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 program, established in 2005, is jointly managed and funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). Its aim is to promote the development of Canadian-Chinese scientific co-operation between universities, hospitals, research institutes or affiliated research organizations in Canada and China through the support of collaborative research grants.

Funds Available

CIHR's contribution to the amount available for this initiative is subject to availability of funds voted annually to CIHR by parliamentary appropriations. 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. NSFC's contribution to the amount available for this initiative is subject to availability of funds by annual government appropriations and the conditions that may be attached to them.

• The total amount available for this initiative is $2,850,000 from CIHR and 8,550,000 RMB from NSFC. CIHR will administer funds to Canadian grantees and NSFC will administer funds to Chinese grantees. This amount may increase if additional funding partners decide to participate.
• Of this $2,850,000 from CIHR and 8,550,000 RMB (Up to 19 joint research projects may be supported in total):
  • $300,000 from CIHR and 900,000 RMB from NSFC is available to fund applications relevant to Aging, Gerontology and Geriatrics.
  • $300,000 from CIHR and 900,000 RMB from NSFC is available to fund applications relevant to Cancer.
  • $450,000 from CIHR and 1,350,000 RMB from NSFC is available to fund applications relevant to Cardiovascular System.
  • $300,000 from CIHR and 900,000 RMB from NSFC is available to fund applications relevant to Child and Youth Health.
  • $450,000 from CIHR and 1,350,000 RMB from NSFC is available to fund applications relevant to Diabetes and Obesity.
  • $300,000 from CIHR and 900,000 RMB from NSFC is available to fund applications relevant to Gender and Health.
  • $300,000 from CIHR and 900,000 RMB from NSFC is available to fund applications relevant to Infection and Immunity.
  • $450,000 from CIHR and 1,350,000 RMB from NSFC is available to fund applications relevant to Neurosciences
• For Canadian researchers, the maximum amount awarded for a single grant is $50,000 per annum for up to 3 years.
• For Chinese researchers, the maximum amount awarded for a single grant is equivalent to 150,000 RMB per annum for up to 3 years.

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 2010 request for applications is a collaboration between NSFC and 8 CIHR Institutes. Eight priority areas of interest to both countries have been identified for this RFA and are listed below. Applications must respond to one or more of these topics.

1. Aging, Gerontology and Geriatrics: to encourage research on aging processes, on functional limitations in older adults as a consequence of disease, and on determinants of healthy aging within the context of one or more of the following priority areas: healthy and successful aging, biological mechanisms of aging, cognitive impairment in aging, aging and maintenance of functional autonomy, and health services relating to older people.
2. Cancer: to provide support for basic research on cancer genetics and epigenetics and tumor metastasis.
3. Cardiovascular System: to provide support for basic and translational research on the pathogenesis, treatment and ultimate of cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiomyopathy and atherosclerosis.
4. Child and Youth Health: to provide support for research on fertility, pregnancy, maternal health, healthy child development and the etiology, prevention, and treatment of diseases in infants, children, and youth.
5. Diabetes and Obesity: to provide support for research on the measures, causes, prevention, treatment and consequences of diabetes and obesity.
6. Gender and Health: to provide support for research on biological considerations in reproductive health.
7. Infection and Immunity: to provide support for basic research on viral and bacterial diseases and development of vaccines.
8. Neurosciences: to provide support for basic research in neuroscience, mental health, addiction and the senses.

CIHR and NSFC will provide funding for applications that are relevant to the objectives and research priority areas described above.

Eligibility

Canadian applicants must meet the eligibility criteria that apply for all CIHR research funding programs. 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

Chinese applicants must meet the qualifications for applying to programs and international cooperation programs of NSFC. Please refer to NSFC website regarding the eligibility requirements.

Eligibility to Apply:

In order for your application to be accepted:

• Canadian applicants must hold a faculty position in a university or affiliated research institute in Canada.
• Chinese applicants must hold a faculty position in a university or a research institute in China.
• Each application must have a Canadian and a Chinese Principal Investigator (PI).
• No investigator can be a PI of more than one on-going project through the China-Canada Joint Health Research Initiative.
• Doctoral students and post-doctoral fellows may participate in the project but may not be a principal applicant.

Randomized Controlled Trials:

Randomized Control Trials (RCTs) will not be considered under this funding opportunity

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.

Allowable Costs

The grants, the costs of which will be shared equally by CIHR and NSFC, may be used to cover the following costs incurred in the international portion of projects (the full application must provide a detailed justification of all costs):

For Canadian researchers: The grant can make a contribution towards expenditures directly related to the research project and international travel for exchange visits (less than 6 months) that are an essential part of the collaborative project, including coverage for domestic travel and subsistence that are directly related to international travel. The total grant per project is up to CAN $50,000 per year for up to three years.

