Important Dates

Table of Contents

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

Description

In 2006, through its Youth and Public Outreach unit of the CIHR Communications and Public Outreach Branch, CIHR launched the Synapse – Youth Connection program as a way to create a scientific junction between health researchers/scientists and Canada's young people.

Synapse encourages CIHR-funded researchers, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to become mentors by passing on their passion for health research to young Canadians who become their trainees.

Using the Common CV Network, which allows scientists and graduate students to create CVs for submission with funding applications, CIHR established a Synapse Mentor Database option. Since its inception in October 2006, the unique database now lists over 6,000 CIHR-funded researchers who want to become mentors and train youth in various fields of science.

Synapse mentors can inspire students in a variety of ways, including one-on-one lab training and experience, virtual connections, in-school seminars, or science fairs.

In collaborative partnership with non-profit organizations, Synapse helps these mentors create the next generation of Canadian health researchers through use of accessible scientific information and hands-on training experience.

Between July 2008 and June 2009, based on a survey conducted by CIHR, Synapse mentors devoted 27,300 hours of their busy schedules in order to reach, educate and encourage 112,800 Canadian students.

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 $480,000.
• A nationwide proposal can receive a grant up to $100,000 per year and a northern specific initiative can be granted up to $30,000 per year.

Objectives

• Increase and promote interest in health research and careers in health research among today's youth across Canada.
• Position CIHR in the minds of Canadians as a leader in supporting youth health research literacy.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with science youth outreach stakeholders and service providers in Canada.
• Strengthen CIHR's value and impact as the Government of Canada's agency for health research.
  

Relevant Research Areas

The Communications and Public Outreach Branch will provide funding for applications that are determined to be relevant to the following research areas:

• create more youth outreach opportunities for CIHR Synapse mentors, and
• offer a large number of health research-related hands-on activities to young students across Canada.

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

For your application to be accepted:

1. The Nominated Principal Applicant must be a) the head of a national science awareness organization or b) the head of a science awarness organization already operating in at least two of the following areas: Yukon, Northern Territories or Nunavut.
2. The national science awareness organization must have an established pan-Canadian network of service providers

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 following costs are not eligible for support through this Funding Opportunity: capital expenses, leases, warranties and utilities.

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.

In addition to CIHR standard guidelines and requirements, the following special requirements shall apply:

The applicant must agree to recognize CIHR's support by posting the CIHR Synapse logo on all appropriate communication products; provide CIHR Synapse promotional items (supplied by CIHR) to participants; and, place a CIHR Synapse roll-it-up vertical banner (supplied by CIHR) on exhibit during their outreach activities.

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.

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 one month after the event itself the Nominated Principal Applicant is required to submit a final performance report summarizing the results and describing how the grant funds were used.

This report must include the exact number of participants, a record of all outreach activities, demographics, satisfaction levels, geographic distribution, media coverage, digital photographs of some outreach activities and list of engaged Synapse Mentors that includes a brief description of their contribution.

Review Process and Evaluation

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

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:

A detailed elaboration of these criteria can be found in the Information for Peer Reviewers section of CIHR website.

Funding Decision

Upon completion of the merit review, CIHR 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 3.9 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 below.
• 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 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.

Specific Instructions

In order to be funded, the youth science outreach organizations must demonstrate that they meet the following criteria:

• Applicant must submit a seven page description (maximum) of the proposed program that demonstrates how the it meets each evaluation criteria.
• Applicant must provide the name, address, phone number and e-mail of a representative who has signing authority to claim the funds on behalf of the organization (business officer); Applicant must also provide the name, address, phone number and e-mail address for someone who will act as a point of contact between the organization and CIHR.This information must be attached in a separate document in the Other Applications Material section of the application.
• The applicant must provide a realistic budget forecast and a detailed justification of all costs in the"Enter Budget Information and Supporting Documents" section of the application.
• Please complete the Project Descriptors subtask of the Project Information and Supporting Documents section in a way that best represents your project. This information will be for statistical purposes only.

Before you begin

Make sure you have the following or click the links to register:

• a ResearchNet account
• a CIHR PIN in ResearchNet

Note: You should only have one ResearchNet account. If you have already accessed ResearchNet, do not register for a new account.

General Application Process

1. In ResearchNet, complete all tasks listed for your funding opportunity following the on-screen instructions in one of the official languages.
2. Determine what signatures are needed for each part of your application. See the funding opportunity and the Meaning of Signatures in the Grants and Awards Guide.
3. Print the Signature pages, found in ResearchNet needed for the funding opportunity.
4. Offline, obtain signatures for all signature pages, and for any other material needing signatures.
5. Scan the signature pages.
6. Upload the signed signature pages to ResearchNet as part of your submission before the application deadline date.
7. Review the funding opportunity How to Apply section and provide the information requested.
8. Preview the Full Application Package version of your application in ResearchNet using the "Preview Application Materials" task to ensure that your application is complete.
   Note: What you see previewed is exactly how your application will look when submitted to CIHR electronically.
9. Indicate that you have verified the application for completeness on ResearchNet.
10. Print the entire application.
11. Save a PDF version of the complete submission.
12. Submit the completed electronic application to CIHR through ResearchNet by completing the "Consent and Submit Application" task on ResearchNet.
    Note: CIHR cannot legally accept your application until you complete this task.
13. For technical help, call 613-941-9080 or e-mail support@researchnet-recherchenet.ca, and for more information email info@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.

Complete application

A complete application consists of:

• A submitted ResearchNet Application including all signatures
  1. Task 1. Identify Participants
  2. Task 2. Provide Overview of Proposed Activity
  3. Task 3. Provide Details of Previous Funding Application(s)
  4. Task 4. Attach Detailed Activity Description
  5. Task 5. Attach Other Application Materials
  6. Task 6. Provide Budget Overview
  7. Task 7. Attach Budget and Supporting Documents
  8. Task 8. Print, Scan and Upload Signature Pages
  9. Task 9. Preview Application Materials
  10. Task 10. Consent and Submit Application
• Signature pages including all required signatures

Contact Information

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

Christian Riel
Manager, Youth and Public Outreach
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-941-5797
Fax: 613-954-6653
Email: christian.riel@cihr-irsc.gc.ca