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

This Meetings, Planning and Dissemination (MPD)-Aging funding opportunity is intended to provide support for meetings, planning and/or dissemination activities that are consistent with the mandate of the CIHR Institute of Aging and stimulate research and knowledge translation and exchange beyond traditional recurring meetings or conferences. It is expected that such investments will support activities that build and sustain the Canadian research on aging community and lead to excellence in research and knowledge translation within the Institute's five priority topics.

Relevant activities may include, but are not limited to, the following examples:

• Gatherings of researchers, non-researchers, and/or users of health research where the main objective is to facilitate research and/or knowledge exchange collaborations among individuals or groups (e.g., consensus meetings, planning and/or development meetings, networking and partnership development workshops);
• Opportunities for knowledge exchange involving stakeholder linkages (to inform practice, care, products and/or policy); and/or
• Other knowledge translation activities when it is appropriate to disseminate the results of the research beyond the traditional scientific community.

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 $50,000. This amount may increase if additional funding partners decide to participate.
• Of this $50,000:
  • $25,000 is available to fund general institute-related applications for nationally-focused MPD-Aging grants relevant to Research on Aging Priority Topics.
  • $25,000 is available to fund applications relevant to the Mobility in Aging Initiative.
• If after peer review there are an insufficient number of applications deemed fundable within a pool, the institute may re-allocate unspent funds to the other pool.
• The maximum amount awarded for a single grant is:
  • $5,000 for up to one year for eligible recurring meetings, congresses, symposia, workshops, or conferences;
  • $10,000 for up to one year for non-recurring events that are beyond traditional meetings congresses or symposia;
  • $25,000 for up to one year for eligible international research partnership development activities.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to secure partial funding from other sources.
• MPD-Aging Grants are non-renewable one year grants.

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 the CIHR MPD-Aging program are to:

• identify and advance critical research directions in Canada, within CIHR Institute of Aging's five priority topics;
• enable knowledge translation, transfer or exchange, by and with relevant stakeholders and partners;
• contribute significantly to the visibility of the CIHR Institute of Aging and research on aging in Canada on the national and / or international stage;
• explore and develop new Canadian and, when appropriate, international research collaborations in aging; and
• engage trainees, researchers and partners not currently affiliated with aging research or the CIHR Institute of Aging, in any of the above.

In the context of international research partnership development, the CIHR Institute of Aging wishes to stimulate and strengthen alliances with nations (their researchers, research institutes or governments) that have a shared interest in addressing health-related issues associated with an aging population. It is expected that through such alliances both Canada and foreign partners will benefit from the international work in aging, and apply the results as appropriate in their respective countries. More specifically, the institute's objectives for international research partnership development include the following:

• To establish collaborative relationships with foreign groups or institutions in order to address mutual critical challenges in the field of aging.
• To enable a research effort that none of the partners could accomplish on their own.
• To develop longer-term, collaborative international research and research capacity building programs with foreign partners.

Relevant Research Areas:

The CIHR Institute of Aging will provide funding for applications that are determined to be relevant to the following research areas:

• Research on Aging Priority Topics
• Mobility in Aging Initiative

Research and knowledge translation activities may fall within CIHR's four research themes: Bio-medical, Clinical, Health Services, and Social, Cultural, Environmental and Population Health. Activities must be aimed at advancing knowledge in the field of aging to improve the well-being and health of older Canadians (generally above the age of 65).

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 one of the following:
   1. An independent researcher;
   2. A knowledge-user;
   3. Trainee;
   4. Supervisor;
   5. Activity/events coordinators affiliated with Canadian non-governmental not-for-profit organizations, and/or community leaders with a research or knowledge translation mandate consistent with the mandate of CIHR.
2. If an organization or institution is uncertain about its eligibility for funding through the Meetings, Planning and Dissemination Grant program, it is encouraged to seek clarification from CIHR staff designated in Contact Information.
3. A Nominated Principal Applicant, who assumes administrative responsibilities for the grant, must be named for each Meetings, Planning and Dissemination Grant application and has responsibility for the intellectual direction of the proposed activity/ event as well as administrative and financial responsibility over the grant.
4. The business office of the institution / organization of an eligible Nominated Principal Applicant will generally administer CIHR funds. If the institution / organization of the Nominated Principal Applicant has not previously signed a memorandum of understanding with CIHR, then additional paperwork will be required as a condition of funding. Additional details will be provided by CIHR.
5. Activities/Events starting or taking place before the funding start date or one year after the funding start date are not eligible to apply to this opportunity.
6. The Institute of Aging defines annual or recurring meetings, congresses, symposia, workshops or conferences as an event organised by established national or international aging-relevant associations or organizations that is held at regular intervals (every 1, 2, 3, or 4 years) in different cities or countries. The event is opened to the national or international aging research community and participants are charged a registration fee. It usually involves a call for abstracts for scientific oral presentations and poster sessions. The focus of the meeting should be relevant to the Institute of Aging Priority Topics.
7. For the Institute of Aging, non-recurring meetings are defined as:
   • Canadian meetings or events being held for the first time, or;
   • International meetings or events that have not been held in Canada in the past 5 years. In this case, applicants must demonstrate the uniqueness of the International meeting within a Canadian context.
   • Special (one-time) topic-specific symposia that meet the MPD-Aging objectives, but occur within an annual meeting or conference.
8. Groups having similar composition of participants and/or objectives are eligible to receive ONLY one grant per 2 calendar years under this MPD-Aging funding opportunity.
9. To qualify for an international level of funding (up to $25,000), activities must be related to the participation of Canadian researchers in international pre-research activities that will lead to engagement in international research programs. The proposal must clearly demonstrate that there is significant involvement of Canadian researchers in a truly international endeavour that would not be possible as a sole national endeavour.

