Important Dates

Table of Contents

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

Description

The maintenance, improvement and restoration of human health are of fundamental importance and priority in all countries. Biomedical and health research provide an important basis for the improvement of healthy living. Among the many diseases affecting human health, disorders of the brain are major causes of morbidity, mortality and impaired quality of life. According to estimates by the World Health Organisation (World Health Report 2001), more than one billion people suffer from disorders of the central nervous system. In Europe, disorders of the brain account for approximately one-third of the total burden of all diseases. Thus, neuroscience research and its translation into diagnostic and therapeutic measures are of high priority.

In this context, the Network of European Funding for Neuroscience Research (NEURON) has been established under the ERA-Net (European Research Area - Networking of research activities) scheme of the European Commission. The goal of the ERA-Net NEURON is to coordinate the research efforts and funding programmes of European countries in the field of disease related neuroscience.

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 for the CIHR component of the research available for this initiative is $500,000.
• The maximum amount awarded for a single grant is up to $75,000 CAD per annum for up to three years.

For more information, please consult the European Research Projects on Mental Disorders web site.

Objectives

The aim of the call is to enable multi-national, collaborative research projects that will address important questions relating to mental disorders.

Relevant Research Areas

The call may receive proposals within the breadth of research from understanding basic mechanisms of disease through proof-of-concept clinical studies in human. These may include research on depression and bipolar disorders, phobia and anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and psychotic disorders, substance use disorders, and other mental disorders. Research on dementia is not included in the present call.

The ERA-Net NEURON funding organisations particularly wish to promote multi-disciplinary work and to encourage translational research proposals that combine basic and clinical approaches.

Research proposals should cover at least one of the following areas:

1. Fundamental research on the pathogenesis and aetiology of mental disorders. This may include the development of innovative or shared resources and technologies.
2. Research to develop new strategies for (early) diagnosis, therapy, and rehabilitation procedures for mental disorders.

The individual components of joint applications should be complementary and contain novel, ambitious ideas. There should be clear added value in funding the collaboration over the individual projects.

Each consortium should have the critical mass to achieve ambitious scientific goals and should clearly demonstrate added value from working together. One project co-ordinator among the project partners who represents the consortium externally will be responsible for its internal scientific management.

Eligibility

Joint transnational research proposals may be submitted by research groups working in universities (or other higher education institutions), non-university public research institutes, hospitals, as well as commercial companies, in particular small and medium-size enterprises. The eligibility of the afore-mentioned institutions, together with details of eligible costs (personnel, material, consumables, travel money, investments...), are subject to the individual administrative requirements of individual funding organisations and may therefore vary. Please note that for some funding organisations commercial companies are not eligible to apply or eligible to apply only under certain conditions (e.g. only in partnership with academic institutions in the consortium). Clarification may be obtained from the individual funding agencies (see Contact Information below).

Only transnational projects will be funded. Each consortium submitting a proposal must involve a minimum of three and maximum of five research groups from three different countries of funding organisations participating in this call (see list above). Research groups from countries whose funding organisations are not partner in the ERA-Net NEURON may participate in projects if they are able to secure their own funding. They must state clearly in the proposal if these funds are already secured or if not, how they plan to obtain funding in advance of the project start.

Whilst applications will be submitted jointly by groups from several countries, individual research groups will be funded by the individual NEURON funding organisation(s) respective of their country. Eligibility criteria are the matter of individual partner organisations.

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

Applicants from other countries are strongly advised to contact their national funding organization and confirm eligibility matters before submitting an application (link below).

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.

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.

• The Nominated Principal Applicant, will be required to submit an End of Grant report to CIHR 18 months after the authority to use the grant fund period. 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.
• 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

For more information, please consult the European Research Projects on Mental Disorders web site.

How to Apply

For more information, please consult the European Research Projects on Mental Disorders web site.

Contact Information

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

Alison Chayka
Team Lead, Program Delivery
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-948-2899
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: alison.chayka@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

Please note that country specific requirements might apply to this call. For further information follow the links below or contact your national representative:

Partner/Collaborator Description

Academy of Finland (AKA), Finland
The Academy of Finland is the prime funding agency for basic research in Finland. Other key agencies funding science and technology in Finland are Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation, and Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund. The Academy operates within the administrative sector of the Ministry of Education. The Academy of Finland's mission is to advance scientific research and its application, support international scientific cooperation, act as an expert organ in science policy issues and allocate funding to research and other advancement of science.

Austrian Science Fund (FWF), Austria
The Austrian Science Fund (FWF) is Austria's central funding organization for basic research. The purpose of the FWF is to support the ongoing development of Austrian science and basic research at a high international level. In this way, the FWF makes a significant contribution to cultural development, to the advancement of our knowledge-based society, and thus to the creation of value and wealth in Austria.