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 Chinese researchers: The grant can make a contribution towards expenditures directly related to the research project and international travel for exchange visits (less than 6 months) that are an essential part of the collaborative project, including coverage for domestic travel and subsistence that are directly related to international travel. The total grant per project is the equivalent of up to 150,000 RMB per year for up to three years.

The sending party will bear the costs of international travel and medical insurance of its scientists. The receiving party will bear the costs of domestic travel, accommodation and living expenses of visiting scientists.

Conditions of Funding

For Canadian applicants: 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.

For Chinese applicants: All conditions specified in NSFC Regulation on International Cooperation Programs shall apply to applications funded through this Request for Applications.

Access to Information Act and Privacy Act, and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)

For Canadian applicants:

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 and NSFC 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

Each project will normally run for three years. A final report, at the end of the three-year grant, details of which will be communicated by CIHR and NSFC, should be submitted to CIHR and NSFC respectively. Additional reports may be required from either NSFC or CIHR. Extensions for projects beyond three years may be approved upon mutual consent by CIHR and NSFC based on a full renewal application satisfactorily passing peer review.

For Canadian/Chinese applicants: CIHR and NSFC are committed to demonstrating results to the public for the money invested in health research. Therefore, processes for monitoring progress and appropriate use of funds, as well as for performance measurement and program evaluation are in place. As a result, funding recipients must:

• Contribute to the monitoring, review and evaluation of CIHR's/NSFC'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.

Review Process and Evaluation

Review Committee

A joint CIHR and NSFC peer review committee, specifically created for this Request for Applications, will evaluate the full applications. Representatives from CIHR and NSFC will attend the meeting to report back to their respective organizations. The final selection of projects to be supported, taking into consideration the research areas identified for this RFA, will be jointly decided by CIHR and NSFC via a teleconference, a face-to-face meeting, or correspondence.

Evaluation Criteria

CIHR and NSFC recognize that applications will emphasize different approaches to research and to knowledge translation, therefore reviewers are expected to weight criteria such as these differently from one application to another.

The peer review of the proposals will take in consideration the following criteria:

• Scientific quality of the project
• Ability of the research teams to carry out the project successfully
• Mutual transfer of knowledge and expertise and added value of the collaboration
• Impact on advanced research for improving people's health and quality of life, and for reducing the burden of disease upon society

Applications from young researchers are encouraged.

Funding Decision

Upon completion of peer review, CIHR and NSFC will receive the ranking list, ratings and recommendations on funding level and grant 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.  
 
Unless otherwise stated, the applications relevant to the specific research focuses will be funded from the top down as far as the budgets will allow based on funding pools established per area of research as described in the "objectives" section. Applications that receive a rating below 3.5 will not be funded according to CIHR's rating scale.

How to Apply

Canadian and Chinese teams who wish to conduct a collaborative project under this program must submit the same applications in English to their respective funding agencies. Chinese applicants are also required to submit an NSFC application form in Chinese. The English version of the application will always take precedence.

Applications submitted by only one side will not be accepted. Canadian / Chinese team leaders must, therefore, ensure that their counterpart submits a matching application by the required deadline.

For Canadian Applicants

• The application process for this funding opportunity is comprised of two steps: Registration and Application.
• 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.

Step 1: Registration

• Only the Canadian Nominated Principal Applicant must register by February 15, 2010.
• To complete the Registration, follow the instructions identified in the Grants - ResearchNet "Registration" Phase Instructions.

Step 2: Application

• To complete the Application, follow the instructions identified in the Grants - ResearchNet "Application" Phase Instructions.

Submission Requirements

• Your Registration and Application will be submitted using ResearchNet. Scan and upload the signed signature pages including the routing slip in the Print/Upload Signature Pages task in ResearchNet prior to submitting your application.
  • The Nominated Principal Applicant ( NPA ) is no longer required to sign the application submitted through ResearchNet. When submitting, the NPA is verifying that they will abide by the "Meaning of Signatures" in the Grants and Awards Guide.
  • Signatures are required from the Canadian Co-Applicants, the Chinese Principal Applicant and one authorized individual from the Institution Paid.

