, Relevance and Peer Review (CCIP).

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 Communication of Competition Results for details on CIHR's communication requirements. The contributing institutes/partners will be identified on the Authorization for Funding and decision letter.

Performance Measurement

CIHR is committed to collecting and disseminating information on the outputs and impacts of the research it funds. This information is an important part of CIHR accountability within the Federal Government and to Canadians.

• Within six months after the end of the grant's term, the Nominated Principal Applicant is required to submit a "Demonstration Projects in Mobility in Aging Final Report", summarizing the outcomes and describing how the grant funds were used. This online report would be made available to the Nominated Principal Applicant on ResearchNet at the beginning of the grant funding period and can be filled in as the research progresses.
• Proceedings of any workshop or consultative event must be submitted electronically to the CIHR Institute of Aging within 3 months of the event. A standard form will be provided by the CIHR Institute of Aging. CIHR may decide to post such proceedings on its website or other public document.
• The Nominated Principal Applicant 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;
• The Nominated Principal Applicant must also 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 Process

The CIHR Institute of Aging and other Mobility in Aging Partners will provide funding for applications that are relevant to (in alignment with) the objectives and research priority areas described in the Objectives section.

Prior to peer review, senior Institute of Aging staff (in consultation with the Institute Advisory Board members, as required) and potentially some Mobility in Aging Partners will have access to anonymized project titles and summaries or, upon written consent of the applicant, full applications to conduct relevance review.

Applications that are not deemed to be relevant will be withdrawn from the competition.

The following criteria will be used in conducting the relevance review:

• Alignment of the proposed project with the objectives of this funding opportunity;
• Extent to which the proposal addresses the above relevant research areas described in the Objectives section;
• For the Institute of Aging, it is critical that proposals include aging and/or the aged as essential elements of the research objectives, hypotheses and analyses (e.g., dynamics of aging, age-relevant models and/or aged subjects). With respect to diseases common in old age, the focus must be on the effects of the disease specifically in the elderly, rather than on diseases in a general context, as these are addressed by other CIHR Institutes;
• For other Mobility in Aging Partners, many of these will consider funding applications in mobility in aging that are also relevant to their priority areas.

Review Committee

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) / branch(es) 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 CIHR Peer Review Manual for Grant Applications. 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.

In addition to the general evaluation criteria, the following specific evaluation criteria will be assessed during the peer review: (Updated: 2010-01-22)

1. Research Approach
   • Have the applicant(s) brought together the necessary expertise and collaborations to accomplish the work proposed?
   • Are the appropriate methodologies for implementation and evaluation included?
2. Applicant(s)
   • How appropriate to the proposed area of inquiry is the training or track record of the applicant(s)? How important and original is the recent productivity of the applicant(s)?
   • How much experience do the applicant(s) have in initiating and maintaining research partnerships with the organization(s) in implementing demonstration projects (if applicable)?
3. Impact of the Research
   • How clearly is the approach to be studied described and documented?
   • Will the approach be executed on a pragmatic scale in a "real world" environment?
   • How likely is it that the approach to be studied will have an impact on improving mobility in the older adult population in the health system, in heath care settings, and/or community settings?
   • How important and original are the contributions expected from the project proposed?
   • Is it clear how the new knowledge will help guide decisions on the approach and/or its refinement?
   • To what extent have the applicant(s) engaged relevant organizations for implementing the project and applying its findings? If the approach is deemed successful, has a sustainability process been elaborated by the appropriate organization?
   • Is the level of participation (financial or in-kind) for the relevant organization(s) appropriate relative to estimated gains to the organization(s)?
   • If applicable, to what extent will the project complement/enhance any evaluation plans already in place?

Funding Decision:

Upon completion of peer review, The CIHR Institute of Aging and other Mobility in Aging Partners will receive the ranking list, 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 unless applicants have provided written consent to share nominative information.  

Applications will be funded from the top down in order of ranking as far as budgets will allow.

Applications that receive a rating below 3.5 will not be funded.

How to Apply

• 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.

Submission Requirements

• Your Application will be submitted using ResearchNet. Scan and upload the signed signature pages including including knowledge user and all other participants' signature(s) and the Routing Slip in the Print/Upload Signature Pages task in ResearchNet prior to submitting your application.

Specific Instructions (Updated: 2010-03-24)

1. The Research Proposal section of the Research Module is limited to 12 pages and is to be laid out as follows:
   • Impact of the research: address in 3 pages.
   • Knowledge user participation and engagement: in 1 page, address and justify the level of participation (financial or in-kind) for the relevant organization(s) appropriate relative to estimated gains to the organization(s).
   • In the remaining 8 pages address all additional Evaluation Criteria.
   • Letters of Support are encouraged and should be uploaded under the task Attach Other Application Materials, sub task Letters of support.
2. For Knowledge User and/or Decision Maker, a complete Knowledge User/Decision Maker CV is required, including the Most Significant Contributions (if applicable).
3. For applications for Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs):
   • (1) researchers may apply to the most relevant discipline-based peer review committee or to the RCT peer review committee if the budget requested is less than $250,000 in every project year; and (2) researchers must apply to the RCT peer review committee if the budget requested is greater than or equal to $250,000 in any project year.
   • All applications submitted to the RCT committee, regardless of the level of funding requested, must follow the RCT headings provided under RCT Evaluation and Criteria.
   • All applications for RCTs that are submitted to discipline‑based committees are encouraged to use the RCT headings but are not required to do so.
   • The requirement for submission of an RCT Outline as a preliminary step to submitting an RCT application has been discontinued.
   • Appendices may be appended as deemed appropriate by the applicant. There is no page limit to Appendices and no restrictions on the content of Appendices. However, reviewers are under no obligation to read Appendices.

Contact Information

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

Jacqueline Jorge (Updated: 2010-01-22)
Team Lead, Program Delivery
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-948-2517
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: jacqueline.jorge@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

For questions about this initiative and research objectives contact:

Sharon Nadeau
Associate, Strategic Initiatives
CIHR Institute of Aging
Telephone: 613-946-1270
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: sharon.nadeau@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

For questions about Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) applications contact:

Irwin Schweitzer
Trials Officer
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-941-0718
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: irwin.schweitzer@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

Partner/Collaborator Description

Note: Additional partners 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 more than 13,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada.

CIHR – Institute of Aging
The Institute of Aging's fundamental goal is the advancement of knowledge in the field of aging to improve the quality of life and the health of older Canadians. IA has identified five priority areas for research on aging and health (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.

Partners

Visit the current list of partners to the Mobility in Aging Initiative. A number of these partners will consider funding applications in Mobility in Aging that are also relevant to their priority areas.

Additional Information

1. In the context of this RFA, the term "approach" is intended to represent an intervention, practice, tool, program, service, policy or product that is the focus of study of the Demonstration project.
2. Applicants are directed to the Proof of Principle program in cases where Intellectual Property is involved and has been subjected to an initial technology assessment; and where one has already worked out what the novel invention is, what is needed to be protected (or is protected), what will be the product/process/service, and what will be commercialized. Usually applicants have significant data and are planning or expanding critical and confirmatory proof of principle tests in the proposal.