Chief Scientist Office, Israel Ministry of Health (CSO-MOH), Israel
The Office of the Chief Scientist at the Israeli Ministry of Health (CSO-MOH) is an important junction for all issues concerning medical research in Israel and its advancement. The main mission of the CSO-MOH is to administer the Medical Research Fund, a key source for funding of medical research in Israel. In pursuit of the support the medical and biomedical research in Israel and its advancement, the Medical Research Fund awards grants for research projects, feasibility surveys and stipend for in-service training. Eligible for review and evaluation are grant applications that relate to research studies of clinical nature or which are disease- and health-related that investigate the etiology, course and treatment of illness and disease.

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.

Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Germany
Education and research are the foundations for our future. The promotion of education, science and research by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research represents an important contribution to securing our country's prosperity. The Ministry is responsible for research funding, supporting the specially gifted, promoting up-and-coming scientists and funding international exchanges in the fields of initial and continuing training, higher education and research.

Fonds de la Recherche en Santé du Québec (FRSQ), Canada
The FRSQ (Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec) is a non-profit funding agency created in 1964, under the Act Respecting the Ministère du Développement économique, de l'Innovation et de l'Exportation (L.R.Q., c. M-30.01). The FRSQ allocates $90 million annually in awards and grants for public-sector research into human health carried out today in universities and hospital-based research centres. We fund projects using any of the recognized methodologies (basic, clinical, epidemiological, public health, health services and the social determinants of health).

Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII) , Spain
The Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) was created in 1986 as an autonomous public institution attached to the Spanish Ministry of Health. Its main objective is the promotion and support of research and technological development in the field of biomedicine. The general budget of the ISCIII is revised yearly by the Spanish Parliament and it has been 328.804 millions of Euros for 2007.

Ministry of Health (MOH), Italy
The Ministry of Health, in the framework of the Italian Government, represents the national level of the INHS- Italian National Health Service, that is a complex structure organized at regional and local level, each one with its specificities and roles. In fact, according to art. 32 of the Italian Constitution, health is a fundamental right of each individual that has to be protected also in the interest of the society as a whole. Thus, all the three main institutional levels – national, regional and local – must ensure the proper coordination and smooth running of their components – human resources, facilities, equipment – for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and for the promotion of the health recovery of the population in general.

Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN), Spain
Research in Spain is mainly funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion - MICINN, formerly the Ministry of Science and Technology, MEC and earlier MCyT), a full eligible ERA-Net partner using the additional cost (AC) model. The MEC activities are aimed to develop all disciplines of science, stimulating and funding research at universities and research institutes. MEC manages funding through the National Plans of Research, Development and Technological Innovation (PN I+D+I) which, with a duration of four years, set priorities for annual, peer-reviewed competitive calls. The design of priorities and programmes is carried out by the Ministry in the framework of National interests, taking into consideration the EU RTD Programmes.

National Centre for Programme Management (CNMP), Romania
The National Centre for Programmes Management (CNMP), Romania, is a legal Romanian public body established by the Government Decision no 1264/2004 to coordinate research programmes under the National Plan(s) for Research, Development & Innovation. The CNMP's activity as programmes manager means preparation of calls for proposals, organisation of independent evaluation of proposals, contract negotiation, scientific and financial monitoring of (projects based) programmes and evaluation of programmes implementation, results and impact.

National Centre for Research and Development (NCBiR), Poland
The National Centre for Research and Development (NCBiR) is a national legal person established to perform the tasks within science and innovation policy. NCBiR operates since July 1, 2007 under the Act on the National Centre for Research and Development of June 15, 2007 (Journal of Laws no. 115, Item 789).

National Funding Agency for Research (ANR), France
The French National Research Agency (l'Agence Nationale de la Recherche), the ANR, was founded in 2005 and is a funding agency for research projects. Its aim is to increase the number of research projects issued from the entire scientific community, and to provide funding based on calls for proposals and peer review selection processes. The ANR addresses both public research institutions and industries with a double mission of producing new knowledge and promoting interaction between public laboratories and industrial laboratories through the development of partnerships.

National Research Fund (FNR), Luxembourg
The National Research Fund is a public establishment with scientific, financial and administrative autonomy, set up by the Law of 31 May 1999 in order to further stimulate research activities in Luxembourg. To fulfill this mission, the Fund develops multi-year research programs and assures their implementation by allocation of the financial means put at its disposal. Five national multi-year priority programs are currently ongoing, among them 'Security and efficiency of new practices in e-commerce for all socio-economic actors (SE-COM)', which has a budget of 7 500 000 Euro for five years. In addition, the National Research Fund subsidises accompanying measures to strengthen the general framework of scientific research in Luxembourg, e.g., subsidising the organisation of scientific conferences and the mobility of researchers.