Specific instructions

• Complete the "China-Canada Joint Health Research Initiative - Grants Program" application form [ PDF (272 KB) | Help ]. Upload the completed document to ResearchNet under the Attach Other Application Materials task and select "Other" as the document type. (Updated: 2010-02-10)
• Details entered under the Financial assistance requested task should only reflect funds requested from CIHR. Applications must include the full budget breakdown and justification between Canadian and Chinese costs in the budget justification attachment.
• A completed Common CV (validated for CIHR ) of the Canadian Principal applicant(s) and all Canadian co-applicants are mandatory. Upload these completed documents to ResearchNet under the Attach CVs task. Please note that a Common CV is not required for Chinese researchers.
• A letter from the collaborating Chinese Principal applicant must be included with the application documentation. Upload this document to ResearchNet under the Attach Other Application Materials task and select "Letters of Collaboration" as the document type.
• The Canadian Principal Applicant must provide a complete copy of the full application, including the China-Canada Joint Health Research Initiative application form, to the Chinese Principal Applicant to include in their package to NSFC.

For Chinese Applicants

• No registration is required.
• Any questions about NSFC guidelines must be directed to the NSFC contact listed in the Contact Information section of this Funding Opportunity. It is important to note that some guidelines may differ between agencies.
• By the application deadline date, the Application must be submitted via NSFC ISIS electronic system and one hard copy of the full application sent by Courier to:
  
  RE: "China-Canada Joint Health Research Initiative"
  National Natural Science Foundation of China
  Room 218
  Bureau of international Cooperation
  National Natural Science Foundation of China
  83 Shuangquing Road
  Haidian District, Beijing
  P.R.C.
  ZP: 100085

Contact Information

For Canadian Applicants

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

Valérie St-Pierre (Updated: 2010-01-20)
Program Delivery Coordinator
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-957-6132
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: valérie.st-pierre@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

For questions about this initiative and research objectives contact:

Dr. Elizabeth Thériault
Assistant Scientific Director
CIHR's Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction
Strangway Building
University of British Columbia
430 - 5950 University Blvd.
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3
Telephone: 604-827-4744
Fax: 604 827-3373
Email: Elizabeth.Theriault@ubc.ca

For Chinese Applicants

Mr. WEI Qin
Program Manager
Division of American, Oceanian and Eastern European Affairs
Bureau of International Cooperation
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Telephone: (86) 10-62327017
Fax: (86)10-62327004
Email: weiqin@nsfc.gov.cn

Partner/Collaborator Description

National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)
The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) was founded in February 1986 with the approval of the State Council. It is an institution for the management of the National Natural Science Fund, aimed at promoting and financing basic research and some applied research in China. The Department of Health Sciences (DHS) is one of the 8 scientific departments in NSFC. The main responsibility of DHS is to support diseases-related basic research and applied basic research, including basic medicine, clinical medicine, preventive medicine, pharmacology and traditional Chinese medicine. The department is composed of 8 scientific divisions, some divisions cover the scientific areas related to given organs or systems according to the morphological, structural, functional and developmental abnormalities of cells, tissues, organs and systems, while others cover the scientific areas related to a certain discipline.

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 (IA)
CIHR-IA's fundamental goal is the advancement of knowledge in the field of aging to improve the quality of life and the health of the 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.

CIHR- Institute of Cancer Research (ICR)
CIHR-ICR is dedicated to supporting research that reduces the burden of cancer on individuals and families through prevention strategies, screening, diagnosis, effective treatment, psycho-social support systems, and palliation.

CIHR - Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (ICRH)
CIHR-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 vessels, blood, critical care, and sleep.

CIHR - Institute of Gender and Health (IGH)
CIHR-IGH supports research to address how sex (biological factors) and gender (socio-cultural experiences) interact with other factors that influence health to create conditions and problems that are unique, more prevalent, more serious or different with respect to risk factors or effective interventions for women and girls, men and boys. CIHR-IGH fosters research about women's and girls' health, men's and boys' health, and gender and health.

CIHR-IHDCYH supports research that ensures the best start in life for all Canadians and the achievement of their potential for optimal growth and development. Through our support, researchers address a wide range of health concerns, including those associated with reproduction, early development, childhood, and adolescence.

CIHR - Institute of Infection and Immunity
CIHR-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.

CIHR - Institute of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Addictions (INMHA)
CIHR-INMHA supports research to enhance mental health, neurological health, vision, hearing, and cognitive functioning and to reduce the burden of related disorders through prevention strategies, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation.

CIHR - Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes (INMD)
CIHR-INMD supports research to enhance health in relation to diet, digestion, excretion, and metabolism; and to address causes, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation for a wide range of conditions and problems associated with hormone, digestive system, kidney, and liver function.