NOTE: Although not an absolute eligibility requirement, applicants are encouraged to include collaborators from outside the traditional research fields and could include recognized experts in communications, engineering, marketing, education, fine arts, etc.

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

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.

The full application must provide a detailed justification of all costs.

The following expenditures will be considered eligible for funding received through this funding opportunity:

• Costs associated with planning, publication, translation, and/or dissemination;
• Fees or honoraria for the preparation of background documents (e.g., environmental scan);
• Travel and accommodation for participants;
• Meeting rooms and associated meeting costs (e.g., audio-visual equipment, videoconferences);
• Hospitality costs (non-alcoholic refreshments or meals);
• Modest honoraria (up to $500 CAD) for guest experts.

The following costs are not eligible for support through this Funding Opportunity:

• Stipend/salary support for investigators, research trainees or technical assistants (other than for aforementioned purposes);
• Purchase or maintenance of equipment;
• Operating costs of research projects.

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.

The CIHR Institute of Aging contribution must be acknowledged in all print and published material or media (such as, in the program and proceedings of an event; in the credits of a production; etc.). The CIHR Institute of Aging will provide an official logo (.jpeg and/or PowerPoint slide) on request.

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 three months after the activity / event, the Nominated Principal Applicant is required to submit a a "MPD Final Report" [ PDF (276 KB) | Help ]. Please note that, with the grantee's consent, the final report will be posted on the CIHR-IA web site and should include:
  • objectives of the event
  • a description of the attendees / partners in attendance
  • a summary of the discussions that took place and/or deliverables produced
  • important decisions and actions taken during the event (if applicable)
  • recommendations which arose from the event (if applicable)
  • the CIHR-IA will reserve the right to send an observer to the event at its own expense, but without registration fee, or to provide information about CIHR to participants.
• 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 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 merit review, the CIHR Institute of Aging will have access to anonymized full applications to conduct relevance review.

Applications deemed non- relevant to the Mobility in Aging pool will be considered for the Research on Aging Priority Topics general pool. Applications that are not deemed to be relevant to either pool will be withdrawn from the competition.

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

• Alignment of the proposed activity with the objectives of MPD-Aging funding opportunity;
• Extent to which the proposal addresses the above relevant research areas described in the "Objectives" section;
• For International activities, the extent to which activities outside Canada are designed specifically to spotlight the CIHR Institute of Aging, Canadian researchers on aging, and/or the work or programs funded by the CIHR Institute of Aging.
• 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.

Review Committee

A CIHR merit 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

The following set of evaluation criteria will be employed to assess applications:

Activity objectives:

• Clarity of the stated objectives and defined scope
• Likely impact of the anticipated outcomes (consensus, research priorities, guidelines, research project)

Knowledge exchange and/or Dissemination:

• Inclusion of relevant stakeholders (research community, decision-makers, health care providers, etc.) and sectors (private, public, charities)
• Potential to catalyze new initiatives, develop new inter- and multi-disciplinary collaborations among researchers and/or users of research
• Clearly defined dissemination plans for activity outcomes

Feasibility:

• Perceived ability of applicant(s) or coordinating group(s) to meet objectives of Funding Opportunity
• Appropriateness of budget and justification for amount requested

The following additional evaluation criterion is specific to this funding opportunity:

• Potential to move research knowledge to action

Funding Decision:

Upon completion of merit review, the CIHR Institute of Aging 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 in each funding pool 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 one step: Application.
• To complete your Application, follow the instructions identified in the Meetings, Planning and Dissemination 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 the routing slip in the Print/Upload Signature Pages task in ResearchNet prior to submitting your application.

Specific Requirments

The following criteria must be met for your application to be accepted:

• In order to be considered for funding, applicants must apply and state the relevance of their proposal to the "Meetings, Planning and Dissemination Grant: Aging" funding opportunity.
• If you are interested in being considered for funding for the Mobility in Aging Initiative, on the "Provide Overview of Proposed Activity" screen in ResearchNet, in the "Brief Description of Activity" section, please state your relevance to this area and clearly indicate that you would like to be considered for Mobility in Aging funding.
• In the Detailed Activity Description, applicants must:
• if applicable, describe how the proposal meets the institute's objectives for international research partnership development;
• include a schedule of planned activities as well as a reporting and evaluation plan.

Contact Information

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

Meetings, Planning and Dissemination Grants Program Delivery Team
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-957-3118 (Updated: 2010-02-02)
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: MPD-SRPD@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

For questions about this initiative and research objectives contact:

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

Partner/Collaborator Description

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.